| Document | Document Title |
|---|---|
| US08348149B1 |
Using dynamic barcodes to send data to a cellphone
An electronic screen capable of showing dynamic images is used to display a set of barcodes, where the barcodes are ‘played’ at the same location on the screen. The screen might also show other material. The data encoded in the barcodes is decoded by a user with a cellphone and camera, that can decode each barcode and combine the data from all the barcodes. This can be extended with the screen also showing static barcodes that encode URLs, where the URLs go back to a web server that also controls the screen. A user with a cellphone and camera scans one of these static barcodes and uses a browser to go to the decoded URL. The web server uses this visit to change what is being shown in the dynamic barcodes, or to change the conditions under which the latter are displayed. |
| US08348148B2 |
Metering infrastructure smart cards
A metering infrastructure having smart devices that utilize smart cards. An infrastructure having a plurality of smart devices is disclosed wherein each smart device is adapted to be controlled by a removable smart card, and wherein each removable smart card includes a computational platform capable of storing and executing program code and a set of application programs capable of being executed on the computational platform, wherein each of the set of application programs is implemented to control an aspect of an associated smart device into which the removable smart card is inserted. |
| US08348147B2 |
Method and apparatus for tracking the location of a digital media player deployed in a network
In one embodiment, a method includes obtaining documentation that includes a first identifying code and information relating to a deployment of a media device. The method also includes deploying the media device at a location, wherein deploying the media device at the location includes connecting the media device to a display device, as well as causing a second identifying code to be displayed on the display device, the second identifying code being indicative of an association between the display device and the media device. The first identifying code and the second identifying code are captured, and paired. When the first identifying code is paired with the second identifying code, the location is a designated point-of-deployment for the media device. |
| US08348140B2 |
Clip file
The invention relates to a clip file, comprising a clip body with a front and a rear clip jaw (5) made from sheet steel, wherein both clip jaws (5) are connected by means of a yoke and the rear clip jaw rests against a rear wall of a rear cover of the file, while the front clip jaw (5) presses against a section of a multiply folded strip (2), provided with a window (4), formed from the longitudinal edge of the rear cover folded towards the front of the file and the strip (2) forms a stop which cooperates with a counter stop formed from an edge of the front clip jaw (5) folded inwards. According to the invention, the clip body may be provided with a defined grip point by means of a projection embossed in the center of at least the front clip jaw, the apex of which faces the yoke of the clip body. |
| US08348139B2 |
Composite solder alloy preform
Various embodiments of the invention provide laminate composite preform foils for high-temperature Pb-free soldering applications. The laminate composite preform foil is composed of a high-melting, ductile metal or alloy core layer and a low-melting solder coating layer at either side of the core layer. During soldering, the core metal, liquid solder layer, and substrate metals react and consume the low-melting solder phase to form high-melting intermetallic compound phases (IMCs). The resultant solder joint is composed of a ductile core layer sandwiched by the IMCs layers at substrate sides. The joint has a much higher remelt temperature than the original melting temperature of the initial solder alloy coating, allowing subsequent mounting of packaged devices. |
| US08348137B1 |
Methods for making connection to microwires
Connections can be made to microwires comprising a conductor of a lower melting point metal (e.g., indium 290) in a sheath of higher melting point polymer (e.g., PETG) by placing a small diameter spring, slightly larger in inside diameter than the outer diameter of the microwire, and of a readily solderable material over the distal end of the microwire. The conductor of the microwire is then soldered to the distal end of the spring in any of several ways that result in a solid member at the distal end of the microwire. The flexible spring provides a flexible support for the microwire, so that as the microwire flexes in use, the spring provides a strain relief; that is, the proximal portion of the spring flexes along with the microwire, so that the microwire bends over some distance rather than at a single point. |
| US08348131B2 |
Surgical stapling instrument with mechanical indicator to show levels of tissue compression
Various forms of surgical instruments are disclosed. In various embodiments, the instrument includes a cartridge supporting assembly for operably supporting a staple cartridge therein. The cartridge supporting assembly may be responsive to firing and retraction motions applied thereto from a firing assembly. An anvil may be operably coupled to an anvil closure assembly. The anvil closure assembly may be constructed to selectively move the anvil in a proximal direction toward the cartridge supporting assembly to enable a portion of tissue to be clamped between a cartridge supported by the cartridge supporting assembly and the anvil under a predetermined amount of compression. The device may further include a closure actuator that operably interacts with the anvil closure assembly such that as the closure actuator is moved in a first direction, the anvil closure assembly causes the anvil to move in the proximal direction to increase the compression of the tissue between the staple cartridge and the anvil. A variable load generating member may cooperate with the anvil closure assembly and the closure actuator to apply a resistive load to the closure actuator in relation to an amount of compression applied to the tissue between the anvil and the staple cartridge. |
| US08348129B2 |
Surgical stapler having a closure mechanism
A surgical stapler comprising a first handle portion comprising a staple cartridge channel configured to receive a staple cartridge and a second handle portion comprising an anvil. The stapler further comprises a rotatable latch and a latch projection, wherein the latch is rotatably coupled to one of the first handle portion and the second handle portion and wherein the latch projection extends from the other of the first handle portion and the second handle portion. The latch is configured to engage the latch projection to move the first handle portion and the second handle portion toward one another. In various embodiments, the latch projection comprises a rotatable bearing wherein the latch is configured to contact the rotatable bearing when the latch engages the latch projection. |
| US08348122B2 |
Surgical stapling device
A surgical stapling device is disclosed for performing circular anastomoses. The surgical stapling device includes a handle portion, an elongated body portion and a head portion including an anvil assembly and a shell assembly. The head portion includes an anvil assembly including a tiltable anvil which will tilt automatically after the device has been fired and unapproximated. The tiltable anvil provides a reduced anvil profile to reduce trauma during removal of the device after the anastomoses procedure has been performed. The stapling device includes an approximation mechanism including a rotatable knob, a screw having a helical channel and an anvil retainer. The helical channel includes a dwell portion for providing a tactile indication to a surgeon that the anvil retainer has been advanced to a position wherein the anvil assembly can be removed from the anvil retainer. A removable trocar for attachment to the anvil assembly is also disclosed which includes a rib positioned proximally of a mounting projection. The rib is positioned to align the mounting projection with associated engagement structure of the anvil assembly. |
| US08348112B2 |
Mounting system for mounting an electronic device on a vehicle
A mounting system for mounting an electronic device on a vehicle is disclosed herein. The mounting system includes a mounting bracket that can be attached to a vehicle. The mounting bracket has a first member defining an engaging member and a second member defining a keeper. The mounting system also includes a retainer attached to the electronic device and capable of engaging and rotating around the engaging member. Additionally, the mounting system includes a latch associated with the electronic device. The latch comprises a rotor capable of engaging the keeper and securing the electronic device to the mounting bracket after the retainer has engaged the engaging member. |
| US08348101B2 |
Locking dispenser
A locking dispenser to dispense material from a replaceable refill container maintains a lock assembly having a plurality of spring-biased plungers configured in accordance with a predetermined lock parameter. The refill container carries a collar that includes a plurality of markers configured in accordance with a predetermined key parameter. Thus, when a refill container having a key parameter that is compatible with the lock parameter of the key block is installed at the dispenser, the plungers transition from a locked state to an unlocked state to enable the movement of an actuator, which when depressed by a user, results in the dispensement of material from the refill container. |
| US08348098B2 |
Dispensing device for dispensing a plurality of different preparations
A dispensing device dispenses at least two different preparations substantially simultaneously. The device has a delivery element to deliver a first preparation from a package to its surrounding environment when an actuating element, in at least one embodiment a trigger connected to a pump, is actuated. The dispensing device has a connection line between the delivery element and at least one portion cartridge for a second preparation. The portion cartridge is detachably coupled to the dispensing device such that as the actuating element is actuated, the first and second preparations can be simultaneously dispensed. |
| US08348097B2 |
Beverage server system
A beverage server system for extracting a beverage from a corked beverage bottle without uncorking the bottle includes a penetration element for penetrating the cork. The penetration element includes a beverage extraction conduit for extracting the beverage from the bottle and a gas injection conduit for injecting gas into the bottle. A gas injection port disposed in the gas injection conduit is located at a level higher than a beverage extraction port disposed in the beverage extraction conduit in the bottle when extracting the beverage from the bottle through the beverage extraction conduit. The beverage server system has a simple structure, extracts beverage from the beverage bottle without causing contact of the beverage inside the beverage bottle with air, and is easy to operate, maintain, and introduce into a household. |
| US08348096B2 |
Discharge device with discharge stroke which reduces volume of media and dosage chambers
A discharge device for liquid media having housing sections movable relative to one another along a total stroke between a non-actuated rest position and an actuated end position and together forming a manual actuating device. A media reservoir stores the medium prior to discharge, and a conveying device includes a discharge opening and a dosage chamber. The actuating and conveying devices are operatively coupled such that during a first partial stroke of the discharge actuation starting from the rest position the media reservoir and the dosage chamber are in communicating connection and during a second partial stroke of the discharge actuation following the first partial stroke the media reservoir and the dosage chamber are separated, the volume of the dosage chamber and the media reservoir being reduced by the second partial stroke of the discharge actuation. |
| US08348095B2 |
Counter for a device for dispensing a fluid or powder product
A dose counter for a fluid dispenser device, said counter including a first rotary counter element (410) forming a units wheel, and a second rotary counter element (420) forming a tens wheel, said first counter element (410) co-operating with an actuator member (430) that is adapted to cause said first counter element (410) to turn each time said actuator member (430) is actuated, said first rotary counter element (410) including means (418, 419) that are adapted to cause said second counter element (420) to turn on every tenth actuation of said actuator member (430), said actuator member (430) including an opening that is mounted in rotary manner on said pivot pin (461), a substantially rigid and substantially rectilinear tab (431) extending radially from said opening, said tab (431) co-operating with the first counter element (410) on each actuation, said tab (431) being extended on the other side of said pivot pin by a substantially rigid and substantially rectilinear portion, that is itself connected to an elastically-deformable portion (434) of shape that is curved and that passes, at least in part, around the pivot pin (461). |
| US08348094B2 |
Vacuum based pill singulator and counter based thereon
A singulating disc, carried by a housing, has a plurality of openings around its periphery. The disc rotates vertically through a pickup chamber of a hopper carried by the housing. A vacuum is pulled through the openings by a pump which is connected to the disc. Items are placed in the hopper and, via gravity, fall to the bottom of the hopper where they contact the periphery of the rotating disc. The vacuum at the openings attaches an item and holds it while the disc rotates. At the top of the discs rotation, a diverter directs the item into a path depending on the results of a fragment detection and/or counting mechanism. Items that are allowed to pass by the diverter are scraped off the disc into another path by a scraper. Negative pressure is used to singulate and count a multitude of sizes and shapes of items with no calibration. Retractable paddles, a vacuum management system, and RFID tags may be incorporated. The paddles aid in the pickup and agitation of the items while the vacuum management system conserves the vacuum capacity necessary to pickup and singulate items. The RFID tags may contain information such as the number of items left in the hopper, a par level for that item, an expiration date, among others. Because of the rules governing abstracts, this abstract should not be used to construe the claims. |
| US08348089B2 |
Industrial baking tray with contoured reinforcement band
An industrial or commercial baking tray that includes a baking surface; a walled portion surrounding the baking surface and formed integrally therewith; and a contoured reinforcing band positioned around the perimeter of the walled portion, wherein the top edge of the walled portion has been adapted to enclose at least a portion of the contoured reinforcing band; and wherein the cross-sectional geometry of the contoured reinforcing band is operative to impart strength and stability to the baking tray while reducing the overall mass of the reinforcing band. |
| US08348085B2 |
Pressure tank
A pressure tank includes a metallic vessel, a plastic liner received in the metallic vessel, a flexible diaphragm, two connectors and a nozzle coupled to the nipples respectively. The metallic vessel includes upper and lower shells. The upper shell defines a first planar area on a side thereof and a second planar area on a top thereof. The lower shell defines a third planar area therebottom. The flexible diaphragm divides the metallic vessel into a storage space and a pneumatic room. Each of the connectors includes a nipple and an anti-leak assembly. The nipples of the connectors are mounted on the side and top of the upper shell respectively and are in communication with the storage space. The two anti-leak assemblies provide leakproof connection between the nipples and the plastic liner. Additionally, the nozzle is mounted on the third planar area to be in communication with the pneumatic room. |
| US08348082B2 |
Pull-tab sealing member
A pull-tab sealing member includes a bottom laminate sheet, a top laminate sheet, and a tube portion. The bottom laminate sheet includes a support layer having a bottom surface facing the container and a top surface on the opposite side thereof, a lower polymer layer disposed on the bottom surface of the support layer, and an adhesive coating formed on a bottom surface of the lower polymer layer for securing the bottom laminate sheet to the container. The top laminate sheet includes a polymer support having a bottom surface and a top surface and an adhesive layer disposed on the bottom surface of the polymer support layer. The tube portion includes a polymer tubed layer secured to a portion of the top surface of the support layer of the bottom laminate sheet and a tubed tab portion formed integrally with the polymer tubed layer and secured to a portion of the adhesive layer of the top laminate sheet. The support layer of the bottom laminate sheet is secured to the adhesive layer of the top laminate sheet by a remaining portion of the adhesive layer and the polymer support layer, the tubed tab portion, and the portion of the adhesive layer therebetween form a tab portion. |
| US08348080B2 |
Trash container with retractable weatherproof cover
Apparatus for enclosing and containing its contents. Apparatus may include a container having wheels and a handle. Apparatus may include a top portion with a retractable cover capable of protecting the contents of the container from weather and other harmful elements. |
| US08348078B2 |
Leak proof drinking lid with pressure relief
A leak proof/resistant drinking lid (10) is provided for use with beverage container. The lid (10) includes a manually actuated valve stem (16) mounted to a housing (14), a drinking port (18) extending through the housing (14), a drinking valve head (20) carried on the stem (16), a pressure relief port (22) extending through the drinking valve head (20), and a pressure relief valve head (24) mounted to the stem 16. The pressure relief valve head (24) is releasably mounted to the stem (16) by a connector (26). A resilient member (28) is sandwiched between the stem (16) and the drinking valve head (20) to transmit an actuating force from the stem (16) to the drinking valve head (20) and to allow the stem (16) and the pressure relief valve head (24) to translate relative to the drinking valve head (20). |
| US08348077B2 |
Bodies, packages of bodies, and a device and method for packaging bodies
The invention relates to bodies that have a structuring with connecting elements formed around the entire girth of the body. Furthermore, the invention relates to packages including an arrangement of at least two bodies according to the invention, with the connecting elements of a first body cooperating with the corresponding connecting elements of a second body in a form-locking manner. Furthermore, the invention relates to a device for producing packages from bodies. The device has an alignment unit and at least one sliding device for form-lockingly connecting the aligned bodies, with at least two bodies at a time being rotated about their longitudinal axes in order to align corresponding connecting elements of the two bodies so that they can cooperate. The invention moreover relates to a method for producing packages from bodies, whereby at least two bodies are aligned first and subsequently assembled to form a first package, with the oppositely arranged connecting elements form-lockingly interlocking. |
| US08348072B2 |
Tension-mounted pole caddy
A tension-mounted pole caddy for mounting between two substantially parallel surfaces is disclosed. The pole device generally includes a first tubular body, a second tubular body, a toothed rack, a locking pawl, and a base-mounted lever for operation of the locking pawl. Preferably, the first tubular body includes a base end for contacting a surface and a telescoping end, while the second tubular body has a base end for contacting a second surface and a telescoping end coupled with the telescoping end of the first body. The toothed rack is affixed within the first body portion proximate the telescoping end, with the locking pawl within the second body and capable of movement to engage and disengage the toothed rack. The lever is coupled to the locking pawl via linkage, such that operation of the lever between a first and second position actuates the locking pawl to engage and disengage, respectively, from the toothed rack, wherein the lever is positioned at the base end of the second tubular body. |
| US08348071B1 |
Adjustable air handler stand and filter rack
A base assembly for air handlers having a filter. Four metallic legs each have a distal end. The metallic legs also have first through holes at first predetermined distances from their respective distal ends. The metallic legs have a rectangular or square cross section, and each distal end mounts to a floor. First and second metallic upper frames have vertical extensions to telescopically receive the four metallic legs respectively. The first and second metallic upper frames further have braces member and air filter C-shaped tracks. The first and second metallic upper frames each further have elongated male horizontal arms and elongated female horizontal arms that join whereby the air filter C-shaped tracks face each other to receive a filter. |
| US08348070B2 |
Display mounting apparatus
A display apparatus and method for mounting display brackets. The display brackets having a male anchor portion having a profile which is an upwardly curved tab of substantially even thickness. The apparatus comprising: an elongate insert element having an anterior face and posterior face; the elongate insert element having a pair of parallel longitudinal anterior lip portions that define an elongate longitudinal orientated slot aperture to a substantially horizontally orientated anchoring cavity for receiving the male anchor portion; the anchor cavity having a profile that substantially conforms to the profile of the male anchor portion. |
| US08348069B2 |
Rotatable organizer
A rotatable organizer comprising: a base; a first gear in rotatable communication with the base; a first turntable fixedly attached to the first gear, the exposed turntable having a center; a second gear in rotatable communication with the base, and meshing with the first gear; a third gear in rotatable communication with the base, and meshing with the second gear; a second turntable fixedly attached to the third gear, the second turntable having a center; an enclosure attached to the base; a central divider attached to the enclosure. A rotatable organizer similar to the one previously described, except with rails instead of an enclosure, with the rails being about ½ inch to about 9 inches high. |
| US08348063B2 |
Backflush device for a filter system
The invention relates to a backflush device (6) for a filter system (1) for removing impurities from a fluid, the backflush device (6) serving to backflush a filter body (3) in the filter system separating the clean side (5) from the inlet side (4), and comprising at least one backflush nozzle (7) for applying a rinse medium to the filter body (3), said nozzle comprising at least one opening (8) through which the rinse medium flows in a flow direction (9) during backflushing and exits the backflush nozzle (7). In order to improve the effectiveness of the backflushing, the at least one opening is designed as a slit opening (8) extending transverse to the flow direction (9) in a straight line having a constant cross-sectional profile (16) comprising a nozzle segment (17) expanding the flow direction (9). |
| US08348062B2 |
Packaging box
A packaging box, which is easily disassembled to easily remove a product therefrom. A packaging box including an external box having a receiving space therein, the external box including a receiving part and a cover removably coupleable to the receiving part; an internal box receivable in the receiving space of the external box, the internal box having a receiving space therein; and a slide pad slidably coupleable to a lower portion of the internal box. |
| US08348061B2 |
Cosmetic container
A cosmetic container (X) has a cap (11) that is fit externally onto a container body (1), in which a cosmetic is stored, to fully cover a to-be-covered portion of the container body (1). First and second magnets (15 and 17) are disposed respectively in the cap (11) and the container body (1) so as to oppose each other in the completely covered condition and so that the cap (11) fully covers the container body (1) by the mutual magnetic attachment of the magnets (15, 17). Each magnet (15, 17) is formed into a ring in a circumferential direction and having a plurality of magnetic poles disposed alternately in the circumferential direction. |
| US08348057B1 |
Anti-theft toolbox
The present invention relates to an anti-theft toolbox comprising a lower frame, an upper frame and a locking element. The lower frame and the upper frame latch together by locking portions. The locking portions have notches. The locking element has two tighten masses with a groove spanned across them. The inner wall of the groove has opposite flanges. The flanges are anchored into the corresponding notches. The two tighten masses are bound by a plurality of binding portions which has a hollow in-between every two adjacent binding portions. |
| US08348050B2 |
Dental floss dispenser and method of operation thereof
A dispenser including a first sheet defining at least part of one or more cavities; a second sheet defining at least another part of the one or more cavities; a plurality of pull covers attached to at least one of the first sheet and the second sheet; and a plurality of floss portions each located in a corresponding cavity of the one or more cavities, wherein when a pull cover of the plurality of pull covers is separated from the first sheet or the second sheet, a corresponding floss portion of the plurality of floss portions is removed from a corresponding cavity of the plurality of the one or more cavities. One or more of the floss portions may be attached to, or formed integrally with, a corresponding pull cover of the plurality of pull covers. A weakened area may delineate a pull cover. |
| US08348048B2 |
Deflection apparatus for a conveying system
A deflection mechanism (1) for a conveying system including a central member (5) with a rolling element (20) that revolves around the central member (5). The rolling element (2) has a plurality of guided rolls (3) which roll within a raceway (13) of the central member (5). The shape of the central member (5) is adjustable such that a deflection angle of the deflection mechanism (1) can be adjusted. |
| US08348046B1 |
Conveyor belt cleaning assembly
Belt cleaning assemblies for a continuous conveyor belt having a pervious belt assembly and top and bottom belt surfaces generally include contact and non-contact cleaning assembles. Continuous conveyor belt systems having belt cleaning assemblies and methods for cleaning continuous conveyor belts are also provided. |
| US08348045B2 |
Device for transporting flat objects
The device for transporting flat objects from an output unit to an input unit has a conveyor belt with several pairs of flaps to transport flat objects in suspended fashion. A feed unit serves to convey the flat objects into the flaps from below. Each flap has a first side piece and a second side piece, which define an intermediate space for holding an edge section of the flat object. The first side pieces and the second side pieces of the flaps of each pair of flaps face each other. Each flap can be pivoted between an open position for picking up and releasing the flat object and a closed position for transporting the flat objects. |
| US08348042B2 |
Optical sensing device for detecting optical features of valuable papers
An optical sensing device for detecting plural optical features of valuable papers is provided that comprises first and second photocoupers 5 and 6 or 9 and 10 positioned in the vicinity of and on the opposite sides of a passageway 13 for guiding the valuable paper 64. Each of first and second photocouplers 5 and 6 or 9 and 10 has a light emitting element 20, 22, 30, 32 for emitting a light, and a light receiving element 21, 23, 31, 33 for selectively receiving the light from the light emitting element 20 so that each light receiving element 21, 23, 31, 33 can receive lights reflected on and penetrating the valuable paper 64 for detection of multiple optical features from the valuable paper 64. Thus, the optical sensing device can derive plural optical scanning patterns by means of less number of light emitting and receiving elements to improve accuracy in valuable paper validation; can pick out optical patterns for different colors printed on valuable paper by means of plural lights of different wavelength irradiated on a same scan line or area on valuable paper; and can utilize inexpensive light emitting and receiving elements to reduce cost for manufacture. |
| US08348037B2 |
Sealing plug for a torque converter
A torque converter having three sealed chambers in which a piston for engaging and disengaging a lock-up clutch is attached to the torque converter using a plurality of leaf springs. The assembly includes a plurality of access or pass-through holes for effecting the attachment of the leaf spring to the cover using rivets. Also included is plurality of plugs to seal the pass-through holes. A method of using the plugs to prevent uncontrolled leakage from one sealed chamber to another. |
| US08348036B2 |
Two pass multi-function torque converter
A multi-function torque converter including: an apply pressure chamber for a torque converter clutch; a first pressure chamber including a torus; and a resilient flow control element in fluid communication with the apply chamber and the first pressure chamber and arranged to control fluid flow to the apply pressure chamber. The resilient flow element is displaceable to block fluid flow to the apply pressure chamber in torque converter mode for the torque converter and to enable fluid flow to the apply chamber in lock-up mode. The torque converter includes a second pressure chamber and the clutch includes a piston plate at least partially bounding the apply pressure chamber and the second pressure chamber. |
| US08348035B2 |
Pressing-on device for a current collector and method for energy transmission
A current collector for a rail vehicle and a method for transmitting energy from power rails to the vehicle employ a contact shoe that includes an upper sliding contact surface and a lower sliding contact surface. A first pressing-on force forms a sliding contact between the upper sliding contact surface and an upper contact surface of a first power rail, when the contact shoe is in an upper sliding contact position. A second pressing-on force forms a sliding contact between the lower sliding contact surface and a lower contact surface of a second power rail, when the contact shoe is in a lower sliding contact position. The pressing-on forces may be applied by a pressing-on device attached to the contact shoe. The contact shoe may be moved into the upper sliding contact position by the first power rail, and into the lower sliding contact position by the second power rail. |
| US08348029B2 |
Single fastener strut top mount and method of optimizing same
A strut top mount is optimized to provide a resilient response to jounce and rebound load rates that is symmetrical and linear over a predetermined range of travel. An annular tower is formed of the body structure. A central bracket has adhered thereto an outer resilient element that abuts the tower, and has adhered oppositely thereto an inner resilient element. A bearing is supported by the central bracket, and a spring seat is supported by the bearing. A sleeve is received by a strut shaft and adhered to the inner resilient element A lower washer abuts a lower end of the inner resilient element. An upper washer abuts an upper end of the inner resilient element. A retention washer is mounted onto the strut shaft, wherein a periphery thereof has a retention washer resilient element. The components are collectively tuned to provide the optimization. |
| US08348026B2 |
Brake cylinder for compressed air operated vehicle disc brakes
A brake cylinder is provided for vehicle brakes, in particular for commercial vehicles brakes, that is equipped with a brake cylinder housing, in which a spring-loaded piston, a service brake piston, a spring-loaded spring and a piston return spring are arranged. The brake cylinder is simple to construct and extremely compact. The spring-loaded piston is in a primary chamber of the brake cylinder and is arranged between the service brake piston and a front side of the brake cylinder housing having the compressed air connections. |
| US08348025B2 |
Piston-side brake shim
The present invention is a shim or shim assembly that clips onto a brake caliper piston. It is generally a rimmed round (disc or annular) shape to cap the edges of the caliper piston and includes surface features for lubrication, and improved fitting. Reduced noise from frictional fretting is provided along with protection of piston's outer rim. Reduced thermal transfer into the piston is also provided. |
| US08348020B2 |
Elevator control device with carrier frequency switch circuit
An elevator control device includes a vector controller that calculates a voltage command required for driving an elevator cage, a carrier frequency switch circuit that outputs a carrier frequency signal, and a power converter that performs PWM control based on the voltage command and the carrier frequency signal, generates an AC power and supplies the AC power to an AC motor. The carrier frequency switch circuit changes the carrier frequency signal when a torque command for driving the AC motor reaches a torque limit value. Thus, it is possible to continuously operate an elevator without causing damage to a switching element of the power converter. |
| US08348018B2 |
Display device for an elevator shaft in which several elevator cabins travel
A display device for a lift system with at least one lift shaft, in which several lift cabins travel. The device includes an allocation manager that allocates an identifier to a lift cabin carrying out a transport job and a display at a boarding location that outputs an identifier of a lift cabin. The display can simultaneously display the identifier for several lift cabins. |
| US08348016B2 |
Descender with fall arrest and controlled rate of descent
A device for providing a controlled maximum rate of descent down a rope and fall arrest. The device includes a movable cam that in response to tension on a rope pivots into a closed position, jamming the rope within the device and arresting a fall. Force applied to a torque arm coupled to the cam allows the cam to be pivoted to its open position, which allows rope travel. As cam is opened, the rope travels a more sharply angular path through the device, which creates a frictional force on the rope sufficient to limit the maximum rate of descent. |
| US08348015B2 |
Tubular access ladder and method
An access ladder includes a plurality of sections connected together to telescope between an extended position and a retracted position that has an increasing reactive force to counterbalance the weight of the sections as they extend. A method for accessing a room with a ladder connected to a ceiling including the steps of moving the ladder to a fully extended position subject to an increasingly active force to counterbalance the weight of the ladder as it extends. There is the step of retracting the ladder into a retracted position in the ceiling. |
| US08348012B2 |
Resonator
The present disclosure relates to a resonator, and more particularly, to a resonator installed at the rear of a turbo charger of a vehicle and combined with a Helmholtz resonator and a groove type resonator to attenuate both high-frequency noise and low-frequency noise. The resonator installed at the rear of a turbo charger of a vehicle to attenuate an inhaling noise includes: at least one Helmholtz resonator having a cavity in an air introduction path extending into a duct so that the cavity is formed in a radial direction of the duct; and at least one groove type resonator provided at the rear of the Helmholtz resonator and protruding outwards in the radial direction of the duct. |
| US08348011B1 |
Earplug cushion for an earphone
An earplug cushion for an earphone comprises a central tube part with a sound outlet and a sound inlet fitting with the sound guide tube of the earphone, an outer shield part extending from the sound outlet to the sound inlet for being inserted into the canal, and a buffer part disposed at the tube part next to the sound outlet; according to special and effective design for the buffer part, when the earphone is worn with the earplug cushion, the buffer part becomes twisted and deformed to be adapted to the canal in different sizes snugly without clearances for decreasing oppression to the canal and enhancing quality of the listened sound. |
| US08348009B2 |
Steering device, particularly electric servo steering device for a motor vehicle
A steering device, in particular an electric power-steering device for a motor vehicle, comprising an axially parallel drive which has a steering gearbox housing, a steering axle, a steering element, and at least one axle steering mechanism connected to the steering element, having a motor unit disposed on the steering gearbox housing, having a servo gearbox disposed in a gearbox cover and having a control unit for the motor unit, which is disposed in a control device housing. The control device housing of the control unit is disposed on one axially parallel side of the servo gearbox, and a motor housing of the motor unit is disposed on the other axially parallel side of the servo gearbox. |
| US08348008B2 |
Electric power steering system
In an electric power steering system, a motor drive controller that has an inverter circuit board and a control circuit board housed in a control case is provided so as to overlap a control case fixation surface formed at an end portion of a gear housing in the axial direction of a steering shaft, so that it is possible to reduce the projection in the axial direction of a motor as compared to the conventional one. In addition, a metallic board is used for the inverter circuit board and the inverter circuit board is fixed to the control case fixation surface so as to be in surface contact therewith, so that it is possible to efficiently dissipate the heat generated on the inverter circuit board into the gear housing and a fixation support plate. |
| US08347999B2 |
Power generating unit for a vehicle and method therefor
A power generation system has at least one wheel. A trailing arm is pivotably coupled to an undercarriage of a vehicle for converting rotational energy generated by the at least one wheel to electrical energy. A transformer is coupled to the trailing arm. An electric refrigeration unit is coupled to the transformer. |
| US08347997B2 |
System and method for armoring vehicles using a hull having a blast vent
A modular, wheeled vehicle suitable for military use, includes a driver module having a width for seating one person and having length for seating a second (and optional third) person therebehind, and an engine module disposed behind the driver module containing an engine for powering the modular vehicle. The engine module has a rear surface adapted to receive a storage module. The driver module and the engine module form a central element having a pair of sides, a bottom, and a top. The central element is adapted to receive the modules on both of the central element sides. The central element has air inlet for personnel and for the engine disposed atop the central element. The bottom of the central element and troop side pods generally are V-shaped with slanted, upward extending sides. |
| US08347994B2 |
Tractor hood airflow system
A vehicle engine enclosure includes a tractor frame which supports an engine. A cooling system is mounted on the frame. The cooling system has a housing which surrounds cooling components. A hood is mounted on the frame and encloses the engine and the cooling system. The hood includes a top panel and left and right hood side panels. The top panel has outlet vents formed therein. A pair of left and right side plates are mounted on the frame. A rear end plate covers a rear end of the hood. A plurality of seals are placed between these components so that a duct is formed which collects hot air and moves it vertically through the vents to prevent re-ingesting of the hot air. |
| US08347989B2 |
Hole opener with hybrid reaming section and method of making
A hole opener having a hybrid reaming section for reaming subterranean wellbores may include a tubular reamer body having a longitudinal axis and upper and lower ends, a rolling cutter mount coupled to the body, a rolling cutter rotatably coupled to the mount, and a fixed blade coupled to the body adjacent the mount. A method of forming a hybrid reamer tool for downhole use may include providing a tubular stem having couplers on the upper and lower ends, coupling a reamer body having an outer periphery to the stem between the stem upper and lower ends, coupling a rolling cutter mount to the outer periphery of the reamer body, the mount having a rolling cutter rotatably coupled thereto, and coupling a fixed blade to the outer periphery of the reamer body adjacent the rolling cutter mount. |
| US08347986B2 |
Roller cone drill bit with lubricant pressure relief mechanism and method
Roller cone drill bits may be provided with pressure relief mechanisms operable to control lubricant pressure within respective lubricant systems. Each lubricant system may be enclosed and isolated from downhole well fluids. Portions of each pressure relief mechanism may be completely surrounded by lubricant to increase downhole life of associated operating mechanisms and to produced more repeatable and more reliable opening and closing of the pressure relief mechanism. The downhole drilling life of bearing surfaces, fluid seals and other supporting structures associated with roller cones mounted on support arms of such roller cone drill bits may be substantially increased. Each pressure relief mechanism may be locked in a closed position to assist with filling the respective lubricant system with lubricant. |
| US08347985B2 |
Mulitmodal geosteering systems and methods
Multimodal geosteering systems and methods are disclosed. Some disclosed tool embodiments include first and second transmitter-receiver arrangements that make geosteering measurements using different forms of energy (such as acoustic and electromagnetic energy) to provide geosteering measurements that at least indicate a boundary direction but may also indicate a boundary distance. Some disclosed method embodiments include: determining a direction to a bed boundary using measurements with different energy types; and adjusting a drilling direction based at least in part on said determination. Combinations of (or selections between) the different measurements may be made based on, inter alia, measurement range, resolution, and contrast. Some disclosed system embodiments include a memory and a processor. The memory stores geosteering display software that configures the processor to generate an image with different regions based on the different types of geosteering measurements. Characteristics such as opacity, resolution, and intensity may visually distinguish the different regions. |
| US08347982B2 |
System and method for managing heave pressure from a floating rig
A system compensates for heave induced pressure fluctuations on a floating rig when a drill string or tubular is lifted off bottom and suspended on the rig, such as when tubular connections are made during MPD, tripping, or when a kick is circulated out during conventional drilling. In one embodiment, a liquid and a gas interface moves along a flow line between a riser and a gas accumulator as the tubular moves up and down. In another embodiment, a pressure relief valve or adjustable choke allows the movement of fluid from the riser when the tubular moves down, and a pump with a pressure regulator moves fluid to the riser when the tubular moves up. In other embodiments, a piston connected with the rig or the riser telescoping joint moves in a fluid container thereby communicating fluid either into or out of the riser annulus. |
| US08347977B2 |
Powered mobile module and attachment combination
Various attachments (different dozer blade arrangements, a gantry crane, large auger) are designed for use with multiple identical powered mobile modules including a main support frame housing an internal combustion engine as a prime mover and being supported on either powered tracks or wheels. The modules can be either equipped with a cab and manned or used without a cab and controlled remotely. One or more of the mobile modules may be equipped with a GPS unit to aid in positioning the associated attachment. |
| US08347974B2 |
Safety locking device
A safety locking device 18 for a quick hitch/coupler 10 of an earth working machine. The safety locking device 18 has a locking element 21 which is biased into a locking position to automatically lock a front pin of an implement when it is engaged in the hook 14 of the coupler 10. The safety locking device 18 has an hydraulic operable mechanism to move the locking element 21 to an unlocking position. The hydraulic supply to the safety locking device 18 is independent of the hydraulic supply to a locking mechanism 16 of the coupler 10. |
| US08347973B2 |
Increasing oil production
A method of recovering petroleum from dormant oil wells or increasing the production of oil wells. An alkali metal or alkaline earth metal carbonate is introduced into a water layer associated with a subterranean petroleum reservoir and/or an explosive composition is introduced into an oil layer associated with a subterranean petroleum reservoir. CO2 gas is produced by reacting the alkali metal or alkaline earth metal carbonate with an acid and/or by detonating the explosive composition. |
| US08347972B2 |
Torque wrench system having multiple torque stations
An improved multi-bolt and nut torque wrench for installing and removing bolts or nuts from flanged joints or the like which includes a plurality of torque stations having a plurality of high torque wrenches for engaging the heads of the bolts or nuts during a high torque phase of removal or installation; a plurality of low-torque motors operatively engaged with the wrenches for rotating the bolts or nuts during the low torque phase of removal or installation; a source of hydraulic fluid for driving the low-torque motors during the low-torque phase, and driving the high-torque wrenches during the high torque phase; and a mechanism for switching between the two phases depending on the torque needed. |
| US08347971B2 |
Manipulatable spider components adapted for cooperation with a vertically reciprocating control line guide
A method and apparatus are provided for installing control lines and pipe into a well. The pipe-holding spider that is normally mounted on the rig floor is adapted for easy disassembly and reassembly when the pipe slips within the spider are not engaged with the outer surface of the pipe string so that upon disassembly, a control line guide becomes vertically movable. The control line guide is adapted for being controllably elevated to a distance above the rig floor, thereby providing personnel access to a portion of the length of the pipe string below the elevated control line guide and above the rig floor for securing control line to the pipe string using a fastener. |
| US08347968B2 |
Single trip well completion system
A completion system that is usable with a well may include a packer, a screen, an isolation valve and an annulus communication valve. The screen communicates well fluid between an annulus of the well and an interior passageway of the completion system. The isolation valve is radially disposed inside the screen to control communication through the screen between the annulus and the interior passageway. The annulus communication valve is located downhole of the packer and uphole of the screen to control communication with the annulus of the well. The packer, screen, isolation valve and the annulus communication valve are adapted to be run downhole as a unit into the well as a single trip completion. |
| US08347966B2 |
Seal system and method
A system in some embodiments includes a system, having a seal assembly, including an inner energizing ring, an outer energizing ring, a load ring disposed between the inner energizing ring and the outer energizing ring, a sealing element, and a lock ring. Further other embodiments provide a method of sealing, including rotating an inner energizing ring in a direction to move the inner energizing ring in a first axial direction to seat a seal, rotating an outer energizing ring in the direction to wedgingly engage and set a lock ring in a radial direction, and rotating a load ring in the direction to move the load ring in a second axial direction to set the lock ring. |
| US08347963B2 |
Controlling transient underbalance in a wellbore
A method of perforating a well includes selecting a desired transient underbalanced condition, configuring a perforating gun string to achieve the transient underbalanced condition, deploying the perforating gun is a wellbore, and firing the perforating to achieve the transient underbalanced condition. |
| US08347961B2 |
Low heat of hydration cement compositions and methods of using same
A method of servicing a wellbore in a subterranean formation, comprising preparing a cement composition comprising water and a cementitious material, wherein the cementitious material further comprises blast furnace slag, vitrified shale, calcium sulfate hemi-hydrate or combinations thereof, and placing the cement composition in the wellbore. A cement composition comprising water and a cementitious material, wherein the cementitious material further comprises blast furnace slag, vitrified shale, calcium sulfate hemi-hydrate or combinations thereof. A cement composition comprising water and a cementitious material, wherein the cementitious material further comprises blast furnace slag. |
| US08347955B1 |
Plunger lift mechanism
Method and apparatus for a plunger lift mechanism with a main channel disposed between a first and second valve. The first valve is closed by engaging a sealing member to a first seat at a proximal end of the main channel and the second valve consequently closes to with a sealing member engaging a second seat at a distal end of the main channel. An amount of pressure accumulates on a first side of the plunger lift to overcome a pressure on a second side of the plunger lift to force the plunger lift to traverse a well bore and evacuate any fluids present above the plunger lift. |
| US08347952B2 |
Enhanced vent for outlet for a cooling system
A cooling mechanism includes a first heat exchanger, a first fluid-flow port, and a second fluid-flow port. The first heat exchanger includes a forced-fluid driver and is configured to pump heat from inside an enclosed area to outside of the enclosed area. Furthermore, the first fluid-flow port is configured to accommodate a first fluid flow into the enclosed area and the second fluid-flow port is configured to accommodate a second fluid flow from the enclosed area. Note that the first fluid-flow port and the second fluid-flow port are approximately coplanar. In addition, a given fluid-flow port, which may be either or both of the fluid-flow ports, is tapered to have an associated cross-sectional area which is smaller at an edge of the given fluid-flow port that is proximate to the outside of the enclosed area than at an edge of the given fluid-flow port that is proximate to the inside of the enclosed area. |
| US08347951B2 |
Heat dissipation device
A heat dissipation device includes a canister filled with a phase-changeable working fluid, a housing hermetically fixed to a top of the canister and communicating with the canister, a fan located above a top of the housing and an impeller comprising a driving member received in the housing, an annular magnet accommodated in the hub and an axle coaxially connecting the driving member and the annular magnet together. The fan includes a plurality of windings fixed on an inner side thereof. When the working fluid is heated and vaporized to move through the driving member, the driving member is driven by the vaporized working fluid to rotate, whereby the annular magnet rotates within the windings to cause the windings to generate a current. |
| US08347943B2 |
Diecasting tool arrangement
Diecasting tool for the production of a cylinder crankcase (2), comprising a salt core (4) and at least one cylinder sleeve (6), wherein the cylinder sleeve (6) comprises an upper end (8) on the cylinder head side, and a lower end (10) on the crankshaft side, and the cylinder sleeve (6) is supported on at least one center sleeve that is disposed on the diecasting tool, and the salt core (4) at least partially surrounds the cylinder sleeve (6) in the manner of a cladding, wherein the salt core (4) comprises a crown (12) that at least partially bears on one of the ends (8, 10) of the cylinder sleeve (6), and the core (4) comprising openings (14) that extend vertically beneath the end (8) of the cylinder sleeve (6) on the cylinder head side. |
| US08347938B2 |
Multiple-pane window with an electrical built-in element
According to the invention, a multilayer or insulating window pane (1) having at least two rigid panes (1P) and a spacer frame (1S) which connects these panes so as to form a tightly sealed intermediate space between the panes, and also an electrical component (3; for example motor, valve) which is arranged in the intermediate space between the panes, and also an associated electrical connection device is equipped with a detection device (4) for operating data of the component (3), which detection device cannot be manipulated from the outside but can be at least indirectly read off or read out. As a result, switch-on processes or times, maximum current consumption or operating temperature or the like, for example, can be detected and checked for servicing and/or monitoring purposes by reading out the operating data. |
| US08347932B2 |
Roof seam tape applicator
An apparatus for placement of seam tape to a roof or roof membrane. The apparatus comprises first and second sides spaced a distance apart, wherein each side includes a material axle opening and a pressure applicator orifice. The apparatus also comprises a removable pressure applicator having a first end and second end positioned in the pressure applicator orifices of the first and second sides. A support element may be operatively attached to the first and second sides, span the distance between the first and second sides, and positioned opposite the pressure applicator to support the apparatus. Additionally, a material axle may be positioned such that its ends are removably positioned in the material axle openings of the first and second sides. A closed front side may connect the first and second side, while an open stern may allow direct access to the pressure applicator, the support element, and the material axle. |
| US08347931B2 |
Attaching device and method of fabricating organic light emmitting device using the same
An attaching device and a method of fabricating an organic light emitting device using the same are disclosed. The attaching device includes a process chamber, first and second substrate supporters, a substrate detachable part, and an open-close valve. The first and second substrate supporters are positioned inside the process chamber, load and fix substrates. The substrate detachable part is positioned inside the second substrate supporter, and moves up and down to allow the second substrate supporter to instantaneously receive a physical pressure. The open-close valve is positioned on a portion of the process chamber, and opens and closes the process chamber to control a pressure inside the process chamber. |
| US08347928B2 |
Support element
Provided is a wood splitter having a support element, a first elongated element, a second elongated element, and wood splitting components. A support element may be a first elongated element and a second elongated element engaged to the first elongated element. The first elongated element may be subject to a first pre-stress load. The first pre-stress load may be a first moment. The a second elongated element may be engaged to the first elongated element and may be subject to a second pre-stress load. Wood splitting components may be engaged with at least one of a first elongated element or a second elongated element, may be adapted to operate to split wood, and may be adapted to apply an operational load during operation to the first elongated element. The operational load may at least partially relax the first moment. |
| US08347921B2 |
Parallel type valve assembly
Two connected valve units each formed by serially connecting plural electromagnetic valves in a direct abutment state are disposed in parallel between two end blocks. The two end blocks are tightened with plural connecting bolts disposed therebetween so as to directly clamp and fix the two connected valve units from both sides in the serial connection direction of the electromagnetic valves. One of the end blocks is provided with a power supply connector, and the other is provided with an air inlet port and a discharge port. |
| US08347920B2 |
Pressurized fluid positioner control system
The inventive technology, in embodiments, may include a controller configured to coordinate operation of valves and remotely controllable regulators that are fluidically communicative therewith, allowing the control of positioners of positioner zones that are fluidically communicative with such remotely controllable regulators. Preferred embodiments may find application as, e.g., a pneumatic system to control positioners, whether such positioner find use in bottling applications or elsewhere. Additional aspects of the inventive technology may relate to methods for pressurized fluid positioner control. |
| US08347915B2 |
Load-lock technique
A method of exhausting a gas in a chamber of a load-lock system having a first valve defining an opening for supplying a gas and a second valve defining an opening for conveyance of an article. The method includes a gas supplying step for supplying a gas heated by a heater into the chamber through the first valve, while the first valve and the second valve are kept open, a conveying step for conveying the article into the chamber while the second valve is kept open, and an exhausting step to be carried out after the gas supplying step and the conveying step are executed and the first and second valves are closed, to exhaust the gas inside the chamber while the first valve and the second valve are kept closed. |
| US08347914B2 |
System for filling a tank
System for filling a tank comprising a pipe head and a fill pipe extending between the pipe head and the tank. The pipe head comprises a chamber with an inlet opening that connects to the atmosphere and an outlet opening that connects to the fill pipe and a stopper being movable between open and closed positions to open or close the access to the fill pipe, the head inlet and outlet openings being sized and arranged to allow introduction of a filling nozzle into the fill pipe through the pipe head when the stopper is in its open position. The fill pipe comprises or is preceded by a local restriction designed so that the cross section of the passage for the nozzle is substantially reduced to the outer diameter of the nozzle. A degassing connection links the fill pipe and the pipe head outside of its outlet opening. |
| US08347911B2 |
Vacuum relief valve and method for assembling the same
A vacuum relief valve is provided. The vacuum relief valve includes a body having a side wall, and a stem that is movable with respect to the body between an open position and a closed position. The stem is biased in the closed position. The vacuum relief valve further includes a first sight glass coupled to the body and configured to enable visual inspection of a sealing area of the vacuum relief valve. The sealing area includes at least a portion of said stem. |
| US08347910B2 |
Water refilling plug for battery cells
A water refilling plug for automatically filling battery cells has a cylindrical plug housing that includes a connector fitting for water delivery into a housing, as well as a valve, actuated by a float, having an annular valve body and a conical valve seat. The valve is arranged between an inflow channel and an outflow channel leading into the battery cell. In accordance with the invention, swirl-generating deflection channels are arranged between the annular inflow channel and the conical valve seat in a pattern distributed over a circumference in the plug. |
| US08347908B2 |
Lightweight titanium aluminide valves and methods for the manufacture thereof
Embodiments of a lightweight, high temperature airborne valve are provided. In one embodiment, the airborne vale includes a valve element and a flowbody. The flowbody is formed at least partially from a titanium aluminide alloy and has a flow passage therethrough in which the valve element is movably mounted. Embodiments of a method for producing such a lightweight, high temperature airborne valve are also provided. In one embodiment, the method includes the steps of forming a lightweight flowbody at least partially from a titanium aluminide alloy, hot isostatically pressing the lightweight flowbody, and machining the lightweight flowbody to desired dimensions. |
| US08347906B1 |
Floor drain installation system
A floor drain installation system includes an adaptor attached to a drain pipe projecting from the ground, a coring sleeve having a bowl-shaped upper end attached to or integral with the adaptor, and a coring plug received within the bowl of the receiver to close off the drain pipe during pouring of a concrete floor and to create a space for subsequent reception of a drain head and grate. |
| US08347903B2 |
Colander/bowl set
A colander/bowl set includes a bowl having at least one indicator; and a colander comprising a plurality of holes, the colander being insertable into the bowl and removably attachable to the bowl. The at least one indicator is a calibrated guide positioned at a height of a maximum amount of water which the colander/bowl set holds, accounting for displacement of water by the colander and by a particular kind of food. |
| US08347899B2 |
Wind turbine fluid application apparatus
A wind turbine tower cleaning apparatus is provided. The apparatus includes a frame which circumferentially extends at least partially around a wind turbine tower. A separator structure can be attached to the frame and extends between the frame and the wind turbine tower to position the frame at a predetermined distance away from the wind turbine tower. The separator structure can also include an attachment end which is attached to the frame and a slidabe end positionable near the wind turbine tower. A slider can be attached to the slidabe end of the separator structure and can slide on the surface of the wind turbine tower as the frame is raised and lowered on the wind turbine tower. A frame lift device can raise and lower the frame on the wind turbine tower. A sprayer can spray fluid onto the wind turbine tower to clean the wind turbine tower. |
| US08347895B2 |
Massage comb
A massage comb is disclosed for applying ointments directly to the scalp of a person. The comb consists of an upper and a lower section with the lower section having hollow teeth with openings at the bottom of each of the teeth. The comb may be constructed of bamboo so that the ointment may penetrate through the bamboo material and apply the ointment to the strands of the hair. The upper and lower section are fastened to each other by way of dove tail system to allow easy access for the ointment to be filled into the lower section. |
| US08347894B1 |
Multiple dispensing combs in a single comb body
A fusion comb is a single comb which houses two separate and independent combs. Each independent comb has a manually operated plunger which forces a hair product through the comb and out of a set of outlets in the teeth of that comb. By withdrawing the plunger, liquid is suctioned through the teeth and into the comb. |
| US08347883B2 |
Manual controlled bi-phasic intrapulmonary percussive ventilation and methods
The method and system ventilates a patient's airway during the inspiratory phase and expiratory phase from a source of pressurized gas, typically from a compressor. The system and method supplies, to the patient airway during the inspiratory phase, a plurality of pulses of small volumes of gas from the gas source, and adds, in succession, pulses of small volumes of gas to provide successively greater volumes of gas successively increasing in pulsatile form the pressure of the gas in the patient's airway. This addition of successively greater volumes of gas serves to provide diffusive ventilation to the patient during the inspiratory phase, and, permits the patient to exhale during the expiratory phase. |
| US08347881B2 |
Pneumostoma management device with integrated patency sensor and method
A flexible pneumostoma management device maintains the patency of a pneumostoma while controlling the flow of material through the pneumostoma. The pneumostoma management device includes a pneumostoma vent having a tube which enters the pneumostoma to allow gases to escape the lung, a flange and a filter/valve to control flow of materials through the tube. The flange is a thin flexible patch comprises of multiple thin layers of materials and which conforms and attaches to the chest of the patient. The flange includes a filter, a protective outer layer and an inner hydrocolloid layer. The flange secures the tube in position in the pneumostoma. An indicator responsive to gases exiting the pneumostoma is integrated into the device and provides and external indicia of the patency and efficacy of the pneumostoma. |
| US08347880B2 |
Pneumostoma management system with secretion management features for treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
A flexible pneumostoma management device maintains the patency of a pneumostoma while controlling the flow of material through the pneumostoma. The pneumostoma management device includes a pneumostoma vent having a tube which enters the pneumostoma to allow gases to escape the lung, a flange and a filter/valve to control flow of materials through the tube. The flange is a thin flexible patch which conforms and attaches to the chest of the patient. The flange secures the tube in position in the pneumostoma. The device has features to control secretions from the pneumostoma. The secretion management features include, ridges, pores, absorbent materials, and combinations thereof. |
| US08347878B2 |
Aerosol therapy device
Aerosol therapy device comprising a nebuliser (10) for generating an aerosol and forming an aerosol flow, a first nosepiece (11) for introducing the aerosol flow into one of the two nostrils (12) of a user, a pressure fluctuation source for generating a pressure fluctuation (DS), a second nosepiece (14) for introducing the pressure fluctuation into the other of the two nostrils (15) of the user in order to superimpose the pressure fluctuation and the aerosol flow, and a sensor system comprising a first pressure sensor (19) for detecting the signal of the pressure fluctuation that arrives at the first nosepiece (11), and an evaluation means (18) that concludes the degree of closure of the velum of the user based on the signal. |
| US08347876B2 |
Floating temperature regulating and evaporation reducing cover for a pool
A soft, flexible, floating temperature regulating and evaporation reducing cover for a pool generally comprises an independently inflatable outer ring and central portion. Holes through the central portion permit egress of air from under the central portion when the cover is placed on water. Valves for chamber and cavity are located near one edge such that the cover may be deflated by rolling from an edge opposite the valves. Top and bottom films are adapted to absorb or reflect solar radiation to heat or cool the pool as desired. Magnets on the ring condition water and attach to similar floating covers to form rafts. For holding the cover in a pool during winds, the ring can be inflated with water or in an alternate embodiment, water anchors fill with water. |
| US08347870B1 |
Archery bow stabilizer
By mounting a bow stabilizer equipped with a mounting base member for mounting the stabilizer to an archery bow and an adjustable stabilizing block gradationally adjustable along the mounting base member in a transverse relationship to a major axis of the archery bow, a highly effective archery bow stabilizer is provided. The stabilizer is equipped with a stop for maintaining the adjustable stabilizer block at the desired stabilizing position. Mounts for mounting weighted stabilizing rods to the adjustable stabilizing block and at an off-set angular position upon the mounting base member coupled with an attached adjustable wrist sling for anchoring archer's wrist and bow to the bow stabilizer provides a unique and highly effective archery bow stabilizer. |
| US08347866B2 |
Fuel control system and method for more accurate response to feedback from an exhaust system with an air/fuel equivalence ratio offset
An engine control system includes a saturation determination module, an adjustment factor generation module, and a fuel control module. The saturation determination module determines when a first exhaust gas oxygen (EGO) sensor is saturated, wherein the first EGO sensor is located upstream from a catalyst. The adjustment factor generation module generates an adjustment factor for an integral gain of a fuel control module when the first EGO sensor is saturated. The fuel control module adjusts a fuel command for an engine based on differences between expected and measured amounts of oxygen in exhaust gas produced by the engine, a proportional gain, the integral gain, and the integral gain adjustment factor. |
| US08347864B2 |
Method for controlling an internal combustion engine and internal combustion engine
An internal combustion engine (1) has a fuel tank (18) and a fuel vapor reservoir (25). According to the method during the tank vent period—before opening the tank vent valve (28) a reference value is updated if a condition is met, and otherwise the existing reference value is maintained, —before opening the tank vent valve (28) an opening period is determined as a function of at least one variable, —the tank vent valve (28) is controlled such that the flow achieves the target flow value by the end of the opening period that was determined, —the load level of the fuel vapor reservoir (25) is computed based on the reference value, —a fuel amount is computed based on the load level, —and the fuel amount to be metered by the injection valve (22) is corrected based on the computer fuel amount. |
| US08347860B2 |
Control strategy for a homogeneous-charge compression-ignition engine
A method for operating a multi-cylinder spark-ignition direct-injection internal combustion engine responsive to a low load demand includes monitoring an engine state associated with combustion for each cylinder during each combustion cycle during low load operation, determining a combustion stability index for each cylinder based upon the monitored engine state associated with combustion for the respective cylinder, and individually adjusting an initiation of a spark discharge relative to an end of a fuel injection event for each cylinder based upon the combustion stability index determined for the respective cylinder. |
| US08347856B2 |
Reducing noise, vibration, and harshness in a variable displacement engine
A method for operating an engine of a vehicle, the engine having one or more deactivatable cylinders, the method including controlling the stability of a vehicle in response to vehicle acceleration, and reactivating or deactivating combustion in at least a cylinder in response to vehicle acceleration. |
| US08347855B2 |
Control system and method for improving engine stop-start response time
A control system for an engine includes a stop-start initiation module and a load control module. The stop-start initiation module shuts down the engine in response to an engine shutdown request. The load control module, in response to the engine shutdown request, increases a rate at which a rotational speed of the engine decreases during engine shutdown by increasing a rotational load input to the engine by an engine accessory coupled to a crankshaft of the engine. A method for an engine includes shutting down the engine in response to an engine shutdown request. The method further includes increasing, in response to the engine shutdown request, a rate at which a rotational speed of the engine decreases during engine shutdown by increasing a rotational load input to the engine by an engine accessory coupled to a crankshaft of the engine. |
| US08347854B2 |
Internal combustion (IC) engine head assembly combustion chamber multiple spark ignition (MSI) fuel savings device and methods of fabrication thereof
A composite device assembled into a top of a head combustion chamber as a formed in place multiple spark ignition structure with embedded electrodes connected in a series electrical circuit spaced from a single centrally located ignition source to receive an arc from a central spark plug electrode to initiate a series multiple spark ignition within the series electrical circuit. |
| US08347851B2 |
Fuel injection control device for internal combustion engine
When a control valve allows communication through a fuel drain channel, fuel flows into an inner control chamber from an outer control chamber through a communication channel and flows out to a fuel tank. The fuel flow through the communication channel generates a differential pressure between inner control pressure and outer control pressure. Thus, an outer differential pressure immediately after an outer valve opening time can be set small, restraining an increase in the unburnt HC content of exhaust gas at low load, which could otherwise result from a high rising speed of an outer needle valve immediately after the outer valve opening time. An inner differential pressure immediately after an inner valve opening time can be set large, restraining an increase in the smoke content of exhaust gas, which could result from a low rising speed of an inner needle valve immediately after the inner valve opening time. |
| US08347848B2 |
Internal combustion engine
An engine having a rotor including at least one slot and at least one combustion chamber used to form a cavity is provided. The engine also includes at least one vane rollably disposed in the slot, and a block for receiving the rotor, and having a first quadrant including an inlet port, a second quadrant, a third quadrant, and a fourth quadrant having an outlet port. The vane moves through the first quadrant, drawing air into the block and the cavity. The vane then moves through the second quadrant, compressing the air. The vane then moves through the third quadrant, combusting the air, and forcing the rotor to rotate. The vane then moves through the fourth quadrant, forcing the air out of the outlet port. |
| US08347845B2 |
Engine oil filter and cooling system
In an engine oil filter system in which: a filter-attachment base is joined to one side surface of an engine; and an oil filter which filters lubricating oil supplied to the engine from an oil pump is attached to the filter-attachment base, an oil cooler for cooling down the lubricating oil transferred between the engine and the oil filter is formed integrally with the filter-attachment base. Accordingly, it is possible to provide an inexpensive engine oil filter system which includes an oil cooler constituted by utilizing a filter-attachment base, and which thus eliminates the need to modify an oil filter and also the need to form, on an engine, an attachment portion to which the oil cooler is exclusively attached. |
| US08347842B2 |
Coolable piston for internal combustion engine
A coolable piston includes an annular wall extending between a crown and a lower distal end. First and second shoulders are provided in the wall. The first shoulder extends between first and second inner diameters of the wall. The second shoulder extends between the second and a third inner diameter. A collar is provided on the lower distal end of the wall and flanged over to project radially inwardly. An annular rib depends from the crown, with an annular cavity provided between the rib and the wall. An annular channel is formed in the rib. A ring member at least partially closes the cavity. The ring member is supported against axial movement by an inner periphery of the ring member being received in the annular channel. A locking ring is disposed in the collar against the second shoulder and supports an outer periphery of the ring member against axial movement. |
| US08347838B2 |
Internal combustion engine valve drive train switching arrangement
In an internal combustion engine valve drive train switching arrangement with a switching unit, the switching unit has at least one actuating unit with at least two switching members and at least one switching device for actuating the two switching members independently in an at least partial chronological offset, so as to perform a first switching process based on a first signal and then a second switching process, independently of an electronic evaluation. |
| US08347834B2 |
Spark-ignited internal combustion engine and method of controlling the same
A spark-ignited internal combustion engine includes a variable compression ratio mechanism that changes a mechanical compression ratio and an actual compression ratio start timing-changing mechanism that changes a start timing at which actual compression starts. An actual compression ratio is changed according to the specific heat ratio of an intake gas that is supplied into a cylinder. |
| US08347833B2 |
Diesel type cross-cycle internal combustion engine
The present invention provides a cross-cycle internal combustion engine that can conduct a combustion cycle called as the cross-cycle with diesel ignition means. The diesel type cross-cycle operation consists of seven processes, which are the intake-process, the cold-compression process, the injection process, the cold-expansion process, the exhaust process, the hot-compression process, and the diesel-ignition process. |
| US08347832B2 |
Fuel supply and combustion chamber systems for fastener-driving tools
A fuel supply and combustion chamber system for a portable power tool, such as, for example, a fastener-driving tool, wherein the fuel supply and combustion chamber system can utilize liquid or gaseous fuels. The fuel supply and combustion chamber system can comprise multiple combustion chambers for achieving predetermined combustion and power output characteristics. In addition, the fuel supply and combustion chamber system can utilize portioning valve structures for providing predetermined amounts of either a gaseous or liquid fuel into the portable power tool combustion chamber. |
| US08347831B2 |
Sealed control valve for a fluid flow circuit
A control valve for a fluid flow circuit comprises a body that has a fluid inlet and at least two fluid outlets (20, 22, 24) and that defines an axisymmetric housing for a modulating member capable of rotating about an axis of rotation (XX) and adopting different angular positions to control the distribution of the fluid through the outlets. The body comprises a side wall (16) into which the fluid outlets open. The side wall (16) and/or the modulating member comprises sunken areas (EV) and non-sunken areas (CR), the sunken areas (EV) serving to reduce the surface area of the modulating member (26) in contact with the side wall (16). |
| US08347830B2 |
System for controlling and conveying air flows through the engine compartment of a motor vehicle
A motor vehicle is provided with a conveyor structure that conveys the entire flow of air that traverses the radiator downwards and then longitudinally underneath the floor panel of the motor vehicle, preventing said flow from traversing the engine compartment and obtaining a consequent reduction in the aerodynamic resistance of the motor vehicle. Associated to the aforesaid conveyor structure are active and passive fins for enabling an adequate cooling of the components of the engine unit or electronic components associated thereto during given operating conditions. |
| US08347825B2 |
Systems, methods, and apparatus for pet waste disposal
A leash module including a retention opening configured to receive and retain a used pet waste bag that has been closed via a tied knot, and a bowl portion configured to receive and retain water for drinking by a pet. The leash module is configured to be removably coupled to a leash assembly. The retention opening includes a bag receipt opening sized and dimensioned to allow for insertion of the tied knot of the used pet waste bag, and a bag retention opening extending from the bag receipt opening, the bag retention opening being narrower than the bag receipt opening and being sized and dimensioned to prevent passage of the tied knot of the used pet waste bag. |
| US08347822B2 |
Animal centerline weave training device
An apparatus for demonstrating animal agility. The weave apparatus includes a rail with a set of members positioned on alternating sides of the rail. Each member includes a slider with a weave pole. Each slider is movable along a longitudinal axis of a corresponding one of the members with the weave pole positioned over the rail in one position. In various embodiments, the weave apparatus includes a set of releasably removable members, indicia indicating the distance the slider is from the rail, a tilting mechanism between the weave pole and the slider, and/or a set of gates. |
| US08347816B2 |
Feed dispenser with a wear-resistant pecking area for feeding birds
The invention relates to a feed dispenser for birds with a wear-resistant pecking area. This feed dispenser comprises a dispensing pan with a raised mid-section, that is surrounded entirely by a base plate. This base plate is built up of a plastic base material and a substantially impenetrable contiguous layer of material that is more wear-resistant than the plastic base material, for example a more wear-resistant plastic or metal. This achieves the advantage that the base plate is protected from perforation by the birds' beaks. |
| US08347815B2 |
Mobile pet bed/carrier
The present invention relates to a mobile pet bed wherein the top and bottom units of the mobile pet bed are reversibly attached to each other. When the top unit is removed from the bottom unit the mobile pet bed functions similarly to a traditional pet bed. When the top unit is attached to the bottom unit the mobile pet bed functions as a pet carrier. Additionally, the top unit of the mobile pet bed has a door portion that can be opened and closed to permit pet ingress and egress as well as permitting easy loading of the mobile pet bed with the animal without necessitating the removal of the top unit from the bottom unit. |
| US08347812B2 |
Device and method for cleaning cables
The present invention relates to a device arranged to move along a cable (1), preferably a tension cable of a suspension bridge, in order to obstruct covering of snow or ice on the cable. The device (2) comprises a compound (6) that obstructs covering of snow or ice as well as means (10) to coat the cable (1) with the compound (6). In addition, the device comprises sensors arranged to detect how large amount of the compound that is in the container. The sensors detect if the container needs to be replenished, and if so is the case, the device is arranged to automatically move to a replenishing device in order to there replenish more of the compound. The present invention also relates to a method to obstruct covering of snow or ice on a cable (1), preferably a tension cable of a suspension bridge. |
| US08347803B2 |
Roll suppression device for offshore structure
The present disclosure relates to a roll-suppression device for an offshore structure. The device includes a damping plate separated downward from a hull to be placed below a bottom of the offshore structure by a connection unit, so that the width of the damping plate may be effectively enlarged without occurrence of collision during shuttle docking or ship-to-ship operation. Accordingly, the device may maximize roll-suppression, as compared with a bilge-keel or a step, and a detachable design of the device facilitates ship construction or shore operation inside a drydock. |
| US08347802B2 |
Watercraft with reactive suspension and an integrated braking and steering system
A watercraft with several stability and handling design improvements. It has an enhanced reactive suspension system positioned in the vessel between a set of separating hull and body components. The watercraft also has improved braking, steering and stabilizing systems designed around multiple pivoting mechanisms on the vessel hull that work individually or in unison to achieve the desired braking or steering effect. The stabilizing system is operated by a computerized, gyroscopic hydraulic control to maintain stability and comfort of ride, minimizing the roll, pitch and yaw commonly experienced in the passenger compartment. |
| US08347801B2 |
Floating support for oil production fitted with pack ice destruction devices, and an associated method
A floating support for off-shore oil production in an arctic or antarctic zone, the support being fitted under its hull with a disconnectable turret from which there extend anchor lines connected to the sea bottom and bottom-to-surface connection pipes. The hull including lateral sides extending in its longitudinal direction. The longitudinal lateral sides of the support carry respective pluralities of devices for localized destruction of pack ice, each device having a destruction tool having at least one pointed portion suitable for breaking pack ice by repeated actuation in vertical pivoting and/or translation of the tool relative to the side, the point, on moving downwards, thus bearing in localized manner against the surface of the pack ice with a force that is preferably at least 10,000 kN. The tool being actuated in pivoting and/or translation with the help of a pivoting and/or translation guide structure applied against the side of the support. |
| US08347800B1 |
Methods for tufting a carpet product
Methods of tufting a pattern in a backing material using a plurality of different yarns A, B, . . . n that are threaded in the needles of a needle bar in a non-repeating sequence or pattern of yarn sets across the width of the needle bar. |
| US08347796B2 |
Furniture component fastening apparatus, furniture system and method of assembling furniture for a work space
A furniture system, method of assembling furniture for a work space, and a fastening apparatus for interconnecting furniture components include one or more fastening devices. Each fastening device includes a body that has a channel sized and configured to receive a first rail. Each fastening device also includes at least one of a connector assembly and an opening formed in the body for attaching the fastening device to at least one other furniture component. The connector assembly and the opening in the body are sized and configured so that the other furniture components are positioned such that at least one of their height and length extend in a direction substantially perpendicular to the length of the first rail, such as a direction that is mostly perpendicular to the length of the first rail. Other embodiments of the fastening device may include variations in configurations to the connector assembly or body. |
| US08347793B2 |
Apparatus for transport of equipment and method for manufacture thereof
A method of manufacture may include providing a first platform having a substantially planar first surface and a second platform having a substantially planar second surface substantially parallel to the first surface. The method may further include mechanically coupling the second surface and first surface via a plurality of compression springs allowing movement of the second platform relative to the first platform. Additionally, the method may include mechanically coupling at least one weight sensor to the second platform configured to measure a portion of weight of a load upon the apparatus. Moreover, the method may include communicatively coupling a compression spring control module to at least one compression spring of the plurality of compression springs and the at least one weight sensor configured to tune the at least one compression spring based at least on the portion of weight of the load measured by the at least one weight sensor. |
| US08347792B2 |
Portable utility shelf
A portable utility shelf having a first shell pivotably connected to a second shell. A channel having a slot is located in the front surface of at least one of the shells. A fastener is mounted in the slot in the channel. The fastener allows for mounting one shell on an attachment surface and pivoting the utility shelf to an open position to create a work surface on the other shell. |
| US08347790B1 |
Multi-purpose table
A multi-purpose table including aperture disposed in a top surface and removable cups therein for playing a bean bag game and for holding items therein, respectively; a pair of compartments underneath the table surface for holding bean bags; and a plurality of spaced apart drawers having holes in which to hold cups and slots for holding poker chips. |
| US08347789B2 |
Transport system
A transport system, including a rail system and carriages movably disposed thereon, the rails being encompassed by a primary conductor system to which at least one secondary coil, included by the carriage, is inductively coupled for the contactless transfer of electrical energy and/or information. |
| US08347779B2 |
Rotary actuator
In cylinder chambers 14 and 15 of a housing 10 constituting an actuator main body 13, racks 17 and 18, to both end portions of which piston portions 17a and 18a are provided, are reciprocably incorporated. A pinion 25 meshing with the racks 17 and 18 is provided on a rotary shaft 24 rotatably mounted to the housing 10. An inner ring 32 is incorporated inside an outer ring 41 fixed to the housing 10, and the inner ring 32 is attached to the rotary shaft 24 and rotates and drives a swung member. Rollers 43 serving as rolling elements are incorporated between an inner peripheral surface of the outer ring 41 and an outer peripheral surface of the inner ring 32, and the rotary shaft 24 and the inner ring 32 are rotatably supported by the outer ring 41 via the rollers 43. |
| US08347778B2 |
Fluid-working machines
A fluid-working machine comprises at least one primary working chamber such as a cylinder (4) of cyclically changing volume and primary valves (7) to control the connection of the at least one chamber to low (10)- and high (9)-pressure manifolds. The machine has at least one secondary working chamber (5) of cyclically changing volume and a secondary valve (12, 21) for placing the secondary chamber in communication with the primary chamber (4) in an active state of the secondary chamber (5) and for isolating it therefrom in an idling state of the secondary chamber. |
| US08347777B2 |
Dynamic firearm
In weapon shot is fired during counterrecoil. The counterrecoil energy damps the recoil energy. During recoil, the breech block is unlocked, the spent cartridge case is ejected from the barrel by the residual pressure of the powder gases and is directed by a deflector into a hole in the gun carriage. When recoiling into the aftmost position, the barrel approaches the projectile and locks it by means of the breech block. Meanwhile, the next cartridge is taken from a magazine. In the event of misfire, the barrel, continuing to counterrecoil, actuates an extractor for removing the defective projectile. A recoil imitator returns the barrel to the aftmost position, where it is loaded with a projectile in a manner similar to the post-firing recoil. The technical result is ability to load the weapon automatically before firing or to reload the weapon automatically in the event of misfire. |
| US08347775B2 |
Kinetic energy dissipation system for dissipating kinetic shock energy
An energy dissipation assembly is provided for mounting between a fixed support and moveable support. The assembly includes a sacrificial deformation tube, a hardened cutter/deflector assembly and, optionally, a connecting cable to maintain the cutter/deflector assembly in juxtaposed coaxial alignment with an end deformation tube. The cutter/deflector assembly has a generally flattened disc shaped profile and includes a central hub, a circular support ring and one or more cutting blades. The support ring is concentrically about the hub and has an inner diameter greater than the outer tube diameter. On the occurrence of a shock force, the cutter/deflector assembly moves axial to cut/deform the deformation tube to dissipate force energy. |
| US08347769B2 |
Device and method for controlling a brake of a microtome
The present invention relates to a device for controlling a brake of a microtome. The microtome (1) has an actuating element (2), a movement mechanism (8) and a brake. With the aid of the movement mechanism (8), an object to be cut can be moved relative to a knife blade. The actuating element (2) can be manually actuated by an operator and, as a result thereof, the relative motion between the object and the knife blade can be performed with the movement mechanism (8). The relative motion can be locked with the aid of the brake. So that the relative motion between the object and the knife blade can be used in a mechanically designed movement mechanism (8) and/or the relative motion can be locked without an additional hand movement of the operator, the inventive device is characterized by at least one sensor unit (5, 13). The sensor unit (5, 13) is provided on the actuating element (2) or adjacent to the actuating element (2). With the aid of the sensor unit (5, 13) a contact by the operator can be determined. The device is further characterized by a control of the brake depending on a contact by the operator determined or not determined by the at least one sensor unit (5, 13). |
| US08347766B2 |
Automatic screw tightening apparatus
An automatic screw tightening apparatus has a screw discharging unit for transferring a screw to a transfer tube, an engaging unit for engaging the head part of the screw transferred from the transfer tube with a front end of a driver, and an openable and closable sealing cover for preventing air from leaking and which is opened and exposes the screw for tightening. |
| US08347761B2 |
Drive socket design for hold and drive fastener
A drive tool that includes a drive socket. The drive socket includes alternating flutes and lobes and has a conical portion. The lobes, rather than being tapered in the conical portion of the socket, are each uniform in width as they progress to an end of the socket. The fact that the lobes are uniform in width in the conical portion of the drive socket provides for better engagement with the flutes of a conical section of a fastener. |
| US08347758B2 |
Clamping device for a steering column
A clamping device for the positional fixing of a vehicle steering column which can be adjusted in its length and/or inclination has a clamping disc and a plurality of rolling bodies, with clamping ramps for the rolling bodies being formed on the surface of the clamping disc, wherein the rolling bodies each make contact with one of a plurality of separate contact elements arranged in a common plane. |
| US08347756B2 |
Transmission with connection mechanism for varying tension force
A transmission includes a drive member, a driven member having a connection mechanism, and an at least partially flexible transmission coupled to the drive member and the connection mechanism of the driven member and configured to cause movement of the driven member in response to movement of the drive member. The connection mechanism is configured to be adjusted to vary a tension force applied to the flexible transmission. |
| US08347754B1 |
Multi articulating robatic instrument
A system for navigating around healthy organs to reach a desired site of surgery is provided. The system includes an articulating shaft capable of navigating around healthy organs in a body. The articulating shaft includes a plurality of shaft sections and one or more movable joints. Further, the one or more movable joints have a two-degree of freedom motion. The two-degree of freedom joints operatively connect the plurality of shaft sections. Moreover, the system includes one or more cables which aid in controlling the movements of the movable joints. Additionally, the system can include a variety of medical tools located at the tip of a shaft section of the articulating shaft, wherein the medical tool aids in performing the medical activity. |
| US08347751B2 |
Transmission device
The invention relates to a transmission device comprising a first gear wheel and a second gear wheel that is rotatably coupled thereto, wherein a damping element acting in the circumferential direction is provided axially between the gear wheels. According to the invention it is provided that the damping element can be tensioned by the gear wheels during the operation of the transmission device. |
| US08347746B2 |
Crawling automated scanner for non-destructive inspection of aerospace structural elements
Apparatus for non-destructive inspection of structural elements or workpieces, in particular those having an airfoil configuration, that moves a scanning sensor across the width (span) of a structural element or workpiece for the purpose of detecting structural damage. In one embodiment, the apparatus simultaneously traverses the length (chord) of the structural element or workpiece. In another embodiment, the apparatus includes a guide rail that encompasses the structural element or workpiece and the scanning sensor travels along the guide rail from a first location at an upper rear region, to the front, of the structural element or workpiece, and then around the leading edge toward the lower rear region. The apparatus includes a processor and a display device to display the processed, sensed, information. |
| US08347742B2 |
Sampler
A sampler for automatic taking of liquid samples from a sample-taking location. The sampler includes: a housing with a door; an energy or power supply unit; a control/evaluation unit; a sample-taking unit, which, in a predeterminable time interval, takes a predetermined quantity of sample from the sample-taking location; a sample collecting unit arranged in a lower region of the housing of the sampler for storing taken samples; and a temperature-control unit, which controls at least the region of the sampler, in which the sample collecting unit is arranged, to a predetermined temperature. |
| US08347740B2 |
Systems for weighing a pulled object having a changing weight
A system for measuring the weight of an object while pulling the object upward includes a puller having a frame and a cable having a first end coupled to the object and a second end engaging a second cylinder. At least a portion of the cable engages the outer circumferential surface of a first cylinder and the second cylinder. The apparatus also includes an upper arm and an actuator. A force measurement device is coupled to the first cylinder and to the upper arm and measures the weight of the object. The actuator is operable to lower and raise the weight measurement device and the first cylinder. In some embodiments, the position of the cable with respect to the frame may be adjusted by a dampening system or a bushing. |
| US08347735B2 |
Method and apparatus for maintaining flow meter tube amplitude over a variable temperature range
A method for operating a flow meter is provided. The flow meter includes a driver and pickoff sensors coupled to a flow tube. The driver is adapted to vibrate the flow tube in response to a drive signal. The method comprises setting a target pickoff voltage and measuring a flow meter temperature. The method further comprises generating a temperature compensated target pickoff voltage and controlling the drive signal to maintain a temperature compensated flow tube amplitude. |
| US08347717B2 |
Extension-mode angular velocity sensor
An angular velocity sensor including a drive extension mode. In one aspect, an angular rate sensor includes a base and at least three masses disposed substantially in a plane parallel to the base, the masses having a center of mass. At least one actuator drives the masses in an extension mode, such that in the extension mode the masses move in the plane simultaneously away or simultaneously towards the center of mass. At least one transducer senses at least one Coriolis force resulting from motion of the masses and angular velocity about at least one input axis of the sensor. Additional embodiments can include a linkage that constrains the masses to move in the extension mode. |
| US08347714B2 |
Illumination devices for balancing machine for balancing vehicle wheels
The balancing machine for balancing vehicle wheels includes a base frame for supporting a balancing shaft, which receives the vehicle wheel. A plurality of light sources are arranged in a ring around the balancing shaft, and a plurality of pattern generators projects images onto the side of the wheel to form reference points. The light sources are split into sectors, and at least one pattern generator is arranged between two sectors of the light sources. Laser pointers may be used as pattern generators. |
| US08347712B2 |
Balancing machine for rotating bodies, particularly for motor vehicle wheels
A balancing machine for rotating bodies, particularly for wheels of motor vehicles and the like, including a rotating shaft supported by a supporting element which is connected rigidly to the frame of the balancing machine, at least one first measurement transducer and one second measurement transducer being coupled elastically, along perpendicular planes, to an extension of the supporting element, an actuation motor being connected to the rotating shaft by means of a belt, the actuation motor being connected on an extension of the supporting element, and the extension connecting the rotating shaft to the measurement transducers. |
| US08347707B2 |
Flow rate measuring apparatus
Provided is a flow rate measuring apparatus which suppresses deformation of a base main body due to vibration of a pipe so as to be able to reduce occurrence of disconnection of wires due to the vibration of the pipe. The flow rate measuring apparatus includes a bonding portion (16) corresponding to a deformation suppression portion provided between an inner wall surface (17a) of a flange (17) of a base (11) and an outer circumferential wall surface (6a) of a cover (6) covering a circuit board (5), which is opposed to the inner wall surface (17a), for connecting the flange (17) and the cover (6) to suppress the deformation of a base main body (32) of the base (11) due to vibration of an intake pipe (50). |
| US08347704B2 |
Apparatus and method for detecting tire having decreased pressure, and program for detecting tire having decreased pressure
The detection apparatus includes means for detecting rotation speed information of the respective wheels of a vehicle; means for estimating, a frequency characteristic of the wheel rotation speed information; and means for determining, based on the estimated frequency characteristic, a tire having a decreased air pressure. The frequency characteristic estimate means includes, to a time-series signal including the wheel rotation speed information: means for time-series estimating a third order or more linear model parameter; means for generating pseudo input data; means for estimating, based on the estimated linear model parameter and the pseudo input data, output data to a linear model; means for identifying, based on the pseudo input data and the estimated output, a linear model parameter for which the order is reduced to a second order; and means for estimating, based on the identified parameter for which the order is reduced to the second order, a resonance frequency of a tire torsional direction. The decreased air pressure determination means is so configured as to determine a tire having a decreased air pressure based on the estimated resonance frequency of the tire torsional direction. |
| US08347701B2 |
System and method for quantifying the presence of components in the exhaust of commercial and/or heavy-duty vehicles
A system and/or method for quantifying the presence of one or more components in vehicle exhaust, and more particularly to a non-contact, sampling system and method for quantifying the presence of one or more components in exhaust emissions of commercial and/or heavy-duty vehicles that emit exhaust at an elevated level, under actual operating conditions. |
| US08347698B2 |
Sensor with G-load absorbing shoulder
A sensor is provided and includes a body disposed at a point of measurement interest on a rotor at a radial distance from a centerline thereof and having a substantially cylindrical shape and first and second opposing ends and a sensing end coupled to one of the first and second opposing ends, the other of the first and second opposing ends being coupled to a communication system, the sensing end including a sensing device configured to generate a signal reflective of a detected condition at the point of measurement interest, and at least one of the first and the second opposing ends being formed to define a shoulder portion for absorbing gravitational loading. |
| US08347693B2 |
Apparatus and methods for continuous compatibility testing of subterranean fluids and their compositions under wellbore conditions
Disclosed is a fluid testing device which utilizes a small, cross-section fluid interface to separate a test fluid chamber from a drive and measuring chamber. The test fluid chamber contains the test fluid and a paddle-type fluid test assembly. The drive and measuring chamber contains a second fluid and assemblies for moving the paddle and for determining the resistance movement. The two chambers are connected together by a narrow cross-section passageway allowing for continuous testing while test fluids are flowed through the test chamber and for successive testing of different samples without breaking down the device between tests. A pair of coaxial shafts extends between the test fluid chamber and the drive and measuring chamber. The shafts are connected together by a spring located in the drive chamber whereby the resistance to movement is determined by measuring the deflection in the spring. The shafts are magnetically coupled to a motor to rotate the shafts. |
| US08347689B2 |
Tool for assisting leak testing of an enclosed volume and method incorporating the tool
A tool for assisting the leak testing of an enclosed volume is disclosed. The tool may comprise an outer seal defining inside its perimeter an attachment face of the tool. A vacuum port defined in the attachment face is configured to be fluidly coupled to a vacuum source. A nozzle disposed in the attachment face may be coupled to the test port, in fluid communication with the enclosed volume. A primary connection in fluid connection with the nozzle may be placed in fluid connection with the external conduit. A nozzle seal is disposed in the attachment face around the perimeter of the nozzle, such that when the nozzle is coupled to the test port, the nozzle is fluidly isolated from said vacuum port. A leak-test system incorporating at least one tool and a method for leak testing an enclosed volume using the tool are disclosed. |
| US08347684B2 |
Apparatus and method for producing embossed paper or laminated metallic foil sheets
An apparatus (1) and method for producing embossed paper or laminated metallic foil sheets (55) comprising means for feeding an elongate strip (20) of paper or laminated metallic foil, a pair of matched embossing rollers (5, 10) disposed to receive such a strip from the feeding means, and means for receiving such a strip from the embossing rollers after being embossed thereby, and for cutting such strip into sheets. The rollers have a plurality of embossing sectors (75) arranged on the surface thereof. At least one of the sectors imparts a first embossing, and at least another of the sectors imparts an alternate embossing different in appearance from the first embossing. The sectors are dimensioned similarly to the foil sheets. At least one group of the sheets carry the first embossing while at least another group of the sheets carry the alternate embossing. |
| US08347683B2 |
Texturing of the seal surface for a roller cone rock bit
Surface texturing is employed to modify the topography of one or more surfaces (radial or cylindrical) of the sealing system for a roller cone rock bit. The surface texturing results in a dimpled surface which retains additional lubricant helpful in reducing friction in the boundary and mixed lubrication regimes. Shot peening is disclosed as one method for texturing the desired surface. |
| US08347682B2 |
Apparatus for cleaning cylinders or rolls
An apparatus for cleaning cylinders (5) and/or rolls (5), e.g., working rolls (5) in a rolling stand, which are used for producing a rolled stock (1) such as strips or slabs, in which a liquid is sprayed onto the cylinders (5) at high pressure through several nozzles D1-Dn, a number of nozzles (D1-Dn) are stationary arranged in and/or on a nozzle beam (10), at least one on-off valve is associated with each nozzle (D1-Dn), and one or several nozzle(s) (D1-Dn) are sequentially switched on and off one after another starting from one end of the nozzle beam. |
| US08347676B2 |
Constructive improvement to an anti-theft lock device applied to automobile trunks
A constructive improvement to an anti-theft lock device applied to automobile trunks, whose innovative solution implies a new anti-theft lock (1), applicable both to common trunk locks and to trunk locks having electric assembly elements, wherein said improvement provides greater productivity during the assembly of said item, in addition to providing greater reliability to the anti-theft safety system, and this is achieved thanks to a constructive concept wherein the anti-theft lock item (1) comprises a clench ring element (A), sealing joint (B), lock cylinder element (C) and fastening clinch element (D). The clench ring element (A) comprises a hollowed latch area (A1), an upper latch element (A2) and a lower latch element (A3), also having a relief lock (A4), in addition to structural grooves (A5). In turn, the fastening clinch element (D) has upper (D1) and lower (D2) latch ends, having an inflexion segment (D3) in its middle section, and both these elements are fitted into the lock cylinder element (C). Once assembled, the anti-theft lock item (1) prevents the access of tools (4) to the bracing element (F), thanks to the formation of a height barrier (H1), also generating a width (H2) which eliminates assembly gaps. |
| US08347675B2 |
Positional multiplex keyway system
A method and apparatus for extending an existing simplex or multiplex lock-and-key system that includes a family of first keys each having a first profile and of a corresponding plurality of first locks each operable by a first key and each having a first keyway configured for accepting the first key profile. Second keys of a new family are defined with a core section corresponding to the first key profile and a narrowed projection extending from the bottom of the core section. Corresponding second locks have a second keyway profile defined as the compliment of the second key profile, thus including a complimentary core section and a foot recess extending from the bottom of the second keyway core section. The second locks accept a second key positioned at the second keyway baseline to normally lift the lock pin stacks and operate the second lock. The second locks also accept the first keys but the first keys cannot enter the narrowed foot recess of the second keyway and are accordingly elevated in the second keyway above the keyway baseline, and are therefore unable to normally lift the lock pin stacks to operate the second lock. |
| US08347674B2 |
Electronic lock and key assembly
A locking device comprises a key that comprises a key power coil and a key data coil and an electronically-actuatable lock comprising a lock power coil and a lock data coil. The key power coil and the lock power coil are coaxial and at least partially overlapping one another when the key engages the lock. The key data coil lies in a first plane and the lock data coil lies in a second plane. The first plane and the second plane are substantially parallel to one another. |
| US08347671B2 |
Lockout device
A lockout device is provided for an instrument having a body and an actuating member extending from the body for operating the instrument. The lockout device includes a bottom member, a cover member, and a flexible member. The bottom member and cover member are adapted to receive a cinching portion of the flexible member between first and second holding surfaces of the bottom member and cover member. When the flexible member is wrapped around a portion of the body and received between the first and second holding surfaces and the cover member is in a closed position, the first and second holding surfaces prevent movement of a cinching portion of the flexible member. |
| US08347670B2 |
Lockable utility box lid
One embodiment of a lockable utility box lid (20) for a utility box enclosure (10) comprises a box lid (12) having at least one upper tool aperture (22) and at least one clamping mechanism (30) coupled to the underside of the box lid (10). The clamping mechanism (30) includes at least one lower tool aperture (38) of a lock plate (32) oppositely corresponding to the upper tool aperture (22) of the box lid (12). The lock plate (32) may be coupled to a plurality of side plates (40). The clamping mechanism (30) may also include a pivot arm (60) coupled with a jaw plate (72). A pivot tab (34) of the lock plate (32) may be inserted through a pivot tab aperture (76) of the pivot arm (60) thereby creating a fulcrum point. A back plate (50) inserted into a plurality of back plate apertures (52) of the side plates (40) and a threaded plate (64) inserted into a plurality threaded plate apertures (68) of the pivot arm (60) may be aligned to receive a bolt (80). A bolt head (82) of the bolt (80) may be aligned beneath the lower tool aperture (38). A handled tool (92) may be inserted first through the upper tool aperture (22) and again through the lower tool aperture (38) where it may insert into a bolt head cavity (84) of the bolt head (82) wherein a rotation of the handled tool (92) will produce a transitional movement of the at least one clamping mechanism (30) between an engaged and disengaged position. |
| US08347668B2 |
Differential linkage attachment of door handles
A differential linkage attachment of handles includes a first handle ring and a second handle ring placed on right and left sides, respectively, and set in a rectangular dead bolt shifting block independently. An end of the second handle ring is encircled with a first slanted latch bolt shifting plate, and an end of the first handle ring is encircled with a second slanted latch bolt shifting plate. All of the five parts turn around on a center axis. When the second handle ring turns forward or clockwise, the rectangular dead bolt shifting block or the first slanted latch bolt shifting plate is linked to turn around on the center axis independently, and when the first handle ring turns clockwise, the rectangular dead bolt shifting block or the second slanted latch bolt shifting plate is linked to turn around on the center axis independently. When the second handle ring or the first handle ring turns backward or counter-clockwise, only the rectangular dead bolt shifting block is linked, so that the rectangular dead bolt extends out to lock the door. Front and rear handles operate the rectangular dead bolt and the slanted latch bolt independently. |
| US08347666B2 |
Locking device, a locking arrangement, and a locking system
The invention relates to a locking device adapted for locking a shutter element (13) adapted to slide along a railing (11), which locking device (3) comprises at least one locking bolt (5) movable between a first state, in which the locking bolt is adapted to engage with a locking member (9) in the shutter element to lock the shutter element against movement, and a second state, in which the locking bolt is adapted to avoid engagement with the locking member and to allow movement of the shutter element. The invention also relates to a locking arrangement adapted to be connected with and allow locking of a shutter element (13) arranged to slide along a railing (11), which locking arrangement (7) comprises at least one locking member (9) shaped to allow a locking bolt (5) to, in a first state, engage with and lock the locking member, and thus the shutter element, against movement. The invention also relates to a locking system. |
| US08347665B2 |
Self-balancing locking mechanism for doors
A self-balancing locking mechanism for actuating a locking pin-bar assembly of a door. The mechanism includes a drive shaft having an axis of rotation mounted to the door, and a cam mounted to the drive shaft. The mechanism also includes one or more actuator plates, each having a proximal end with a radial slot formed therein and installed about the drive shaft, and a distal end coupled to a locking pin-bar assembly that is slidably supported adjacent a perimeter of the door. The mechanism further includes one or more linkage bars, each having a proximal end pivotably coupled to the cam at a radial distance from the axis of rotation, and a distal end pivotably coupled to a mid-span of the actuator plate. Rotation of the cam causes the linkage bar to drive the actuator plate along a radial axis and engage the locking pin-bar assembly with a side edge of a door frame, and simultaneously cause the radial slot of the actuator plate to bear on the drive shaft and balance any off-axis loads applied by the linkage bar to the actuator plate. |
| US08347662B2 |
Shielding assembly for door lock system
A combination including an apparatus with a frame bounding an internal space and a first repositionable door that is movable between closed and open positions relative to the frame. Cooperating components on the first door and at least one of: a) the frame; and b) a second door are alignable in a first relative position with the first door closed. A lock assembly cooperates with the components with the first door in the closed position and the cooperating components in the first relative position and has a locked state wherein the lock assembly prevents the first door from being moved from its closed position into its open position. A shielding assembly conforms to at least a part of the exposed outer surface, overlies at least a part of the exposed outer surface, and is frictionally held against the lock assembly to be maintained in an operative state. |
| US08347656B2 |
Apparatus for and method of processing glass optical fiber, method of manufacturing and method of drawing optical fiber
An apparatus includes: an introducer to introduce a glass optical fiber that has passed a pulling mechanism pulling, to draw the glass optical fiber, one end of an optical fiber preform that has been fused by heating; a shredder including a casing connected to the introducer and a shredding mechanism to shred the glass optical fiber introduced by the introducer in the casing into glass optical-fiber pieces; a pipe connected to the casing of the shredder and to carry the glass optical-fiber pieces; and a suction unit connected to the pipe and to suction the glass optical-fiber pieces via the pipe. |
| US08347651B2 |
Method of separating strengthened glass
A method is provided for separating or dividing strengthened glass articles, particularly strengthened glass sheets, into at least two pieces, one of which has a predetermined shape and/or dimension. A flaw is initiated in the glass at a depth that is greater than the depth of the strengthened surface layer of the glass, and a vent extending from the flaw is created at a vent depth that is greater than the depth of and outside the strengthened surface layer to at least partially separate the glass. In one embodiment, the vent is generated by treating the glass with a laser to heat the glass to a temperature in a range from about 50° C. below the strain point of the glass up to a temperature between the strain point and the anneal point of the glass. A glass article having at least one strengthened surface and at least one edge having an average edge strength of at least 200 MPa is also described. |
| US08347650B2 |
Method of producing a quartz glass crucible
A method of producing a quartz glass crucible for pulling a single crystal comprising: providing a melting mold comprising a wall having passages between outside and inside; providing an outer layer granulation consisting of first coarser SiO2 particles and forming an outer granulation layer from the outer layer granulation on the inside of the melting mold wall; providing a barrier layer granulation consisting of second finer SiO2 particles and forming a barrier granulation layer from the barrier layer granulation on the outer granulation layer; applying a negative pressure to the outside of the melting mold wall; and heating the barrier granulation layer and the outer granulation layer with formation of a quartz glass crucible with transparent inner layer. In order to produce a sealing layer that is as thin and uniform as possible it is suggested that the SiO2 particles of the barrier layer granulation should have a mean particle size (D50 value) of less than 50 μm and that the formation of the barrier granulation layer should include a measure for fixing the barrier layer granulation to the outer granulation layer. |
| US08347647B2 |
Air cycle machine for an aircraft environmental control system
An ECS system provides an ACM which locates the compressor upon a common shaft between a first turbine and a second turbine. Each RAF is located remote from the ACM such that the turbines are located outboard on each end of the ACM to provide the highest efficiency possible with each turbine using a straight axial outlet diffuser. As the compressor is located between the turbines the bypass circuits from the turbines are less circuitous and more efficient. Integral valve ports formed into the ACM housing portions results in a weight reduced design due to increase bypass efficiencies and simplified installations. |
| US08347644B2 |
Air conditioning system
An air conditioning system includes a first circulation module and a second circulation module. Two circulation modules are joined by a heat exchanger. The first circulation is a modular refrigeration system includes a compressor, expansion device, and heat exchangers. The second circulation module includes a main liquid refrigerant tank, a number of distributed liquid refrigerant tanks, liquid pumps and a plurality of indoor units which includes a heat exchange device and a vapor propelling device. The heat exchange device is connected to the main liquid tank. The vapor propelling device propels the working fluid in a saturated vapor state to the first heat exchanger, thus forming a working fluid loop. It can be switched between the heating and cooling modes. |
| US08347642B2 |
HVAC controller for vehicle
A controller for a vehicle includes an in-passenger-compartment temperature sensor which detects the temperature of the air supplied to an evaporator by actuating a blower fan, an outside air temperature sensor, an evaporator temperature sensor which detects the temperature of the evaporator, and an engine stop duration determiner which determines an engine stop duration on the basis of the temperature detected by the evaporator temperature sensor immediately before an engine stops and the temperatures detected by the outside air temperature sensor and the in-passenger-compartment temperature sensor. An engine control unit continues the operation of the blower fan after a stop condition holds and the engine is stopped, and then restarts the engine and actuates a compressor when the engine stop duration has elapsed. |
| US08347640B2 |
Enhanced performance dehumidification apparatus, system and method
A dehumidifier includes an air flow path with first, second and third segments in series from upstream to downstream and passing ambient air respectively to an evaporator coil then to a condenser coil and then discharging same. The air flow path has a fourth segment passing ambient air to the condenser coil in parallel with the noted second air flow path segment. A bypass door is configured to selectively block air flow along the fourth segment and allow air flow along the fourth segment. |
| US08347635B2 |
Locking apparatus for a radial locator for gas turbine engine mid turbine frame
A gas turbine engine mid turbine frame apparatus includes a an inner case supporting a bearing, an outer case to which the inner case is mounted, and an apparatus for radially positioning one relative to the other, the apparatus including a plurality of radial locators extending outwardly of the outer case and an associated locking apparatus. The locking apparatus is mounted adjacent to but independent of the locators and provides for anti-rotation of the radial locators once installed. |
| US08347632B2 |
Open-cooled component for a gas turbine, combustion chamber, and gas turbine
An open-cooled component for a gas turbine is provided. The component includes an outer wall that is subjected to a hot gas and at least partially defines a first cavity for a first means. The outer wall is provided with through-openings which open up into the cavity on one side and into a hot gas chamber on the other. The inventive component also includes at least one second cavity for admixing a second means, said second cavity is connected to the through-openings in a fluid-connected manner. A combustion chamber for a gas turbine, and to a gas turbine including one such component is also provided. |
| US08347629B2 |
System and method for reducing moisture in a compressed air energy storage system
A method, system, and apparatus including a compressed air energy storage system that includes an ambient air intake configured to intake a quantity of ambient air for storage in a compressed air storage volume, a compression system having a compression path that is configured to convey air compressed by the compression system through the compression system, a first path configured to convey ambient air to the compression system, a second path proceeding from the compression system to the compressed air storage volume and configured to convey compressed air to the compressed air storage volume, and a dehumidifying system. The dehumidifying system is coupleable to at least one of the first path that proceeds from the ambient air intake to the compression system, the compression path, and the second path. The dehumidifying system includes a dehumidifying component configured to remove moisture from the ambient air and/or the compressed air. |
| US08347619B2 |
System and method of controlling torque of plural variable displacement hydraulic pumps
A system and method of controlling torque of plural variable displacement hydraulic pumps in construction equipment are provided, which can control torque of the variable displacement hydraulic pumps so that the total amount of torque of the hydraulic pumps does not exceed the preset amount of torque by presetting the torque so that the engine does not stop even at maximum load of the hydraulic pumps or by presetting the speed of the engine or the used torque of the hydraulic pumps in consideration of the fuel economy or working speed. The system includes an engine, at least two variable displacement hydraulic pumps, hydraulic actuators, control levers generating manipulation signals, control lever sensing means detecting the manipulation amounts of the control levers, hydraulic pump pressure sensing means detecting load pressures of the hydraulic pumps, maximum torque setting means setting the total torque inputted to the hydraulic pumps, desired flow rate computing means computing flow rates of the hydraulic pumps, expected torque computing means computing expected torque values of the hydraulic pumps, torque distributing means distributing torque values of the hydraulic pumps, limited flow rate computing means computing the flow rates of the hydraulic pumps, and output means outputting control signals to regulators. |
| US08347617B2 |
Hydralic two-circuit system and interconnecting valve system
A hydraulic two-circuit system (2, 4) for activating consumers (A1, B1; A2, B2; A3, B3) of a mobile unit, for example a track-laying unit, and an interconnecting valve arrangement (38), which is suitable for a two-circuit system (2, 4) of this type and via which the two circuits (2, 4) can be interconnected so as to add them together, are disclosed. According to the invention, the interconnecting valve arrangement has an interconnecting valve with two pressure connections (P1, P2), two LS input connections (LS1, LS2) and two LS output connections, wherein a valve body of the interconnecting valve is designed with four control surfaces, of which two control surfaces which act in one direction are acted upon by the highest load pressure (LS1) in the first circuit and by the pumping pressure (P2) in the second circuit, and the control surfaces acting in the other direction are acted upon by the highest load pressure (LS2) in the second circuit and by the pumping pressure (P1) in the first circuit. |
| US08347616B2 |
Compressed air engine and power train system
An engine and drive train system suitable for personal or commercial transportation vehicles. The system converts the expansive energy of compressed air or gas into mechanical energy to produce motion or force. The engine of the present invention further uses the intrinsic kinetic energy of the vehicle in motion to generate and store compressed air or gas for in-situ or later use. The engine may also be used for braking by the introduction of high pressure air or gas at maximum displacement. |
| US08347612B2 |
Method and apparatus for regenerating a particulate filter system
A method for regenerating a particulate filter configured to treat engine exhaust gas in a vehicle equipped with an on-board navigation and an extra-vehicle communications system includes monitoring present operation of the vehicle, projecting vehicle operating conditions based upon information from the on-board navigation and the extra-vehicle communications system, monitoring a storage capacity of the particulate filter, executing a control scheme to regenerate the particulate filter when the storage capacity of the particulate filter exceeds an upper threshold, executing the control scheme to regenerate the particulate filter when the storage capacity of the particulate filter is less than the upper threshold and in response to an operator request to regenerate the particulate filter, and executing the engine control scheme to regenerate the particulate filter when the storage capacity of the particulate filter is less than the upper threshold and the projected vehicle operating conditions indicate an opportunity to regenerate the particulate filter. |
| US08347609B2 |
Methods and systems for emission system control
Methods and systems are provided for operating an engine including an SCR catalyst downstream of an exhaust turbine and a particulate filter upstream of the turbine. In one example, the method comprises, adjusting a turbine wastegate to adjust a catalyst temperature to a desired catalyst temperature. |
| US08347603B2 |
Method for metering a reagent for the emission control of internal combustion engines and device for executing the method
A method for metering a reagent which an emission control device situated in the exhaust duct of an internal combustion engine requires for removing at least one exhaust gas component from the exhaust gas and a device for executing the method are described. The fluid level of the reagent stored in a reagent tank is measured. The measured change in the fluid level is compared to at least one measure for the change in the fluid level calculated as a function of consumption. An error signal is output when the comparison result exceeds a predefined threshold value. This approach enables reliable information to be provided about the fluid level of the reagent in the reagent tank. |
| US08347600B2 |
Power plant and method of operation
At least one main air compressor makes a compressed ambient gas flow. The compressed ambient gas flow is delivered to both master and slave turbine combustors at a pressure that is greater than or substantially equal to an output pressure delivered to each turbine combustor from each turbine compressor as at least a first portion of a recirculated gas flow. A fuel stream is delivered to each turbine combustor, and combustible mixtures are formed and burned, forming the recirculated gas flows. A master and slave turbine power are produced, and each is substantially equal to at least a power required to rotate each turbine compressor. At least a portion of the recirculated gas flow is recirculated through recirculation loops. At least a second portion of the recirculated gas flow bypasses the combustors or an excess portion of each recirculated gas flow is vented or both. |
| US08347599B2 |
Fuel control arrangement
A fuel control arrangement includes an injector control valve, a fuel supply structure including a primary supply path, a secondary supply path, and a splitter valve configured to split fuel flow between the primary supply path and the secondary supply path to thereby regulate fuel supply. The fuel control arrangement also includes a fuel injector directly connected to the injector control valve. The splitter valve is configured to split fuel flow between the secondary path and the injector control valve in response to a fuel pressure indicative of fuel demand. Further, the splitter is provided distal to the fuel injector and the injector control valve, to operate under different environmental conditions from the injector and the injector control valve. The injector control valve is actuated by a fluid pressure system controlled by a solenoid. |
| US08347595B1 |
Dust suppression system
A system for removing particles from an air stream includes a housing having an air stream inlet at a first end thereof and an air steam exhaust at a second end thereof. The housing defines a flow path between the air stream inlet and the air stream exhaust. At least one liquid introduction jet disposed between the air stream inlet and the air stream exhaust injects liquid droplets into the air stream. A scrubber disposed between the at least one liquid introduction jets and the air stream exhaust for removes smaller particles from the air stream. |
| US08347593B2 |
Push mower
A push mower having a height adjustment lever, which can be manipulated easily, is provided. The provided push mower includes: a main body configured to move along a ground; a blade attached to the main body; a height adjustment lever attached to the main body; and a height adjustment mechanism configured to change a height of the blade from the ground based on a position of the height adjustment lever. The height adjustment lever includes: a pillar protruding from the main body; a grip fixed to the pillar; and a lock member attached to the grip and configured to move with respect to the grip between a lock position and an unlock position. A movement of the height adjustment lever is inhibited when the lock member is at the lock position, and the movement of the height adjustment lever is allowed when the lock member is at the unlock position. |
| US08347589B2 |
Method of packaging dispenser assembly
A method of packaging dispenser assemblies, the method comprising forming a group of n dispenser assemblies, disposed in such a manner that the flaps are stacked and the housings are in side-by-side alignment and oriented in the same direction. When arranged in this way, the dispensers remain visible through the large windows formed in their respective housings. |
| US08347587B2 |
Method of tiling a roof with interlocking tiles employing an adjustable rain lock
A roofing system includes at least one row of tiles extending across a surface in a row direction, a first tile of the at least one row of tiles including a rain lock adapted to interlock with a second tile adjacent to and within the same row as the first tile, wherein the rain lock has a lower end, an upper end, and a weakened portion proximate the lower end to allow for removal of a predetermined portion of the rain lock. The second tile of the roofing system includes a corner at the upper end of the rain lock of the first tile, the corner including a notch and a second weakened portion to allow for lengthening of the notch. |
| US08347585B2 |
Modular seismically restrained distribution system and method of installing the same
A method of installing distribution systems such as needed piping, ductwork, electrical wiring, and other systems in a new construction having a structural ceiling and floor, comprises the steps of: providing a frame module of main and cross frame members; assembling the modules on site directly below the final placement position; installing ductwork, piping, electrical wiring, and other distribution systems in the modules; fabricating and attaching upper wall portions to the modules; lifting modules with attached upper wall portions towards the structural ceiling; attaching support columns to the structural ceiling and floor; and mounting the modules onto the support columns, such that the support columns support the modules. |
| US08347584B2 |
Structural column with footing stilt
A structural column assembly of the type used for erecting building structures and the like is bedded in a concrete footing formed in situ in an earthen hole. The column assembly includes a post whose bottom end is suspended above a floor of the hole by a stilt. The stilt includes a plurality of legs which extend from the post's bottom end and grip the hole floor through a plurality of cleats. The cleats help stabilize the column assembly during the concrete pour operation so that it does not shift out of position. The stilt legs are provided with a base pad, which is set below the bottom end of the post at a predetermined distance so that the concrete footing can be poured in a single operation immediately after the hole is formed. The stilt can accommodate posts made from wood, pre-cast concrete or any other known construction material. The stilts can be manufactured from formed flat steel or commercially available angle iron and channel stock. |
| US08347576B2 |
Mechanically embossed single ply roofing membrane for anti-roll blocking
A single ply mechanically embossed roofing membrane in a roll form for use in commercial applications on flat and low pitched roofs. The roofing membrane preferably includes a scrim or reinforcement sheet sandwiched between a top layer and a bottom layer, wherein the bottom layer is completely embossed with various configurations forming alternating ridges and valleys. The embossed roofing membrane improves roll blocking upon installation. The embossed roofing membrane can be installed by fully adhering or mechanically attaching to the roof deck. |
| US08347569B1 |
Self-adjusting coplanar ACM panel mounting system secured by novel retaining clip
A self-leveling structural element in a non-progressive attachment system, a U-shaped retentive clip having a base and two upwardly extending arms that are forced apart by the installation of a self-drilling screw, the novel retentive clip with screw coacting with an extruded frame to mount and retain a plurality of aluminum composite material (ACM) panels in a coplanar manner, to form an Aluminum Composite Cladding System, for a non-progressive system that enables removal of individual panels for replacement or repair. |
| US08347568B2 |
Building panel mounting system and method
A building panel mounting system comprising a rail attachment strap, a rail, a rail attachment profile and a building panel. The rail attachment strap is connectable to a support structure, extends along a longitudinal axis and includes one or more rail support brackets. The rail is connected to the rail support bracket and extends in a direction which is generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. The rail attachment profile has an engagement formation removably connected to the rail. The building panel is connected to the rail attachment profile. |
| US08347567B2 |
Water barrier trim
A water barrier trim has a base, a top flange, and an overhang section. The base has at least one ridge extending away from the base in a first direction and a projection extending in the first direction. The top flange section is positionable adjacent to the base. The overhang section is positionable adjacent to the base and defines a drip cap. The at least one ridge is sized and configured to rest on a top of a trim board. The projection is sized and configured to fit into a slot defined in the top of the trim board to provide an interference connection. |
| US08347564B2 |
Solar cell module
A solar cell module includes a plate-shaped solar panel including a plurality of solar cells arranged on same plane; a plate-shaped cell protection member that covers the plural solar cells that are arranged on the same plane; and a surface protection member that is bonded onto a top surface of the cell protection member; an outer frame that supports a circumference of the solar panel; and a brace having rigidity against bending and that supports a center area of a back surface of the solar panel in such a manner that both ends of the brace are joined to each of two opposed positions of the outer frame. An initial tension is provided to the brace. |
| US08347563B2 |
Boom assembly
A telescopic boom broadly comprises an elongated hollow outer boom, an elongated inner boom telescopically received within the outer boom, and a guidance structure for guiding the inner boom for telescopic movement is provided. The guidance structure includes a plurality of guide rails attached to the interior corners of the outer boom, a first roller assembly attached to one end of the inner boom, a second roller assembly attached to one end of the outer boom, and a mid roller assembly positioned proximal to the second roller assembly. The first roller assembly includes a plurality of wheels mounted on axles for engaging the guide rails. The second roller assembly includes roller bars positioned on opposed sides of one end of the outer boom for guiding the inner boom during telescopic movement. The mid roller assembly includes a third roller bar that engages guide rails positioned on the inner boom. |
| US08347562B2 |
Radiant barrier rafter vent
A radiant barrier rafter vent defining an elongate radiant heat reflective panel formed from a sheet of aluminum or other heat reflective material having longitudinal creases that permit compressing the panel a selected amount in a direction transverse to its length and panel strengthening spaced apart formations on the remainder of the panel. The panel have a high reflectivity and are installable in various buildings between the rafters or roof supports spaced apart from the roof and optionally coated with a sound absorbing material or include small perforations therein. |
| US08347561B2 |
Geodesic domes with reduced strut length variations
A domed structure (500) comprises a plurality of struts (505) of equal or a reduced number of differing lengths. The struts are held in place by hubs (510, 515, 1400). In one aspect, a first hub secures the ends of inserted struts at a constant distance from its center, while other hubs secure the ends of inserted struts at predetermined distances from their centers. The differences between the various predetermined distances is the difference in strut lengths required by the design of the structure. Thus all struts are of equal length and identical, or a reduced number of lengths, resulting in an economy of scale and ease of construction. A cover can be added after the structure is built. Alternatively, the hubs can be sewn into a fabric or plastic cover for further ease of construction. The struts can be glued in place, or removed from the hubs to disassemble the structure. |
| US08347555B2 |
Safety fence that is closed automatically
A safety fence includes a door unit, a locking unit mounted on the door unit, a switching mechanism mounted on the door unit and connected with the locking unit, and a positioning and restoring unit mounted on the door unit. The door unit includes a first rail, a second rail and a door. Thus, when the door unit is not opened to reach the predetermined angle, the door is driven by the positioning and restoring unit and is returned and moved backward relative to the first rail to abut the second rail so that the door is locked onto the second rail by the locking unit so as to close the door unit automatically. |
| US08347554B2 |
Hinge and door unit
A hinge enabling a plurality of hold-stay members to automatically lock when the door is fully open, increasing the durability of the hinge, and enabling easy release of the hold-stay members. A hinge includes a one-side hinge plate, a plurality of opposing-side hinge plate portions provided along the lengthwise direction of the hinge plate and supported by it, and an open-angle limiting mechanism for stopping, at a specific angle, opening movement of the opposing-side hinge plate portions. |
| US08347553B2 |
Drive device for refrigerator doors
An arrangement comprises a housing, in particular of a cooling and/or freezing device, a door which is articulated to the housing so as to be pivotable about a pivot axis of a hinge, and at least one drive device for pivoting the door relative to the housing, with the drive device comprising a drive unit by means of which a moment is exertable on the door relative to the hinge axis via at least one force transmission means. |
| US08347549B2 |
System for trapping flying insects and a method for making the same
The present application discloses a device for attracting and capturing flying insects, and a method for attracting and capturing flying insects. The device and method use at least one electrically-powered airflow generator and an electrically-powered heater. |
| US08347548B1 |
Counterbalanced fishing hook
A counterbalanced fishing hook having an eye oriented at an angle to the shank. A weight is mounted to the eye and shank in a position to counterbalance the weight of the hook when a line is connected to the eye and the hook is suspended underwater. In a second embodiment, the shank has a horizontal straight portion and a portion that is bent at an angle with the curved portion and the barb oriented in a plane parallel to and displaced from the plane of a straight shank portion. The second embodiment employs a flat weight that is oriented parallel to the plane of the curved portion and the barb for holding the barb above the bottom of a body of water. |
| US08347547B1 |
Stowable fishing device
The invention provides a fishing device adapted to carry a plurality of fishing lures. The fishing device includes a winged section having a support shaft guide which slideably engages onto a wire support shaft equipped with a winged section retaining eyelet. Depending upon the slideable position of the support guide in relation to the winged section retaining eyelet, the winged section may be retained and collapsed about the wire support shaft in a stowable form or allowed to radially expand to a fishing lure position. The winged section and the support shaft are adapted to carry a plurality of fishing lures dimensionally triangulated along different planes of carriage travel. |
| US08347544B1 |
Dampening device for absorbing shock waves and dissipating harmonic vibration generated by a firearm
A dampening device for absorbing shock waves and dissipating harmonic vibration generated by a firearm includes a body, a clamping assembly configured to releasably clamp the body to the firearm, and a dampening structure disposed within a cavity formed in the body. The cavity has opposing fixed end walls, and the dampening structure is captivated between the opposing fixed end walls of the cavity. |
| US08347542B2 |
Firearm cover
A cover for a firearm is disclosed. The firearm cover is shaped to complement the bottom of an upper portion of a two piece receiver. The firearm cover may be pinned to the bottom of an AR-15® upper receiver and may cover a bottom opening and/or a rear opening when in place. When secured in place, the firearm cover may capture a bolt carrier within an inner cavity of the upper receiver. Additionally, the firearm cover will protect the inner cavity, keeping dust, debris, and moisture out of the upper receiver. |
| US08347541B1 |
Power rail system
A power supply system for a firearm including a plurality of leads disposed in a rail for providing power to an electric firearm accessory attached thereto and an electric firearm accessory including connectors for electrically connecting to leads disposed in a rail on which the accessory is mounted. |
| US08347540B2 |
Handguard system for firearms
A handguard system for connecting an accessory to a firearm has a tubular body having a bore size to closely receive the body of the barrel nut. The tubular body has a tapered wedge portion that defines a gap therein. There may be a tapered clamp element adapted to fit over the wedge. The clamp element may be operable to squeeze the gap as the clamp element is pushed onto the wedge. The squeezing of the gap is operable to clamp the tubular body to the body of the barrel nut. The tubular body and the body of the barrel nut may each include a mating feature that prevents longitudinal movement of the tubular body while the mating features are engaged. The tubular body and the upper receiver may each include a mating feature that prevents rotational movement of the tubular body while the mating features are engaged. |
| US08347539B2 |
Trigger guard for loading and unloading a weapon
A weapon safety apparatus comprising a sleeve comprising a cavity portion open to receive a trigger portion of a weapon and free of any structures that impede movement of the trigger. The sleeve further comprises a body portion comprising at least one closed portion preventing access to a trigger of the weapon. The sleeve is shaped to provide access to all loading or unloading components of the weapon. The cavity portion of the sleeve may be further open to receive a handle of the weapon. A method for loading and unloading a weapon using the above weapon safety apparatuses is also provided. |
| US08347537B2 |
Label tag cord
A label tag cord made of plastic material is used as a connector between the label tag and the product, or as an independent identifier. The label tag cord includes a linearly extending and pliable cord body. First and second positioning parts are configured at opposite ends of the cord body. The preset area between the first and second positioning part form an extended block area having width and thickness larger than the cord diameter. The extended block area correspondingly defines a first surface or second surface, at least one of which forms an identifying surface. The extended surface can provide text and image layout. A display unit has a surface containing protruding or concaving parts or paste area. The text and image display unit can be a trademark, pattern, or image. The label tag cord can help to produce brand value, increase advertising effect, and enhance product value. |
| US08347535B2 |
Display and method of making thereof
The present invention provides a display and method of making thereof that can comprise comprising fragmenting a first image into a plurality of individual first image fragments, fragmenting a second image into a plurality of individual second image fragments, and positioning the first image fragments and the second image fragments at locations and at orientations in a three dimensional space to form a display having the first image visible when the display is viewed in one direction, the second image visible when the display is viewed in a different direction, and neither the first image nor the second image visible when the display is viewed in other directions. The invention also envisions a kit for making a display and a method for making an advertisement where two images can be viewed from two directions and not from any other direction. |
| US08347526B2 |
Shoes, devices for shoes, and methods of using shoes
A shoe includes a first plate and a second plate that are located in a forefoot portion of the shoe between an upper and an outsole of the shoe, and one or more springs for biasing the first plate and the second plate apart from each other. A device for a shoe includes a first plate and a second plate that are installable in a forefoot portion of the shoe, and an energy return member positioned between the first plate and the second plate. A method of using a shoe includes applying, with a foot, a force on at least one of two plates that is positioned in a forefoot portion of a shoe, so as to move the two plates together and increase a loading of a spring, and launching the foot due to the two plates being moved apart by the spring as the foot is being lifted. |
| US08347524B2 |
Dryer, in particular for powdered or granular material
The dryer comprises a casing having a longitudinal axis, a mixing shaft, a circular plate that seals an opening made in one of the end walls of the casing, and a frame supporting the casing and the shaft. In the edge portion of the opening closest to the chamber a first circumferential groove is made which is formed by a first radial cavity and by a second radial cavity deeper than the first, joined by an axial portion. An annular sealing element made of a non-stick material, having a cross-section comprising at least one axial strip and one radial strip, is inserted into the first groove in such a way that the radial strip is inserted into the second cavity and the axial strip occupies the axial portion and the mouth of the first radial cavity. A first sealing ring comprising at least one core of elastomeric material is inserted into the first cavity so as to radially compress the axial strip against the plate and a second sealing ring comprising at least one core of elastomeric material is inserted into the second cavity so as axially to compress the radial strip. |
| US08347520B2 |
Drying unit and laundry washing/drying machine equipped with the drying unit
In a laundry washing/drying machine involving drying by a heat pump cycle, in an initial stage of the drying operation the heat within an air circulation path is deficient and therefore it is impossible to effect quick heating of air on a drum inlet side up to a sufficiently high temperature. According to the present invention there is provided a drying unit capable of raising the drum inlet air temperature quickly up to a sufficiently high temperature in an initial stage of the drying operation and thereby shortening the drying time. The drying unit includes a heat pump cycle device for performing a cycle of radiating, with use of a radiator, the heat of a refrigerant compressed by a compressor, passing the refrigerant through a pressure reducing/expansion valve, evaporating the refrigerant in an evaporator and compressing the refrigerant again by the compressor, an air circulation path for allowing air to be circulated by a blower in such a manner that air heated by the radiator is introduced into a drying chamber to dry the laundry, exhaust air discharged from the drying chamber is passed through the evaporator, then is heated again by the radiator and the air thus dehumidified is circulated by the blower, and an external heat source applying device for applying the heat of an external heat source to the evaporator to quicken the rise in temperature of the air in an initial stage of the drying operation. |
| US08347518B1 |
Screw mount placement device
A screw mount placement device allows an item to be hung levelly and allows the item to be hung in a desired position relative or not relative to already mounted objects on a wall. |
| US08347512B2 |
Cutting members for shaving razors
Cutting members for razors are provided that have been subjected to a localized heat-treating process, e.g., application of laser energy. In some cases, the cutting members include a bent portion, and the localized heat-treating process is used to enhance ductility and thereby facilitate formation of the bent portion. |
| US08347507B2 |
Method for assembling roller bearing
A method for assembling a roller bearing having rollers and spacers interposed between the adjacent rollers includes alternately disposing, along the inner circumference of an outer ring, the rollers and the spacers. Two spacers are then placed along inner portions of rolling contact surfaces of the rollers having been disposed. The last roller is then inserted toward the outer ring so that the spacers placed on both sides are allowed to slide, whereby the last roller is mounted on the inner circumference of the outer ring. |
| US08347503B2 |
Methods of manufacturing brazed aluminum heat exchangers
Methods for manufacturing brazed aluminum heat exchangers involved in boiling and condensing, including a high performance nucleate boiling surface bonded with the walls of fin-less boiling passages. One method includes providing a first heat exchanger core subassembly including a first joinable end, at least one cooling and one boiling passage, and a first partial finless passage arranged at the joinable end. A second heat exchanger core subassembly is provided similar to the first including a second joinable end. The first and second heat exchanger core subassemblies are brazed. The first joinable end is affixed, preferably by welding, to the second joinable end and the first partial finless passage is affixed to a second partial finless passage to form a coupled finless passage, and thereby a heat exchanger core. |
| US08347494B2 |
Electronic component mounting method
A mounting method for mounting an electronic component on a printed circuit board, the mounting method includes fixing a lower surface of a magnet panel to a magnetic body included in the electronic component by a magnetic force, seizing the electronic component by attracting a part of an upper surface of the magnet panel to an attaching unit, determining a position of the attracting unit to place the electronic component at a predetermined position with respect to the printed circuit board and releasing the attracting unit from the upper surface of the magnet panel. |
| US08347492B2 |
Method of making an arrangement for collecting or emitting light
Disclosed is a method of making an arrangement for collecting or emitting light. A flexible sheet of material serves as substrate for a plurality of light collecting or emitting devices mounted in spaced relation on the sheet. The sheet has thereon electrical leads for interconnection to each device. For each device, a respective light coupler is formed by (1) forming a plurality of reflectors on the sheet around the intended periphery of the respective device, by applying reflective material to selected areas of the sheet; (2) forming cut lines around selected edges of the plurality of reflectors; (3) forming fold lines associated with the reflectors; and (4) folding the reflectors and attached substrate away from the substrate portion on which the device is mounted, to form a coupler whose interior is reflective and that is substantially closed around a main axis of light propagation into or from the respective device. |
| US08347490B1 |
Method for fabricating a carrier with a three dimensional inductor
A method for fabricating a carrier with a three-dimensional inductor comprises the steps of providing a substrate having a protective layer; forming a first photoresist layer on the protective layer; patterning the first photoresist layer to form a second opening and a plurality of disposing slots; forming a first metal layer in second opening and disposing slots; removing the first photoresist layer; forming a first dielectric layer on the protective layer; forming a second photoresist layer on the first dielectric layer; patterning the second photoresist layer to form a plurality of slots; forming a second metal layer in slots to form a plurality of inductive portions; removing the second photoresist layer; forming a second dielectric layer on the first dielectric layer; forming a third photoresist layer on the second dielectric layer; patterning the third photoresist layer to form a plurality of slots; and forming a third metal layer in slots. |
| US08347478B2 |
Method and system for replacing the water cooled laser in a microplate reader
The present invention relates to a method of refurbishing a microplate reader such as a FLIPR type microplate reader by the replacement of the water cooled laser with an LED source which provides a relatively homogeneous light and operating performance comparable to the laser light source. |
| US08347477B2 |
Pipe producing apparatus and existing pipe rehabilitating method employing the same
In an embodiment, a shaping frame (2) of a pipe producing apparatus (1) includes a plurality of linking bodies (20) in which a pair of linking elements (21, 22) are rotatably coupled via a coupling shaft (23), a bending link (30) with opposite ends of which coupling elements are rotatably coupled via coupling shafts (23) and which expands or contracts the shaping frame (2), a drive unit (40) with opposite ends of which coupling elements (25, 25) are rotatably coupled via coupling shafts (23) and which forcedly sends out a profile strip (100) from the inside, and a joint unit (80) with opposite ends of which coupling elements (21, 22) are rotatably coupled via coupling shafts (23) and which is provided at a joint portion (120) of a winding of the profile strip. |
| US08347475B2 |
Handle structure
A handle structure suitable for disposing on a surface of a carrier is provided. The carrier has a locating part is assemble to a case. The handle structure includes a holder, an elastic element and a fastening element. The holder has a rotating axis and a locating element, and has a first end and a second end opposite thereto. The rotating axis connecting to the carrier is disposed on the first end, and the holder is pivoted on the surface. The locating element disposed on the first end interferes with the locating part. The elastic element has a first fixing part fixed to the carrier and a pushing part connected to the first fixing part and pushing against the holder. The fastening element has a second fixing part fixed to the carrier and a fastening part connected to the second fixing part and fastened to the second end. |
| US08347474B2 |
Brake drum/brake rotor removal tool
A pulling tool includes a elongated main support body having a plurality of retention holes formed on opposite sides thereof. An actuator stem member is threadably mounted in the support body. A pair of jaw members is slidably mounted on opposite side of the support body. The jaw members have extended hook portions adapted to engage an outer periphery of a wheel element removably mounted on a stationary wheel mounting member. A pair of tubular holders is slidably mounted on opposite sides of the support body, and retained against outer faces of the jaw members to prevent lateral outward movement of the jaw members on the support body and to orient the jaw members substantially perpendicularly to the support body. |
| US08347468B2 |
Method of making a current collector
A method of manufacturing a current collector comprising embossing a sheet comprising lead thereby forming an embossed grid comprising rows of raised portions and lowered portions, and slots comprising edges of the raised portions and lowered portions; creating areas for tab creation by pressing or stamping areas of the embossed grid to a flattened state, thereby forming a sheet comprising embossed grid sections and flat sections; applying paste to the top and bottom of the embossed grid sections; and stamping current collectors out of the sheet such that at least one tab is created from a flat section. |
| US08347467B2 |
Lightweight viewing casket with reinforcing lid and method of using same
A casket arrangement includes a casket body, a first lid portion, and a second lid portion. The casket body is in the form of an open top box with a bottom, side walls or panels, and end walls or panels. The second lid portion includes a tab configured to fit under a top panel of the first lid portion. |
| US08347456B2 |
Cleaner head
A cleaner head for a cleaning appliance includes a rotatable brush bar assembly, a motor for driving the brush bar assembly, and a drive mechanism connecting the motor to the brush bar assembly. The drive mechanism includes a rotatable input drive member connected to the motor, a rotatable output drive member connected to the brush bar assembly and moveable relative to the input drive member in a direction substantially orthogonal to the axes of rotation of the drive members, a belt connecting the input drive member to the output drive member, and a belt tensioning member located between the drive members for tensioning the belt by urging the output drive member away from input drive member. |
| US08347443B1 |
Window cleaning assembly
A window cleaning assembly includes an elongated pole that has a first end and a second end. An axle is rotatably coupled to the pole adjacent to the first end. A brush head is mounted on the axle and is rotated when the axle rotates. The brush head includes a plurality of bristles that are positionable against a windshield of a vehicle. A motor is mounted on the pole and is mechanically coupled to the axle. The motor rotates the axle when the motor is turned on. A reservoir is in fluid communication with the brush head and is mounted on the pole. A pump is in fluid communication with the reservoir. The pump draws fluid from the reservoir and injects the fluid into the brush head so that the brush head can eject the fluid through apertures in the brush head. |
| US08347442B2 |
Barbeque grill cleaning device
A barbeque grill cleaning device including a soaking container, in which the grill may be submerged in a cleaning liquid, and a rotary scrubbing head for scrubbing the grill while positioned in the soaking container. The barbeque grill cleaning device includes: a container defining a cavity shaped and sized for receiving a barbeque grill therein; and a scrubbing head for scrubbing the barbeque grill, the scrubbing head is rotatable relative to the container; such that the cleaning of the barbeque grill is aided by a scrubbing action as a result of contact between the barbeque grill and the rotating scrubbing head. |
| US08347440B1 |
Retractable trailer ramps
A pair of integrated ramps attach to the rear of a trailer or utility cargo bed, the ramps swinging on a horizontal plane from a stored position and then being rotated to form a pair or flat ramps surfaces in a flat position, the ramps sliding along the rear end of a trailer on a secure end railing. The sliding railing provides adjustment to the width of the ramps for the purpose of off loading cargo carried upon the cargo surface of the trailer, the ramps forming a stable angled surface between the cargo bed and the ground. The ramps may form a tailgate in a stored position or be made part of the side rails for the trailer in the stored position. |
| US08347439B1 |
Reduced height combination ramp and load leveler
A reduced height combination ramp and load leveler includes at least two lengthwise support members, a plurality of cross members and plurality of cross treads. A retention tube is secured to each end of the at least two lengthwise support members. The at least two lengthwise support members and the plurality of cross members are preferably fabricated from an aluminum alloy having a tensile strength of at least 50,000 to reduce a height of the combination ramp and load leveler. Two stake receivers allow a single ramp to be used as a load leveler. Each stake receiver is sized to removably receive an adjustable stake. A ramp stand includes a support base and an adjustable tube receiver that is vertically postionable relative to the support base. The adjustable tube receiver retains the retention tubes. |
| US08347437B2 |
Washing machine and control method thereof
A washing machine and a control method thereof are disclosed. The control method includes supplying water into a tub, washing an object to be washed via rotation of a drum, rinsing the washed object, and dehydrating the washed object to remove moisture from the object. In the water supply step, steam is ejected simultaneously with the supply of water, to regulate the interior temperature of the drum. |
| US08347436B2 |
Adaptable mattress conversion
A mattress system has a cover, a crib, and a fluid bladder system. The crib surrounds the perimeter of the fluid bladder system and the cover overlies the top surface of the crib and fluid bladder system. The fluid bladder systems provide at least one conventional bladder therapy to a patient positioned on the mattress system. The fluid bladder system interconnects to the crib to not form a hammock effect so the crib functions as a restraint. The fluid bladder is also designed to bottom out to form an exterior cavity. A second cushion is inserted into the exterior cavity and positioned so the crib continues to function as a restraint. The second cushion provides a therapy to the patient that is different from the fluid bladder system. |
| US08347435B2 |
Pillow with positionable inserts
A pillow having positionable inserts is provided. Certain embodiments include inserts that are made from memory foam material formed into a variety of shapes that can assist in correcting the curvature of a user's spine. Some inserts may be made from cylindrical pouches that contain particulate materials. Inserts may be color-coded to correspond to different sizes of inserts or different filling materials. The inserts may be affixed within the pillow or on a bottom end of the pillow with hook and loop fasteners, double stick tape or other fastening means. Certain embodiments may contain measurement indicia, such as an internally located imprinted grid, to assist in precise placement of inserts within the pillow. The measurement indicia can assist physicians in monitoring a patient's progress or in making changes to therapy regimens. Certain embodiments of the pillow may have a cradling end configured to more comfortably cradle a person's head. |
| US08347430B2 |
Mattress protector
A mattress protector having a top portion and a bottom portion configured to fasten together over the mattress and/or a mattress and box spring includes sides and ends extending from each of the top portion and the bottom portion. A fastener is also included on each of the top and bottom portions. The fastener includes a fastener assembly to seal the mattress against bed bugs and dust mites. When the top and bottom portions are placed around the mattress, and the fastener is secured, the entire mattress is surrounded by the mattress protector and protected from penetration by bed bugs and dust mites. |
| US08347429B1 |
Edge warning devices for sleep surfaces
A device that warns a sleeper of the locations of the edges of the sleep surface includes two non-rigid sheets wherein one end of each sheet defines a sleeve into which can be inserted a bolster that desirably includes a filler member and a bolster cover, the opposite end of each sheet is provided with mechanical fastener strips such as hook-and-loop strips, in one sheet, the strips desirably are arranged to extend in a direction that has at least one directional component that is perpendicular to the sleeve wherein the second sheet, the free edge of the sheet that is opposite the sleeve end of the sheet is provided with at least one hook-and-loop strip arranged to extend in a direction that is parallel to the sleeve. |
| US08347426B2 |
Shower device level with the surrounding ground
A shower device level with a surrounding floor includes a surface for recovering waste water combined with an element for draining the water. The recovery surface includes a tub embedded in the floor, whose peripheral edge, over all or part of its periphery, is essentially flush with the floor, and a detachable support element, forming the shower floor, essentially at a level with the surrounding floor, in an operative position, so as to form a surface continuity between the latter and the detachable support element. The peripheral edge of the tub includes a preferably flat seat surface, and the tub is supported in a recess of the floor at least by the seat surface that rests on a belt of the recess at a level below that of the surrounding floor, and the seat surface extends by a raised surface whose upper edge is essentially flush with the surrounding floor. |
| US08347425B2 |
Shower attachment and related method of use
The invention is directed to a shower attachment capable of affixing to a standard residential or commercial shower enclosure. The shower attachment uses existing plumbing to supply pressurized water to a water intake, which in turn feeds a vertical assembly. The vertical assembly includes a stabilizing rod having a top end and corresponding back end. A pivot arm having a first portion and corresponding second portion connects to the stabilizing rod. A detachable shower wand is positioned at the second portion of the pivot arm, which is capable of receiving pressurized water from the water intake. In addition, a horizontal assembly connects to the bottom end of the shower attachment to secure the device to the shower enclosure. |
| US08347424B2 |
Leveling mechanism for floor drain
A floor drain includes a head having a top surface, a leveling member, and a frame having a top surface and a bottom surface. The bottom surface of the frame is positioned adjacent the top surface of the head. The leveling member is positioned between the head and the bottom surface of the frame and is displaceable relative to the head in a first direction. A method of leveling a floor drain with a floor surface is also disclosed. |
| US08347421B2 |
Impact reduction system
An impact reduction device including a pad having a first layer and a second layer. At least one of the first and second layers defines at least one impression. The impact reduction device is arranged and configured to at least partially collapse upon application of a force and to regain its shape after removal of the force. |
| US08347418B2 |
Shorts
Shorts having a constitution where the exposed skin area can be freely determined while a wearer wears the shorts without unnecessary physical or psychological burden is disposed. By connecting an approximately inverted triangular front cover and an approximately inverted triangular back cover at their tops of individual approximately inverted triangular shape, when the wearer wears the shorts, a lower abdomen, a crotch and buttocks of the wearer's body can be covered as one unit by the front and back covers. Further, by inserting a ring-shaped string into a string through passage made at upper hems of the front and back covers in a freely slidable manner, both ends of the upper hems of the front and back covers can be slid towards the center along the string and a state of the front and back covers is changeable to a narrow-width state to cover the lower abdomen, the crotch and the buttocks of the body. |
| US08347417B1 |
Pocket handkerchief support device
Various embodiments provide a pocket handkerchief support device. An example embodiment includes: a main support having a plurality of elastic straps attached thereto for holding a handkerchief firmly against a front surface of the main support, the main support including nubs at a lower end, the nubs creating a void in a recessed lower edge of the main support; and an extender attachment including an adhesive area on an upper portion of the extender attachment for removably attaching the extender attachment to the main support, the extender attachment including nubs at a lower end, the nubs creating a void in a recessed lower edge of the main support. |
| US08347415B2 |
Sport garment having an improved comfortableness
A garment for sport activities prevailingly made of substantially inextensible materials comprises additional flaps (140) of extensible elastic materials supplementing the conventional stretchable inserts (130). When the wearer of the garment is of anormal anatomic typology, the supplementary flaps (140) are concealed inside the garment but are adapted to be freely exposed on the garment outer surface by a manual actuation of zippers (135) in case of a different anatomic typology. Each additional flap (140) is attached at a first lateral side (136) to an insert (130) and at the opposite lateral side (137) to a zone of the garment which is made of substantially inextensible materials. Thus, the garment fits adequately and comfortably to the wearer's body also in correspondence of parts of the body which can be of various shapes and/or dimensions. |
| 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. |