| Document | Document Title |
|---|---|
| US08397884B2 |
Compact combined cylinder comprising a manual release device
A brake cylinder for pneumatically actuated vehicle brakes, especially for commercial vehicles, includes a housing. The housing is divided into two chambers by a piston, one of the chambers being used as a pressure chamber for actuating an operating brake section, and a cylinder spring of a spring-loaded brake section being arranged in the other chamber on the opposite side of the piston. The cylinder spring acts on another spring-loaded piston in the chamber, which can be blocked in relation to the first piston by a pneumatically actuated locking mechanism. The other spring-loaded piston is released from the first piston by a releasing action of the blocking mechanism, and is connected to a piston rod for actuating the vehicle brake. Following release of the blocking mechanism, the cylinder spring acts between the two pistons and moves them in relation to each other during a parking braking operation. The brake cylinder includes a manually actuatable release device, in addition to the pneumatically actuable blocking mechanism, for manually releasing the spring-loaded brake section without impairing the function of the operating brake section. |
| US08397883B2 |
Brake with field responsive material
A controllable brake includes a housing and a rotor supported on a shaft. The rotor is housed within a chamber containing a field controllable material which is acted upon by a magnetic field generator to impede movement of the rotor. The shaft is supported by bearings. The controllable brake housing defines a second housing chamber adapted to enclose means for monitoring and/or controlling the brake and in this way, an integrated, compact controllable brake is provided. |
| US08397882B2 |
System and method for externally fastening cables or lines to a brake cylinder
A fastening device for externally fastening cables or lines to housings, especially to the housing of brake cylinders, includes a fastening pin that can be locked in a breather of the housing. A connecting channel is configured in the fastening pin via which channel, in the locked state, the interior of the housing communicates with the atmosphere. |
| US08397878B2 |
Electrically actuated storm brake for crane and method for actuating the brake
A storm brake for a truck assembly supporting a large industrial device, wherein the truck assembly includes a truck chassis having a mount to support the device and a wheel engaging a raceway along which the truck assembly and device are to travel, the storm brake including: a storm brake shoe pivotably mounted to the truck chassis, wherein the storm brake shoe has a first pivot position in which the brake does not engage the raceway and a second pivot position in which the brake engages the raceway, wherein the storm brake shoe pivots in a direction generally aligned with a direction movement of the truck assembly along the raceway; an actuator having an extendable linkage coupled to the storm brake shoe and at an opposite end to a fixed mounting on the truck chassis, wherein extension of the linkage pivots the storm brake from the first position to the second position, and the fixed mounting provides a slidable engagement between the opposite end of the actuator and the truck chassis. |
| US08397877B2 |
Wheel braking mechanism
A wheel braking mechanism 10 comprising a brake shaft 14, a brake drum 16, an engagement pedal 18 and a disengagement pedal 20. The brake shaft 14 has a plurality of first splines 22 provided around the brake shaft 14. A first alignment member 24 is provided at the end of each first spline 22 and has first and second oppositely directed chamfered alignment surface 24a, 24b. The brake drum 16 defines a brake socket around which are provided a plurality of second splines 28, which define a plurality of spline recesses 30. A second alignment member 31 is provided at the opposing end of each second spline 28. Movement of the brake shaft 14 towards the brake drum 16 causes the first alignment members 24 to travel down the respective alignment surfaces of the second alignment members 31, thereby aligning the first splines with the respective adjacent spline recess 30. |
| US08397868B1 |
Signal mast with folding stand
A railway signal mast assembly including a signal mast and one or more signal light support arms for supporting a railway signal light on the mast includes a collapsible worker support cage attached to the signal mast proximate each set of signal light support arms to allow a worker to access the signal light mounted thereon for purposes of installation and maintenance. Each worker support cage includes a worker support platform and at least one side rail each pivotally attached to the signal mast and pivotal between stowed and use positions. |
| US08397865B2 |
System and method for noise suppression
Systems and methods for noise suppression are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, an acoustic structure has a core that includes a plurality of cells. Each of the plurality of cells includes one or more engaging structures for positioning a septum relative to the cell. The acoustic structure further includes a plurality of septums positioned relative to the plurality of cells. |
| US08397860B2 |
Speaker enclosure
A loudspeaker enclosure accommodates at least one speaker. Sound waves emanating from the rear of the speaker exit through a port in the enclosure. The interior of the enclosure contains at least one partition to lengthen the acoustic path from the rear of the speaker to the port and to cause alternating expansion and contraction of the sound waves emanating from the rear of the speaker. The partitions are arranged in relation to the speaker(s) so as to reduce sound wave reflections that would create non-linearities in the frequency response. |
| US08397858B2 |
Hydro-mechanical steering unit with integrated emergency steering capability
A steering system includes a steer-by-wire (SBW) valve, a main steering pump, a steering actuator, and a steering control unit (SCU). The SCU is in fluid communication with the actuator via a pair of fluid conduits, and includes upper and lower portions. The upper portion contains a first solenoid valve and a cross-over check valve assembly. The lower portion contains a fluid control valve. An ECU generates a steering input signal in response to steering wheel rotation, and transmits the signal to the SBW valve. The SCU controls the first solenoid valve to deliver fluid from the lower portion to the actuator via the cross-over valve assembly in an emergency steering mode, and also controls the first solenoid valve to prevent flow into the actuator and allow recirculation of fluid within the lower portion in a torque feel mode. |
| US08397853B2 |
Method of arranging an electric accumulating system close to a platform of a vehicle and hybrid propulsion vehicle
A method for arranging an accumulating device in proximity of a floor of a vehicle forming a bottom wall of a passenger compartment of the vehicle itself; the accumulating device has a heating base wall which is free from heat insulation, and a non-heating base wall which is parallel and opposite to the heating base wall and is provided with a heat-insulating material layer; and the method provides for the steps of arranging the accumulating device in a seating obtained in proximity of the floor; and implementing the accumulating device with a symmetry allowing the reversal of the accumulating device itself within the seating obtained in proximity of the floor in such a way that the heating base wall may be equally either facing upwards and then towards the passenger compartment or facing downwards and then towards the external environment. |
| US08397848B2 |
Hydraulic-electric regenerative energy storage system for plug-in hybrid motor vehicles
A hydraulic energy storage system (comprising a hydraulic pump/motor, a high pressure hydraulic accumulator, a low pressure hydraulic accumulator/reservoir, and interconnecting hydraulic lines) is incorporated into a EV, HEV, or PHEV to provide hydraulic regenerative braking and propulsive assistance for the vehicle. Implementation of the low cost and long-lasting hydraulic energy storage system in the vehicle, together with the electric energy storage system (comprising a motor/generator and battery pack) of the vehicle, allows significantly reduced demands and higher operating efficiencies for the battery pack, thereby facilitating a more cost-effective, efficient and/or durable overall energy storage system for the vehicle. |
| US08397842B2 |
Robotic system and method of use
A method of using a robotic vehicle system is described. The method can include delivering a force through a robotic vehicle system powertrain in the robotic vehicle system. The force delivery can include generating a force with a force generation component in the robotic vehicle system. The force delivery can also include delivering the force through a first shaft to a first receiver and delivering the force from the first receiver to a second receiver. The first shaft can interface with the first receiver. |
| US08397834B2 |
Oscillating tool with vibration damping system
An oscillating tool comprises a housing that accommodates a motor which for driving a tool is coupled with a drive shaft via an oscillation drive, for driving it about its longitudinal axis rotatingly oscillatingly. For reducing vibrations, there is provided an inertial mass that is movably held on the housing via at least one spring element. |
| US08397833B2 |
Construction apparatus with extendable mast and method for operating such a construction apparatus
A construction apparatus having an extendable mast with an upper mast element longitudinally displaceable relative to a lower mast element. A linear drive displaces the mast elements relative to each other, and has an upper drive part linearly actuable relative to a lower drive part of the linear drive, and a locking device for locking the two mast elements in an extended mast position. The upper drive part is fixable to the upper mast element, the lower drive part of the linear drive is displaceable longitudinally of the lower mast element and a securing device is provided on the lower mast element, with which the lower drive part is releasably securable to the lower mast element for displacement of the upper mast element. A method for operating a construction apparatus with an extendable mast can be carried out with a construction apparatus in accordance with the invention. |
| US08397830B2 |
Electric stapler and method adapted for electric stapler to adjust staple leg length
To adjust a length of each leg of a staple projected to a back side of sheets of paper 5 to be bound according to a thickness thereof. In an electric stapler containing a head portion 2 including a forming plate 12 that forms a straight staple 9a so as to be U-shaped and a driver plate 13 that ejects the formed staple, a cartridge including staple sheets stacked with multiple layers, and a stapler main body which supplies the staple sheet below the forming plate 12 and which contains a driving portion that drives the forming plate 12 and the driver plate 13 in the head portion 2, plural head portions 2 are provided in which the forming plate 12 and the driver plate 13 inside have width lengths different from each other, wherein each head portion 2 is attachable to and detachable from the stapler main body. |
| US08397823B2 |
Tubular actuator, system and method
A tubular actuating system includes, a tubular, a plurality of same plugs runnable within the tubular, and an alterable actuator disposed at the tubular. The actuator is alterable in response to passage of a first of the plurality of same plugs run into contact therewith. A second of the plurality of same plugs is seatingly engagable with the alterable actuator run thereagainst when in an altered condition such that pressure built up against the second of the plurality of same plugs causes actuational movement of the alterable actuator. A flapper seat is movably disposed at the alterable actuator between at least a first position defined by the alterable actuator in an unaltered position and a second position defined by the alterable actuator in an altered position. |
| US08397819B2 |
Systems and methods for operating a plurality of wells through a single bore
Systems and methods usable to operate on a plurality of wells through a single main bore are disclosed herein. One or more chamber junctions are provided in fluid communication with one or more conduits within the single main bore. Each chamber junction includes a first orifice communicating with the surface through the main bore, and one or more additional orifices in fluid communication with individual wells of the plurality of wells. Through the chamber junctions, each of the wells can be individually or simultaneously accessed. A bore selection tool having an upper opening and at least one lower opening can be inserted into the chamber junction such that the one or more lower openings align with orifices in the chamber junction, enabling selected individual or multiple wells to be accessed through the bore selection tool while other wells are isolated from the chamber junction. |
| US08397815B2 |
Method of using wired drillpipe for oilfield fishing operations
A method and apparatus for fishing a wellbore with wired drill pipe are provided. Embodiments of the invention advantageously identify objects for removal and signal proper attachment therewith. In an embodiment, a method of fishing with wired drill pipe comprising attaching a fishing apparatus to the end of a wired drill pipe string, extending the wired drill pipe string into a wellbore, monitoring signals received through the wired drill pipe string from one or more sensors coupled to the fishing apparatus, and determining proper coupling of the fishing apparatus with one or more objects intended for removal based on the signals received from the sensors is provided. |
| US08397811B2 |
Gas boost pump and crossover in inverted shroud
An above-motor mixed flow booster pump combined with a fluid crossover that directs up into the inside of an inverted shroud to allow enhanced gas separation. A gas and liquid separator is used to enhance separation. The system provides gas handling capability for high flow or low flow gas well dewatering applications, including vertical wells, horizontal wells, slant wells. The boost pump allows the moving of a mixed flow upwards to the top of an inverted shroud in wells lacking the required pressure. |
| US08397806B2 |
Method for pre-treatment of subterranean sites adjacent to water injection wells
A method to improve the effectiveness of MEOR or bioremediation processes. In this method toxic chemicals accumulated in subterranean sites adjacent to the water injection wells are either dispersed or removed prior to introduction of microbial inocula for enhanced microbial oil recovery or bioremediation of these sites. |
| US08397803B2 |
Packing element system with profiled surface
A downhole retrievable dual directional isolation tool, comprising a mandrel, a compressor ring concentric with the mandrel, and a packing element concentric with the mandrel and having an outer surface defining a plurality of grooves. A downhole retrievable dual directional isolation tool, comprising a mandrel, a packing element concentric with the mandrel, a compressor ring concentric with the mandrel and having a first side wall proximate to a second side wall of the packing element, and a stop ring concentric with the mandrel having a third side wall proximate to a fourth side wall of the packing element, wherein the first side wall of the compressor ring or the third side wall of the stop ring have a circumferential land, whereby in a set state of the tool a contact area between the circumferential land and the second side wall of the packing element or the fourth side wall of the packing element achieves higher contact pressure. |
| US08397802B2 |
Swellable packer slip mechanism
A packer having a swellable element is configured for axial expansion of the swellable element. The axial expansion causes the slip mechanism to deploy and engage a sidewall of a tubular or casing. The axial expansion may directly cause activation of the slip mechanism, or may trigger a triggering mechanism to activate a spring-loaded slip mechanism. The swellable element may be the same element used for sealing the packer to the sidewall, or may be a sleeve dedicated for deployment of the slip mechanism. |
| US08397800B2 |
Perforating string with longitudinal shock de-coupler
A shock de-coupler for use with a perforating string can include perforating string connectors at opposite ends of the de-coupler, a longitudinal axis extending between the connectors, and a biasing device which resists displacement of one connector relative to the other connector in both opposite directions along the longitudinal axis, whereby the first connector is biased toward a predetermined position relative to the second connector. A perforating string can include a shock de-coupler interconnected longitudinally between components of the perforating string, with the shock de-coupler variably resisting displacement of one component away from a predetermined position relative to the other component in each longitudinal direction, and in which a compliance of the shock de-coupler substantially decreases in response to displacement of the first component a predetermined distance away from the predetermined position relative to the second component. |
| US08397798B2 |
Evaporators including a capillary wick and a plurality of vapor grooves and two-phase heat transfer systems including such evaporators
A two-phase heat transfer system includes an evaporator, a condenser, a vapor line, and a liquid return line. The evaporator includes a liquid inlet, a vapor outlet, and a capillary wick having a first surface adjacent the liquid inlet and a second surface adjacent the vapor outlet. The condenser includes a vapor inlet and a liquid outlet. The vapor line provides fluid communication between the vapor outlet and the vapor inlet. The liquid return line provides fluid communication between the liquid outlet and the liquid inlet. The wick is substantially free of back-conduction of energy from the second surface to the first surface due to an increase in a conduction path from the second surface to the first surface and due to suppression of nucleation of a working fluid from the second surface to the first surface to promote liquid superheat tolerance in the wick. |
| US08397797B2 |
Low thermal strain multi-cooler
A heat exchanger with multi-flow capabilities includes a pair of intermediate tanks located between a pair of header tanks. An open gap is provided between the two intermediate tanks. A first plurality of tubes extend between the header tanks. A second plurality of tubes extend between one of the header tanks and one of the intermediate tanks. A third plurality of tubes extend between the other header tank and the other intermediate tank. In a two flow system, the two intermediate tanks are in fluid communication through a flexible jumper tube. In a three flow system the two intermediate tanks are isolated from each other. The open gap between the intermediate tanks allows for the uneven heat expansion between the various fluid flows. |
| US08397791B2 |
Zirconium oxide dental implant with internal thread and polygonal tapering section, and the mold for molding the same
A mold for molding a green body for manufacturing a zirconium oxide dental implant includes a first molding part and a second molding part. The first and second molding parts each has a first imprinting inner surface and two none-thread inner surfaces for forming the external of the green body with two external thread sections and two none-thread sections. The mold may also include a driving mechanism, a polygonal conical slider and a screw thread forming rod. The polygonal conical slider can be driven for axially sliding into the mold cavity without rotation. The screw thread forming rod is coaxially and slidably penetrated the polygonal conical slider and driven by the driving mechanism for screwing into the mold cavity and unscrewing out of the mold cavity thereby forming the inner of the green body with an internal thread and a polygonal tapering section. |
| US08397790B2 |
Method of lost-wax manufacture of an annular bladed turbomachine assembly, metal mould and wax model for implementing such a method
A method of manufacture of a wax model of an annular bladed turbomachine stator assembly includes in succession the positioning, in a mold, of a core intended to form the impression of a cavity of a blade of the assembly, the injection of a wax in the mold, and the removal of the wax model fitted with the core from the mold. The core is manufactured in metal and is positioned such that its radially internal end is housed in the portion of the mold defining the blade including the cavity, away from the radially internal end of this portion of the mold. |
| US08397787B1 |
Door release mechanism
A door mechanism includes a bracket and a door shaft, rotationally mounted to the bracket, to operate a door. The door mechanism includes a gear assembly having a ring gear, set of planetary gears, sun gear, and drive sprocket. The ring gear fixed to the door shaft. The door mechanism includes a holding brake to counter the closing bias of the door. The door release has an engaged position in which rotation of the door shaft in the second direction is impeded by a first brake; and a disengaged position in which rotation of the door shaft in the second direction is unimpeded by the first brake. The door mechanism includes a link and a second brake. The link is configured to melt in response to a predetermined temperature. The second brake is configured to provide resistance in response to component rotation exceeding a predetermined speed. |
| US08397786B2 |
Method and apparatus of removing weft of cord fabric for topping sheet
The invention can firmly and easily remove a finely divided weft piece without leaving the weft piece by constituting a method and an apparatus of removing weft from a cord fabric for a topping sheet in a calender line for topping rubber on a number of pieces of aligned cords by a calender roll. In the midst of transferring a cord fabric transferred to a calender apparatus, weft is finely divided by passing the cord fabric through weft dividing means, thereafter, a plurality of blades arranged movably in a width direction on an upper face side of the cord fabric are reciprocally moved in the width direction over an entire width thereof to be brought into contact with the cord fabric, and the divided weft piece is wiped off to remove by respectively striking respective cords of the cord fabric by the respective blades. |
| US08397784B2 |
Correction tape dispenser with variable clutch mechanism
A clutch mechanism for a tape dispenser, for example, includes first and second coaxially disposed rotating disks, a pressure wheel, and a friction element. The first rotating disk defines at least one protrusion. The pressure wheel is disposed between the first and second rotating disks and is operably engaged by the at least one protrusion carried by the first rotating disk. The protrusion is movable between first and second rotational positions relative to the pressure wheel. The friction element is disposed between the pressure wheel and the second rotating disk such that the friction element generates a first frictional force between the pressure wheel and the second rotating disk when the protrusion is in the first rotational position and a second frictional force between the pressure wheel and the second rotating disk when the protrusion is in the second rotational position. |
| US08397783B2 |
Press method and press tool
In a press method, a housing is placed on a carrying table, and a panel is placed on a movable platform, and then a first driving unit is used for driving the movable platform to extended from an opening of a housing into the housing, such that the panel is fixed to a position corresponding to the window without touching an internal surface of the housing, and finally a press machine is used for driving the housing and the movable platform to engage with each other, such that the panel is combined with the interior of the housing for sealing the window. Therefore, the panel can be combined into a cramped space of the housing to overcome the defective issue of the prior art. In addition, a press tool adopting the press method is provided. |
| US08397782B2 |
Mailing machine fluid level indicator
An illustrative mailing machine is provided including a moistening fluid level indicator. The mailing machine includes a mail piece transport including a mail piece flap opening and moistening assembly, a moistening fluid container operatively connected to the moistening assembly for providing moistening fluid to the moistening assembly, and a fluid level indicator arm operatively connected to the moistening fluid container, wherein the fluid level indicator arm has an indicator surface adjacent to an indicator window for indicating the presence of the moistening fluid level container and for indicating an amount of moistening fluid in the container. |
| US08397780B2 |
Automatic machine for applying a spacer profile on a glass sheet, and method therefor
An automatic machine and an automatic method for the application of a spacer profile, preferably made of expanded synthetic material, on a glass sheet in order to compose the insulating glazing unit, after extrusion of a thermoplastic sealant on a portion of each one of its faces designed for mating. The process for extrusion of the sealant on the profile is independent of the process for applying the profile on the glass sheet, so that therefore each one of the two processes can be performed by using its optimum parameters. |
| US08397767B2 |
Reinforcing bar binding machine
A reinforcing bar binding machine is provided with a pair of feed gears for feeding a wire from a wire reel mounted on a binding machine body; an electric motor for driving the feed gears; a partition plate provided between the feed gears and the electric motor to partition the feed gears and the electric motor; and first and second discharge portions for discharging wire shavings. The partition plate is surrounded by a wall except for portions of the partition plate being adjacent to the first and second discharge portions. The first and second discharge portions are disposed so that the partition plate positions between the first and second discharge portions. |
| US08397765B2 |
High temperature resistant insulation for pipe
A polymeric composition for insulating fluid and/or gas transport conduits, such as off-shore oil and gas pipelines operating at temperatures of 130° C. or higher in water depths above 1,000 meters. The outer surface of the conduit is provided with at least one layer of solid or foam insulation comprising a high temperature resistant thermoplastic having low thermal conductivity, high thermal softening point, high compressive strength and high compressive creep resistance. The high temperature resistant thermoplastic is selected from one or more members of the group comprising: polycarbonate; polyphenylene oxide; polyphenylene oxide blended with polypropylene, polystyrene or polyamide; polycarbonate blended with polybutylene terephthalate, polyethylene terephthalate, acrylonitrile butadiene styrene, acrylonitrile styrene acrylate, or polyetherimide; polyamides, including polyamide 12 and 612 and elastomers thereof; polymethylpentene and blends thereof; cyclic olefin copolymers and blends thereof; and, partially crosslinked thermoplastic elastomers, also known as thermoplastic vulcanizates or dynamically vulcanized elastomers. |
| US08397764B2 |
Safety cap for couplings and fittings
A system for protecting the end fittings of a fluid transport hose includes first and second protective caps for respectively engaging with first and second end fittings of the hose. Both the first and second protective caps include a disk that is oriented perpendicular to the hose axis when the cap is engaged with the respective end fitting. Importantly, the disk has a diameter DD that is greater than the diameter DH of the hose so the disk will extend radially outward from the hose to thereby protect the end fitting. |
| US08397761B2 |
Vortex brake for a liquid drainage system
A vortex brake (4) for a liquid drainage system has a vortex chamber (5), an inlet section (6) and an outlet (12), wherein liquid can flow into the inlet section (6), through this into the vortex chamber (5), through this and out through the outlet (12). The vortex chamber (5) has a side wall (9), following a conical face, and a base wall (11). The conical face has a cone axis (10), and the outlet (12) is located at an apex of the conical face. The inlet section (6) has side walls (14) and a bottom wall (15) that extend mutually in parallel in a direction of flow (16) in the inlet section (6), and a ceiling. Said ceiling having a converging ceiling portion, which extends between a first and a second end of the ceiling portion, and which, in said direction of flow, extends converging towards the bottom wall (15). |
| US08397760B2 |
Electromagnetic flow regulator, system, and methods for regulating flow of an electrically conductive fluid
Disclosed embodiments include electromagnetic flow regulators for regulating flow of an electrically conductive fluid, systems for regulating flow of an electrically conductive fluid, methods of regulating flow of an electrically conductive fluid, nuclear fission reactors, systems for regulating flow of an electrically conductive reactor coolant, and methods of regulating flow of an electrically conductive reactor coolant in a nuclear fission reactor. |
| US08397759B2 |
Electromagnetic spool valve
The electromagnetic spool valve of the present invention includes a movable linear solenoid section, first and second spools that are coaxially provided in inner space of a valve body so as to switch a state of communication and discommunication among plural ports of the electromagnetic spool valve, a first spring member provided between the first and second spools, and a second spring member provided between a cap member and the second spool. The spring load of the second spring member is set to be greater than the spring load of the first spring member. |
| US08397756B2 |
Fluid conduit couplers with depressible latch mechanism
A fluid conduit coupling assembly has a depressible latch mechanism that secures a first fluid conduit to a second fluid conduit via a first coupler and a second coupler. The first coupler connects to the first fluid conduit and the second coupler connects to the second fluid conduit. The depressible latch mechanism is formed by a pair of cantilevered buttons disposed in symmetrically opposed positions on one of the couplers. The cantilevered buttons have engagement lips that extend distally with catches that extend radially outward to engage a ridge formed on an interior wall of the opposing coupler. Fluid ports within the couplers interface when the couplers connect to provide fluid flow between the first and second conduits. Valves may be disposed in each of the couplers to arrest fluid flow when the couplers are detached and automatically open to allow fluid to flow when the couplers are connected. |
| US08397754B2 |
Coupling element with a shutter valve, and a coupling incorporating such an element
The invention concerns the female or male member (3) of a connection (1) that can be connected with a corresponding male or female connection member (5) and includes a pusher (33) and a stop valve (35) capable of sliding axially relative to the pusher (33) for coupling to the member (3). The member (3) further includes at least one seal (34) mounted on a first part (35) selected from the pusher and the valve and capable of sealing interaction with a first portion (331) of the second part (33) selected from the pusher and the valve in an uncoupled configuration of the member (3). In the coupled configuration of the member (3), a second portion (333) of the second part (33), defining a seal (34) protection portion (333), is radially provided between the seal (34) and a main fluid flow line (V) in the member (3). The portions (331, 333) have different radial dimensions so that the radial thickness available for the seal (34) in the coupled configuration is higher than the radial configuration available for the seal (34) in the uncoupled configuration. The portions (331, 333) are connected to each other by connection tabs (338) having a constant cross-section. |
| US08397752B2 |
Process for fabricating integral plastic faucet member and finished product thereof
A process for fabricating an integral plastic faucet member and a finished product thereof are provided. The process mainly includes two injection steps. A first plastic injection is used to mold a first part at a middle connecting part of a faucet member. The first part is then placed into a mold for a second plastic injection so as to mold a second part at two sides of the faucet member. The second part is properly wrapped around and bonded to the first part. Meanwhile, desired holes are reserved to serve as water inlets, water outlets, and valve seats. Through such a two-injection process, the conventional complicated and time-consuming copper casting process is simplified, which improves the production efficiency and product quality, lows the cost and defective ratio. Meanwhile, the product weight is also reduced, which greatly reduces the transportation cost. |
| US08397738B2 |
Modular system for concealment and shelter
An easy to use, universal, simple, lightweight, compact, portable and modular system of concealment and shelter. An operator can configure a number of concealment blinds or shelters using brackets, supports, segmented shafts, covers, curtains, and skirts, and more complex modules. The segmented shafts have both the ability to make an attachment to retain a particular configuration while being able to break down the shafts for transportation or storage. The brackets and supports can be used to secure a configuration to a tree, the ground, or a hand held device. More advanced modules include cover caps including domes, cylindrical arches, and pyramids. A configuration can include a removable floor. Guyline modules allow for sliding panels to be positioned over openings in a configuration. The system can be configured for placement on a hillside or over rough terrain and obstacles. Multiple modules can be carried by separate members of a group and combined together to form a more complex structure to meet the needs of the group. |
| US08397737B2 |
Linearly adjustable device
A linearly adjustable device comprising a main body including at least two body sections each having a longitudinal axis, and a linear actuator. The sections are operatively connected together for linear movement relative to one another in the axial direction. The linear actuator is operatively mounted to the main body for causing the relative axial movement between the body section. The linear actuator includes a drive and a power transmission mechanism operatively connected to the drive. The transmission mechanism includes an elongated threaded member operatively connected to one of the body sections and a cooperating threaded member operatively connected to another of the body sections such that relative rotation between the elongated threaded member and the cooperating threaded member causes relative movement of the body sections. |
| US08397734B2 |
Method and system for coloring and cutting hair
A palette assembly of one or more vertically arranged substantially flat palettes with a central aperture for cutting and/or coloring hair. Layers of hair are spread across the surface of the palette for cutting and/or coloring in a desired pattern, whereby hair color can be applied onto strands of hair in a desired specific pattern, or the hair may be cut according to a desired specific pattern, each of which can be easily replicated. Markings on the surface of the palette indicate the location of a cut or a particular shade of color, to create a particular hairstyle or color. |
| US08397732B2 |
Implantation of low-profile implantable medical device
In general, the invention is directed to techniques for implantation of a low-profile implantable medical device (IMD) in the body of a patient. In an exemplary embodiment, the low-profile IMD is implanted under the scalp. When the treatment or monitoring site is in or on the head of the patient, the low-profile IMD can be implanted under the scalp proximate to the treatment or monitoring site. In one embodiment, the invention is directed to a method that includes making an incision in the scalp of a head of a patient to create a scalp flap, exposing a skull beneath the scalp flap, creating a pocket between the scalp and the skull, and placing at least a portion of a low-profile IMD in the pocket. The low-profile IMD may include a plurality of modules, covered in part by a flexible overmold. |
| US08397731B1 |
Adjustable, radio-translucent chest, neck, and head support arm attachment for C-arm tables for radioscopy-guided procedures
A fluoroscopy chair convertible between a chair configuration for use during fluoroscopic procedures to a support table configuration. The fluoroscopy chair has a seat, a support column supporting the seat, a radiotranslucent chest support retained to an anterior side of the seat, and a back support retained to the posterior side of the seat. The back support is reconfigurable between a first configuration that forms an upstanding surface and a second configuration cooperating with the seat to form a support table. The chest support, which can have multiple, differently contoured support surfaces, can be adjusted vertically and rotated relative to the patient. A support arm attachment for use during fluoroscopic procedures in relation to a support table with a support platform with a base portion, a mechanism for selectively retaining the base portion relative to the platform of the support table, a support arm retained by the base portion, and a chest and neck support retained by the support arm. |
| US08397727B2 |
Mask vent
A vent arrangement is provided to a mask or associated conduit to discharge exhaled gas from the mask to atmosphere. The vent arrangement is structured to diffuse the exhaust vent flow to produce less air jetting, thereby increasing the comfort of the patient and their bed partner. For example, the vent arrangement may include one or more grill components and/or media constructed and arranged to diffuse vent flow. |
| US08397721B2 |
System and method of administering a pharmaceutical gas to a patient
Methods and systems for delivering a total quantity of pharmaceutical gas to a patient. The methods and systems provide one of a low amount and high amount of pharmaceutical gas to a patient. The selection of the high amount or low amount may be determined by comparing the amount per unit of time of pharmaceutical gas delivered to the patient over the past number of breaths to the required quantity of pharmaceutical gas per unit of time. Upon completion of delivering the total quantity of pharmaceutical gas to the patient, the system can terminate, continue, activate and alarm, etc. |
| US08397719B2 |
Pressure support system with upstream humidifier
A pressure support system (10) comprises a humidifier (20) adapted to increase the amount of water vapor entrained in a supply of breathing gas, and a positive air pressure device (30) fluidly coupled downstream of the humidifier. The positive air pressure device is structured to generate a positive pressure flow of breathing gas from the supply of breathing gas received from the outlet of the humidifier. |
| US08397718B2 |
Inhaler comprising a base having at least one sealed cavity containing medicament
An inhaler which comprises a base having at least one sealed cavity containing medicament and a foil portion comprising two sides, one side being attached to the base for sealing the medicament within the cavity. A separating element is attached to the other side of the foil portion for separating the foil portion from the cavity, the separating element having a first end and an opposite second end, wherein the separating element is movable to an intermediate tilted position in which said first end is moved-away from the cavity. The separating element is further movable from the intermediate tilted position to a removed position in which also said second end is moved-away from the cavity so that the foil portion is removed from the cavity which is thereby uncovered so that medicament contained therein is enabled to become entrained in a fluid flow. |
| US08397715B2 |
Chemical and biological protection mask
A chemical and biological protection mask that combines a filter cartridge with a miniaturized high-intensity shortwave UV disinfecting system in a compact easy-to-wear and fully portable form factor. The gas mask comprises a mask portion for covering at least the nose and mouth of a user, a one way exhalation valve mounted on the mask portion, a coupling to an inhalation opening into the mask portion, a filter canister, and a novel UV-illumination tube attachable between the inhalation valve coupling and filter canister. The UV-illumination tube further comprises an aluminum tube, a plastic insert positioned inside the aluminum tube, and a plurality of circuit boards seated within the insert. The circuit boards each have a plurality of UV LED lights axially mounted thereon to irradiate and disinfect air passing through the UV-illumination tube. The UV LED lights preferably emit light within a range of from 240 nm˜280 nm wavelength, and are powered by a battery connected to a voltage regulator. A current chopping circuit is connected between said voltage regulator and said UV LED lights for providing pulsed current thereto. An optional solar cell is disclosed for powering the UV LED lights directly or for recharging the battery, and the solar cell may be mounted atop a visor attached to said mask. |
| US08397710B2 |
Solar receiver panels
A boiler for a solar receiver includes a plurality of boiler panels arranged side by side with each other so that the panels form a boiler wall section. Piping fluidly connects the plurality of boiler panels together to route a working fluid through the boiler wall section from an inlet of the boiler wall section to an outlet of the boiler wall section. The piping and boiler panels are configured and adapted to route the working fluid through each of the boiler panels in a common direction. |
| US08397706B2 |
Paintball marker with ability to discharge different sized projectiles
A paintball marker for firing a projectile includes a main body. The main body includes a breech and a feed port connected and a feed tube connected thereto. The main body is originally configured for launching a projectile having a first size. The invention includes a conversion kit to enable a marker to launch projectiles that are smaller than what can be originally launched. A breech insert is positioned within the breech, a feed insert is positioned within the feed port and a replacement barrel, with a smaller diameter bore, are provided to reduce the size of the all conduits within the marker for launching a projectile having a second size that smaller than the first size. The feed insert directly engages the breech adapter to prevent the movement of the breech adapter. Also, connection of the barrel secures the breech insert in place. |
| US08397704B1 |
Air gun assembly
An assembly for an air gun that has a gas spring includes a sleeve contacting the gas spring. The sleeve may damp vibrations in the air gun when the gun is fired. |
| US08397698B2 |
Composite fuel pump cartridge and fuel tank assembly
A fuel tank assembly comprising a fuel tank having a plurality of walls spaced apart by a floor, a flange having a top portion and a bottom portion, and extending downward from one of the plurality of walls, is provided. The fuel tank assembly further includes a housing, a crimp ring and a lip, wherein the crimp ring is fitted over the lip for engaging the flange and the housing. A fuel pump is housed within the housing, wherein the housing is arranged to fixedly position at least one inlet connected to the fuel pump at or in close proximity to the floor of the fuel tank. A fuel reservoir extends away from the floor having at least one passage formed therein, the fuel reservoir being positioned within the fuel tank so as to create an accumulated area of the fuel tank surrounding the at least one inlet, wherein fuel enters the accumulated area through the at least one passage for receipt by the at least one inlet. |
| US08397690B2 |
Lubrication system and method configured for supplying pressurized oil to an engine
A lubrication system includes a rotary pump, an eductor, and a solenoid valve and is configured to provide pressurized oil to an engine. The rotary pump is configured to generate oil flow. A supplemental supply line selectively provides pressurized oil into the eductor. The solenoid valve is movable between a first position and a second position. The solenoid valve supplies a fluid signal that allows pressurized oil to flow from the supplemental supply line and into the eductor when the solenoid valve is in the first position to increase the volume of oil flowing from a sump of the engine into the rotary pump. When the solenoid valve does not supply a fluid signal, pressurized oil is prevented from entering the eductor and the volume of oil flowing from the sump and through the eductor to the rotary pump is not increased. |
| US08397689B2 |
Fuel pump tappet/roller follower lubrication
A cylinder head including a dam defining a reservoir surrounding the periphery of the fuel pump tappet/roller follower mounting hole is provided. The cylinder head includes a tappet/roller follower mounted in the tappet/roller follower mounting hole and in communication with a cam and a fuel pump. The fuel pump is located on the high side of the head and oil drainage occurs in a direction away from the mounting hole. The dam and reservoir are configured to retain lubricant in the mounting hole and the sliding interface between the mounting hole and the tappet/roller follower. The dam and reservoir are configured to retain a minimum level of oil in the mounting hole when the head is in vehicle position. A method is provided for retaining lubrication in the tappet/roller follower hole by forming a dam defining a reservoir in the head and passively providing lubricant to the tappet/roller follower hole. |
| US08397687B2 |
Axially compact camshaft phaser
A camshaft phaser is provided for varying the phase relationship between a crankshaft and a camshaft in an internal combustion engine. The camshaft phaser includes a stator having a plurality of lobes. A rotor is disposed within the stator and includes a plurality of vanes interspersed with the stator lobes to define alternating advance and retard chambers. A bushing adaptor of the camshaft phaser is disposable axially within a pocket of the camshaft and is disposed axially within the rotor. The bushing adaptor defines at least in part a supply passage for communicating pressurized oil from the internal combustion engine to a control valve, an advance passage for selectively communicating pressurized oil from the control valve to the advance chambers, and a retard passage for selectively communicating pressurized oil from the control valve to the retard chambers. |
| US08397683B2 |
Variable compression ratio device for internal combustion engine
A variable compression ratio device for an internal combustion engine comprises a control shaft (7) that varies a compression ratio of the internal combustion engine in accordance with a rotational displacement, and a linear actuator (13, 16, 17, 18). A connecting link (12) connects a first point (14) offset from a rotation axis (7a) of the control shaft (7) to an actuator rod (13) of the linear actuator (13, 16, 17, 18). Thus, a bending load acting on the actuator rod (13) is reduced, and controllability of the compression ratio is improved. |
| US08397682B2 |
Multiple cylinder engine cooling apparatus
A multiple cylinder engine cooling apparatus includes a bottom wall of a cylinder head, a lower end of a spark plug inserting cylindrical wall, a lower end of an inlet port, an exhaust port, and a water jacket. A plurality of combustion chamber forming recesses are formed in the cylinder head to line up in a longitudinal direction parallel to an axial direction of a crank shaft. The spark plug inserting cylindrical wall extends from each recess upward in a direction opposite to a combustion chamber. The inlet port extends from each recess laterally in one direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction. The exhaust port extends from each recess laterally in the other direction. The water jacket is formed in the cylinder head to cool the bottom wall of the cylinder head, the lower end of the spark plug inserting cylindrical wall, the lower end of the inlet port, and the exhaust port. The water jacket includes a first water jacket portion and a second water jacket portion. Cooling water flows in the first water jacket portion in the lateral direction for each cylinder. The second water jacket portion is connected to the first water jacket portion through a narrow channel and guides the cooling water from an interior of the first water jacket portion upward along the exhaust port. |
| US08397681B2 |
Expansion tank for vehicle cooling system
An expansion tank (10) for a vehicle cooling system (18) of an engine using a liquid coolant (16) includes a tank body (12) defining a first volume (V1) containing coolant (16), wherein the coolant defines a variable coolant elevation level (CEL) within the tank body. The tank body (12) also defines an upper volume (20) containing air. A bladder (14) is disposed in the tank body (12) and defines a second volume (V2) containing air. The bladder (14) includes a flexible membrane (36) actuated by an actuator (46). When the engine is stopped or is below a predetermined temperature, the flexible membrane (36) is moveable to a first position (FP) which lowers the coolant elevation level (CEL), and when the engine is started or reaches a predetermined temperature, the flexible membrane (36) is moveable to a second position (SP) which raises the coolant elevation level. A communicating line (38) is in fluid communication between the upper volume (20) and the second volume (V2) to fluidly communicate air therebetween. |
| US08397678B2 |
Small animal habitat
A small animal habitat includes a base, a wall extension, and a roof that define an interior space. In the interior space, an animal entertainment device is positioned distal from the base and a platform is spaced from the base providing access to the entertainment device. A climbing structure permits access to the platform. A first animal traversable path from the base to the animal entertainment device includes a first substantially vertical climb and a first substantially horizontal traverse on the platform. A second animal traversable path from the base to the port includes the first substantially vertical climb, a second substantially horizontal traverse on the platform, and a second substantially vertical climb to a port in the roof. |
| US08397669B2 |
Method and arrangement for animal management
A method for management of animals in an area (11) including a plurality of grazing paddocks (12a-f), in which the animals graze, and a milking area (13), in which the animals are milked, wherein the milking area is accessible from each of the grazing paddocks and each of the grazing paddocks is accessible from the milking area via a sorting gate arrangement (17a, 17c). According to the method, each of a plurality of animals which have grazed in the grazing paddocks is identified (21) and milked (22) in the milking area. A nutritional need and/or a milk production capacity of each of the animals which have been identified and milked is/are established (23). Finally, each of the animals is automatically guided (24) by the sorting gate arrangement, subsequent to the milking of the animal, to enter a selected one of the grazing paddocks depending on the nutritional need and/or the milk production capacity of the animal. |
| US08397663B2 |
Liquid body discharge device and method for discharging liquid body
A liquid body discharge device includes: a plurality of nozzles for discharging a liquid body to a liquid body discharged region of a substrate; and a plurality of heads including the plurality of nozzles. In the device, the liquid body is discharged to the liquid body discharged region of the substrate by moving one of the substrate and the plurality of heads. Further, an alignment direction of the plurality of nozzles provided to at least one of the plurality of heads is different from an alignment direction of the plurality of nozzles provided to a rest of the plurality of heads. Furthermore, the at least one of the heads moves in a moving path A and the rest of the plurality of heads moves in a moving path B that is a different moving path from the moving path A. |
| US08397656B1 |
Method of steering a craft
A method of towing a craft having a fore rudder and rear rudder using a towing vehicle with the fore rudder and rear rudder initially oriented parallel to the length of the craft such that the craft follows directly behind the towing vehicle. The fore rudder is rotated to a position less than 90 degrees off parallel to the length of the craft. The rear rudder is rotated in an opposite direction to the fore rudder and to a position less than 90 degrees off parallel to the length of the craft, causing the craft to move off to the side of the track of the towing vehicle while the craft maintains movement substantially parallel to the towing vehicle, producing an of offset tow. |
| US08397651B2 |
Configurable table and methods of use
A configurable table assembly comprises two table-base sub-assemblies shaped to removably connect together and two table-surface sub-assemblies, each supported by one of the two table-base sub-assemblies. Each table-surface sub-assembly has first and second surface portions, the second surface portion being operable to rest upon the first surface portion and selectively unfold therefrom. The table-base and the table-surface sub-assemblies, together, have a single-table configuration and a double-table configuration. In the single-table configuration, the table-base and the table-surface sub-assemblies are separably mated together to form an integrated table base and an integrated table surface. In the double-table configuration, the table-base sub-assemblies are separated from one another to form two separate tables, each supporting thereon a respective one of the table-surface sub-assemblies. Each of the table-surface sub-assemblies has the second surface portion unfolded away from the first surface portion and onto a portion of one of the table-base sub-assemblies. |
| US08397645B2 |
Storage and retrieval machine
Storage and retrieval machine with a mast (10), at least one chassis (1, 1′) for supporting the mast (10), at least one rail (4, 4′), on which the at least one chassis (1, 1′) can be moved back and forth, as well as at least one lift carriage (1″) vertically shiftable on the mast (10), wherein the mast (10) is formed of at least two supports (11, 11′) that are spaced from each other in the moving direction of the at least one chassis (1, 1′) and are connected to each other via at least one transversal bar (12, 12′) to obtain a mast profile, wherein the attachment of the at least one transversal bar (12, 12′) to the supports is resistant to bending. |
| US08397642B2 |
Method for the installation of railway tracks on ballast, without an auxiliary track
A method for installing railway tracks onto ballast beds avoiding the need for installing any type of auxiliary track. The method comprises successive stages to be carried out after having located the sleepers onto the ballast bed, consisting of fixing and laying of a pair of rails from a mini train, for the transport of the rails with the fastening and traction of same up to their complete unloading, the operation being guided by means of a discharge wagon; supporting the rails on rollers for the longitudinal movement thereof; cutting, squaring and fixing the adjacent ends to the consecutive rails; raising the rail with the help of a crane, and removing the rollers; partial fastening of the track and placement of the rollers for the next cycle, and removing the tractor from the mini train, and the final fastening of the rails. |
| US08397641B1 |
Non-newtonian projectile
A projectile is provided comprising a body with a channel that contains a non-Newtonian fluid. In various embodiments a plunger is located in the channel, wherein the plunger transmits a force to the non-Newtonian fluid upon interacting with a target, causing the non-Newtonian fluid to exert a pressure in the channel, and wherein the viscosity of the non-Newtonian fluid changes upon interacting with the target. By way of non-limiting example, the non-Newtonian fluid of embodiments of the present invention can comprise a shear-thickening fluid that increases its viscosity with at least the rate of shear upon interacting with the target. |
| US08397640B2 |
Dynamic switching system for use in in-line explosive trains
The presently disclosed technique pertains to in-line explosive trains, and, more particularly, to a dynamic switch for use in an in-line explosive train. In a first aspect, the presently disclosed technique includes a method for use in arming an in-line explosive train comprising: arming two S&A circuits independently of one another; transitioning each arming circuit to a dynamic control start state to initiate a pair of state machines, each state machine associate with a respective one of the S&A circuits; transitioning through the states of the state machine to turn a switch on and off. In a second aspect, the presently disclosed technique includes a dynamic safety switch for use in an in-line explosive train comprising: a pair of S&A circuits; a pair of state machines entering a predetermined cycle upon indication to arm from both the S&A circuits and cooperatively transitioning through the cycle; and a switch controlled by the cooperative transition of the state machines. |
| US08397631B2 |
Bowl and basket assembly and salad spinner incorporating such an assembly
A bowl and basket assembly kit is disclosed as including an upper basket part (202), a middle basket part (204) and a lower basket part (206) linked with one another and engageable with one another in a way to form a perforated basket (200), an upper bowl part (102), a middle bowl part (104) and a lower bowl part (106) releasably engageable with one another to form a bowl (100) for receiving the perforated basket (200), and an upper locking ring (110) and a lower locking ring (112) which are swivellable about a longitudinal axis (L-L) of the bowl (100), wherein when the upper bowl part (102), middle bowl part (104) and lower bowl part (106) are engaged with one another, each of the locking rings (110, 112) is swivellable between a respective first position in which relative movement between the bowl parts (102, 104, 106) is allowed and a respective second position in which relative movement between the bowl parts (102, 104, 106) is prevented. A salad spinner (10) formed of such an assembly kit is also disclosed. |
| US08397630B2 |
Food cooker
A food cooker is provided that is configured to cook and infuse skewered food, the food cooker having perforated spines adjustably positionable on a sealable chamber that support the skewered food.The food cooker includes a bottom container, a cover connectable with the bottom container, a spine securable at adjustable positions along the cover, a spine, a securing mechanism. The spine has a hollow interior and perforations along an exterior surface. The securing mechanism seals the bottom container and cover to form a sealed inner chamber. |
| US08397629B2 |
Assembly for beverage preparing machine containing a boiler
The invention relates to an assembly for a machine for preparing beverages by infusion of a liquid, that includes a holder (10), a boiler (20) for heating the liquid for producing beverages, assembling element (21 a,21 b, 25) provided so as to selectively allow the connection and removable disconnection of the boiler on the holder (10), a first fluid communication element connected to the boiler (20) and a second fluid communication element connected to a fluid inlet circuit and/or a fluid outlet circuit, the first and second fluid communication element being adapted to interact in order to provide fluid communication between the boiler and a fluid inlet circuit and/or fluid outlet circuit, characterized in that it is adapted so that the connection and the disconnection between the boiler (20) and the holder (10) respectively enables and disables the interaction between the first and second fluid communication element. |
| US08397628B2 |
Dripless brew basket
A dripless brew basket including a brew basket, having an opening provided through its bottom wall, a vacuum breaker sleeve fixedly mounted thereto, the upper part of the vacuum breaker sleeve having apertures or ports provided therethrough, to allow the brewed beverage to flow into the sleeve and be dispensed from the brew basket, during application. A vacuum breaker cap mounts on to the upper end of the sleeve, to act as a fluid levelers for the brewed beverage provided within the basket, during a brewing operation, and once the brewed beverage has been dispensed through the breaker sleeve, it reaches the bottom level of the sleeve ports, thereby preventing an further discharge of fluid from the brew basket, including the elimination of any drippage, in providing for the dripless brew basket of this invention. |
| US08397625B2 |
Time since brew indicator for beverage maker
Various embodiments are directed to a beverage maker. The beverage maker may comprise a brew system, at least one sensor, a display and a control circuit. The brew system may comprise a heater, a reservoir and a container for receiving a brewed beverage. The at least one sensor may be positioned to sense an end of a brew cycle. The control circuit may be configured to receive a signal from the at least one sensor indicative of the end of the brew cycle. Upon detecting the end of the brew cycle, the control circuit may be configured to initiate a timer and cause a current value of the timer to be shown on the display. |
| US08397624B2 |
Hydraulic actuator and joint driving unit employing the same
There are provided a swash member and a first and second rotational members which are held on a base member through a universal joint mechanism and can rock about two axes out of three orthogonal axes including a center of the mechanism, a pump mechanism for transferring a low-pressure non-compressible fluid in a low-pressure pipe portion to a high-pressure pipe portion filled with a high-pressure non-compressible fluid being pressurized by a pressure accumulation mechanism, a control valve device which controls connection between both the pipe portions and a plurality of rocking-torque generation mechanisms which couple the base member and the swash member to each other and are driven by the fluids for generating a rocking torque to the swash member, and rocking-angle adjustment unit for changing a relative angle between the two rotational members. |
| US08397623B2 |
Rifle and kit for constructing same
A rifle includes an upper receiver body, a lower receiver body detachably attached to the upper receiver body, a stock and a bolt carrier group. The upper receiver body has a bolt carrier receiving bore exposed at a stock engaging portion thereof. The stock includes a recoil spring receiving bore therein exposed at a mounting portion thereof. The mounting portion of the stock is engaged with the stock engaging portion of the lower receiver body in a manner whereby the recoil spring receiving bore is accessible from the bolt carrier receiving bore. A centerline axis of the recoil spring receiving bore is skewed with respect to a centerline axis of the bolt carrier receiving bore. The bolt carrier group has a bolt carrying structure slideably disposed within the bolt carrier receiving bore, a recoil spring engaging structure slideably disposed within the recoil spring receiving bore and a linkage member structure pivotably engaged between the bolt carrying structure and the recoil spring engaging structure. |
| US08397621B2 |
Remotely controlled firearm mount
A firearm mount including a base that supports a movable cradle within which is positioned a firearm. Remotely controlled motors turn the cradle about horizontal and vertical axes. Remote operation of the motors is enhanced by a video camera secured to the firearm and connected to a transmitter that broadcasts an electronic video signal to the user stationed away from the mount. The trigger of the firearm in the cradle is moved to fire by a remotely controlled solenoid. |
| US08397610B2 |
Device for separating a strand of plastic material with a support which supports a notching device and a cutting device
Device (1) for separating a strand (3) of plastic material, which can be moved along a conveying passage (2), into longitudinal portions (3a), having at least one notching device (5) which on all sides of the passage (2) comprises in each case a notching tool (8a to 8d) which can be moved by means of a tool drive (18) in a tool guide (17) between an initial notching position and a notching position, wherein the cutting device (4) comprises two cutting wire holders (24) which are disposed in mutually opposite-lying boundary regions of the passage (2) and which can be moved transversely with respect to the passage (2) by means of a cutting drive (26) in a cutting guide (25), and wherein the notching device (5) with its notching tools (8a to 8d) are disposed its passage (2) the support module (9) which is moveable forwards and backwards [sic]. In order to simplify the devices themselves and also the assembly thereof, the cutting device (4) is disposed with its cutting wire holders (24), its cutting guide (25) and its cutting drive (26) on the support module (9). |
| US08397608B1 |
Glow plug removal tool
A hand tool for removing a glow plug from a combustion engine includes two interconnected arms each being movable with respect to one another and each having a working end and an opposing handle portion. The hand tool may further include an extension body that has a generally tubular configuration. The extension body may have a first body portion and a second body portion wherein the first body portion extends from one of the interconnected arms and wherein the second body portion extends from the other of the interconnected arms and wherein each of the first body portion and the second body portion includes an interior surface that is threaded. |
| US08397607B2 |
Angle adjustable handle for a hand tool
An angle adjustable handle includes a first shank and a second shank coupled with each other by means of a plug extending in a swivel axis from the first shank and a socket fastened to the second shank. The socket has two body halves tightened to each other and having two socket ends that cooperatively define a socket cavity for accommodating the plug so as to permit the socket to be swivelable about the swivel axis between normal and angle-adjusted positions. A spring-loaded latch is disposed in the first shank and movable to engage or disengage from the socket to permit or prevent movement of the socket. |
| US08397604B2 |
Method of manufacturing a cutting member of a shaver
A method of manufacturing a cutting member (6) of a shaver (1) includes the steps of providing a plate-shaped carrier (10), cutting at least one cutting element (9a, 9b) free from the carrier except for a residual connection between a base (15, 23) of the cutting element and the carrier, and bending the cutting element relative to the carrier. The steps of cutting free and bending are performed simultaneously using a tool (11) having a combined punching and bending effect. By using such a tool, the action of cutting free is obtained by a tearing process which does not lead to a free space and a loss of material between the cutting element (9a, 9b) and the carrier (10). As a result, the strength of the carrier is not reduced by such a free space or loss of material. |
| US08397602B2 |
Compressed hub damper
A torsional vibration damper includes front and rear hub members with an inertia mass between the two hub members. Annular elastomeric rings are positioned between the front and rear hub members and the inertia mass holding the inertia mass. Fasteners extend through the front hub member, the inertia mass, and fixed to the rear hub member. A clearance between the fastener and the inertia mass allows relative motion to absorb torsional vibration. |
| US08397601B2 |
Bicycle component operating device
A bicycle component operating device is basically provided with a base member, an operating pawl, a positioning ratchet member, a positioning pawl, a release member and a control member. The operating pawl rotates the positioning ratchet member in a winding direction in response to a winding operation of the operating pawl. The positioning pawl prevents rotation of the positioning ratchet member in the release direction when the positioning pawl is in a holding position. The positioning pawl releases the positioning ratchet member for rotation in the release direction when the positioning pawl is moved from the holding position to a releasing position by the release member in response to the releasing operation of the operating pawl. The control member prevents the operating pawl from rotating the positioning ratchet member during the releasing operation of the operating pawl while the control member is disposed in the first position. |
| US08397599B2 |
Shift pad for a shift element in a gear shift device, and shift element comprising such a shift pad
A shift pad for a gear shift element is described, comprising: a pad section that is configured to engage a circular groove of a gear shift sleeve; a locking section for securing the shift pad to the gear shift element; and a locking element that is connected to the locking section in a fixed manner and is adapted to be subjected to plastic deformation for securing the shift pad to the gear shift element. Further, a gear shift element for a gear shift device comprising the above shift pad is described. Detaching of the shift pad from the shift element during the transportation or the assembly process is prevented by this design. |
| US08397598B2 |
Motor-vehicle gearbox
The gearbox comprises an engagement sleeve movable between a neutral position and one engagement position for engagement of one given gear, and a shift fork operatively connected to the engagement sleeve for controlling the movement thereof between the neutral position and the engagement position. The shift fork is slidably mounted on a stationary support rod, which is provided with a pair of bushes defining a first axial abutment surface for stopping the movement of the shift fork in the direction from the neutral position to the engagement position and a second axial abutment surface for stopping the movement of the shift fork in the direction from the engagement position to the neutral position. The neutral position of the shift fork is axially spaced from the second axial abutment surface. |
| US08397597B2 |
Rack bar and method for production thereof
A rack bar and a method for production thereof. The rack bar is composed of a steel pipe (10) and an embedded metal core (14) placed therein. The steel pipe has rack teeth formed thereon by forging. The embedded metal core (14) is made of a metal softer than the steel pipe (10) and has its surface wave-shaped such that the bottom (20) is wide and the top (22) is narrow. |
| US08397595B2 |
Drive unit for a motor vehicle
A drive unit comprises a clutch arrangement and a transmission which is connected to the clutch arrangement by way of a shaft arrangement. A fluid supply device is arranged radially inside the clutch arrangement and around the shaft arrangement, in order to supply the clutch arrangement with fluid. The shaft arrangement extends into the transmission. The transmission comprises a plurality of transmission components along the shaft arrangement. The components are supplied with fluid for at least one of lubrication and cooling purposes. A radial inlet duct leads from the fluid supply device into the interior of the shaft arrangement. An axial duct extends inside the shaft arrangement. At least one radial outlet duct inside the transmission leads from the axial duct to the transmission components, in order to supply these with fluid. |
| US08397594B2 |
Feed drive mechanism and connecting assembly thereof
A feed drive mechanism and a connecting assembly thereof are described. The connecting assembly includes a main body and an outer sleeve. The main body has a connecting plate and an inner sleeve connected to a side surface of the connecting plate. Two opposite side surfaces of the connecting plate are respectively fixed on a screw nut seat and a lead screw nut of the feed drive mechanism, and a channel surrounds an outer side surface of the inner sleeve. The outer sleeve is sleeved on the outer side surface of the inner sleeve, enables the channel to be formed into a sealed space, and has an inlet and an outlet respectively communicating with the channel, thereby injecting a cooling medium into the channel. |
| US08397593B2 |
Quick-set pipette with damped plunger
A volume adjustable pipette, comprising a plunger mounted for movement in a housing to and from a stop to aspirate a fluid into and dispense the fluid from a tip extending from the housing. The movement of the plunger is damped to reduce sudden plunger movements. An axially moveable volume setting member in the housing defines the stop and a volume setting for the pipette and is axially moveable by a user turnable volume setting member. Turning of the volume adjusting member also controls a coarse volume setting means and a fine volume setting means, the course volume setting means being responsive to a relatively small turning of the volume adjusting member for moving the volume setting member a relatively large axial distance and the fine volume setting means being responsive to a relatively large turning of the volume adjusting member for moving the volume setting member a relatively small axial distance. |
| US08397589B2 |
Systems and methods for measuring bearing endplay
A system for use in measuring an end play of a wheel hub assembly includes a cap attachable to a shaft of a wheel hub assembly. A frame has a cavity receiving a measurement probe extending outwardly from the cavity. The probe contacts the cap and is configured to measure movement of the cap to determine endplay of the bearing assembly on the shaft. The frame includes a plurality of legs extending from the frame to a hub mounted on the shaft and coupled to the bearing to support the frame relative to the hub. The handle is connected to the frame and extends substantially perpendicularly relative to an axis of the shaft and extends to opposite sides of the axis. The frame, the plurality of legs and the handle are sufficiently rigid to allow a user to apply a force to the handle to move the hub in an axial direction relative to the shaft until cessation of movement of the hub relative to the shaft. |
| US08397584B2 |
Fabricating method and testing method of semiconductor device and mechanical integrity testing apparatus
A fabricating method and a testing method of a semiconductor device and a mechanical integrity testing apparatus are provided. An object includes a wafer, an insulating layer, and a plurality of conductive posts is provided. A surface of the wafer has a plurality of first blind holes outside chip regions and a plurality of second blind holes inside the chip regions. The insulating layer is between the conductive posts and the walls of the first blind holes and between the conductive posts and the walls of the second blind holes. A mechanical integrity test is performed to test a binding strength between the insulating layer, the conductive posts, and the walls of the first blind holes. The conductive posts in the chip regions are electrically connected to an element after the conductive posts in the first blind holes are qualified in the mechanical integrity test. |
| US08397575B2 |
Oblique flaw detection using ultrasonic transducers
Ultrasonic transducers and methods for detecting oblique flaws in cylindrically-shaped objects using pulse-echo testing are provided. By mounting one or more transducers on a rotary tester for testing manufactured objects such as tubes and bars, offsetting each transducer horizontally from its position if it were to emit a beam that is perpendicular to the object's outer surface, and actuating the transducer so as to emit an angled beam, oblique surface flaws and internal flaws may be reliably detected without reducing inspection speed, significantly adding to transducer cross-talk, or requiring significant additional hardware or processing. |
| US08397570B2 |
Multi-axial linear and rotational displacement sensor
A MEMS multiaxial inertial sensor of angular and linear displacements, velocities, or accelerations has four comb drive capacitive sensing elements integrated on a planar substrate, each sensing element having an output responsive to displacement along a Z axis, and responsive to a displacement along X or Y axes. The sensing elements are located at different parts of the substrate on both sides of the X axis and the Y axis, the outputs being suitable for subsequently deriving linear and angular displacements about any of the X, Y or Z axes. Linear or angular movement is determined from combinations of the sensor signals. |
| US08397569B2 |
Inertial force sensor
An inertial force sensor which reduces the deterioration of an angular speed detection accuracy and improves the diagnosis accuracy of fault diagnosis is provided.The inertial force sensor includes an oscillator having a driving electrode, a monitor electrode, and a detecting electrode; a driving circuit which applies a driving signal to the driving electrode to oscillate the oscillator; a detecting circuit which detects an angular speed according to a detecting signal outputted from the detecting electrode due to an inertial force; an oscillation control circuit which controls an energization amount of the driving signal according to a monitor signal outputted from the monitor electrode; and a fault diagnosing circuit which inputs a pseudo angular speed signal to the detecting circuit for fault diagnosis, wherein a filter switching circuit which switches a characteristic of a filter circuit included in the detecting circuit in fault diagnosis mode to shorten a delay time is provided. |
| US08397564B2 |
Device and process for determining the flow regime and/or the direction of a fluid flow
A device for determining the flow regime and/or the direction of a fluid flow close to an element exposed to the flow, such as a sail, includes at least one dog-vane (1). The device further includes at least one flexible strip (2), one region (5) of the strip being fastened to the element (7) exposed to the flow and another region (15) of the strip being free relative to the element, so as to enable the strip and the free region extending substantially parallel to the element to flex, the dog-vane being fixed via one of its ends to the free region of the flexible strip. The device includes conversion element (3, 3′, 3A, 3B, 3′A, 3′B, 3C, 3D, 3′C, 3′D) for converting the deformations undergone by the strip into an electrical signal, relative to a reference position, and processing element (4) for processing the electrical signals. |
| US08397562B2 |
Apparatus for measuring bending on a drill bit operating in a well
An apparatus for measuring the bending on a drill bit operating down hole in a well may comprise at least three pockets circumferentially spaced equidistantly around the drill collar of the drill string to which the drill bit is attached. Four strain gauges are equidistantly circumferentially spaced around each of the pockets so as to form first and second sets of strain gauges. The strain gauges in the first set are connected into one Wheatstone bridge while the gauges in the second set are connected in a second bridge. Each of the strain gauges that are oriented similarly within each of the pockets are connected in series within a single leg of a bridge so that the output voltage of the bridge is unaffected by bending in the drill string. The output of first bridge is used to determine the bending on the drill bit. Further, an apparatus for measuring the bending, weight, and torque on a drill bit operating down hole in a well may comprise at least three pockets circumferentially spaced equidistantly around the drill collar of the drill string to which the drill bit is attached with twelve strain gauges that are equidistantly circumferentially spaced around each of the pockets so as to form first and second sets of strain gauges. The arrangement of the twelve strain gauges allow for a bending on bit measurement that cancels out the affects of the weight on bit and torque on bit. |
| US08397560B2 |
Sand level monitoring system
A system for monitoring a sand reservoir includes: (a) a sand reservoir carried on an off-highway vehicle; and (b) at least one sand level indicator carried by the sand reservoir which provides a visual display external to the sand reservoir indicative of the quantity of sand within the sand reservoir. |
| US08397559B2 |
Method for indirect tire pressure monitoring and tire pressure monitoring system
A system and method for indirect tire pressure monitoring. A pressure loss variable (X, f, c) is determined based on an analysis of an oscillation behavior of a tire of a motor vehicle for the detection of a pressure loss in the tire of a wheel. A variable (α, α/v) representing an increase (α) of a wheel torque slip curve, or depending on an increase (α) of a wheel torque slip curve (α/v), is determined from the oscillation behavior of the tire, and the variable (α, α/v) and the pressure loss variable (X, f, c) are used for detecting the pressure loss. |
| US08397557B2 |
Diagnostic method and apparatus for thermal regenerator after-treatment device
A method and apparatus for identifying a component failure within a thermal regenerator operates as follows. The burner control unit monitors at least one of a fuel pump characteristic for a fuel pump and an ignition system characteristic for an ignition system. The fuel pump is used to supply fuel to a fuel-fired burner and the ignition system is used to ignite fuel supplied to the fuel-fired burner. The fuel pump characteristic is communicated to the burner control unit which compares the fuel pump characteristic to a predetermined fuel pump criteria. The ignition system characteristic is communicated to the burner control unit which compares the ignition system characteristic to a predetermined ignition system criteria. The burner control unit identifies a fuel pump failure when the fuel pump characteristic does not meet the fuel pump criteria, and identifies an ignition system failure when the ignition system characteristic does not meet the ignition system criteria. |
| US08397552B2 |
Large leak diagnostic tool for a sealed fuel system in a vehicle
A vehicle includes a sealed fuel system and a controller. The fuel system includes a fuel tank, a fuel cap, a control orifice, and an absolute pressure sensor. The controller associates a threshold large leak in the fuel system with a fuel cap sealing error. The controller detects completion of a prior refueling event, compares measurements from the pressure sensor to a reference vacuum across the control orifice to determine the presence of the threshold large leak, and sets a diagnostic code corresponding to the large leak only upon completion of the prior refueling event. A method for detecting the large leak includes detecting completion of the refueling event, comparing vacuum measurements from the absolute pressure sensor to a reference vacuum across the orifice to determine the presence of the large leak, and setting a diagnostic code corresponding to the large leak only upon completion of the prior refueling event. |
| US08397550B2 |
Method for determining the ignitability of a fuel
A method for determining the ignitability of a fuel, in particular a self-igniting fuel, based on the ignition delay of the fuel during the combustion in a test engine. According to the invention, the ignition delay is determined from the combustion curve and/or the heat curve. |
| US08397548B1 |
Reversible mortise lock for a storm door
A reversible mortise lock for a storm door has a body, a latchbolt and an operational set. The body has two sidewalls, an actuator and a lock body plate. The latchbolt is connected to the actuator between the sidewalls and the lock body plate and has a connecting rod, a bolt head and a first spring. The connecting rod is connected to the actuator. The bolt head is mounted on the connecting rod and extends to the lock body plate. The first spring is mounted around the connecting rod. The operating set is movably connected to the body and the latchbolt and has an engaging panel and a second spring. The engaging panel is movably mounted between the sidewalls, is mounted around and selectively engages the connecting rod and has multiple pushing levers, a through hole and an engaging protrusion. The second spring is mounted on the engaging panel. |
| US08397547B2 |
Unlocking device for concealing keyhole of lock and key therefor
An unlocking device includes a casing mounted to a side of a lock. A movable body is movably received in the casing along a first axis and has an opening. The lock has a keyhole in an extent of the opening. A key receiving seat is movable along a second axis perpendicular to the first axis between a first position received in the movable body and a second position at least partially outside of the movable body. A linking rod is extended into the movable seat. A key can be placed into a key receiving hole of the key receiving seat in the second position and then moved into the movable body to engage with the linking rod when the key receiving seat moves to the first position. The key is movable into the keyhole by moving the linking rod along the first axis and is rotatable for a locking or unlocking operation. |
| US08397545B1 |
Restraint device
A restraint device having a tubular body with a handle at one end and a telescopic extension rod at the other end which allows the overall length of the body to be selectively adjusted. A cuff is attached to a tether at the end of the rod in a non-deployed position. The tether can be released so a law enforcement officer can loosely control a detainee. Electrical circuitry in the body is connected to electrodes on the lower end of the handle and on the cuff so a disabling charge can be delivered. The device is also useful to civilians as a protective device when jogging, walking, bicycling or the like. |
| US08397542B2 |
Pile knitted fabric and sewn product employing pile knitted fabric
Disclosed is a pile knitted fabric containing a ground structure and a pile fiber napped from the ground structure. The pile knitted fabric includes a pile fiber that is knitted into a stitch of the ground structure and napped therefrom; and a stitch composed only of the ground structure, wherein a pile length of the pile knitted fabric is 6 to 25 mm, a continuous length of a pile fiber portion where the pile fiber is knitted into the stitch of the ground structure and napped therefrom is 10 mm or more, a width of a line of a stitch pattern composed only of the ground structure is 1 to 6 mm, a continuous length of the line of the stitch pattern composed only of the ground structure is 10 mm or more, a ratio of the width of the line of the stitch pattern composed only of the ground structure to the pile length is 0.09 to 0.30, and when a weft direction of the pile knitted fabric is placed horizontally, an acute angle formed between the weft direction of the pile knitted fabric and the line of the stitch pattern composed only of the ground structure is 20° to 90°. |
| US08397536B2 |
Apparatus and method for controlling thickness of a flowing ribbon of molten glass
In the formation of sheet material from molten glass, a cooling tube is positioned in the forming area for directing a flow of cooling gas on discrete portions of the molten glass proximate a draw line or root to control local thickness variations in the sheet and thereby provide a uniform glass sheet thickness across the width of the sheet. The cooling tube is disposed in a pivot member configured to rotate about at least one axis, thereby causing an end of the cooling tube to direct the cooling gas over a wide range of angular positions across a portion of the width of the molten glass flowing over and from a forming body. |
| US08397532B2 |
Direct-cooled ice-making assembly and refrigeration appliance incorporating same
A direct-cooled ice making assembly for a refrigeration appliance is disclosed. A refrigeration system includes a refrigerant circuit having an ice maker cooling portion for cooling an ice maker mold body. A cooling plate houses the ice maker cooling portion which creates ice within compartments of the mold body by cooling the mold body via the cooling plate. The ice maker is configured to be removably attached to the cooling plate so as to be replaceable without removing the ice maker cooling portion of the refrigerant circuit within the cooling plate or the cooling plate. Related refrigeration appliances are also disclosed. |
| US08397524B2 |
Refrigerator and service system of parts for the same
Provided is a refrigerator. A refrigerator according to an embodiment includes a main body configured with a plurality of parts, a door coupled to the main body, an RF reader provided in the main body to read out information recorded in each RF tag attached to the parts, a display part provided on the door to display replacement information or abnormal states of the parts, and a controller for controlling the operation of the display part. |
| US08397523B2 |
Electrolytic water generating device, air filtering system, air conditioning and filtering apparatus, and air conditioning and filtering system
An air filtering apparatus for filtering air includes a chamber having an air flow passage through which air flows, the chamber being connected through an air supply duct to a plurality of air blow-out ports opened to a large space, an air filtering portion that is disposed in the chamber and has a plurality of gas-liquid contact members for bringing air into contact with electrolytic water to filter the air, a water tank that is connected through a water feeding pump to a supply pipe for supplying the electrolytic water to each of the gas-liquid contact members of the air filtering portion, an electrolytic unit for generating the electrolytic water, and a mechanism for leading to the electrolytic unit a part of electrolytic water in the water tank which is sucked by the water feeding pump and supplied to the plurality of gas-liquid contact members through the supply pipe, electrolyzing the part of the electrolytic water in the electrolytic unit to further generate electrolytic water and returning the generated electrolytic water into the water tank. |
| US08397520B2 |
Phase shift devices for pulse tube coolers
Various embodiments are directed to pulse tube coolers and components thereof. A pulse tube cooler may comprise a compressor, a regenerator, a pulse tube and a reservoir. A network of phase control devices may be placed in a fluid path between a hot end of the pulse tube and the reservoir. The network of phase control devices may have at least one flow resistance device and at least one inertance device. |
| US08397519B2 |
Bottle stand with active cooling
A bottle display stand with an active cooling function. The display stand includes a housing having an opening into which a beverage bottle may be inserted. A reservoir for containing a cooling medium is disposed inside the hollow housing. A pump, in fluid communication with the reservoir, recirculates the cooling medium from the reservoir through a fluid passageway and out of a spray jet. The spray jet is aimed at an upper region of the bottle, preferably the shoulder. Cooling medium travels down the body of the bottle substantially in a thin film that does not obscure the bottle or its label and creates a waterfall- or fountain-type effect that is extremely aesthetically pleasing without splashing, dripping, or a similar mess. Simultaneously, the thin film of cooling medium chills the beverage and keeps it cold. A cooling unit may optionally remove heat from the cooling medium. |
| US08397518B1 |
Apparel with integral heating and cooling device
A device for heating or cooling a body of a user is provided. The device includes a thermoelectric module, a heat sink thermally coupled to the thermoelectric module, a wetting material in thermal communication with the heat sink, and a controller for cycling the thermoelectric module in accordance with a duty cycle. Additionally, a method of heating or cooling a portion of a body of a user is provided. The method includes cycling electrical power to a thermoelectric module at a duty cycle, transferring heat from the thermoelectric module to a heat sink, and evaporating a liquid from a wetting material disposed on the heat sink. The evaporated liquid enters the surrounding atmosphere. |
| US08397516B2 |
Apparatus and method for removing heat from a gas turbine
An apparatus for removing heat from a turbine includes a stator having a cavity and a first plenum and a second plenum inside the cavity. The second plenum is connected to the first plenum and surrounds the first plenum inside the cavity. A refrigerant flows through the first plenum and the second plenum to remove heat from the stator. A method for cooling a turbine includes forming a cavity in a component to be cooled, installing a first plenum inside the cavity, and installing a second plenum inside the cavity. The method further includes connecting the second plenum to the first plenum, surrounding the first plenum with the second plenum inside the cavity, and flowing a refrigerant through the first plenum and the second plenum to cool the component. |
| US08397514B2 |
System and method for flow control in gas turbine engine
A system includes a gas turbine combustor, which includes a combustion liner disposed about a combustion region, a flow sleeve disposed about the combustion liner, an air passage between the combustion liner and the flow sleeve, a fuel injector disposed downstream of the combustion liner and the flow sleeve, a liner mount extending between the combustion liner and the flow sleeve, and a crossfire tube extending between the combustion liner and the flow sleeve. The fuel injector, the liner mount, and the crossfire tube are aligned with one another in a flow enhancing arrangement along a common axis in an axial direction relative to an axis of the gas turbine combustor. The flow enhancing arrangement reduces an air flow disturbance caused by the fuel injector, the liner mount, and the crossfire tube. |
| US08397510B2 |
Combustor for gas turbine
A combustor for a gas turbine capable of performing stable combustion even by using high temperature air, comprising a first burner (5) jetting fuel and air into a combustion chamber (2) and a second burner (8) causing the circulating jet of the fuel and air installed at a position corresponding to the tip part of a flame caused by the first burner (5). |
| US08397504B2 |
Method and apparatus to recover and convert waste heat to mechanical energy
A method and system for waste heat recovery for conversion to mechanical energy. Exhaust is received from an engine into a first heat exchanger where heat from the exhaust is transferred to a refrigerant. The exhaust is then transferred to a regenerator module in order to produce electricity which is provided to a power box. The hot refrigerant from the first heat exchanger is transferred to a kinetic energy recovery system to produce electricity which is also transferred to said power box. The power box provides electricity to a traction motor and the traction motor turns an axle. The refrigerant is then transferred to a refrigerant cooling unit and then to a second heat exchanger wherein ambient air from the regenerator module is cooled. The refrigerant and cooled ambient air can be then transferred to an engine cooling jacket to cool the engine. |
| US08397503B2 |
Turbocharged engine for vehicle
Two turbochargers are arranged vertically near a one side of a crank-shaft direction at a one-side face of an engine body so that the large-size turbocharger is located above the small-sized turbocharger, and an exhaust-gas purification device is arranged an open space made on the other side of the crank-shaft direction so that its exhaust inlet is located above and its outlet is located below. Accordingly, the turbochargers and the exhaust-gas purification device can be arranged compactly and the layout of some devices around the engine can be facilitated. |
| US08397499B2 |
Methods and systems for turbocharger control
Methods are provided for controlling a turbocharged engine having a throttle and a turbocharger. One example method comprises, moving the throttle during boosted conditions, separating out effects on the throttle inlet pressure into a first portion corresponding to disturbances caused by the movement of the throttle, and a second, remaining, portion. The method further comprises adjusting the turbocharger based on the second portion and not the first portion. |
| US08397498B2 |
Heat removal systems and methods for thermodynamic engines
The present disclosure provides systems and methods for removing heat from closed-cycle thermodynamic engines that generate electrical energy through a reciprocating piston operated by thermal expansion. The present invention includes a heat exchange mechanism for a closed-cycle thermodynamic engine that exchanges hot working fluid and cold fluid at different points in a heat cycle thereby increasing efficiency of the closed-cycle thermodynamic engine. The heat exchange mechanism allows the engine to remove heat faster from the working fluid and therefore lowers the low temperature of the thermodynamic cycle resulting in better efficiency. The heat exchange mechanism also allows the engine to operate at a faster cycle frequency. |
| US08397494B2 |
Exhaust device of internal combustion engine
An internal combustion engine wherein an exhaust pipe is connected to an exhaust outlet opening of an integral exhaust manifold-type cylinder head and a sensor having a sensing part liable to be damaged by deposition of moisture is arranged at an exhaust inlet part of the exhaust pipe. Exhaust ports of a cylinder positioned at the center are formed so that the sensing part of the sensor is not contained in the extended tubular shaped surfaces of the openings of the exhaust ports of the cylinder positioned at the center to the exhaust merging portion. |
| US08397489B2 |
Engine idling duration control
Systems and methods are described for controlling an engine in a vehicle. One example method includes, after a threshold duration of engine idling, continuing engine idle operation when an exhaust NOx sensor indicates a NOx level below a NOx threshold, and stopping engine idle and shutting down the engine when the exhaust NOx sensor indicates the NOx level is above the NOx threshold. In this way, when the exhaust emissions are below the NOx threshold, it is possible to prolong engine idling operation using the exhaust NOx sensor. |
| US08397488B2 |
Method for cleaning internal combustion engine exhaust gases
Described is a method for cleaning the exhaust gases of internal combustion engines, which method is suitable for reducing harmful gases and particle emissions. Here, the exhaust gas to be cleaned is conducted, under operating conditions, with a discontinuous profile of the air ratio λ across a wall-flow filter substrate which comprises a catalytically active coating containing one storage material. The storage material is suitable for temporarily storing one or more exhaust-gas components under certain operating conditions and releasing said exhaust-gas components again in a targeted fashion in the event of a suitable change in the operating conditions. The coating is configured such that the component has a gradient of the storage material concentration and/or of the total coating amount, with the highest concentration of the storage material in the longitudinal direction of the component being present on the inflow side. At least 60% by weight of the storage material in relation to its total amount is present in the walls between inflow and outflow ducts, and at least 50% by weight of the storage material in relation to its total amount is present in a first, inflow-side zone in the wall-flow filter substrate. |
| US08397484B2 |
Inlet system for an EGR system
An embodiment of the present invention takes the form of a system that may recirculate a portion of the exhaust of at least one turbomachine where it may be mixed with the inlet air and re-enter the turbomachine without affecting reliability and availability of the unit. An embodiment of the present invention provides an inlet system for an exhaust gas recirculation system. This inlet system may take a variety of forms and may optimize the direction that the portion of the recirculated exhaust stream flows within the inlet system. |
| US08397481B2 |
Steerable multi-linked device having a modular link assembly
A steerable multi-linked device. The device includes a first multi-linked mechanism and a second multi-linked mechanism. At least one of the first and second multi-linked mechanisms is steerable and includes a modular link assembly at an end thereof. The modular link assembly includes a base, and a tip removably connected to the base. |
| US08397474B2 |
Methods of making slide-zippered reclosable packages on horizontal form-fill-seal machines
Methods of making slide-zippered reclosable packages are provided. In one embodiment, a pair of opposing film extensions are provided on each package between which a zipper and slider are attached. In another embodiment, sliders are inserted on to zippered packages output from a form-fill-seal machine or the like. In yet another embodiment, during package formation a reclosable zipper is sealed to each package and then a slider is inserted on to the zipper. In yet another embodiment, during package formation a reclosable zipper is sealed to each package and a slider is inserted on to each zipper, either before or after zipper sealing. |
| US08397473B2 |
Apparatus for closing biological material containers
An apparatus for automatically closing test tubes containing biological material mounted to an automatic test tube conveyor is described, comprising a cap recruiting device (11) adapted to feed a curved channelizer (12) adapted to tip a cap (5) from a configuration with the opening upwards at the inlet of the channelizer (12) to a configuration with the opening downwards at the outlet of the channelizer (12) at a loading surface (13). A horizontal pusher (22) moves the cap (5) from said loading surface (13) to a housing (23) in a channel (14) in which a stem (24) vertically slides and is adapted to move the cap (5) upwards in a test tube closing device (9) comprising a movable head (26) adapted to grip the cap (5) pushed by the stem (24) and to close the open test tube blocked at a working point of the conveyor. |
| US08397471B2 |
Tool for straightening wooden planks
A tool for straightening flooring material laid over floor joists having a thickness includes a square “U” shaped wedge having a pair of spaced apart legs running in parallel. The legs are spaced apart a distance slightly greater than the thickness of the floor joist. A wedge body has a planar bottom side and an upper side tapering with respect to the bottom planar side from a head end downwardly to the distal ends of the legs. A planar chisel plate shaped to conform with the shape of the bottom planar side of the wedge body includes a pair of legs spaced apart a distance slightly smaller than the thickness of the floor joist. The chisel plate includes a chisel edge on each of the distal ends of the legs and further includes a chisel edge along the inside spaced apart edges of the legs of the chisel plate. |
| US08397467B2 |
Methods and apparatus for concrete panel connections
Methods and apparatus for coupling adjacent concrete panels increase the tolerance for setting. Connections members are placed in at least one of the adjacent concrete panels. In one embodiment a first connection member is placed in a first panel and a second connection member is placed in a second panel. A plate is placed over the first and second connection member. Fasteners are inserted through the plate and into each connection member to secure the adjacent panels together. In a second embodiment a rotatable connection member is placed in a first panel. The rotatable connection member includes a first rod rotatably coupled to a second rod. The second panel is placed on the first panel. The connection member is rotated from its first position to its second position and is secured to the second panel. The connection members may be cast in the panels during production. |
| US08397459B2 |
Fiberglass siding
A fiberglass siding piece may be formed. The fiberglass siding piece includes an upper seating portion of the fiberglass siding piece. The upper seating portion includes an angled siding seat. The fiberglass siding piece further includes a main portion of the fiberglass siding piece, and a lower seating portion of the fiberglass siding piece. The lower seating portion includes an angled siding seat. The angled siding seat of the upper seating portion is configured to receive the angled siding seat of the lower seating portion of an adjacent fiberglass siding piece. The upper seating portion may include slots configured to accept fasteners to fasten the fiberglass siding piece to a building. |
| US08397457B2 |
Method for attaching a reinforcement or facing on an existing structural component and structural component with attached reinforcement or facing
In a method for connecting a reinforcement or facing of hydraulic-setting material of cement mortar mixture or concrete mixture on a structural component, a multi-layer reinforcement mat is attached to a structural component. A smoothing cement of hydraulic-setting material is filled into outer fabric layers of the reinforcement mat. The smoothing cement is allowed to set to form a substitute formwork. Into the space between the substitute formwork and the structural component a flowable cement mortar mixture or concrete mixture is filled in. |
| US08397454B2 |
Building wall for resisting lateral forces
This invention relates to an improved wall for resisting lateral forces imposed on a building that incorporates the wall. Specifically, this invention relates to a wall in a light-frame building having within it a sub-component specifically designed to resist lateral forces imposed on the building such as those caused by an earthquake or by wind loading. The wall is formed with a bottom plate that rests on the underlying structural component of the building. A plurality of vertically-disposed studs connect to the bottom plate, and a top plate is supported by and connects to the vertically-disposed studs. A shear-resisting assembly connects to the top plate and the underlying structural component. The shear-resisting assembly has top and bottom struts and first and second chords and a planar shear resisting element connected thereto. |
| US08397448B2 |
Photovoltaic panel clamp
A photovoltaic panel clamp includes an upper and lower section. The interface between the assembled clamp halves and the module edge is filled by a flexible gasket material, such as EPDM rubber. The gasket preferably has small, finger like protrusions that allow for easy insertion onto the module edge while being reversed makes it more difficult to remove them from the module once installed. The clamp includes mounting posts or an integral axle to engage a bracket. The clamp also may include a locking tongue to secure the clamp to a bracket. |
| US08397445B2 |
Joint connection in which a beam end or column base of a structure, or a peripheral members rigidly joined to the beam end or column base, are joined to another structure via supporting means
A joint connection (20) in which a beam end and a column base of a structure (10), or a peripheral member rigidly joined thereto, are joined to another structure (13) capable of receiving a bending moment through supporting means 22. A deformation due to a very small geometric movement within a resilient range is generated in the supporting means (22) by a reaction force generated at a joint portion with the other structure 13 due to an external force exerted on a beam or a column. This structure is capable of generating a bending moment Mr in a reverse direction to a bending moment Mc generated in the column base or the beam end. |
| US08397441B2 |
System for modular building construction
Construction systems for erecting building structures comprise a plurality of prefabricated interconnectable modular building units, each unit comprising a frame shaped as a rectangular parallelopiped and comprised of framing members and a plurality of nodes, each node situated at a corner of said frame for selective interconnection with other units, the framing members comprising eight edge rails, at least one edge rail in one unit being interconnected by beam stitching with a respective edge rail in at least one other unit, the nodes and the exterior dimensions of the frame conforming to ISO shipping standards such that each unit is transportable using the ISO intermodal transportation system, and such that when the units are aggregated horizontally and vertically and adjacent units are interconnected, a building structure comprising at least one habitable space is formed. The modular units are assembled in a factory remote from the job site, and are there constructed to a semi-finished state, including installation of one or more of interior fit-out systems and finishes, exterior envelope systems, plumbing systems, electrical systems, environmental systems, and fire protection systems, following which the semi-finished modular units are transported from the factory to the job site, where they are craned into place and secured to form the structure being erected, a plurality of adjacent pairs of semi-finished modular units also being “stitched” together, and the semi-finished modular units are thereafter constructed to a finished state. |
| US08397440B1 |
Pool or spa shade device
A pool shade device featuring two motor housings disposed on opposite sides of the pool, wherein each motor housing comprises a motor and a set of gears; a plurality of arcs covered with a cover component for shade, each arc having a first end operatively connected to a first motor and a second end operatively connected to a second motor, wherein the cover component can move between an extended position wherein the cover component is fanned over the pool or the spa and a storage position wherein the cover component is collapsed atop an edge of the pool or spa; wherein when the motors are activated, the motors cause the arcs to move between the extended position and the storage position. |
| US08397436B2 |
Self cleaning shield
A gutter shield device comprising a first body portion and a second body portion laterally bordering an intermediate body portion that includes a perforated plane out of which arises upward protruding elements that contact the undersurface of a micro-mesh or screen filter comprised of eighty or more threads per inch. The gutter shield includes on the bottom of it's perforated plane at least one downwardly extending element to interdict and redirect downward any forward flowing water present on the underside of the perforated plane. |
| US08397434B2 |
Greenhouse insulation system
An insulation system for installation between a floor and a roof of a greenhouse includes an insulation module with insulating panels shiftable between an open position and a closed position for controlling air flow and heat flow in the greenhouse. |
| US08397427B2 |
Wasp, hornet, and yellowjacket spray repellant and nest pesticide
Methods for killing insects and a nest are disclosed. The methods may be used to disrupt a colony of nest-dwelling insects. The insects may include wasps, hornets, and yellowjackets. |
| US08397426B2 |
Mousetrap
Disclosed is a mousetrap having an enclosure with a rotatable top part having a downwardly extending strike plate within the enclosure, and a bottom part having an upwardly extending catch plate within the enclosure, an aperture in each of the top part and the bottom part which are in substantial alignment when the mousetrap is set, and a trigger mechanism, wherein the mousetrap is set to incapacitate or kill the mouse by the manual rotation of the top part relative to the bottom part when a mouse activates the trigger mechanism causing the top part to rotate relative to the bottom part and thereby incapacitating or killing the mouse between the strike plate and the catch plate. |
| US08397415B2 |
Multi-caliber bolt-action rifle and components
A multi-caliber firearm has a breech sleeve connecting a barrel to a receiver and a stock. The stock includes a forward V-block and a rearward V-block. Each of the V-blocks defines a V-cut along a top portion and a through hole substantially aligned with the cross-sectional center of the V-block. The forward V-block extends through a cutout portion of the receiver and into the breech sleeve. The breech sleeve is fastened to the stock through the through hole in the forward V-block to provide a rigid connection between the stock and the breech sleeve. The receiver is fastened to the stock through the through hole in the rearward V-block to provide a rigid connection between the receiver and the stock. |
| US08397411B2 |
Magnet-based mounting systems for frames
A magnet-based frame mounting system comprises a frame plate that is magnetically attractive and a wall plate that is magnetically attractive. The frame plate has a first surface that mechanically mounts within a rear surface of a frame. Correspondingly, the wall plate has a first surface that mechanically mounts directly to a wall. When the frame plate is mounted to a corresponding frame, the wall plate is mounted to a corresponding wall, and the frame plate is magnetically coupled to the frame plate, the frame plate is concealed by the frame, the wall plate is concealed by the frame and the frame is repositionable in any direction parallel to the wall plate, without repositioning the wall plate, such that the frame stays at a set location based upon the magnetic coupling between the frame plate and the wall plate. |
| US08397406B2 |
System and method for using color to indicate a state of a home appliance, such as an iron
A system and method for using color to indicate a state of a home appliance, such as an iron. The iron has a sole plate and a water tank in fluid communication with the sole plate, a heater for heating the sole plate, a sensor for sensing a temperature of the sole plate, a user interface for setting a desired temperature for the sole plate, and a controller in communication with user interface and the sensor for controlling the heater. An illumination device under the control of the controller is provided to illuminate the water tank, particularly the interior thereof, in a color that is representative of a state of the iron, such as a power condition of the iron and/or a temperature of the sole plate. |
| US08397403B2 |
Resilient support
The invention discloses a resilient support having a slit in the heel part. |
| US08397401B1 |
Vehicle dryer with butterfly inlet valve
A vehicle dryer includes an energy-conserving rotatable inlet butterfly valve to selectively admit or block air to a fan encased in a blower housing. The valve includes a plate mounted on a shaft that extends across the inlet portion of the blower housing. The plate is rotated by its shaft to either an opened position for admitting air into a blower housing, or a closed position for blocking air from entering into the blower housing. A crank arm is coupled to the valve shaft, and a pneumatic cylinder includes a piston rod for turning the crank arm through a ninety-degree angle, thereby rotating the valve plate between its opened and closed positions. |
| US08397399B2 |
Adjustable media width sensor for a mailing machine
An illustrative mailing machine is provided including at least one adjustable optical media width sensor that may be reconfigured for differing postal rating requirements. The media width sensor subassembly has a narrow linear sensor window that is positioned perpendicular to the path of travel of the mail piece. The media width sensor subassembly includes a sensor carriage mount and width measurement scale for facilitating the accurate placement of the adjustable, but secure when placed, sensor carriage. The sensor carriage slidably engages a mount and is spring biased into a locking mechanism in the underside of the media width sensor locating scale. |
| US08397395B2 |
Optical sensor with collision protection for a measurement machine
The invention relates to an optical sensor with collision protection for a measurement machine, in particular for a coordinate measurement machine. The optical sensor comprises a sensor-side coupling part for mechanically and optically connecting to the measurement machine, and a sensor element. According to the invention, the sensor comprises a sensor protective coupling as collision protection, said protective coupling comprising a coupling part on the measurement machine side and a coupling part on the sensor element side, wherein a fiber optic cable is routed between the coupling parts of the sensor protective coupling and wherein a fiber optic cable protection element surrounds the fiber optic cable, wherein the ends of the fiber optic cable protection element are fastened to the associated coupling part of the sensor protective coupling. |
| US08397394B2 |
Method and device for the initial measurement of a workpiece, and the processing of a workpiece
A method for workpiece levelling includes mounting the workpiece in a machine tool, measuring the position of the workpiece in the mounting and determining a translatory offset xv, yv, zv and a rotatory offset λv, βv, φv of the factual workpiece mounting compared to the ideal mounting from the measurement results and from a workpiece data forming an initial data set related to the ideal mounting, wherein for obtaining another initial data set a plurality of surface points of the mounted workpiece are measured in their position xn, yn, zn in space, the data of one of the initial data sets are varied a plurality of times in accordance with plural translatory and rotatory displacements for obtaining a plurality of varied data sets, from the varied data sets and their base data set the one data set is determined that represents a surface with a lowest deviation measure compared to a surface represented by the other of the initial data sets, and the translatory offset xv, yv, zv and the rotatory offset λv, βv, φv is determined from the translatory and rotatory displacement of the determined data set. |
| US08397382B2 |
Method of repairing a wind turbine blade
A method of repairing a wind turbine blade while mounted on a tower without removing the blade from the tower is provided. The method may begin by positioning the wind turbine blade in a substantially vertical orientation. Next, a blade reinforcement structure is secured to the blade to reduce stress on a portion of the blade. The blade is repaired by removing a damaged portion of the blade, and installing a repair portion to the blade where the damaged portion was removed. The method may conclude by removing the blade reinforcement structure from the blade. |
| US08397379B2 |
Method for fabricating ceramic substrate
A method for fabricating a ceramic substrate includes: preparing a ceramic substrate; disposing a metal mask having a plurality of holes at an upper side of the ceramic substrate; and injecting a polyimide resin into the holes of the metal mask to form a polyimide thin film on the ceramic substrate. A thin film is formed on a ceramic substrate in a simpler manner, so the fabrication cost can be reduced and a fixed time can be shortened, thus increasing the efficiency of a product. |
| US08397377B2 |
Apparatus for making an antenna for wire transponders of electrically conductive material
An apparatus for making an antenna for wire transponders of electrically conductive material, comprising at least one depositing device for depositing said wire on a substrate placed on a support element, said at least one depositing device and said substrate being movable with respect to each other; said support element being movable along directions parallel to at least two axis of a Cartesian reference system. A method for making an antenna comprising providing a substrate intended to receive said antenna, providing a lamina or wire of electrically conductive material wound on at least one reel, unwinding said lamina, or said wire from said at least one reel, pressing said lamina, or wire, on a surface of said substrate by means of at least one pressing element, fixing said lamina, or wire, to said substrate, separating, by means of at least one cutting device a stretch of lamina, or wire, fixed to said substrate from the remaining lamina, or wire, wound on said at least one reel, said substrate being movable with respect to an assembly comprised of said at least one reel, said at least one pressing and said at least one cutting device, along at least one direction substantially parallel to an axis of a Cartesian reference system. |
| US08397375B2 |
Modular transfer system for workpieces
A modular transfer system for workpieces. Workpiece carriers are positioned in a manufacturing module with the same CNC (x-y) axis systems and the same servo drives the workpiece carrier and transfers such between modules. A separate conveyor belt is thus not required for the transfer. |
| US08397373B2 |
Method for manufacturing a multilayer polymeric actuator
A method for manufacturing a multilayer polymeric actuator includes the following steps: arranging a rotating winding core; winding a dielectric film of polymeric material around the winding core; during winding, applying a conductive material on the dielectric film exposed face, in which the application occurs intermittently according to a pre-established sequence, and according to a first and a second geometrical application pattern mutually alternated at each winding turn, so as to form a roll; radially cutting the roll at the ends of a circumferentially localized zone; and connecting a conductive material layers having the first geometrical application pattern one to the other and the conductive material layers having the second geometrical application pattern one to the other. |
| US08397370B2 |
Methods for designing an antenna using an oversized antenna flex
This is directed to an antenna for use in an electronic device. The antenna can be constructed from a flex and printed trace, such that the flex is originally defined to be as large or nearly as large as possible to fit within portion of the electronic device dedicated to the antenna. This can allow the antenna trace to vary as the antenna is tuned without requiring a new flex having a different shape. In addition, this can allow the antenna design to be decoupled from the mechanical considerations related to mounting the antenna within the electronic device. |
| US08397367B2 |
Mower suspension system and method
In some embodiments, the present invention provides a mower including a frame having a front portion and a rear portion, at least one front wheel coupled to the front portion of the frame, and two drive wheels on substantially opposite sides of the rear portion of the frame. Each drive wheel is coupled to the frame by a first link pivotably coupled at one end to the front portion of the frame and at an opposite end to the drive wheel, and a second link pivotably coupled at one end to the rear portion of the frame and at an opposite end to the drive wheel. The mower also includes at least one spring positioned to bias the drive wheels in a downward direction. Each of the drive wheels are movable upward and downward relative to the frame. |
| US08397365B2 |
Rack disassembly tool
A rack disassembly tool includes a substantially planar U-shaped collar having a pair of legs extending from a base. A pair of hook members depend downwardly from the distal ends of the pair of legs. A pair of resilient bumpers, or other resilient pads, are mounted in a corresponding pair of elbows formed at junctions between the pair of legs and the pair of hook members. |
| US08397364B2 |
Locking pin for coupling components
First and second components can be releasably coupled together with a locking pin having a sacrificial o-ring. The first and second components have respective first and second openings that are aligned with each other and receive the locking pin. The second opening has a square edge located adjacent to a recess in the first opening. The o-ring has an outside diameter greater than the diameter of the square edge and an inside diameter less than the diameter of the square edge when assembled. The locking pin is inside of the first and second openings, with the o-ring inside of the recess. To release the components, the locking pin is moved out of the first opening to shear the o-ring against the square edge. |
| US08397362B2 |
Device for setting a fastener element
The invention relates to a device for setting a fastener element (55) having an inner pin (56) slidable relative to an outer body (57) and comprising a locking arrangement (32, 33; 38, 39) comprising a bolt (19) provided for acting on the inner pin (56) and secured in a retracted position against axial displacement into an advanced position after relatively spacing a handle body (52) and an actuating organ (8, 46). When the actuating organ (8, 46) is actuated by a displacement opposite the retraction direction, an unlatching organ (40, 41) acts on the locking arrangement (32, 33; 38, 39) and releases the bolt (19) for displacing into the advanced position. Very simple handling of the manually actuated device is thus ensured. |
| US08397360B2 |
Method for manufacturing a monolithic oscillator with bulk acoustic wave (BAW) resonators
A method of adjustment on manufacturing of a monolithic oscillator including circuit elements and a BAW resonator, this method including the steps of: a) forming the circuit elements and the resonator and electrically connecting them; b) covering the resonator with a frequency adjustment layer; c) measuring the output frequency of the oscillator; d) modifying the thickness of the frequency adjustment layer to modify the output frequency of the oscillator. |
| US08397356B2 |
Triple bar, high efficiency mechanical sealer
A clamp with a bottom clamp bar that has a planar upper surface is provided. The clamp may also include a top clamp bar connected to the bottom clamp bar, and a pressure distribution bar between the top clamp bar and the bottom clamp bar. The pressure distribution bar may have a planar lower surface in facing relation to the upper surface of the bottom clamp bar. An object is capable of being disposed in a clamping region between the upper surface and the lower surface. The width of the planar lower surface may be less than the width of the upper surface within the clamping region. Also, the pressure distribution bar may be capable of being urged away from the top clamp bar and towards the bottom clamp bar. |
| US08397355B2 |
Fastening member comprising shaped tab
A fastening member used for, e.g., a disposable absorbent article is disclosed. The fastening member extends in a longitudinal direction and in a lateral direction and has a lateral centerline. The fastening member comprises a base panel and a shaped tab extending laterally from the base panel. The shaped tab has a longitudinal centerline, a lateral centerline, a distal portion and a proximal portion. The shaped tab has a contour edge comprising a shaped upper edge and a shaped lower edge. The shaped upper edge and the shaped lower edge are symmetric with respect to the longitudinal centerline of the shaped tab when relatively shifted in the longitudinal direction and are asymmetric with respect to the lateral centerline of the fastening member. |
| US08397354B2 |
Elastic attachment strap
An elastic attachment strap that has its ends connected together using Velcro-type hook and loop fasteners, where the fasteners are cut into multiple sections that are spaced along the elastic strap, said strips being placed at angles rather than straight across the width of the elastic strap. |
| US08397351B2 |
Slide for life-line
A slide displaced along a life-line. The slide includes a body provided with a guide duct through which a cable passes. The slide further includes a handle that is capable of interacting with an attached connecting mechanism. The handle is articulated relative to the body such that the handle has a freedom of rotary movement of axis in a direction perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the guide duct and different from a direction of traction of the connecting mechanism of the handle. |
| US08397350B2 |
Fastening method and apparatus
A fastening device includes a tube defining a first axis, a tube first end, a tube second end, and a through hole, the through hole defining a first opening and a second opening, a second axis of the through hole being substantially perpendicular to the first axis of the tube, the tube second end of the tube securing rigidly to an attaching device. The fastening device also includes a cord inserted through the through hole, the cord defining a cord first end and a cord second end, the cord first end disposed on a side of the through hole corresponding to the first opening, the cord second end disposed on a side of the through hole corresponding to the second opening. The cord first end is looped over the tube first end of the tube. |
| US08397347B2 |
Turning device, and folding type portable terminal equipped with the same
An attempt is made to miniaturize and reduce a thickness of a folding type portable terminal.There are provided a turning shaft member 51 having a shaft section 58; a friction member 54; an urging member 55; and a bearing member 52 including an accommodation section 63 for accommodating the friction member 54 and the urging member 55 and an insertion hole 62 which is in mutual communication with the accommodation section 63 and which retains the shaft section 58 in a turnable manner. The urging member 55 urges the friction member 54 when predetermined deflection is imparted to the urging member 55. The urged friction member 54 contacts an outer periphery of the shaft section 58 and also urges the outer periphery of the shaft section 58. The shaft section 58 of the turning shaft member 51 is configured so as to turn while generating sliding friction against the friction member 54 and the bearing member 52. |
| US08397342B2 |
Debris removal system for power tool
A debris removal attachment for use with a hand-held power tool. The attachment includes an extension shaft, a first impeller coupled to the extension shaft, and a housing provided adjacent the first impeller. The rotation of the first impeller is configured to generate a pressure differential sufficient to draw debris into the housing. |
| US08397340B2 |
Wiper blade to clean windshields, in particular of automobiles
A wiper blade to clean windshields, in particular of automobiles. The wiper blade (10) has an elongated belt-shaped, flexible spring support element (12), with a separate first component designed as an elastic rubber wiper strip (14) that can be pressed against the windshield (20) located at the bottom belt surface (13) of the support element and with a separate second component located at the other upper belt surface (11) of the support element (12) that is designed as a wind deflection strip (24) that extends at least along a longitudinal section of the wiper blade (10). A particularly low-disruption wiper blade results if the two components (14, 24) are connected together at their sides facing one another. |
| US08397339B2 |
Reference member cleaning device, and reference member cleaning method
According to one embodiment, a reference member cleaning device used in an optical detection unit causes a driving module to convey a reference member and to rotate a wipe-off member. The reference member cleaning device of the optical detection unit transmits the power of the driving module to both the wipe-off member and the reference member, in such a manner that the rotating direction of the wipe-off member and the conveying direction of the reference member are reversed at the position where the wipe-off member and the reference member come into contact with each other. |
| US08397336B2 |
Hairbrush
A hairbrush in which air blown from a hair dryer to the rear face side of the hairbrush is smoothly guided to through-holes in the hairbrush to send the air to the front face side. In the hairbrush (1), divergent projections (4a-4g) are formed on a rear face (2a) of a base section (2) and through-holes (8a-8f) are respectively formed in depressions (3a-3f) located between the projections. A cushion member (5) of a brush section (9) is fixed to the front face (2e) side of the base section (2) of the hairbrush (1), and bristles (6) are embedded in the cushion member (5) through which holes (5a) are formed. Air blown from the hair dryer to the rear face (2a) side of the hair brush (1) is guided by the projections (4a-4g) to the depressions (3a-3f) located between the projections and enters the through-holes (8a-8f). The air passed through the through-holes (8a-8f) passes through the holes (5a) in the cushion member (5) and sent to the front face side of the hairbrush (1). |
| US08397329B2 |
Articulated loading ramp
A loading ramp for a vehicle that includes at least three articulated sections. The ramp is assembled to and stored on a floor of the vehicle. The ramp is extended from the vehicle with at least one section being retained on the floor. The sections outboard of the vehicle are retained in alignment at a ramp angle with the first section being pivoted relative to the last floor retained section to the ramp angle. A power extension and retraction device may be provided that drives the loading ramp reciprocally relative to the vehicle. Side edge guards are provided on the sides of the loading ramp and may be folded over when the loading ramp is stored. |
| US08397325B2 |
Air cell cushion
This air cell cushion has a pair of side air cells extending upwardly from the upper surface side of the base member at both end sides in the lateral direction of the base member. The side air cells have a larger front-rear direction size than in the lateral direction thereof. Also, each side air cell is configured to inflate outward in the lateral direction. By this, in a case in which the side air cells face the armrests of the wheel chair, when the side air cells are inflated outward in the lateral direction, the outer side surfaces of the side air cells abut against or become adjacent to the armrests. |
| US08397320B2 |
Patient lifting device
The patient lifting device includes a transverse beam that supports a movable lift assembly to move a patient relative to at least one of a bed or chair. The transverse beam spans between a pair of support structures and allows the lift assembly to move horizontally along the transverse beam to move the patient horizontally relative to the bed or chair. At one of the transverse beam ends, the lift assembly contacts a charging station. The charging station charges a battery, that is carried by the lift assembly, to power the lift assembly. The lift assembly is powered to move a patient vertically upward and downward. A power source is electrically coupled to the charging station to provide electrical power to charge the battery of the lift assembly through the charging station. |
| US08397316B2 |
Article of protective clothing
An article of protective clothing includes a strip of multilayered flexible material adapted to be wrapped entirely around a wearer's neck to form a collar therearound. The multilayered flexible material comprises an interior layer of cut-resistant fabric disposed within a cover of wicking fabric. The strip includes a layer of memory foam attached to a medial portion thereof and an adjustable fastener disposed coextensively over opposite short edges thereof to adjust a diametric size of the collar. |
| US08397315B2 |
Shoulder pad cover
A garment including a compression fabric is provided to serve as a shoulder pad covering. The garment includes a torso portion having a front portion connected to a back portion. The torso portion defines a torso opening, a neck opening, a left arm passage, and a right arm passage. A left shoulder portion is connected to the torso portion adjacent to the left arm passage. The left shoulder portion includes a left shoulder cap pocket. A right shoulder portion is connected to the torso portion adjacent to the right arm passage. The right shoulder portion includes a right shoulder cap pocket. A left epaulette passage is positioned between the neck opening and the left shoulder portion. A right epaulette passage is positioned between the neck opening and the right shoulder portion. |
| US08397314B2 |
Lower torso garment system
An article of clothing includes a front portion, a rear portion oppositely positioned from the front portion, a waistband encircling a top of each of the front portion and the rear portion, a right leg panel and a left leg panel extending downward from the waistband in the rear portion, a rear right band extending downward from the waistband and flanking a lateral edge of the right leg panel, a rear left band extending downward from the waistband and flanking a lateral edge of the left leg panel, a material void region in the rear portion forming a gap between the rear right band and the rear left band, and a sacrum guide that runs horizontally between the rear right band and the rear left band. |
| US08397312B1 |
Supplemental body armor component
A body armor component mounts to the waist of a wearer by attachment to a belt to protect the lower back of the wearer. The component has a flexible fabric carrier with a front sheet which faces the wearer, and two rear sheets sewn to the front sheet to define two pockets opening towards each other and joined by a connecting segment. A flexible soft ballistic armor element has a first wing connected by a center segment to a second wing, the ballistic armor element being concave and opening toward the wearer, and the first wing being received within the flexible carrier first pocket and the second wing being received within the carrier second pocket. A covering flap is pivotable on the fabric carrier to cover the gap between the pockets. A belt loop is defined by an accessory segment fixed to the covering flap. |
| US08402561B2 |
MEMS actuator device with integrated temperature sensors
An electro-thermal actuator which includes a unit cell comprising at least one thermal bimorph, the thermal bimorph comprising at least two materials of different thermal expansion coefficient bonded together, the unit cell having a first end and a second end; and at least one temperature sensor located on the at least one thermal bimorph for measuring a temperature of the at least one thermal bimorph and determining a position of the unit cell. The basic structure can be expanded to 1-D, 2-D and 3-D positioners. The bimorphs can also be coupled to an active yoke which is in turn anchored to a plate, in order to reduce the parasitic heat effects on displacement of the tip of the bimorph. |
| US08402560B2 |
Scanning probe microscope with drift compensation
A scanning probe microscope compensates for relative drift between its upper structure that includes a probe and a scanner that scans the probe in a straight line and a lower structure that includes a sample stage and a scanner that scans the sample stage in a plane. A light beam from the upper structure is initially aligned with a center of a position sensitive photo detector (PSPD) disposed on the lower structure at a predetermined position of the sample stage and any subsequent misalignments of the light beam with the center of the PSPD at the predetermined position of the sample stage are determined to be caused by drift and compensated by the scanning probe microscope. |
| US08402558B2 |
Securing digital content system and method
A system and method of encrypting digital content in a digital container and securely locking the encrypted content to a particular user and/or computer or other computing device is provided. The system uses a token-based authentication and authorization procedure and involves the use of an authentication/authorization server. This system provides a high level of encryption security equivalent to that provided by public key/asymmetric cryptography without the complexity and expense of the associated PKI infrastructure. The system enjoys the simplicity and ease of use of single key/symmetric cryptography without the risk inherent in passing unsecured hidden keys. The secured digital container when locked to a user or user's device may not open or permit access to the contents if the digital container is transferred to another user's device. The digital container provides a secure technique of distributing electronic content such as videos, text, data, photos, financial data, sales solicitations, or the like. |
| US08402551B2 |
Digital rights management method for terminal
A method for setting digital rights associated with content the method includes receiving a request from a user to access content comprising digital rights defined by a first set of attributes, identifying if the user has existing digital rights to the content, wherein the existing digital rights is defined by a second set of attributes, and modifying the existing digital rights associated with the content to include the first set of attributes. A terminal for issuing digital rights includes a digital rights management (DRM) server for issuing a rights object to a terminal or a content server; and a content server for encoding content using encryption keys issued from the DRM server and providing encoded content to the terminal in response to a content download request wherein the DRM server also issues content encryption keys to the content server. |
| US08402548B1 |
Providing user confidence information to third-party systems
An online services system includes a mechanism for providing user confidence information to an external data consumer, and for determining user contribution quality. Using stored information about user actions and interactions, user confidence is evaluated for one or more parameters associated with the validity of the user's account and/or quality of the user's contributions to the online services system. Confidence values are assigned to each parameter, and the values are exposed to external data consumers. Using stored information, user actions and interactions are correlated with contribution quality to produce a metric indicative of user contribution quality. Users with low quality parameter metrics may have their contributions shown to a smaller audience or have a lower prominence in a news feed. |
| US08402547B2 |
Apparatus and method for detecting, prioritizing and fixing security defects and compliance violations in SAP® ABAP™ code
A static code analysis (SCA) tool, apparatus and method detects, prioritizes and fixes security defects and compliance violations in SAP® ABAP™ code. The code, meta information and computer system configuration settings are transformed into an interchangeable format, and parsed into an execution model. A rules engine is applied to the execution model to identify security and compliance violations. The rules engine may include information about critical database tables and critical SAP standard functions, and the step of applying the rules engine to the execution model may include the calculation of specific business risks or whether a technical defect has a business-relevant impact. In particular, an asset flow analysis may be used to determine whether critical business data is no longer protected by the computer system. Such critical business data may include credit or debit card numbers, financial data or personal data. |
| US08402546B2 |
Estimating and visualizing security risk in information technology systems
Security risk for a single IT asset and/or a set of IT assets in a network such as an enterprise or corporate network may be estimated and represented in a visual form by categorizing risk into different discrete levels. The IT assets may include both computing devices and users. The risk categorization uses a security assessment of an IT asset that is generated to indicate the type of security problem encountered, the severity of the problem, and the fidelity of the assessment. The asset value of an IT asset to the enterprise is also assigned. Security risk is then categorized (and a numeric risk value provided) for each IT asset for different problem types by considering the IT asset value along with the severity and fidelity of the security assessment. The security risk for the enterprise is estimated using the numeric risk value and then displayed in visual form. |
| US08402540B2 |
Systems and methods for processing data flows
A flow processing facility, which uses a set of artificial neurons for pattern recognition, such as a self-organizing map, in order to provide security and protection to a computer or computer system supports unified threat management based at least in part on patterns relevant to a variety of types of threats that relate to computer systems, including computer networks. Flow processing for switching, security, and other network applications, including a facility that processes a data flow to address patterns relevant to a variety of conditions are directed at internal network security, virtualization, and web connection security. A flow processing facility for inspecting payloads of network traffic packets detects security threats and intrusions across accessible layers of the IP-stack by applying content matching and behavioral anomaly detection techniques based on regular expression matching and self-organizing maps. Exposing threats and intrusions within packet payload at or near real-time rates enhances network security from both external and internal sources while ensuring security policy is rigorously applied to data and system resources. Intrusion Detection and Protection (IDP) is provided by a flow processing facility that processes a data flow to address patterns relevant to a variety of types of network and data integrity threats that relate to computer systems, including computer networks. |
| US08402534B2 |
Management system, program recording medium, and program distribution apparatus
The management system of the present invention is capable of efficiently discovering each apparatus coupled to a communication network. The management server 1 judges a type of an apparatus coupled to a communication network 5 on the basis of service utilization information T1, which is acquired from a discovered device or acquired from a device (an iSNS server 4, for example) having a name server function for resolving an address from a public name, and on the basis of discovery management information prepared beforehand (S1, S2). The management server 1 acquires a communication protocol in accordance with the type of the apparatus from protocol selection rules T3, and attempts authentication of the apparatus by using the communication protocol (S3). |
| US08402532B2 |
Host control of partial trust accessibility
Various technologies and techniques are disclosed for providing host control of partial trust accessibility. A framework allows libraries to be identified as partial trust callers allowed to indicate that the libraries are allowed to be called from partially trusted code by default. The framework allows libraries to be identified as partial trust callers enabled to indicate the libraries could be called from partially trusted code, but not by default. A hosting application is notified that a particular library has been loaded. If the particular library has been identified as partial trust callers allowed, then a determination is received from the hosting application on whether to remove or keep partial trust accessibility for the particular library. If the particular library has been identified as partial trust callers enabled, then a determination is received from the hosting application on whether or not to enable partial trust accessibility for the particular library. |
| US08402531B2 |
Selection of authentication servers based on authentication mechanisms in supplicant attempts to access network resources
A computer-implemented method is provided for processing access requests in an AAA network. The method includes receiving an access request from a network device, identifying, based upon the access request, an authentication mechanism for facilitating AAA services for the network device and selecting, based on the identified authentication mechanism, a particular server from a plurality of servers that is compatible with the identified authentication mechanism. |
| US08402528B1 |
Portable firewall adapter
A computer is especially vulnerable when connected to a network while software on the computer is in an unpatched state. A portable firewall adapter is installed inline between the computer having the unpatched software and a network. A firewall within the adapter enforces a security policy that protects the computer from attack via the network. The adapter allows the computer to be connected to the network in order to download patches and/or other software that cure the vulnerabilities on the computer. |
| US08402527B2 |
Identity broker configured to authenticate users to host services
Techniques are disclosed for an identity broker to authenticate users to a network device, system, or hosted application that uses certain legacy protocols for user authentication. For example, the identity broker may be configured to respond to a user authentication request from a network device formatted as a RADIUS or LDAP message. The identity broker may operate in conjunction with an identity provider to authenticate a user requesting access to a computing resource (e.g., to the network device, system, or hosted application). |
| US08402524B2 |
ID bridge service system and method thereof
An ID bridge service system manages a type and assurance of identity information required for provision of service by an application service system and a type and assurance of identity information managed by plural authentication service systems, and is provided with a selecting measure that selects an authentication service system that manages identity information corresponding to the identity information required for the provision of the service by the application service system out of the plural authentication service systems when a request for authentication is received from the application service system and a requesting measure that requests the selected authentication service system to authenticate. |
| US08402521B2 |
Systems and methods for dual reader emulation
Systems and methods for emulating credentials are disclosed. In some cases, the systems include an access credential reader and an access credential writer. The access credential reader is communicably coupled to the access credential writer. The access credential reader is operable to receive information from an access credential, and to transfer at least a portion of the information to the access credential writer. The access credential writer is operable to transfer at least the portion of the information to an emulation access credential. |
| US08402520B1 |
Authentication protocol for network security services
In one embodiment, an authentication protocol used in a network security service is performed over non-secure connection, such as HTTP. A router subscribing to the service may send a service request for information about a URL to a server computer providing the service. The service request may be included in a first data set posted by the router to the server computer. The first data set may be described by an HTML form and include an encrypted device authenticator used by the server computer to validate the router. The first data set may further include a server authentication code. In responding to the service request, the server computer returns the server authentication code to the router along with information about the URL. The response may be in a second data set, such as an XML document sent by the server computer to the router over an HTTP connection. |
| US08402512B2 |
System and method for creating a secure trusted social network
A system for a plurality of users to share resources with access, control and configuration based on pre-defined relationships of trust between the users of the system. A computer-based authority provides the services of authentication, identification and verification of each user within network. Processes are described that leads to the formation of an electronic community, which facilitates electronic communication and transactions in a defined manner. |
| US08402510B2 |
Method and system of managing and allocating communication related resources
A system and method for managing communication. The system and method applying to but not limited to settop boxes (STBs) and other devices used to interface services. The management including any number of features and processes associated with achieving Quality of Service (QoS) across different domains and according to network limitations associated with the same. |
| US08402508B2 |
Delegated authentication for web services
Embodiments of the claimed subject matter provide a method and an apparatus for enabling delegated authentication for web services. Delegated authentication is provided without divulging the information the user requires to complete an authorization procedure of another web service or otherwise subjecting the user to unnecessary risk. Furthermore, delegated authentication is granted for a limited duration and access is subject to further limitations to prevent unnecessary intrusion to the user, the user's data, and the host web service.One embodiment of the claimed subject matter is implemented as a method for enabling delegated authentication to allow a third party service access to protected data on a host service. A user attempting to utilize functionality of a third party website that requests access to the user's data stored on a separate host website is enabled as a delegate with authorization to access the data stored on the host website. |
| US08402506B2 |
Informational alert messaging for digital home services
Systems and methods are provided to implement a number of improvements to the consumption process for television (and other services), including personalization, community viewing, shared presence and context, messaging, access to ratings and recommendations (including community reviews), alerts, etc. A content distribution server manages the delivery of television, messaging, on demand audio or video, online gaming, and other entertainment and information services to a plurality of client devices (e.g., televisions, personal computers, enhanced telephones, etc.). The server components include a television application component, messaging component, and application components that integrate the various services to deliver, for example, enhanced television, which includes television broadcast enhanced with messaging services, Internet access, informational alerts, and/or the like. Informational alerts allow a user to customize the timing and types of alerts being presented in parallel with the delivery of other services, such as television broadcast or online gaming. |
| US08402502B2 |
Method and apparatus for presenting media content
A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, presenting a plurality of unassociated media programs from a single presentation device having overlapping presentation periods, receiving information from a viewing apparatus to adjust an intensity of emitted light associated with one of the unassociated media programs, and adjusting the intensity of the emitted light in a manner that is detectable by the viewing apparatus supplying the information. Other embodiments are disclosed and contemplated. |
| US08402497B2 |
Meta channel network-based content download technology
Content download technology, in which a network-based video scheduled to be played at a particular time is identified, and multiple sources from which the network-based video is available for downloading are identified. An initial source from which to download the network-based video is selected from among the multiple sources, and a first process to download the network-based video from the initial source is initiated. Progress of the download of the network-based video is monitored. When an estimated amount of time remaining for the download of the network-based video from the initial source to complete does not enable viewing of the network-based video at the particular time without interruption, an alternative source from which to download at least a portion of the network-based video is selected from among the multiple sources, and a second process to download at least the portion the network-based video from the alternative source is initiated. |
| US08402496B1 |
Method and apparatus for internet protocol television media content sharing
A method and apparatus for enabling IP service subscribers to share media contents with other IP service subscribers or Internet users in either a secured or open fashion are disclosed. In one embodiment, the present invention enables the sharing of home movies, pictures, and other media contents, where media could be stored media or media created in real-time. Namely, the present method allows IP service subscribers to effectively create their own TV station, e.g., complete with stored or live content programming and content scheduling. In turn, the method allows a viewing subscriber to select and view a shared media program created by another subscriber. |
| US08402495B1 |
Content sequence technology
Content sequence technology, in which a channel subscribed to by a user of a content delivery network is identified and a genre of the identified channel is determined. A play sequence policy is selected for the identified channel based on the determined genre. The play sequence policy defines one or more rules used in determining an order to play content files on the identified channel. Display of the identified channel is controlled based on the selected play sequence policy. |
| US08402485B2 |
Advertisement inserting VOD delivery method and VOD server
A VOD server refers to advertisement delivery information, and inserts a stream of advertising content in a stream of video content of a main part, based on advertisement inserting position information indicating an inserting position of the advertising content to be inserted into the video content of the main part, for delivery to a client terminal. When making this delivery, at least time information, such as time management information of reproduced output or decoding, to be added to the stream of the video content of the main part and the stream of the advertising content to be delivered to the client terminal, is replaced by time information in accordance with an order of the streams to be delivered to the client terminal. |
| US08402480B2 |
Systems and methods for generating a Swimlane Timeline for task data visualization
The Swimlane Timeline application for task data visualization utilizes the Microsoft Visio Application Programming Interface (API) to visualize user specified task data. The task data includes one or more of: task name, task outline number, task start date, and/or task finish date. The application solicits, interprets, and visualizes the data by mapping the user selected top-level outline number “n” as the parent task that defines the timeline and title, the “n.n” child tasks to swim lane rows, and the “n.n.n . . . ” lower level tasks to intervals and milestones within the swim lanes. Task analysis and reporting are enhanced with features including task drill-in, task filtering, and other user visualization preferences. |
| US08402479B2 |
Device control call allocation for embedded system design
Methods and apparatuses for control call allocation in an embedded system environment are provided. Control calls are placed into groups, with each group having a globally unique identifier. Control calls within each group are assigned relative offset values. Subsequently, as control calls are allocated to hardware resources, such as, for example, during the initial setup of the embedded system or when hardware resources are added to the embedded system, a base offset for each group, and a request number, derivable from the base offset and the relative offset is allocated for each supported control call. Hardware resources may be accessed in a similar manner. |
| US08402478B2 |
Storing medium having a device driver for controlling a plurality of types of peripheral devices
A storing medium includes a driver program installable on a host computer and a plurality of files. The host computer includes a controller, and is connectable to a plurality of different types of peripheral devices. Each file includes separately a common setting file and an individual setting file. The common setting file includes common setting information that is commonly applicable to at least two types of peripheral devices. The individual setting file includes individual setting information that is unique to a single type of peripheral device. The driver program instructs the controller to select target setting information for controlling one peripheral device from the common setting information and the individual setting information included in the file corresponding to the one peripheral device, and to control the peripheral device based on the selected target setting information. |
| US08402477B2 |
Network system, information processing apparatus, and information processing method
An information processing apparatus can easily delete drivers which become unnecessary as a result of removal of a peripheral device shared on a network or cancellation of a sharing setting. A driver deletion notification including the designation of a driver is input via an external network. In response to the deletion notification, the designated driver is deleted. |
| US08402472B2 |
Network management system event notification shortcut
Provided is a network management system notification shortcut relating to control of an event notification shortcut in a network management system. The network management system comprising: a probe for intercepting a system event from a monitored system and creating an event item or modifying an event item associated with the system event; a collection database server for collecting a new event item or modification to an existing event item and forwarding a event notification to a second database server; a second database server for receiving the event notification, requesting the event item data or modification data and forwarding the event item to a first client; a first client for receiving the event notification and requesting the event item data or modification data; whereby the collection database server sends the event notification directly to the first client bypassing the second database server if the event satisfies a priority condition. |
| US08402470B2 |
Processor thread load balancing manager
A processor thread load balancing manager employs an operating system of an information handling system (IHS) that determines a process tree of data sharing threads in an application that the IHS executes. The load balancing manager assigns a home processor to each thread of the executing application process tree and dispatches the process tree to the home processor. The load balancing manager determines whether a particular poaching processor of a virtual or real processor group is available to execute threads of the executing application within the home processor of a processor group. If ready or run queues of a prospective poaching processor are empty, the load balancing manager may move or poach a thread or threads from the home processor ready queue to the ready queue of the prospective poaching processor. The poaching processor executes the poached threads to provide load balancing to the information handling system (IHS). |
| US08402466B2 |
Practical contention-free distributed weighted fair-share scheduler
Embodiments of the invention provide a method, system and computer program product for scheduling tasks in a computer system. In an embodiment, the method comprises receiving a multitude of sets of tasks, and placing the tasks in one or more task queues. The tasks are taken from the one or more task queues and placed in a priority queue according to a first rule. The tasks in the priority queue are assigned to a multitude of working threads according to a second rule based, in part, on share values given to the tasks. In an embodiment, the tasks of each of the sets are placed in a respective one task queue; and all of the tasks in the priority queue from each of the task queues, are assigned as a group to one of the working threads. |
| US08402460B2 |
Installing and updating interpreted programming language applications using a designated virtual machine
A method, system and program of executing an interpreted programming language application from a server at a designated virtual machine on a client computer are provided. A manifest file is extracted which indicates at least one resource for the interpreted programming language application as well as the repository file associated with the resource. The repository file is located in a web start cache and moved to a run directory accessible by the designated virtual machine, outside the web start cache. The interpreted programming language application is then executed from the run directory using the at least one resource. |
| US08402456B2 |
Portable storage device, system and method for automatic software installation
A portable storage device, a system, and a method for an automatic software installation, the portable storage device including: an interface to connect to an external device to transmit and/or to receive data to/from the external device; a memory to store a setup program to install, in the external device, a main software required to connect the portable storage device to the external device; and a controller to control the interface to transmit the setup program to the external device when the interface is connected to the external device, wherein the setup program is transmitted to the external device and automatically run in the external device. Accordingly, when the portable storage device is connected to the external device, the software can be automatically installed by auto-running the setup program internally stored to the portable storage device. |
| US08402452B2 |
Automatically recommending an upgrade approach for a customizable software product
An upgrade analysis unit can include functionality to analyze a customized software product and compute a convenience for using the upgrade toolkit. The upgrade analysis unit automatically generates an upgrade approach based on the convenience. The upgrade approach identifies software product modules recommended for automatic upgrade with the upgrade toolkit. |
| US08402450B2 |
Map transformation in data parallel code
A high level programming language provides a map transformation that takes a data parallel algorithm and a set of one or more input indexable types as arguments. The map transformation applies the data parallel algorithm to the set of input indexable types to generate an output indexable type, and returns the output indexable type. The map transformation may be used to fuse one or more data parallel algorithms with another data parallel algorithm. |
| US08402449B1 |
Technique for automatically assigning placement for pipeline registers within code generated from a program specification
A system and method automatically inserts pipelines into a high-level program specification. An Intermediate Representation (IR) builder creates one or more graphs or trees based on the high-level program specification. A scheduler iteratively applies a bounded scheduling algorithm to produce an execution schedule for the IR minimizing overall execution time for a given number of pipeline stages. A Hardware Description Language (HDL) code generator may utilize the pipelined, scheduled IR to generate optimized HDL code corresponding to the high-level program specification. An annotated version of the high-level program specification showing where the pipelines have been inserted may be displayed allowing additional design exploration. |
| US08402448B2 |
Compiler system and a method of compiling a source code into an encrypted machine language code
A compiler system including a compiler configured to compile a source code into a machine language code is presented, so that the machine language code is executable on a processing unit, wherein the processing unit comprises an internal register that is changing its state responsive to an execution of the machine language code. The compiler is configured to encrypt the machine language code based on an encryption function that depends on the state of the internal register. |
| US08402447B2 |
Parallelizing sequential frameworks using transactions
Various technologies and techniques are disclosed for transforming a sequential loop into a parallel loop for use with a transactional memory system. Open ended and/or closed ended sequential loops can be transformed to parallel loops. For example, a section of code containing an original sequential loop is analyzed to determine a fixed number of iterations for the original sequential loop. The original sequential loop is transformed into a parallel loop that can generate transactions in an amount up to the fixed number of iterations. As another example, an open ended sequential loop can be transformed into a parallel loop that generates a separate transaction containing a respective work item for each iteration of a speculation pipeline. The parallel loop is then executed using the transactional memory system, with at least some of the separate transactions being executed on different threads. |
| US08402441B2 |
Monitoring execution of guest code in a virtual machine
A method is provided for monitoring registered code in a virtual machine of a virtualization system. The method includes instantiating a guest in the virtual machine of the virtualization system and monitoring execution of code registered for monitored execution in an execution context of the guest. The monitoring is performed by the virtualization system and is hidden from computations of the guest. |
| US08402440B2 |
Program verification through symbolic enumeration of control path programs
Systems and methods are disclosed to verify a program by symbolically enumerating path programs; verifying each path program to determine if the path program is correct or leads to a violation of a correctness property; determining a conflict set from the path program if the path program is proved correct; using the conflict set to avoid enumerating other related path programs that are also correct. |
| US08402439B2 |
Program analysis as constraint solving
Described is a technology by which program analysis uses rich invariant templates that may specify an arbitrary Boolean combination of linear inequalities for program verification. Also described is choosing a cut-set that identifies program locations, each of which is associated with an invariant template. The verification generates second-order constraints, converts second-order logic formula based on those constraints into first-order logic formula, then converts the first-order logic formula into a quantifier-free formula, which is then converted into a Boolean satisfiability formula. Off-the-shelf constraint solvers may then be applied to the Boolean satisfiability formula to generate program analysis results. Various templates may be used to convert the second-order logic formula into the first-order logic formula. Further described are interprocedural analysis and the determination of weakest precondition and strongest postcondition with applications to termination analysis, timing bounds analysis, and generation of most-general counterexamples for both termination and safety properties. |
| US08402434B2 |
Graphical user interface (GUI) script generation and documentation
There is disclosed a method and system for generating documentation for a GUI usage scenario. There is also disclosed a method and system for assembling a GUI script from a plurality of pre-scripted parts. In an embodiment, shadow objects are created to listen to and report activities of each GUI object of interest during a GUI usage session. The shadow objects may listen to shadowed GUI object activities during playback of the GUI script, or during a live GUI usage session. GUI object activities reported by the shadow objects are identified and converted into narrative language statements, using a pre-determined conversion list, to create human-readable documentation. |
| US08402432B2 |
System and method of creating and communicating with component based wireless applications
A system and method of creating and communicating with wireless component applications is provided. Mobile communication devices communicate with a web service via a wireless network, the Internet, and optionally a message-map service. Each wireless component application is executed by a component framework on one of the mobile communication devices, and comprises data components, presentation components, message components, and workflow components. The component framework executes the component application in an application container which provides access to framework services which include a communication service, a screen service, a persistence service, an access service, a provisioning service, and a utility service. Messages can be sent from the component application to the message-map service, which converts each of the messages to a format required by the web service using an application message-map, and then sends the message to the web service. The web service sends a response to the message-map service, which converts the response to the format required by the wireless component application, and sends the response to the wireless component application. |
| US08402427B2 |
Web application generator
A method, system and apparatus for providing a web application or to generate the basis for a complete web application source code. Based on user interface input files provided by graphic designers, the web application or generates application framework code, an event handler skeleton and s logic foundation code. Web developers then prepare additional source code object-oriented programming language based on the event handler skeleton and business logic foundation code to create web application business logic objects and handler methods. Ultimately the graphical user interface input files prepared by the designers and web application source code prepared by the web developers dynamically bound at runtime. |
| US08402425B2 |
Framework for realization of web 2.0 features
A method to shape one or more features of Web 2.0 in the form of Web 2.0 solutions, using Web 2.0 realization framework, to the plurality of enterprises is disclosed. The method includes identifying the respective enterprises computing infrastructure and a business application needs of the respective enterprises. The respective enterprises current support system is also measured to find the feasibility of implementing the features of the Web 2.0. The method further comprises offering one or more Web 2.0 features to the respective enterprises based on the business activity. The method includes providing the Web Realization Cycle (WRC) for controlled implementation of Web 2.0 features to the respective enterprises. |
| US08402424B2 |
Support apparatus, control method, and control program
A design support apparatus that supports designing of a circuit and is connected to a display unit, the design support apparatus includes a storage unit that stores logical connection information of the circuit and cell information of a plurality of cells included in the circuit, a selection unit that selects target cell information of a cell to be placed out of the cell information stored in the storage unit, a placement unit that provisionally places the cell corresponding to the selected target cell information based on inputted positional information, a determination unit that determines whether a wiring mode is set, a wiring unit that provisionally arranges wiring connected to the provisionally placed cell when the determination unit determines that the wiring mode is set, and a finalization unit that finalizes a position of the wiring provisionally arranged based on finalization of a position of the cell provisionally placed. |
| US08402423B2 |
System and method for verifying PCB layout
In a method for verifying a printed circuit board (PCB) layout using a computing device, a PCB simulation file is obtained from a storage device of the computing device, and a PCB image is displayed on a display device according to the PCB simulation file. The PCB image includes multiple signal lines and switching voltage regulator nodes (SVRN). A SVRN to be checked is selected from the PCB image, and all signal lines around the SVRN are searched. The method calculates a layout distance between the selected SVRN and each of the searched signal lines, and generates a graphical window interface to position a signal line whose layout distance is equal to or less than the minimum distance. The method further modifies the layout of the positioned signal line to satisfy a layout design specification by increasing the layout distance to the minimum distance. |
| US08402415B2 |
Layout device and layout method of semiconductor integrated circuit
A layout method of a semiconductor integrated circuit includes five steps. The first step is of extracting a wiring crowding place where wiring lines are crowded as compared with a predetermined condition, after carrying out a routing in a region where a placement of circuit elements is carried out. The second step is of generating routing prohibition regions where a routing is prohibited in an area including the wiring crowding place. The third step is of carrying out a routing by bypassing the routing prohibition regions. The fourth step is of deleting the routing prohibition regions. The fifth step is of carrying out a re-routing. The generating step includes: calculating a size and an interval of the routing prohibition regions based on a rate for generating a routing prohibition region in the area in each wiring layer, and generating the routing prohibition regions in the area on the basis of the calculating result. |
| US08402414B2 |
Support computer product, apparatus and method for wiring of integrated circuit design
A computer-readable, non-transitory medium stores therein a design support program that causes a computer executing tentative wiring processing between a first terminal group and a second terminal group in a tentative wiring area to execute a process. The process includes detecting unwired nets occurring in the tentative wiring area consequent to the tentative wiring processing; updating the tentative wiring area by expanding the tentative wiring area according to the number of unwired nets, if any unwired nets are detected at the detecting; controlling to execute the tentative wiring processing and the subsequent detecting with respect to the tentative wiring area updated at the updating; and determining the tentative wiring area to be a wiring area if no unwired nets are detected at the detecting. |
| US08402404B1 |
Stacked die interconnect validation
A system includes an automated place and route tool to generate a layout of an integrated circuit (IC) die based on a gate level circuit description. A machine readable persistent storage medium includes a first portion encoded with a first gate-level description of first and second circuit patterns to be formed on first and second IC dies, respectively, and a second portion encoded with a second gate level description of the plurality of circuit patterns received from the tool. The second gate level description includes power and ground ports, and the first gate level description does not include power and ground ports. A processor-implemented verification module is provided for comparing the first and second gate level descriptions and outputting an error report if the second gate level description has an error. The verification module outputs a verified second gate-level description of the first and second circuit patterns. |
| US08402403B2 |
Verifying a register-transfer level design of an execution unit
A mechanism is provided for verifying a register-transfer level design of an execution unit. A set of instruction records associated with a test case are generated and stored in a buffer. For each instruction record in the set of instruction records associated with the test case: the instruction record is retrieved from the buffer and sent to both a reference model and an execution unit in the data processing system. Separately, the reference model and the execution unit execute the instruction record and send results of the execution of the instruction record to a result checker in the data processing system. The result checker compares the two results and, responsive to a mismatch in the results, a failure of the test case is indicted, the verification of the test case is stopped, and all data associated with the test case is output from the buffer for analysis. |
| US08402398B2 |
Reducing through process delay variation in metal wires
A mechanism is provided for reducing through process delay variation in metal wires by layout retargeting. The mechanism performs initial retargeting, decomposition, and resolution enhancement techniques. For example, the mechanism may perform optical proximity correction. The mechanism then performs lithographic simulation and optical rules checking. The mechanism provides retargeting rules developed based on coupling lithography simulation and resistance/capacitance (RC) extraction. The mechanism performs RC extraction to capture non-linear dependency of RC on design shape dimensions. If the electrical properties in the lithographic simulation are within predefined specifications, the mechanism accepts the retargeting rules; however, if the electrical properties from RC extraction are outside the predefined specifications, the mechanism modifies the retargeting rules and repeats resolution enhancement techniques. |
| US08402397B2 |
Hotspot detection based on machine learning
Aspects of the invention relate to machine-learning-based hotspot detection techniques. These hotspot detection techniques employ machine learning models constructed using two feature encoding schemes. When two-level machine learning methods are also employed, a total four machine learning models are constructed: scheme-one level-one, scheme-one level-two, scheme-two level-one and scheme-two level-two. The four models are applied to test patterns to derive scheme-one hotspot information and scheme-two hotspot information, which are then used to determine final hotspot information. |
| US08402396B2 |
Layout decomposition for double patterning lithography
The invention provides systems and methods for layout decomposition to produce exposure layouts that can be used to perform double patterning lithography (DPL). Preferred embodiment methods of the invention are executed by a computer and provide alternate methods for layout decomposition for double patterning lithography (DPL) using integer linear programming (ILP) formulations. Embodiments of the invention meet a key optimization goals, which is to reduce the total cost of layout decomposition, considering the abovementioned aspects that contribute to cost of prior conventional DPL techniques. Embodiments of the invention provide integer linear programming (ILP), phase conflict detection (PCD) and node election bipartization (NBD) formulations for the optimization of DPL layout decomposition, with a process-aware cost function that avoids small jogging line-ends, and maximizes overlap at dividing points of polygons. The cost function can also make preferential splits at landing pads, junctions and long runs. |
| US08402393B2 |
Apparatus and method for manipulating virtual object
Disclosed is a virtual object manipulating apparatus and method. The virtual object manipulating apparatus connects a virtual object in a 3D virtual world with a virtual object manipulating apparatus, senses a grab signal from a user, and determines a grab type of the virtual object based on the sensed grab signal and the connection between the virtual object and the virtual object manipulating apparatus. |
| US08402387B1 |
Advertising based on user models
A generic model of behavior pattern of general users is established. Information about a specific user is obtained from one or more electronic messages associated with the specific user, and a specific model of behavior pattern of the specific user is established based on the information about the specific user. Ads are identified based on the generic model and the specific model. |
| US08402384B2 |
Dynamic bar oriented user interface
Method and user interface for controlling an apparatus are provided. At least one dynamic bar is provided for displaying on a main screen of a graphical user interface for controlling the apparatus. Each dynamic bar is associated with respective one or more interfaces for applications and/or functions provided by the apparatus and each dynamic bar has a pop-up interface for providing at least one of preview information determined from information managed by the applications and/or functions and links to invoke said respective interfaces. |
| US08402382B2 |
System for organizing and visualizing display objects
A method, system and computer program for organizing and visualizing display objects within a virtual environment is provided. In one aspect, attributes of display objects define the interaction between display objects according to pre-determined rules, including rules simulating real world mechanics, thereby enabling enriched user interaction. The present invention further provides for the use of piles as an organizational entity for desktop objects. The present invention further provides for fluid interaction techniques for committing actions on display objects in a virtual interface. A number of other interaction and visualization techniques are disclosed. |
| US08402379B2 |
Dynamic content layout for a user interface display
According to some embodiments, an ordered set of display elements may be determined for a user interface display, each display element being associated with a display value. A dynamic display table may be created for the display page, with each cell in the dynamic display table representing a sub-set of the display elements and containing a total of the display values of the display elements in that sub-set. An overall display value may be determined for the user interface page, and a plurality of cells in the dynamic display table may be evaluated to select an appropriate sub-set of display elements based on the overall display value. It may then be arranged for the selected sub-set of display elements to be presented on the user interface display. |
| US08402376B2 |
Appliance development toolkit for creating a themeable dynamic user interface for an appliance
An appliance development toolkit includes access to user interface domain data, an editor configured to create one or more instances of user interface control data, to create a map for associating the instances with one or more resource identifiers, and to create a map for associating one or more theme identifiers with the resource identifiers. The toolkit also has a converter for creating content based on the instances of user interface control data and the maps. The content is in a builder file. An appliance, having a graphical user interface with which a user can control and observe operation of the appliance, can use the builder file at runtime to dynamically render its graphical user interface based on resources in response to selection of a theme. |
| US08402375B1 |
System and method for managing bookmark buttons on a browser toolbar
A system and method is disclosed for managing bookmark buttons on a web browser toolbar. A web browser stores the number of times it is used to navigate to a website. On navigating to a website a predetermined number of times, a bookmark button that links to the website is automatically generated and displayed on the toolbar. The number of bookmark buttons displayed at any one time is limited, and they are arranged by the number of times their associated websites have been viewed. On determining that a new website has been viewed more than a website associated with a currently displayed bookmark button, the currently displayed bookmark button is replaced by a new bookmark button that links to the new website. |
| US08402374B1 |
Audience platform
An audience platform is disclosed. In a first example case, a first question is received. A preference event associated with the first question is received. A score is determined for the first question based at least in part on the preference. In a second example case, indications of a first and second potential interviewee are received. Preference events associated with the first and second potential interviewees are received. Scores are determined for the first and second potential interviewees based at least in part on the received preference events. A designated interviewee is selected based on the first and second scores. In a third example case, indications of a first and second potential awardee are received. Preference events associated with the first and second potential awardee are received. Scores are determined for the first and second potential awardees based at least in part on the received preference events. |
| US08402373B2 |
Device cloning method for non-programmatic interfaces
Devices, methods, and computer-readable media for cloning a device setting input from a user by aggregating a user interface based on two or more members of plurality of peripheral computing devices, e.g., multifunction peripheral rendering and/or printing devices, having a user interface where two or more members of the plurality of user interfaces each require a user input; replicating a user input of at least one member of the plurality of user interfaces based on the aggregated user interface; and outputting for routing, to two or more members of the plurality of peripheral computing devices a replicated user setting based on the aggregated user interface. |
| US08402371B2 |
Method and system for embedding covert data in text document using character rotation
A method and system for embedding data covertly in a text document using character rotation encoding. A character that occurs in first and second occurrences is selected, where the first occurrence of the character is a reference character and the second occurrence of the character as a rotatable character. The rotational orientation of the rotatable character is altered to produce an altered character with a predetermined rotation with respect to the reference character, wherein the rotation represents the embedded covert data. A text document is formatted based on the altered character. |
| US08402370B2 |
System for storing and providing information for personalizing user devices
Systems (10) for storing and providing information for personalizing user devices (61-64, 71-72) comprise first means (11) for storing personalization information destined for user devices (61-64) of a predefined type and comprise second means (12) for providing the personalization information to these user devices (61-64) and are provided with third means (13) for storing further personalization information destined for further user devices (71-72) of a further predefined type and with fourth means (14) for providing the further personalization information to these further user devices (71-72), to handle different user devices (61-64, 71-72) of different predefined types. Preferably, the systems (10) comprise fifth means (15) for billing one and the same user for provisions of the personalization information and for further provisions of the further personalization information, which one and the same user owns the user devices (61-64, 71-72). User devices (61-64, 71-72) comprise mobile phones, televisions, set top boxes, monitors, pc's, cordless phones and fixed phones. Personalization information comprises avatars, pictures, logos, sound and speech. |
| US08402359B1 |
Method and apparatus for managing recent activity navigation in web applications
A method and apparatus are provided for maintaining the navigation history of a web application that includes techniques for maintaining those pages that are considered valuable. The method and apparatus further include techniques for registering a visited page into the application navigation history, displaying a particular history menu of a web page, and, to pass stateful information, using a redirecting technique that includes redirecting a user to a history page to obtain the stateful information once the user has chosen a menu item. |
| US08402357B1 |
System and method for facilitating posting of public and private user comments at a web site
A software system and method that allows web site operators to adapt web pages for posting of public and private user comments. An administrator accesses a web site to enter data for creating reader comment areas. HTML code for the reader comment areas is generated for insertion into web pages. When the web page containing the code is posted to a web site, the code results in a reader comment display page where web site visitors can comment on the content of the particular web page where the reader comment area appears. Comments are saved at a remote web site accessible to the administrator. The administrator may review and manage the reader comments. A reader who makes a comment on a web page has the option of creating a personal journal comprising all comments entered by the reader at any web page enabled according to the invention. |
| US08402355B2 |
Signal processing device and error correction method
Provided is a signal processing device including a signal receiving unit for receiving a multilevel signal having a signal waveform that is obtained by synchronously adding an encoded signal generated based on a specific coding rule and a clock which has an amplitude larger than the encoded signal and for which the transmission speed is half that of the encoded signal, an amplitude level detection unit for detecting an amplitude level of the multilevel signal received by the signal receiving unit, a violation detection unit for detecting a bit position at which rule violation of the specific coding rule occurred, based on a change pattern of the amplitude level detected by the amplitude level detection unit, and an error correction unit for correcting a detection value of the amplitude level corresponding to the bit position detected by the violation detection unit so that the rule violation is resolved. |
| US08402352B2 |
Multi-bit error correction method and apparatus based on a BCH code and memory system
Exemplary embodiments for providing multi-bit error correction based on a BCH code are provided. In one such embodiment, the following operations are repeatedly performed, including shifting each bit of the BCH code rightward by 1 bit while filling the bit vacated due to the rightward shifting in the BCH code with 0, calculating syndrome values corresponding to the shifting of the BCH code, and determining a first error number in the BCH code under the shifting based on the syndrome values corresponding to the shifting of the BCH code. In the case where the first error number is not equal to 0, modified syndrome values are calculated corresponding to the shifting of the BCH code. The modified syndrome values are those corresponding to the case that the current rightmost bit of the BCH code under the shifting is changed to the inverse value. Additional operations are performed as described herein. |
| US08402351B1 |
Error correction coding with nuisance data
The disclosure provides a method that includes receiving a data sector of a plurality of data tiles, wherein each of the plurality of data tiles includes either nuisance data or user data, decoding the received data sector, using an error correction code, to generate a decoded data sector, and determining an error in the decoded data sector. The method further includes identifying, in response to determining the error, at least one data tile from a first plurality of data tiles, such that each of the identified at least one data tiles potentially includes nuisance data, and generating a modified data sector from the received data sector, by correcting at least one of the at least one data tiles in the received data sector. |
| US08402350B2 |
System, method and apparatus for reducing blockage losses on information distribution networks
System, apparatus and method are provided for transmitting and receiving packets over first and second channels. An FEC encoder generates forward error correction (FEC) packets corresponding to an original stream of packets. A packet transmitter transmits the original stream of packets over the first channel and transmits the FEC packets over the second channel. A packet receiver receives a stream of packets over the first channel, and receives the FEC packets corresponding to the stream of packets over the second channel. An FEC decoder uses information stored in the FEC packets to determine a correspondence between the FEC packets and the stream of packets, and recovers one or more lost packets of the stream of packets using the FEC packets. |
| US08402348B1 |
Systems and methods for variable data processing using a central queue
Various embodiments of the present invention provide systems and methods for data processing. For example, a data processing system is disclosed that includes two or more detection processing circuits, a decoder processing circuit and a memory. The memory is coupled to both of the data detection processing circuits and the decoder processing circuit. In some instances of the aforementioned embodiments, the system further includes a scheduling circuit that is operable to govern access to the memory by the detection processing circuits and the decoder processing circuit. |
| US08402346B2 |
N-way parity technique for enabling recovery from up to N storage device failures
An n-way parity protection technique enables recovery of up to n storage device (e.g., disk) failures in a parity group of a storage array encoded to protect against n-way disk failures. The storage array is created by first configuring the array with m data disks, where m=p−1 and p is a prime number and a row parity disk. n−1 diagonal parity disks are then added to the array. Each diagonal parity set (i.e., diagonal) is associated with a slope that defines the data and row parity blocks of the array that are included in the diagonal. All diagonals having a common slope within a parity group are organized as a diagonal parity class. For each diagonal parity class, a diagonal parity storage disk is provided to store the diagonal parity. |
| US08402345B1 |
Methods and apparatus for providing multilevel coset coding and probabilistic error correction
Systems and methods are provided for performing multilevel coset coding and probabilistic error correction. Multiple bit data is encoded in a memory by combining one of the bit positions of multiple data values and encoding the combination to form a codeword. A data point containing a bit error is determined by decoding a codeword associated with one of the bit positions. A first coset corresponding to a data point with the error is determined where the coset includes labels representing non-adjacent analog signal levels. Labels in a second coset that includes mutually exclusive labels from the first coset are analyzed to select a label representing a signal level that is closest in proximity to the signal level represented by the data point containing the bit error than the other labels in the second coset. The data point error is corrected by replacing the data point with the selected label. |
| US08402343B2 |
Reliable packet cut-through
A cut-through data packet mechanism is described. Forwarding of a cut-through data packet by an intermediary node enables packet transmission of the cut-through data packet to begin prior to performing a frame CRC on the packet. The CRC is instead performed while transmission of the packet is occurring. If one or more errors are found in the cut-through data packet, then a packet trailer indicating such errors is transmitted toward an endpoint node that receives the cut-through packet. |
| US08402342B2 |
Method and system for cyclic redundancy check
The present disclosure describes a method, performed by a data processor comprising a cyclic redundancy check (CRC) module configured for calculating CRC remainders for encoded data and a comparator comprising a shift register, for making a cyclic redundancy check of an encoded data record of bit length L, in which at least A bits of the record represent content data and at least B bits represent check data. A system for performing a cyclic redundancy check is also described. |
| US08402341B2 |
Method and system for providing low density parity check (LDPC) encoding and decoding
An approach is provided for processing structure Low Density Parity Check (LDPC) codes. Memory storing edge information and a posteriori probability information associated with a structured parity check matrix used to generate Low Density Parity Check (LDPC) coded signal are accessed. The edge information represent relationship between bit nodes and check nodes, and are stored according to a predetermined scheme that permits concurrent retrieval of a set of the edge information. |
| US08402340B2 |
Parity-check-code decoder and recording controller
A parity-check-code decoder includes: a verifying device that multiplies (N) bit nodes by a matrix provided with (N) columns so as to obtain a plurality of check nodes; a reliability generator that generates a reliability index for each of the bit nodes in accordance with a channel; a reliability-updating device that uses the bit nodes and the check nodes to exchange message iteratively, and following each iteration, updates (N) exchange results corresponding to the (N) columns; and a recording controller that includes a separator, a quantizing determiner and a quantizer. The separator divides the matrix into at least one column group based on the characterizing signals. The quantizing determiner determines a shift signal for each column group based on the characterizing signals. The quantizer quantizes the characterizing signals according to the shift signals for subsequent output. |
| US08402338B2 |
Method of error control
A method of error control in a wireless access system is disclosed. More particularly, a method of error control using a random liner coding method is disclosed. A method of error control in a wireless access system comprises receiving code blocks generated as data blocks included in a data block set are randomly linear-coded; decoding a predetermined number of code blocks to a first data block set, wherein the predetermined number of code blocks are selected from the code blocks; replacing one or more code blocks among the predetermined number of code blocks with code blocks other than the predetermined number of code blocks selected from the code blocks and decoding them to a second data block set; and comparing the first data block set with the second data block set. |
| US08402337B2 |
Data processing apparatus and data processing method as well as encoding apparatus and encoding method
A data processing apparatus, a data processing method, an encoding apparatus and an encoding method which can be applied, for example, to a transmission system for transmitting an LDPC code and so forth, and which can improve the tolerance to errors. Of an LDPC code which is prescribed in the DVB-S.2 and has a code length of 64,800 and an encoding rate of 2/3, mb code bits are replaced, and the code bits after the replacement become symbol bits of b symbols. When m is 8 and b is 2, where the i+1th bit from the most significant bit of 8×2 code bits and 8×2 symbol bits of two successive symbols are represented by bi and yi, respectively, replacement of allocating b0 to y15, b1 to y7, b2 to y1, b3 to y5, b4 to y6, b5 to y13, b6 to y11, b7 to y9, b8 to y8, b9 to y14, b10 to y12, b11 to y3, b12 to y0, b13 to y10, b14 to y4 and b15 to y2. |
| US08402336B2 |
HARQ process management for carrier aggregation
A method and apparatus for use with a mobile user agent configured to be able to communicate via N carriers, the method for managing Hybrid Automatic Repeat reQuest (HARQ) processes in a communication system that uses R HARQ process indicators (HPIs) so that the system can support a maximum of (R)(N) HARQ processes, the method comprising the steps of, using a processor running a program to perform the steps of, within the mobile user agent, identifying less than (R)(N) unique HPI/carrier combinations, instantiating HARQ process buffers, associating each of the identified HPI/carrier combinations with at least one of the instantiated HARQ process buffers, receiving data, identifying HPI/carrier combinations associated with the received data and, where the HPI/carrier combination associated with received data is one of the identified combinations, delivering the data to the buffer associated with the HPI/carrier combination. |
| US08402334B2 |
System and method for hybrid automatic repeat request (HARQ) functionality in a relay node
A relay node. The relay node includes a first hybrid automatic repeat request (HARQ) entity providing a first HARQ functionality. The relay node further includes a second HARQ entity providing a second HARQ functionality. |
| US08402318B2 |
Systems and methods for recording and replaying application execution
A method for recording and replaying execution of an application running on a computer system using a program module is provided. The method includes recording events which result from the execution of the application including a non-deterministic event, wherein the program module deterministically records the non-deterministic event, saving the recorded events for deterministic replay of the recorded execution, restoring the saved recorded events, and deterministically replaying the recorded execution of the application. |
| US08402317B1 |
Viewing multi-dimensional metric data from multiple test cases
A viewer is disclosed for viewing a multi-dimensional data set. The viewer may be coupled to or included in a test environment and receive data generated in the test environment. The test environment may generate metric data from the multiple test cases of a UUT. The viewer may display the cumulative metric data generated from multiple test cases. The viewer may display the cumulative metric data in a fashion that the user can gain insight into the UUT's characteristics. |
| US08402315B2 |
Electronic card able to execute a command originating from a simulation system and a command originating from a diagnostic module and associated simulation method
An electronic card (4) comprising a processing unit (7), able to receive a command originating from a diagnostic module (6) and a command originating from a simulation system (3). The electronic card (4) comprises means of managing the execution priority of the command originating from the simulation system (3) relative to the command originating from the diagnostic module (6). A diagnostic system of an electronic card comprising a diagnostic module and means of managing the execution priority of the commands. A simulation method is associated with the electronic card (4). For use in particular for analysing malfunctions on electronic cards (4) incorporated in integration simulators (1). |
| US08402312B2 |
Method and system for testing an application
The present invention provides a method, test-bed and computer program product for testing an application installed on a wireless communication device. The wireless communication device communicates one or more messages wirelessly to a server through a test-bed. The test-bed is connected with the server and provides one or more testing parameters for the one or more messages. A tester, testing the application, assigns a probability to the one or more messages. Further, the tester assigns a probability to the one or more testing parameters. Thereafter, the messages are re-communicated between the server and wireless communication device through the test-bed. Subsequently, the one or more messages are identified by the test-bed and one or more wireless network conditions are emulated based on the probabilities assigned to the one or more messages and the one or more testing parameters. |
| US08402311B2 |
Monitoring activity with respect to a distributed application
Techniques are described herein that are capable of monitoring activity with respect to a distributed application. A server system includes logical tiers, each including processing system(s) configured to process messages in accordance with a respective protocol (e.g., an ASP.net® protocol, WCF protocol, SQL protocol, etc.). When a user initiates an activity with respect to a distributed application, hops are performed between the logical tiers and/or between components of the distributed application to complete the requested activity. A hop is a transfer of a message or a procedure call from one processing system to another processing system. A common identifier may be assigned to each of the hops that are performed with regard to the activity. If a failure occurs with respect to the activity, the common identifier may be used to gather information regarding the hops. For instance, the information may be used to determine a source of the failure. |
| US08402307B2 |
Peripheral component interconnect express root port mirroring
An information handling system includes a peripheral component interconnect express root complex, a basic input output system, and a root complex mirroring block. The peripheral component interconnect express root complex includes a plurality of peripheral component interconnect express ports. The basic input output system is in communication with the peripheral component interconnect express root complex, and is configured to detect a peripheral component interconnect express adaptor configuration, and to set a peripheral component interconnect express mirroring setting based on the peripheral component interconnect express adaptor configuration. The root complex mirroring block is in communication with the basic input output system, and is configured to mirror data between a first peripheral component interconnect express adaptor and a second peripheral component interconnect express adaptor based on the peripheral component interconnect express mirroring setting. |
| US08402299B2 |
Electronics device having timekeeping function and computer-readable record medium storing program for timekeeping function
An electronics device comprising a time information acquisition unit which acquires time information representing present time from an external device, an update unit which updates reference time stored in a reference time storage unit to time represented by the latest time information acquired by the time information acquisition unit each time the time information is acquired, a counter circuit which is formed by hardware and updates its count value at fixed cycles, an elapsed time measurement unit which measures an elapsed time since the update of the reference time by use of the counter circuit, a present time calculation unit which calculates present time by adding the elapsed time to the reference time stored in the reference time storage unit, and a response unit which makes the present time calculation unit calculate the present time and outputs the calculated present time if a present time output request is issued. |
| US08402297B2 |
Method and apparatus for indicating multi-power rail status of integrated circuits
Methods and apparatus provide for indicating multi-power rail status of integrated circuits by taking into account a clock signal provided by, for example, core logic, in addition to considering voltage levels of multiple power rails. In one example, the apparatus includes multi-power rail status indicating logic that provides a multi-power rail status signal. The multi-power rail status signal is synchronized for assertion with a clock signal of the integrated circuit, such as the core logic of the integrated circuit, in response to an assertion of an asynchronous multi-power rail voltage stability signal. The asynchronous multi-power rail voltage stability signal indicates a state of a plurality of voltage signals from a plurality of power rails supplied to the integrated circuit. The multi-power rail status indicating logic may include a synchronous assertion/asynchronous de-assertion multi-power rail status signal generator that receives the clock signal and the asynchronous multi-power rail voltage stability signal, and in response to of the assertion of the asynchronous multi-power rail voltage stability signal, synchronizes the asynchronous multi-power rail voltage stability signal with the clock signal to assert the multi-power rail status signal. |
| US08402296B2 |
Power profiling application for managing power allocation in an information handling system
A method, system, and software instructions for allocating power in a information handling system are operable to respond to a power profiling request by transitioning a processing resource to a first power consumption state and obtaining and storing a first power consumption value. The first power consumption value is then retrieved and used to allocate power to the first processing resource in response to a power on request. The first power consumption state may be a state in which power consumption approximates a maximum power consumption. The processing resource may be further transitioned to a second power consumption state and a second power consumption value obtained. The second power consumption state may be a reduced performance state. Thereafter, responsive to determining that the system lacks sufficient power budget to fulfill a pending request for power, the processing resource is throttled and power is allocated using the second power consumption value. |
| US08402292B2 |
Method and apparatus to maximize power of a computer system for effective testing
Implementations of the present invention may involve methods and systems to improve the combined power consumption and thermal response of individual components of a computer system as the components are stressed concurrently during simulation or testing of the system. A group of operating system-level instruction sets for several individual components of the computer system may be designed to stress the components and executed concurrently while power and thermal measurements are taken. The instruction sets may utilize one or more software threads of the computer system or hardware threads such that minimal interference between components occurs as the system is tested. Further, the system components may be partitioned between separate instruction sets. By minimizing the interference between the components while the system is operating, a more accurate power consumption and thermal effect measurements may be taken on the computer system to better approximate the performance of the system. |
| US08402291B2 |
Method, device, and system for guaranteed minimum processor power state dwell time
A method, device, and system are disclosed. In one embodiment the method includes causing a processor to enter into a first power state. Then an interrupt is received that signals the processor to leave the first power state. The method continues by causing the processor to remain in the first power state if the interrupt was received less than a minimum dwell time after the processor entered the first power state. |
| US08402290B2 |
Power management for multiple processor cores
Methods and apparatus relating to power management for multiple processor cores are described. In one embodiment, one or more techniques may be utilized locally (e.g., on a per core basis) to manage power consumption in a processor. In another embodiment, power may be distributed among different power planes of a processor based on energy-based considerations. Other embodiments are also disclosed and claimed. |
| US08402287B2 |
Protection against side channel attacks
The invention relates to a cryptographic mechanism and to a cryptographic device incorporating such cryptographic mechanism. The cryptographic mechanism offers a better resistance to side channel attacks than that of known cryptographic mechanisms by incorporating a new type of masking mechanism. |
| US08402286B2 |
Information processing apparatus, control method therefor, and storage medium
An information processing apparatus which makes it possible to store encrypted data of packets in a decrypted state, and improve the efficiency of data analysis. A network interface receives encrypted data which has been encrypted, and data which has not been encrypted, from a network. A HDD stores received data. A IPSec module is operable when an item of the received is an item of the encrypted data, to decrypt the item of the encrypted data. A packet acquisition sub application searches the data stored in HDD for an item of the encrypted data corresponding to an decrypted item of data. The packet acquisition sub application updates the item of the received encrypted data based on the decrypted item of the data. |
| US08402285B2 |
Method of encrypting and storing digital content using firmware regional code and apparatus therefor
A method of processing digital content performed by an apparatus for storing digital content. In the method, a hardware regional code extracted from a memory of a content storage device is compared with a firmware regional code extracted from firmware, and the digital content is selectively encrypted and stored according to a corresponding regional code only when the hardware regional code matches the firmware regional code. |
| US08402284B2 |
Symbiotic storage devices
A system is provided, the system having a first storage device and a second storage device. A symbiotic relationship is established between the first and second storage devices to selectively store backup digital content for each other. |
| US08402281B2 |
Data security system for a database
A method and an apparatus for processing data provides protection for the data. The data is stored as encrypted data element values (DV) in records (P) in a first database (0-DB), each data element value being linked to a corresponding data element type (DT). In a second database (IAM-DB), a data element protection catalogue (DC) is stored, which for each individual data element type (DT) contains one or more protection attributes stating processing rules for data element values (DV), which in the first database (0-DB) are linked to the individual data element type (DT). In each user-initiated measure which aims at processing a given data element value (DV) in the first database (0-DB), a calling is initially sent to the data element protection catalogue for collecting the protection attribute/attributes associated with the corresponding data element types. The user's processing of the given data element value is controlled in conformity with the collected protection attribute/attributes. |
| US08402276B2 |
Creating and verifying electronic documents
Systems and methods for generating and verifying an electronic document with embedded digital signatures. When an electronic document is generated, signature blocks are included that are used to store corresponding digital signatures. When each digital signature is generated, some of the attributes of the signature blocks are filled such that the digital signature references these attributes, such as a timestamp. Each signature block also includes a reconstruct attribute that is used when the electronic document and/or the digital signature is validated through reconstruction. Other signature blocks do not require a reconstruct attribute. During reconstruction, some data is removed from the electronic document such that the data is identical to a previous state. The reconstructed document is hashed and the hash result is compared with the decrypted digital signature. The electronic document and/or the digital signature is validated or verified if the hash result matches the decrypted digital signature. |
| US08402273B2 |
Method for securing a transmission, associated system and mediation platform
In a system comprising a broadcasting subsystem and a radiocommunication subsystem each connected to a mediation platform, said transmission being ciphered and arranged for being deciphered by using a key, the following steps are performed at the mediation platform, relatively to a user or group of users having terminals: determining one first and at least one second sets of values from said key, so that the knowledge of all the determined sets of values is required to retrieve the key; and controlling the broadcasting subsystem so that it transmits the first set of values to the user or group of users and the radiocommunication subsystem so that it transmits the at least one second set of values to the user or group of users. |
| US08402270B2 |
Measurement probe systems for co-ordinate positioning apparatus
A measurement probe, such as a touch trigger measurement probe, is described that comprises a measurement portion for measuring an object and a data transfer portion for receiving data from and/or transmitting data to an associated unit. The measurement device also comprises an authentication module for verifying the authenticity of the associated unit. The authentication module may include a processor for running a one-way hash algorithm. Authenticity may be established using a challenge and response authentication process. |
| US08402269B2 |
System and method for controlling exit of saved data from security zone
A system for controlling exit of saved data from a security zone, comprising an access control device, the access control device comprising an access detection module for detecting access of an application to a security zone and access of an application to a general zone, a target checking module for comparing the application, detected by the access detection module, with a list and then controlling access of the application to the security zone and access of the application to the general zone, and a processing control module for controlling writing of data of the application to the general zone. |
| US08402268B2 |
System and method for providing security aboard a moving platform
A system for providing network security on a vehicle information system and methods for manufacturing and using same. The security system comprises an all-in-one security system that facilitates security system functions for the vehicle information system. Exemplary security system functions include secure storage of keys used to encrypt and/or decrypt system data, security-related application programming interfaces, a security log file, and/or private data. The security system likewise can utilize antivirus software, anti-spyware software, an application firewall, and/or a network firewall. As desired, the security system can include an intrusion prevention system and/or an intrusion detection system. If the information system includes a wireless distribution system, the security system can include an intrusion prevention (and/or detection) system that is suitable for use with wireless network systems. Thereby, the security system advantageously can provide a defense in depth approach by adding multiple layers of security to the information system. |
| US08402264B2 |
Method for securing an interaction between nodes and related nodes
The invention proposes a method for securing an interaction between a first node and a second node, wherein a security algorithm belonging to both a first set of security algorithms held by the first node and a second set of security algorithms held by a third node is selected to secure the interaction between the first and second nodes, the selection of said security algorithm taking account of capacities of both the first and third nodes. |
| US08402258B2 |
Debug message generation using a selected address type
A method for generating a debug message includes receiving a translated address and an untranslated address associated with a same processor operation, determining a value of one or more control indicators, selecting the translated address or the untranslated address as a selected address based on the value of the one or more control indicators, and creating a debug message using at least a portion of the selected address. |
| US08402257B2 |
Alteration of execution of a program in response to an execution-optimization information
Embodiments include a device, and a method. In an embodiment, a device includes an information store operable to save an execution-optimization information, a first processor, and a hardware circuit. The hardware circuit includes a hardware circuit for altering an execution of a program by the first processor in response to the execution-optimization information. The execution-optimization information created by a hardware device utilizing data collected from a second processor and corresponding to a previous runtime execution by the second processor of at least a portion of the program that was transparent to any software executing on the second processor. |
| US08402255B2 |
Memory-hazard detection and avoidance instructions for vector processing
A processor that is configured to perform parallel operations in a computer system where one or more memory hazards may be present is described. An instruction fetch unit within the processor is configured to fetch instructions for detecting one or more critical memory hazards between memory addresses if memory operations are performed in parallel on multiple addresses corresponding to at least a partial vector of addresses. Note that critical memory hazards include memory hazards that lead to different results when the memory addresses are processed in parallel than when the memory addresses are processed sequentially. Furthermore, an execution unit within the processor is configured to execute the instructions for detecting the one or more critical memory hazards. |
| US08402250B1 |
Distributed file system with client-side deduplication capacity
A system and method are provided for deduplication (dedup) of data file information in a network of distributed data filers. A host, including a metadata service (MDS) and a data node (DN), receives a block count and hash group calculations for a file from a network-connected client device. The MDS creates a file map with target addresses, and compares the calculated hash group to hash groups associated with stored blocks of data in a global dedup hash table. If a match is found, the MDS directs the client device not to send the block of data associated with matching hash group, and reallocates the address of the block of data from the target address. |
| US08402249B1 |
System and method for mixed-mode SDRAM address mapping
A method of mapping system addresses to physical addresses associated with a physical memory device receives memory requirements associated with an application, allocates a region of the physical memory device to the application (wherein the region is a contiguous portion of the physical addresses that does not overlap with any other region and is associated with a memory mapping mode), determines a memory mapping scheme for the region (wherein the memory mapping scheme defines the mapping between system addresses and the region and is based at least on the memory mapping mode) and modifies a mapping register to reflect the region. In one implementation, the method modifies the mapping register to reflect the memory mapping scheme. In another implementation, the memory requirements comprise an application type, and the memory mapping mode is determined based on the application type. |
| US08402246B1 |
Alignment adjustment in a tiered storage system
A storage proxy monitors storage access operations. Different address alignments are identified between the storage access operations and data blocks in a storage media. A dominant one of the address alignments is identified. Data blocks are mapped into the storage media to remove the dominant address alignment. An array of counters can be used to track the address alignments for different storage access sizes and the address alignment associated with the highest number of storage access operations is used as the dominant address alignment. |
| US08402244B2 |
Methods and system of pooling storage devices
A system and method are provided for pooling storage devices in a virtual library for performing a storage operation. A storage management device determines a storage characteristic of a plurality of storage devices with respect to performing a storage operation. Based on a storage characteristic relating to performing the storage operation, the storage management device associates at least two storage devices in a virtual library. The storage management device may continuously monitor the virtual library and detect a change in storage characteristics of the storage devices. When changes in storage characteristics are detected, the storage management device may change associations of the storage device in the virtual library. |
| US08402241B2 |
Method and apparatus to control access to device enable features
An integrated circuit device includes a first plurality of non-volatile memory locations such as fuses that supply programmed values corresponding to initially selected device features such as voltage, frequency, clock speed, and cache parameters. The device is programmed with a lock value in a second plurality of non-volatile memory locations. That lock value may be a randomly generated number that is unique for each device. After initial programming of the device, access to the device is prevented by appropriately programming access control. In order to unlock the device and modify device features, an unlock key value is supplied to the device. If the unlock key value correctly corresponds to the lock value, the device features can be modified. In that way device features can be modified, but security is maintained to prevent unauthorized modification to device features. |
| US08402238B2 |
Storage apparatus and control method thereof
In order to prevent the degradation of performance of a storage apparatus caused by dynamic reallocation, the storage apparatus performs reassigning to a logical page the first physical page which is the physical page provided by the physical drive in Tier 1 which is the higher hierarchy than Tier 2 which is the hierarchy of the physical drive which provides the second physical page which is the physical page currently assigned to the logical page and, at the same time, by making the contents of the second physical page identical to the contents of the first physical page, performs the first migration for the logical page, associating and managing the second physical page and the first physical page and, when performing the second migration by reassigning the physical page provided by the physical drive in Tier 2 to the logical page to which the first physical page is assigned, and performs the second migration by reassigning the relevant second physical page to the logical page again when the second physical page is associated with the first physical page. |
| US08402234B2 |
Storage system and storage migration method
A storage system and storage migration method where migration may be carried out to an access destination of a host apparatus without stopping the exchange of data between the host apparatus and the storage apparatus. This system is provided with a host apparatus inputting and outputting requests for data, a migration source storage apparatus having logical unit(s) correlated to storage regions of physical devices for storing the data, a migration destination storage apparatus having logical unit(s). The system also has an editing unit for editing configuration control information relating to the logical unit(s) for the migration source so as to match with settings for the migration destination storage apparatus, an importing unit for importing edited configuration control information to the migration destination storage apparatus, and a mapping unit for mapping the logical unit(s) of the migration source to the logical unit(s) of the migration destination. |
| US08402231B2 |
Storage device, method for restoring data in storage device and storage controller
A virtual volume control unit allocates, upon detection of a write request for new data in a virtual volume to be accessed, an actual storage space of a physical medium existing in the same storage group to the virtual volume in accordance with volume capacity of the new data. A storage control unit stores the new data as actual data in the actual storage space of the physical medium allocated to the virtual volume. And a restoration control unit causes, upon detection of a fallback in data redundancy in the storage group, the actual data in a stored space among the actual storage spaces in the physical medium that caused the fallback to be preferentially restored in an actual storage space in a destination physical medium with reference to the physical media other than the physical medium that caused the fallback in the storage group. |
| US08402228B2 |
Page buffering in a virtualized, memory sharing configuration
An apparatus includes a processor and a volatile memory that is configured to be accessible in an active memory sharing configuration. The apparatus includes a machine-readable encoded with instructions executable by the processor. The instructions including first virtual machine instructions configured to access the volatile memory with a first virtual machine. The instructions including second virtual machine instructions configured to access the volatile memory with a second virtual machine. The instructions including virtual machine monitor instructions configured to page data out from a shared memory to a reserved memory section in the volatile memory responsive to the first virtual machine or the second virtual machine paging the data out from the shared memory or paging the data in to the shared memory. The shared memory is shared across the first virtual machine and the second virtual machine. The volatile memory includes the shared memory. |
| US08402226B1 |
Rate proportional cache write-back in a storage server
Based on a count of the number of dirty pages in a cache memory, the dirty pages are written from the cache memory to a storage array at a rate having a component proportional to the rate of change in the number of dirty pages in the cache memory. For example, a desired flush rate is computed by adding a first term to a second term. The first term is proportional to the rate of change in the number of dirty pages in the cache memory, and the second term is proportional to the number of dirty pages in the cache memory. The rate component has a smoothing effect on incoming I/O bursts and permits cache flushing to occur at a higher rate closer to the maximum storage array throughput without a significant detrimental impact on client application performance. |
| US08402224B2 |
Thread-shared software code caches
A runtime system using thread-shared code caches is provided which avoids brute-force all-thread-suspension and monolithic global locks. In one embodiment, medium-grained runtime system synchronization reduces lock contention. The system includes trace building that combines efficient private construction with shared results, in-cache lock-free lookup table access in the presence of entry invalidations, and a delayed deletion algorithm based on timestamps and reference counts. These enable reductions in memory usage and performance overhead. |
| US08402221B2 |
Storing the most significant and the least significant bytes of characters at non-contiguous addresses
In an embodiment, an indicator is set to indicate that all of a plurality of most significant bytes of characters in a character array are zero. A first index and an input character are received. The input character comprises a first most significant byte and a first least significant byte. The first most significant byte is stored at a first storage location and the first least significant byte is stored at a second storage location, wherein the first storage location and the second storage location have non-contiguous addresses. If the first most significant byte does not equal zero, the indicator is set to indicate that at least one of a plurality of most significant bytes of the characters in the character array is non-zero. The character array comprises the first most significant byte and the first least significant byte. |
| US08402217B2 |
Implementing RAID in solid state memory
The present disclosure includes systems and techniques relating to implementing fault tolerant data storage in solid state memory. In some implementations, a method includes receiving data to be stored, dividing data into logical data blocks, assigning the blocks to a logical block grouping comprising at least one physical data storage block from two or more of multiple solid state physical memory devices, storing the blocks in physical data storage blocks, determining a code that corresponds to the persisted data, and storing the code that corresponds to the data stored in the logical block grouping. Blocks of damaged stored data may be recovered by identifying the logical data block and logical block grouping corresponding to the damaged physical data storage block, reading the data and the code stored in the identified grouping, and comparing the code to the read data other than the data stored in the damaged block. |
| US08402216B1 |
Systems and methods for off-host backups
A computer-implemented method for off-host backups may include identifying a striped volume of data on which to perform an off-host backup. The computer-implemented method may also include generating stripe-aware extent metadata for the off-host backup operation. The computer-implemented method may further include performing the off-host backup operation using the stripe-aware extent metadata. Various other methods, systems, and computer-readable media are also disclosed. |
| US08402213B2 |
Data redundancy using two distributed mirror sets
A method for storing data and two sets of distributed mirrored data disposed as data stripes which permits data recovery without the necessity of parity calculations, is described. Redundant data are stored in groups of five physical hard drives which are logically segmented into stripe groups, each stripe group having three data stripe sets wherein one data stripe is protected by two distributed mirror stripes in accordance with an algorithm. The present method provides protection for all one- and two-disk failures and certain three-disk drive failures, for each physical five disk group, and retains a usable disk capacity of 33%. |
| US08402212B2 |
Storage system and management method of its storage medium
High availability is provided in a storage system that offers expandability more inexpensively. Provided is a storage system including multiple expanders to be connected to multiple storage mediums, multiple cascades connected respectively to a prescribed number of expanders among the multiple expanders, and multiple control units for respectively controlling the multiple cascades. One end of the multiple cascades is connected with an inter-cascade link, and the inter-cascade link has a logically connected state and a logically disconnected state. |
| US08402210B2 |
Disk array system
Provided is a disk array system which is connected to a computer and which data is transmitted by the computer, including: a plurality of disk drives for storing user data transmitted by the computer; a cache memory for temporarily storing data sent/received among the computer and the plurality of disk drives; and a control unit for controlling input/output of the data to/from the cache memory, in which the control unit stores user data identification information that is capable of judging whether the user data is stored in a sector of the disk drive. The disk array system according to this invention allows the identification of user data of a disk drive. |
| US08402205B2 |
Multi-tiered metadata scheme for a data storage array
Method and apparatus for managing metadata associated with a data storage array. In accordance with various embodiments, a group of user data blocks are stored to memory cells at a selected physical address of the array. A multi-tiered metadata scheme is used to generate metadata which describes the selected physical address of the user data blocks. The multi-tiered metadata scheme provides an upper tier metadata format adapted for groups of N user data blocks, and a lower tier metadata format adapted for groups of M user data blocks where M is less than N. The generated metadata is formatted in accordance with a selected one of the upper or lower tier metadata formats in relation to a total number of the user data blocks in the group. |
| US08402203B2 |
Systems and methods for storing data in a multi-level cell solid state storage device
This disclosure is related to systems and methods for storing data in multi-level cell solid state storage devices, such as Flash memory devices. In one example, a multi-level cell memory array has programmable pages, a first page having a first programming time, and a second page having a second programming time that is different than the first programming time. In one embodiment, the first programming time is faster than the second programming time. Further, a controller coupled to the multi-level cell memory array may be configured to select the first page to store the data when a priority level of a write operation indicates a first priority level and select the second page to store the data when the priority level indicates a second priority level. |
| US08402202B2 |
Input/output control method and apparatus optimized for flash memory
An input/output control method and apparatus optimized for a flash memory, which can improve the performance of the flash memory. The input/output control method optimized for a flash memory includes determining whether a random write operation of data occurs in a flash memory, and successively writing randomly input data in a predetermined surplus region of the flash memory if it is judged that the random write operation occurs. |
| US08402197B2 |
Multi-port system and method for routing a data element within an interconnection fabric
A method and structure(s) for providing a data path between and among nodes and processing elements within an interconnection fabric are described. More specifically, a device comprising a first circuit configured to couple between a first bus and a link is described. The circuit may be configured to operate as a bridge, support PCI configuration cycles, send outgoing information serially through the link in a format different from that of the first bus, and allow a host processor, communicating through the first bus, to selectively address one or more remote devices to which the device is configured to allow access. In some embodiments, the first circuit may support “spoof-proof” data protocols, and the device may operate in multiple modes including root bridge, leaf bridge, and gateway mode. Multiple addressing models may also be used. |
| US08402196B2 |
Storage assembly, a physical expander and a method
A storage assembly includes a physical expander for connection in use to two or more SCSI initiators, and two or more storage devices, wherein the expander is controlled such that it presents plural virtual expanders. A method for connecting two or more storage devices to two or more SCSI initiators within a storage assembly, includes providing a physical expander for connection in use to the two or more SCSI initiators, and two or more storage devices, and controlling the single expander such that it presents plural virtual expanders. |
| US08402193B2 |
Storage router and method for providing virtual local storage
A storage router and method for providing virtual local storage on remote storage devices to devices are provided. A plurality of devices, such as workstations, are connected to a first transport medium, and a plurality of storage devices are connected to a second transport medium. In one embodiment, the storage router maintains a map to allocate storage space on the remote storage devices to devices connected to the first transport medium by associating representations of the devices connected to the first transport medium with representations of storage space on the remote storage devices, wherein each representation of a device connected to the first transport medium is associated with one or more representations of storage space on the remote storage devices and receives and processes native low level block protocol requests from the devices connected to the first transport medium to access allocated storage. |
| US08402192B2 |
Modularly constructed field device of process automation technology
A modularly constructed field device of process automation technology having a basic card with an executable, basic program, wherein the basic card is expandable by at least one expansion card containing at least one, executable, expansion program. For executing the basic program, the basic card comprises at least one computing unit and a first memory unit matched to memory requirement of the executable, basic program, characterized in that the expansion card comprises at least a second memory unit designed for memory requirement of the expansion program, an automatic detecting of the connected expansion card is provided by the basic card, and, for expanding the basic program by the expansion program, a partial and/or intermittent accessing of the second memory unit by the computing unit is provided. |
| US08402191B2 |
Computing element virtualization
System and method for virtualization of computing elements. A hypervisor provides virtualization of one or more peripherals for one or more computing elements. The hypervisor may further allow separate instances of an operating system to be suspended on one computing element to allow another application to be processed by replacing the state information of the computing element. The suspended instance may be resumed on the same or a different computing element. |
| US08402190B2 |
Network adaptor optimization and interrupt reduction
A method and system are disclosed for network adaptor optimization and interrupt reduction. The method may generate an immediate I/O interrupt notification to a host device driver in response to receiving data from a network. The method may also update an inbound buffer list based on the received data in the inbound buffer queue. Furthermore, the method may set the buffer state from an empty state to a primed state to indicate that the received data is available for processing. The method may also build an outbound buffer list based on outgoing data and add the outgoing data to an outbound buffer queue. Furthermore, the method may set a buffer state from an empty state to a primed state to indicate that the outgoing data is prepared for transmitting and signal a network adaptor with a notification signal. |
| US08402185B2 |
Display device adapter with digital media interface
An apparatus comprises a plug to couple the apparatus to a display device, a first receptacle to receive a first media device containing image data for display on the display device and an imaging processor coupled to the plug and the first receptacle. |
| US08402181B2 |
Bifurcate arbiter
An arbiter for a space switch comprising a two buffers, a media access controller having data outputs coupled to the two buffers, and two control outputs coupled to respective buffers for buffering input data at a clock rate one-half that of the input data and a switch fabric connected to the two buffers for matching buffer data throughput with switch data throughput, the arbiter comprising first and second schedulers, each scheduler includes a plurality of inputs for connection to the two buffers for receiving requests, a plurality of outputs for granting requests and a plurality of inter connections to each of the plurality of schedulers for informing them of grants and logic for logically grouping input ports associated with a bifurcate input port, logically grouping output ports associated with a bifurcate output port, establishing round robin pointers for each of two alternate clock ticks for tracking next allowable requests and on one clock tick allowing connection requests from input ports to output ports and accepting a connection request in dependence upon the grouping of the input and output ports and the round robin pointer. The arbiter can be generalized to an n-furcated switch having n-furcated ports where n is an integer greater than or equal to two. |
| US08402174B2 |
Handling sensors in a context-aware platform with hint signals
The context engine of a context aware platform may comprise a provider manager coupled to context providers and the provider manager may communicate with the context providers using application programming interfaces (API). To optimize the use of system resources, the provider manager may load/unload the context providers based on value of a load field of a hint signal or on prediction values. The context providers is to activate a first set of sensors of the plurality of sensors if the preferred activity level for the first set of sensors is set to activate state in the hint signal. The context providers is to deactivate a second set of sensors of the plurality of sensors if the preferred activity level for the first set of sensors is set to deactivate state in the hint signal. |
| US08402173B2 |
USB device communication apparatus, systems, and methods
Some embodiments include methods and apparatus to decode a functional request embedded in a portion of a standard device request, and execute the functional request by a universal serial bus (USB) device. The standard device request can include a Get_Descriptor request. Other embodiments are described. |
| US08402171B1 |
Host bus adapter that interfaces with host computer bus to multiple types of storage devices
One embodiment of the present invention provides a universal storage bus adaptor that can interface a host computer's bus to any of multiple types of storage devices. The universal serial bus adaptor provides transport layer functionality in such a way that a separate transport layer does not have to be provided for each type of storage device. Another embodiment of the present invention includes a file management system (or storage stack) that has a read/write chimney configured to enable a READ/WRITE operation to bypass the exception processing and management functionalities of the file management system. Bypassing these functionalities increases the processing efficiency of READ/WRITE operations. |
| US08402170B2 |
Servicing daemon for live debugging of storage systems
A servicing daemon is described herein for providing servicing of a running computer system (such as a filer). The servicing daemon resides and executes on the operating system of the filer and communicates across a network with a debugger that resides and executes on a remote administering computer. A debugging session is performed that complies with a protocol relating to the remote accessing of files. The debugging session provides live servicing of an application executing on the filer without requiring an actual corefile (having copied filer memory data) to be created. Rather, the servicing daemon creates a simulated corefile header that is sent to the debugger, receives requests from the debugger, and maps addresses specified in the requests to filer memory addresses. The servicing daemon then reads and retrieves data directly from filer memory at the determined filer memory addresses and sends the data to the debugger for analysis. |
| US08402164B1 |
Asynchronous communication network and methods of enabling the asynchronous communication of data in an integrated circuit
An asynchronous communication network in an integrated circuit is described. The asynchronous communication network comprises a plurality of circuit elements enabling the transmission of tokens, each circuit element having a component interface comprising: a routing network coupled to a first adjacent circuit element of the plurality of circuit elements; and a control circuit coupled to the routing network, the control circuit having a first input coupled to receive a first command requesting a detection of a token received at a second input of the control circuit, and a first acknowledgement output coupling a first acknowledgement signal indicating whether the first command is received at the first input. Methods of enabling asynchronous communication in an integrated circuit are also disclosed. |
| US08402163B2 |
Target advertising to a specific user offered through an intermediary internet service provider, server or wireless network
An advertising method controls the display of information on a client device. A user accesses first content on a server and a first link reference to second content is created. The first content and the first link reference are displayed in separate areas. User interaction with the first link reference sends second content to replace the first content on the content display area of the client computer. The second content includes a second link reference which can redirect the user to the hosting location of the second content. The server may operate as a wireless node. The first content is optionally parsed to key words or objects and the parsed content is used to identify the second content. Optionally, receiving data from a user's wireless device relates to user location; and, the location data is used to identify the second content. |
| US08402157B2 |
Internet-based system and method for distributing interstitial advertisements
A system and method for use by website operators and advertisers to place interstitial advertisements on websites. The system uses an Internet dispatcher server and a mass storage device containing one or more databases storing advertisement command files pertaining to placements of advertisements that are stored in an advertisement server. The method comprises the steps of selecting aid files stored in a computer ad server, designating the url for the ad file, the url for the website page where the ad will be displayed, the url for the websites to which a user will be directed depending on the user's reaction to the advertisement, storing in a dispatcher server database a data string representing the ad placement commands with a url representing a dispatcher server-based application to execute said ad placement commands, and including said data string on said website for launching said dispatcher server command file. |
| US08402154B2 |
Method, application server and user equipment for transferring media streams of multimedia session
A method, Application Server (AS) and User Equipment (UE) for transferring media streams of a multimedia session are provided. A first UE sends a request for transferring media streams of a multimedia session to an AS, where the request carries the ID of a third UE and the media type of media streams requested to be transferred; and the third UE establishes media streams of the media type with a second UE under the control of the AS. |
| US08402152B2 |
Apparatus and system for object-based storage solid-state drive
An object-based storage system comprising a host system capable of executing applications for and with an object-based storage device (OSD). Exemplary configurations include a call interface, a physical layer interface, an object-based storage solid-state device (OSD-SSD), and are further characterized by the presence of a storage processor capable of processing object-based storage device algorithms interleaved with processing of physical storage device management. Embodiments include a storage controller capable of executing recognition, classification and tagging of application files, especially including image, music, and other media. Also disclosed are methods for initializing and configuring an OSD-SSD device. |
| US08402151B2 |
Dynamic communication stack
A method of facilitating communication between a resource and a computer is described. The computer employs a software application that allows the computer to communicate with the resource. The resource may comprise a medical device such as a blood glucose meter or an insulin pump. In order to facilitate communication between the computer and the resource, the software constructs a communication protocol particular to the type of resource connected to the computer. The stack comprising the communication protocol allows the computer to communicate with the resource. Once the resource and computer cease communication, the stack may be removed from the memory of the computer. |
| US08402149B2 |
Method and system of remote diagnostic, control and information collection using a dynamic linked library of multiple formats and multiple protocols with restriction on protocol
A method, system and computer program product for (1) collecting information from a remote application unit and/or (2) diagnosing or controlling the remote application unit. By utilizing a shareable computer code device (e.g., a dynamic linked library), a new application can utilize tested, proven code without having to reproduce existing functionality. Moreover, by supporting multiple data formats and/or multiple communication protocols, a computer code device increases the likelihood that a supported format and/or protocol will be either receivable or understandable by a receiver. |
| US08402143B2 |
Secure proxies for flat networks
A proxy is in communication with an internet protocol network and a mobile operator network. The proxy receives first communications from access points via the internet protocol network, transmits content from the first communications to the mobile operator network, receives second communications from the mobile operator network, and transmits content from the second communications to the access points via the internet protocol network. The proxy may perform operations based on the first and second communications received from either the access points, or from the mobile operator network. The operations performed by the proxy may include modifying the communications, saving certain information regarding the communications, performing authentication, encryption, or decryption of the communications, determining a destination for the communications, or sending the communications to a destination. |
| US08402140B2 |
Methods and apparatus for coordinated energy management in virtualized data centers
A method and system for coordinating energy management in a virtualized data center including a plurality of physical servers and a plurality of virtual machines (VMs), includes analyzing status information about the virtualized data center; determining server utilization target settings for server consolidation from the analyzed status information; and executing the server consolidation according to the determined server utilization target settings. Server consolidation can be executed by determining an effective size of each of the VMs and placing the VMs on the servers in a selective manner using an independent workload VM placement process, a correlation-aware VM placement process, or a migration-cost and correlation-aware VM placement process. |
| US08402138B2 |
Method and system for server consolidation using a hill climbing algorithm
A system and method for consolidating a plurality of resources on a plurality of data processing units (DPUs) in a data processing network is provided. The method includes selecting a first DPU having a highest DPU volume among the plurality of DPUs. The method further includes calculating an angle made by a first DPU vector of the first DPU with a horizontal dimension of a multi-dimensional chart using first DPU co-ordinates from the plurality of DPU co-ordinates. Further, the method includes calculating an angle made by a first resource vector of a first resource to be assigned to the first DPU with a horizontal dimension of the multi-dimensional chart. Thereafter, the first resource is assigned to the first DPU, when a deviation of the first resource vector from the first DPU vector is minimum among the plurality of resources. |
| US08402135B2 |
DLNA-compliant device, DLNA connection setting method, and program
[Problem]To enhance the ease of use of a network by a DLNA-compliant device.[Solving Means]A television receiver 250 discovers another DLNA-compliant device connected to a network (S3). Then the television receiver 250 determines an IP address of eHDMI connection (S4) and, in the case of a device directly connected by HDMI, connection setting of a DLNA with that device is automatically executed (S5 through S8). The television receiver 250 may present each connection setting state to a user on a user interface screen, thereby making the user execute checking. In configuring an AV system, the user may execute direct connection by HDMI to enhance the ease of use of an AV system 200 without having to execute the connection setting of DLNA. |
| US08402133B1 |
Detecting content and user response to content
A position of a cursor on a display is tracked. It is detected that the cursor is in an area of the display that includes a component of a webpage. It is determined whether the component matches a designated type of component, and details of the component are stored in response to determining that the component matches a designated type of component. A user input that selects the component is detected, and details of the component are accessed in response to detecting the user input. The details of the component are sent to a collection server. |
| US08402126B2 |
Method and system for discovering managed systems in a network
A method for discovering managed systems in a network including classifying a first managed system associated with a first active Internet Protocol (IP) address in the network using a plurality of network protocols, identifying a set of drivers using the classification, where the set of drivers are configured to obtain first management information about the managed system, obtaining a first set of drivers, populating a data model with the first management information obtain using at least one of the first set of drivers, and managing the first managed system using the data model. |
| US08402121B2 |
Method of network reconfiguration in optical transport networks
A method of reconfiguring a network having a transport plane for carrying subscriber traffic flows within end-to-end connections, a control plane for managing at least a portion of resources of the transport plane allocated to each connection, and a management plane for implementing management functions in the control plane and any resources of the transport plane that are not managed by the control plane. The method comprises installing an updated version of a control plane name space for a target node of the network. For each connection traversing the target node: a control plane to management plane migration is performed for removing connection state in the control plane associated with the connection, so as to transfer ownership of the connection from the control plane to the management plane; followed by a management plane to control plane migration for installing new connection state in the control plane associated with the connection, so as to transfer ownership of the connection from the management plant to the control plane, the new connection state being defined using the updated version of the control plane name space. |
| US08402117B2 |
Anonymous location service for wireless networks
An anonymous location wireless network service for use in a wireless network. The service provides content providers with the location of network users without revealing their identities. The service includes a wireless network having a proxy server, a network communication link to a plurality of web sites, and a wireless communication link to a plurality of handheld devices. The proxy server blocks identity by reading the location and identity information of network devices, generating dummy identifications, relating the dummy identifications to the identity information, storing the relationships in a memory storage, and forwarding the location information and dummy identifications to the global computer network. Upon receiving messages from the global computer network, the proxy server reads the dummy identifications, looks up the related identification information in the memory storage, and forwards the data to the appropriate network devices. |
| US08402116B2 |
System for vending game contents and method thereof
The present invention relates to a game vending machine that receive game contents from a service provider server and vends the game contents, the game vending machine comprising: a data analyzer that divides the game contents transmitted from the service provider server into a game executing file and UI generating information and divides the UI generating information into variable dynamic information and continuously usable static information and outputs the divided information; a dynamic information updating unit that receives the dynamic information and updates the previously stored dynamic information; an interface generator that receives the static information and the updated dynamic information to generate a user interface to be used for vending games; and an interface managing unit that displays the generated user interface to a user. |
| US08402115B2 |
System and method for delivering remotely stored applications and information
A method and system are disclosed for delivering interactive links for presenting applications and second information at a client computer from remote sources in a network-configured computer processing system. In one embodiment, the method includes retrieving over a first communication connection, in response to a request of a client computer, informational content having computer program code embedded therein, and executing the embedded computer program code for establishing a second communication connection to an application server. The method further includes retrieving over the second communication connection first information including presentational information for presenting the application and the second information. The method also includes presenting the application and the second information based upon the presentational information, and storing on the client computer an interactive link for selectively re-establishing the second communication connection to the application server for retrieving the first information and presenting the application and the second information on an as-needed basis. Preferably, the storing of the interactive link includes downloading a graphical representation of the interactive link and storing a file containing information representing an operating environment of the client computer and a network address of the application server. |
| US08402108B2 |
System for providing web page having home network function and method of controlling home network devices
A system for providing a web page having a home network function and a method of controlling home network devices, the system including: a plurality of universal plug and play (UPnP) devices forming a UPnP network, wherein a first UPnP device from among the plurality of UPnP devices includes a web browser having a control point used to control one or more other UPnP devices. Accordingly, the web page including the control point is provided, so that home network devices in various standards can be conveniently used without a firmware upgrade. |
| US08402107B2 |
System and method for embedding interactive components within mobile content
A system is provided for providing content including one or more interactive components to a wireless device. The system includes a content server configurable to deliver push content to the wireless device, a processor for controlling operation of the server, a communications subsystem for communicating with a communications network, and a memory. The content server includes one or more modules for providing the content to the wireless device, the module(s) being configured to cause the content server to: receive a content file including the content and information about the interactive component(s), the information about each individual interactive component comprising one or more attributes useful in rendering the individual interactive component; process the content file and package the processed content file as a content package for delivery to the wireless device; and send the content package to the wireless device as a push delivery. |
| US08402106B2 |
Asynchronous future based API
An apparatus and a method for operating on data at a cache node of a data grid system is described. An asynchronous future-based interface of a computer system receives a request to operate on a cache node of a cluster. An acknowledgment is sent back upon receipt of the request prior to operating on the cache node. The cache node is then operated on based on the request. The operation is replicated to other cache nodes in the cluster. An acknowledgment that the operation has been completed in the cluster is sent back. |
| US08402103B2 |
System, method and computer program for recipient controlled communications
A communication system is provided in which users associate handling data identifying how messages are to be processed with contact data. Handling data for the identified contacts in the contact data is then dispatched to those contacts. Subsequently when messages are dispatched from the locations identified by the contact data a sender of a message selects handling data to be associated with a message being dispatched. Upon receipt of a message associated with handling data the message is then processed in the manner identified by the handling data. |
| US08402092B2 |
Selecting a service oriented architecture shared service
An approach that selects a service oriented architecture (SOA) shared service is provided. In one embodiment, there is a service selection tool, including an input component configured to gather service requirements of a SOA shared service project; an identification component configured to identify a set of candidate SOA shared services that meets the service requirements of the SOA shared services project; an analysis component configured to compare the set of candidate SOA shared services to a set of technical and business requirements, and select a set of SOA shared services from the set of candidate SOA shared services for construction based on a comparison of the set of candidate SOA shared services to the set of technical and business requirements. |
| US08402088B2 |
Establishing telephone calls at a specified future time using a URI and a web-based telephony application
Web-based telephony applications have recently been developed whereby a user is able to access a web-site and click on links or buttons in order to establish a voice over internet protocol telephone call from for example, his or her PC phone, to another user at another telephone terminal (PC phone or other suitable type of telephone). By enabling a web-based telephony application to receive URIs containing time information it is possible to enable telephone calls (including conference calls) to be initiated automatically at specified times or for feature keys on a user's telephone terminal to be programmed such that when activated at a particular time, a specified telephone call is initiated. In addition, URIs comprising time information may be used to set up “follow-me” functionality whereby all calls to a particular user are directed to different pre-specified directory numbers depending on the time of day. In another example, URIs comprising time information are used to route calls to contact-center agents in order to reduce the burden on contact center routing applications. URIs comprising time information are also advantageously used to communicate information to other entities. |
| US08402087B2 |
Content discovery and transfer between mobile communications nodes
Content discovery and content transfer between mobile communications nodes is often required, for example, to synchronize maps, traffic hot spot information and the like for vehicle mounted satellite navigation devices, pedestrian hand-held personal digital assistants and other mobile communications nodes. In an embodiment, content discovery processes using a tree-based data structure for transferring data between two mobile communication nodes is described. |
| US08402086B2 |
Brokered cloud computing architecture
A cloud broker receives a request for processing resources from one of a plurality of cloud management infrastructures (each of which correspond to one of a plurality of clouds). The cloud broker selectively enables access to the clouds associated with each cloud management infrastructure. The clouds each comprise segregated computing environments having at least one server for executing tasks and a data store for data persistency attached to the at least one server. The cloud management infrastructures selectively starts and stops services executed by the corresponding cloud. After receiving the request, the cloud broker identifies which of the plurality of clouds coupled to the cloud broker has processing capacity to fulfill the request. Subsequently, the cloud broker enables access to at least one of the identified clouds having capacity to fulfill the request. Related apparatus, systems, techniques and articles are also described. |
| US08402081B2 |
Platform for data aggregation, communication, rule evaluation, and combinations thereof, using templated auto-generation
Embodiments of the present invention provide platforms for data aggregation, communication, rule evaluation, and combinations thereof. The platform may include three distinct functional layers; a core layer, an adaptive layer and an intelligence layer. Furthermore, the platform may include a data block, messaging block, rule block, or combinations thereof. Generally, the platform may facilitate data acquisition, storage, and manipulation between and among clients and data sources in a generic manner. That is, clients may communicate and make requests independent of a target system or database type. The platform may process the communications and requests in a manner suitable to the target system or database type. The platform may also evaluate rules received from the clients in a manner generic to the client application. Instances of the platform for a given application may be efficiently created using a template-based mechanism. In this manner, the platform may be used to support a variety of end user applications in a flexible, scalable manner. |
| US08402076B2 |
Exploitation of topological categorization of chaotic and fractal functions, including field line calculations
A topological categorization method, based on inclusive intervals, provides a general method of analyzing escape topologies for discrete dynamic systems, in complex and higher dimensions, including the calculation of both potential for complex and hypercomplex and field lines for complex iterations. |
| US08402073B2 |
Method and apparatus for generating a random bit stream
Presently disclosed is method and apparatus for generating a random bit stream by generating a random bit according to a polynomial expression, providing a modification function operative on the polynomial expression, and modifying the polynomial expression by modifying the modification function. |
| US08402063B2 |
Restoring data backed up in a content addressed storage (CAS) system
In one example, a method of restoring data backed up in a content addressed storage system may include retrieving a recipe and appended storage addresses from a first storage node of content addressed storage, where the recipe may include instructions for generating a data structure from two or more data pieces, and the two or more data pieces may be resident in locations identified by the appended storage addresses. The example method may further include populating a cache with the appended storage addresses for the two or more data pieces. As well the method may further include retrieving, and populating the cache with, the two or more data pieces without looking up a storage address for any of the two or more data pieces in an index, and restoring the data structure using the retrieved two or more data pieces in the cache. |
| US08402061B1 |
Tiered middleware framework for data storage
A tiered middleware framework for transacting data between an application layer and a data storage layer includes modular components. The tiered middleware framework is implemented when the arrangement of the modular components enables the tiered middleware framework to meet or exceed certain data transaction criteria. However, when the data transaction criteria are not met by the tiered middleware framework with arrangement of the modular components, the modular components in the tiered middleware framework is rearranged. |
| US08402060B2 |
Software for managing data between a client and server
Various techniques and components are provided for managing data between a client and server. In one example embodiment, software is operable to receive an updated business object property at a server, process the updated property with a business object residing on the server, and communicate an updated business object from the server to the client. In certain implementations, this allows for the server to update a complete business object, including properties requiring recalculation based on the updated business object property, through a targeted communication from the client, namely, the single updated business object property. Additionally, the software may provide for the identification and automatic updated of server-side business objects or business object properties related to the received updated business object property. |
| US08402059B2 |
Internet directory system
Improved Internet Directory System including an upper-level Directory Provider referencing a plurality of independently owned for-profit Category Directory Websites, the Category Directory Websites referencing websites relating to a category and being identified as participating in the System by at least a mark or URL, and including a business model imposed on the Category Directory Websites. |
| US08402057B2 |
Content management method and apparatus using license information
A content management method and apparatus for storing and deleting content, backing up content, and restoring the backup content are provided. The method includes receiving the content from a first server and storing the content, and generating and storing content information including information about a location from which the content can be downloaded. |
| US08402055B2 |
Systems and methods for providing social electronic learning
A social electronic learning system, including a plurality of computing devices for communicating with a plurality of users in an educational community, and at least one server in communication with each of the plurality of computing devices, each server in communication with at least one data storage device configured to host a plurality of electronic portfolios, each electronic portfolio associated with one or more users of the plurality of users in the educational community, wherein each server is configured such that one or more users may associate one or more digital items with each electronic portfolio, and the plurality of users may take actions on the digital items in each electronic portfolio depending on authorization criteria. |
| US08402052B2 |
Search device, search method, and computer-readable recording medium storing search program
The search method includes: receiving a search request including plural search conditions; separating the plural search conditions into search conditions for individual databases; storing, for each database, the search condition and the database identifier in a condition record; searching a search result management table by the database identifier and the search condition; determining anterior search databases; searching each of the anterior search databases by the search condition to acquire a first search result; determining common entity identifiers included in common in the first search results; and searching each of posterior search databases by the common entity identifiers and the search condition. |
| US08402051B2 |
Consumer share quota feature
Disclosed herein is a system and method that that allows device administrators to set disk quotas for each share of a server. Quotas are set and enforced per share. The quota specifies the total disk space the share may consume on the device. When a share reaches or exceeds the set quota the share can no longer be written to. |
| US08402049B2 |
Metadata cache management
In an embodiment managing a cache includes determining from metadata of a received service request whether a cache data response may satisfy the request as a function of recognizing a cacheable method name specification within request metadata by a service provider associated with the request, the embodiment further including determining whether the request is an inquiry or a request as a function of comparing an update frequency specification in the request metadata to a value of a time parameter associated with the cacheable method name in the metadata if the request may be satisfied by the cached data. The embodiment also includes searching the cache for the data response if determined the data is cacheable and the request is an inquiry, and sending the request on to a service provider if the data response is not a cacheable response or the request is an update request. |
| US08402045B2 |
System, method and computer program product for storing a formula having first and second object fields
In accordance with embodiments, there are provided mechanisms and methods for storing a formula having first and second object fields. These mechanisms and methods for storing a formula having first and second object fields can allow access to data from related object types other than the object type being currently accessed. The ability of embodiments to provide such access may allow access to additional contents of a database for performing validations, calculations, etc. |
| US08402043B2 |
Analytics of historical conversations in relation to present communication
A method of analyzing historical communications. During a first communication session between a first user and at least a second user, at least a first communication exchanged between the first user and the second user can be detected and stored. A second communication exchanged in a second communication can be compared with the first communication to determine a degree of similarity between the first communication and the second communication. In one aspect, when the degree of similarity is at least a threshold value, an indication can be provided to at least one user participating in the second communication session that the first communication potentially is relevant to the second communication session and that the first communication is available to be reviewed. In another aspect, a report pertaining to hierarchical relationships between users and the context of the communications can be generated based on the first and second communications. |
| US08402042B2 |
Named entity database or mining rule database update apparatus and method using named entity database and mining rule merged ontology schema
A mining rule database update apparatus using a named entity dictionary and a mining rule combined with an ontology schema includes: a named entity dictionary and mining rule database storage module storing the named entity dictionary and a mining rule database; a mining pattern generation module recognizing terminology from text and converting the terminology into the mining pattern; a named entity and mining rule search module searching for a corresponding named entity and a mining rule from the named entity dictionary and the mining rule database using the recognized terminology and the mining pattern; and a mining rule database update module estimating a relationship name using a named entity of the recognized terminology and the ontology schema, generating a corresponding mining rule, and storing the generated mining rule in the mining rule database depending on a user's selection. |
| US08402039B2 |
Information processing apparatus and computer readable medium having information processing program
An information processing apparatus includes: an encoder configured to encode target information using encoding information so as to generate encoded target information; a first storage unit configured to store a target information group including the encoded target information. The information processing apparatus further includes: an input unit configured to receive an input of the encoding information; a processing control unit configured to allow browsing of attribute information of the target information group only when the encoding information is input; a decoder configured to decode, after the browsing of the attribute information is allowed, the encoded target information using the input encoding information, so as to generate the target information; a second storage unit configured to store the target information as the target information contained in the target information group; and a processing unit configured to process the target information stored in the second storage unit as the target. |
| US08402037B2 |
Information handling
An information handling apparatus in which textual metadata is generated in respect of a current information item in an ensemble of information items including: a mechanism that detects one or more predetermined properties of the current information item; a mechanism that detects a subset of information items from the ensemble of information items the subset being those which have the one or more predetermined properties most similar to those of the current information item; and a mechanism that selects one or more most frequently occurring words and/or phrases within textual metadata associated with the subset of information items, for use in textual metadata to be associated with the current information item. |
| US08402036B2 |
Phrase based snippet generation
Disclosed herein is a method, a system and a computer product for generating a snippet for an entity, wherein each snippet comprises a plurality of sentiments about the entity. One or more textual reviews associated with the entity is selected. A plurality of sentiment phrases are identified based on the one or more textual reviews, wherein each sentiment phrase comprises a sentiment about the entity. One or more sentiment phrases from the plurality of sentiment phrases are selected to generate a snippet. |
| US08402033B1 |
Phrase extraction using subphrase scoring
An information retrieval system uses phrases to index, retrieve, organize and describe documents. Phrases are extracted from the document collection. Documents are the indexed according to their included phrases, using phrase posting lists. The phrase posting lists are stored in an cluster of index servers. The phrase posting lists can be tiered into groups, and sharded into partitions. Phrases in a query are identified based on possible phrasifications. A query schedule based on the phrases is created from the phrases, and then optimized to reduce query processing and communication costs. The execution of the query schedule is managed to further reduce or eliminate query processing operations at various ones of the index servers. |
| US08402026B2 |
System and method for efficiently generating cluster groupings in a multi-dimensional concept space
A system and method for efficiently generating cluster groupings in a multi-dimensional concept space is described. A plurality of terms is extracted from each document in a collection of stored unstructured documents. A concept space is built over the document collection. Terms substantially correlated between a plurality of documents within the document collection are identified. Each correlated term is expressed as a vector mapped along an angle θ originating from a common axis in the concept space. A difference between the angle θ for each document and an angle σ for each cluster within the concept space is determined. Each such cluster is populated with those documents having such difference between the angle θ for each such document and the angle σ for each such cluster falling within a predetermined variance. A new cluster is created within the concept space those documents having such difference between the angle θ for each such document and the angle σ for each such cluster falling outside the predetermined variance. |
| US08402023B2 |
Systems and methods for ranking user defined targets in a universal graph database
A computer-implemented method for determining a connection ranking value between entities includes receiving private information from a user, and retrieving public information from publicly available sources. The method also includes matching the public information with the private information, generating a graph database with the public and private information, establishing at least one search criteria, and generating a connection ranking value between entities in the graph database based on the search criteria. |
| US08402008B2 |
Handling file operations with low persistent storage space
In some embodiments, a file management unit located in the operating system detects a write operation that writes the data blocks within the consistency snapshot (in main memory) to the persistent storage. The file management unit can then determine that all transactions have been completed before the write operation begins. In some instances, the file management unit then attempts to write the data blocks within the consistency snapshot to the persistent storage. The file management unit can then receive a notification that the write operation did not successfully write the data blocks from the consistency snapshot to the persistent storage. In some embodiments, the write operation is not successful because there are fewer free data blocks in the persistent storage than needed for writing the data blocks within the consistency snapshot to persistent storage. The file management can then wait a period of time. After the file management unit has waited for a period of time, it can make another attempt to write the data blocks within the consistency snapshot to the persistent storage. |
| US08402006B1 |
Portion generation, certification, and verification
In an exemplary embodiment, a computer-implemented method for obtaining a persistent design portion of an executable model is provided. The model includes on or more design details, a design detail specifying one or more aspects or elements of the model. The method also includes obtaining a design description of the model and a user selection specifying a design detail to be included in the design portion. The method further includes generating a selection specification from the user selection, obtaining the design portion by processing the design description according to the selection specification, and making the design portion persistent. |
| US08402004B2 |
System and method for creating deduplicated copies of data by tracking temporal relationships among copies and by ingesting difference data
Systems and methods are disclosed for forming deduplicated images of a data object that changes over time using difference information between temporal states of the data object. The method includes organizing the content of the data object for a first temporal state as a plurality of content segments and storing the content segments in a data store; creating an organized arrangement of hash structures to represent the data object in its first temporal state; receiving difference information for the data object; forming at least one hash signature for the changed content; and storing the changed content that is unique in the data store as content segments, whereby a deduplicated image of the data object for a second temporal state is stored without requiring reception of a complete image of the data object for the second temporal state. |
| US08402001B1 |
System and method for archiving data
Systems, methods, apparatus and software can utilize a markup language to import and export data that is archived using a backup and restore system. An export utility extracts data produced or processed by an application program, converts it into a markup language format, and provides it to a backup and restore system. An import utility extracts data in a markup language format, converts it to another format, and provides the data for use by the application program. In one example, the application program is a database management system. |
| US08402000B2 |
Systems and methods of media management, such as management of media to and from a media storage library
A system and method for determining media to be exported out of a media library is described. In some examples, the system determines a media component to be exported, determines the media component is in the media library for a specific process, and exports the media component after the process is completed. |
| US08401997B1 |
System and method for replication using consistency interval markers in a distributed storage environment
Applications executing on various nodes in a distributed storage environment may write data to primary storage and may also replicate the data to secondary storage via a replication target. An interval coordinator may coordinate the periodic saving of checkpoints or snapshots of the replicated data. The interval coordinator may determine the length of consistency intervals between the saving of each of the checkpoints. Writes to the replication target from each of the nodes may be associated with the current consistency interval and, in some embodiments, with a unique per-node sequence number. When transitioning between consistency intervals, each node may be configured to temporarily suspend completion of the writes and to send the replication target a consistency interval marker indicating that the node has completed all writes for the current consistency interval. |
| US08401995B2 |
File removal with no available disk blocks in redirect-on-write file systems
Embodiments include a method for removing a file within a redirect-on-write file system. In some embodiments, a file removal operation is detected in a file management unit, which resides in a memory unit. It is then determined that the number of free data blocks in the persistent storage is below a minimum threshold. The file removal operation is written to a log used for storing system operations. A file management unit is notified of the successful write of the file removal operation to the log used for storing system operations. The data blocks are moved from the file selected for removal to a list of free data blocks. The indirect blocks from the file selected for removal are moved to a data block removal list. |
| US08401994B2 |
Distributed consistent grid of in-memory database caches
A plurality of mid-tier databases form a single, consistent cache grid for data in a one or more backend data sources, such as a database system. The mid-tier databases may be standard relational databases. Cache agents at each mid-tier database swap in data from the backend database as needed. Consistency in the cache grid is maintained by ownership locks. Cache agents prevent database operations that will modify cached data in a mid-tier database unless and until ownership of the cached data can be acquired for the mid-tier database. Cache groups define what backend data may be cached, as well as a general structure in which the backend data is to be cached. Metadata for cache groups is shared to ensure that data is cached in the same form throughout the entire grid. Ownership of cached data can then be tracked through a mapping of cached instances of data to particular mid-tier databases. |
| US08401988B2 |
Method and apparatus for maintaining groupings and relationships of propositions associated with a knowledge base
The disclosure describes a method and apparatus for maintaining groupings and relationships of propositions associated with a knowledge base. In one embodiment, the method includes providing multiple microtheories to form a knowledge base. Each microtheory includes multiple propositions. An mt label is provided for each microtheory. A proposition label is provided for each proposition. The proposition label for a specific proposition is compared with the microtheory labels in response to a transaction request. Microtheory labels that have a common element with the proposition label are determined. In another embodiment, the method includes providing multiple microtheories, providing an mt label for each microtheory, and initializing tags for first and second microtheories to a clean value. In one embodiment, the apparatus may include one or more storage devices and a tag processing logic. |
| US08401986B1 |
System and method for efficiently generating association rules
A data processing system processes data sets (such as low-resolution transaction data) into high-resolution data sets by mapping generic information into attribute-based specific information that may be processed to identify frequent sets therein. When association rules are generated from such frequent sets, the complexity and/or quantity of such rules may be managed by removing redundancies from the rules, such as by removing rules providing only trivial associations, removing rules having only a part group as the consequent, modifying rules to remove redundant antecedent items and/or filtering subsumed rules from the generated rule set that do not provide sufficient lift to meet an adjustable specialization lift threshold requirement. |
| US08401984B2 |
Identification and measurement of social influence and correlation
Techniques for detecting social influence between users in a set of users with regard to an activity are provided. Data for each user of the set of users is received that includes a time value at which the user became active with regard to the activity, and includes at least one indication of another user in the set of users associated with the user. A first estimate of social correlation in the set of users is determined based on the data. The data is modified. For instance, the data may be modified according to a shuffle test and/or an edge reversal test. A second estimate of social correlation in the set of users is determined based on the modified data. The first estimate is compared to the second estimate to determine a degree of social influence in the set of users. |
| US08401983B2 |
Combination domain knowledge and correlation media recommender
Media is recommended to a user based on domain knowledge and correlation-based recommendation scores. A domain knowledge-based recommendation score is calculated for a user, and a correlation-based recommendation score is calculated for the user. A user recommendation score is calculated for the user regarding a media item, derived from the domain knowledge-based recommendation score and the correlation-based recommendation score. One or more media items are recommended to the user, such as by ordering or selecting media based on their user recommendation scores. |
| US08401980B2 |
Methods for determining context of compositions of ontological subjects and the applications thereof using value significance measures (VSMS), co-occurrences, and frequency of occurrences of the ontological subjects
The present invention discloses methods, systems, and tools for evaluating a number of value significance measures of ontological subjects of compositions or networks. The method breaks a composition into its constituent ontological subjects of different orders and builds a participation matrix indicating the participation of ontological subjects of the composition in other ontological subjects, i.e. the partitions, of the composition. Using the participation information of the OSs into each other, an association strength matrix is built from which the value significance measures of the partitions of the composition are calculated. The methods systematically calculate the value significances of the ontological subjects of different orders of the composition. Various systems for implementing the methods and some exemplary applications and services are disclosed. |
| US08401977B2 |
Method and system for calculating importance of a block within a display page
A method and system for identifying the importance of information areas of a display page. An importance system identifies information areas or blocks of a web page. A block of a web page represents an area of the web page that appears to relate to a similar topic. The importance system provides the characteristics or features of a block to an importance function that generates an indication of the importance of that block to its web page. The importance system “learns” the importance function by generating a model based on the features of blocks and the user-specified importance of those blocks. To learn the importance function, the importance system asks users to provide an indication of the importance of blocks of web pages in a collection of web pages. |
| US08401975B1 |
System and method for package performance analysis
A computer-implemented method for analyzing package performance in a materials handling facility may include calculating an expected shipping cost for an item package and an actual shipping cost for the item package to determine excess shipping costs due to shipping item packages in the wrong container. The expected shipping cost may be the sum of the transportation cost and shipping materials cost when the item package is shipped in a recommended container. The actual shipping cost may be the sum of the transportation cost and shipping materials cost when the item is shipped in another container. The shipping materials costs may include the costs of the containers themselves and any non-item contents in the containers. A package performance analyzer may be configured to calculate excess shipping costs, generate various package performance reports according to received report parameters, and recommend corrective actions, including changing the available container types or providing training. |
| US08401974B2 |
Method, system, and graphic user interface for enabling a customer to access a media file
A method, system, GUI, apparatus, and computer readable media for enabling a customer to access to a media file uploaded by a user are provided. A user profile may be generated using received login and profile information. The user profile may be hosted on, for example, a web site, SMS/MMS gateway, and a WAP site. A media file may be received from the user and may be upload to the user profile. The media file may be associated with a user account. A request to access the media file may be received from a customer. An account associated with the customer may be updated to indicate their requested access to the media file. The customer may then be enabled to access the media file. The user's account may be updated to indicate the transaction. |
| US08401971B2 |
Document processing apparatus and document processing method
Character spacing values in a document image are extracted and a variance is calculated for fluctuations in the character spacing values. When the calculated variance is lower than a preset threshold value, the document image is determined as having watermark information embedded therein. Such use of the variance in the character spacing values enables high-speed determination of the presence or absence of character-spacing watermark information. At this time, it is possible to speed up the determination by using only some character spacing values in the document, instead of using all character spacing values. |
| US08401970B1 |
System and method for reusing payment authorizations
Various embodiments may include a payment management system including an authorization reusability component. The payment management system may be configured to, subsequent to a customer providing payment information for an order, receive a payment authorization that indicates funds of an account associated with the customer have been reserved as a form of payment for a given transaction associated with the order. The payment management system may be configured to assign the reserved funds of the payment authorization to the given transaction. The payment management system may be configured to, subsequent to assigning the reserved funds, reassign at least some of the reserved funds of the authorization to a one or more other transactions. The payment management system may be configured to initiate a settlement of the one or more other transactions, the settlement including the reserved funds reassigned to the one or more other transactions. |
| US08401966B2 |
Electronic payment and authentication system with debit and identification data verification and electronic check capabilities
An electronic payment and authentication system that includes features to verify the authenticity of a payer, validate debit data, and facilitate debit (as opposed to credit) payment transactions. The electronic payment system allows a consumer to purchase items and services via a network while utilizing a debit transaction. The invention provides merchants with the ability to verify the identity of the consumer, determine if the consumer is a good debit transaction risk, and retrieve debit data associated with a particular consumer. |
| US08401964B2 |
Apparatus, method, and computer program product for encoding enhanced issuer information in a card
Facilitating communications between an electronic payment device and an issuer host includes storing in the payment device a set of personalization parameters. A first set of status information indicative of available status information relating to the payment device is transformed into a second set of status information based on the set of personalization parameters, and/or a second set of actions is selected from a first set of actions indicative of available actions to be performed by the payment device based on the set of personalization parameters and an order received from the issuer for initiating at least one corresponding action in the payment device. The second set of status information includes a subset of the first set of status information; the second set of actions includes a subset of the first set of actions. The payment device transmits the second set of status information to the issuer and/or initiates the actions in the second set of actions corresponding to the order received from the issuer. |
| US08401963B2 |
Secure authentication and payment system
A transaction and payment and processing system securely conducts transactions over the public telephone network. The transactions may be between and among entities of any type such as individuals, merchants, utilities, banks, etc. Nothing more than access to a telephone is required after initial registration of a user. |
| US08401961B1 |
Method for structuring a supplemental interest mortgage
A system and method of structuring a supplemental interest mortgage is disclosed. A principal debt obligation and a supplemental debt obligation based on the principal debt loan are secured by a single security instrument. The principal debt obligation includes the principal loan and principal interest to compensate a lender for use of the lender's funds. The supplemental debt obligation includes supplemental interest to compensate a lender for the risk of borrower nonpayment. |
| US08401959B2 |
System and method for dynamically changing an electronic trade order quantity
A system and methods for dynamically changing a trade order quantity in an electronic trading environment are described herein. According to one example embodiment, an automated trading tool determines if a leaned on quantity of a trading strategy has increased or decreased and if so, dynamically changing a desired order quantity to reflect the change in the leaned on quantity. Dynamically changing an order quantity may be more profitable for a trader as order queue position may be maintained and portion of the desired order quantity may get filled; rather than a trader losing their order queue position and/or taking a chance of not getting any of their order quantity filled. |
| US08401947B2 |
Industry size of wallet
Consumer spend by industry is modeled based on the industry sizes of wallet of consumers having a high share of wallet with a financial institution. A size of wallet is calculated for each consumer in a plurality of consumers. A share of wallet for each consumer is also calculated. A subset of the plurality of consumers whose share of wallet is above a given percentage of their size of wallet is then determined. For each consumer in the subset, an industry size of wallet is determined. A correlation between the industry size of wallet of a given consumer and one or more characteristics of the given consumer is then derived using the industry size of wallet for the consumers in the subset. |
| US08401946B2 |
Revenue assurance analytics
A system and method of revenue assurance for a service activity are presented. Multiple data feeds are received by a revenue assurance analytic system, where each data feed contains the same logical component of the service activity. The multiple data feeds are processed to detect revenue assurance issues in the service activity based on one or more common linking keys between disparate records related to the logical component. |
| US08401931B2 |
Test machine for an automated light
A moving light tester includes plural sensors, each of which can test a function of the moving light. A conveyor can move the light between the sensors. Once tested, information about the test is used to characterize the light, to determine if it needs repair, or can be re rented. The information can also be used to create inventory lists, and bills for damage. The testing can include automated testing for gobos, colors, noise, heating and movement, or other tests. |
| US08401930B1 |
Computerized system and method for library collection analysis
An automated tool for analyzing inter-library loan (ILL) transactions to identify holding needs for a library. The automated tool may be used in conjunction with a bibliographic database that comprises data related to inter-library loan requests and document orders. Libraries have the ability to compare borrowing requests over time to identify acquisition priorities, compare borrowing requests based on age, subject, serial, and nonserial items, analyze items the library is borrowing, and analyze items the library is lending. ILL request data may be analyzed by date, by frequency, and by cost. The library may then decide to acquire additional holdings for its collection based on the analyses of ILL transaction data. |
| US08401924B1 |
System for enabling electronic catalog users to create and share research data
Comparative decision systems and methods are disclosed for gathering and mining data representative of purchase decisions. One disclosed comparative decision system detects when a user is comparing items and provides the user with the ability to create a research note storing comparative information for the alternative items. The system displays information about items according to a variety of factors. The user can customize the factors and enter information for each alternative item according to the various factors. Some information may be pre-populated by the system. The research note may be made visible to other users, and may be suggested to another user based on the note's expected helpfulness and relevance to that user. One disclosed method for mining data stored within research notes identifies which factors are given higher relative priorities by users considering a purchase. Another mining method analyzes the effects of price changes on item popularity. |
| US08401923B1 |
Method for a ticket exchange across different systems of record
In one aspect, the present disclosure relates to method for exchange of semi-fungible goods or services. In some embodiments, the method includes electronically receiving a plurality of offers from a plurality of participant devices, each offer comprising a plurality of parameters related to the offer, including an identification of a semi-fungible good or service to be offered, matching two of the offers from the plurality of participant devices based on the parameters of the offers, and executing an exchange of the semi-fungible goods or services identified in the offer, based on the parameters of the offers. In some embodiments, the semi-fungible goods or services can be tickets, reservations, services, order in line, educational services, or physical objects. |
| US08401920B2 |
System and method for distributing media content
A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, transmitting registration information over a network to a registration server for registration of first media content housed in a physical medium where the first registration information is associated with a purchase of the first media content from a point of sale device of a retailer and responsive to the registration, obtaining authorization for electronic access to second media content provided by a media source, where the second media content is associated with the first media content. Other embodiments are disclosed. |
| US08401918B2 |
Promoting offers through social network influencers
Mechanisms are provided to facilitate buying and selling products utilizing social pricing. Sellers initiate sale of a product with volume discounts for a limited time. In other words, the more people that buy a product, the lower the price for the group. Buyers have a real incentive to become prosumers that not only purchase a product but also promote purchase by others. A social pricing system brokers interaction between sellers and buyer groups, and provisions mechanisms to aid promotion of products by consumers utilizing social networks and other online activities. |
| US08401907B2 |
System and method for dynamic price setting and facilitation of commercial transactions
The present invention provides methods and systems for defining commercial transaction components; defining rules for mapping customer transactions into individual components; market segmentation in light of these individual definitions and bundling individual components of an offer into optimized packages for presentation and sale. A data processing system in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, examines the commercial behavior of enrolled customers, breaks each of the constituent transactions into purchases of atom-level components; catalogues those components; extracts demographic information from said transactions and other sources; facilitates demographic studies of groups of such customers; optimizes offerings to such groups; and facilitates the consummation of those offers of sale. The processing system may also facilitate customers fiscal management through the communication of data necessary to practice the instant invention. |
| US08401905B2 |
Method and system for determining the relative priority of in-process work and focusing process improvements
A method and system tor determining the relative priority of items moving in a predefined process flow, wherein the method comprises selecting a particular item that is in a predefined process flow, utilizing transaction data that was provided at regular Reporting Intervals and at Reporting Points, providing a planned movement of the selected item along the predefined process flow, processing the transaction data to determine the item's actual movement along the predefined process flow, determining the difference between the actual movement and the planned movement, providing a total planned Time Buffer for the movement of the item along the predefined process flow, using the determined difference to compute the actual amount of downstream Time Buffer Remaining in relation to the total planned Time Buffer, and utilizing the differences between actual and planned completions at both the Reporting Point and Item level to focus local improvements in relation to global outcomes. |
| US08401903B2 |
Interactive advertising
Systems and methods for dynamically sizing, structuring and operating advertisements that include a variety of content, including interaction prompts and other elements, which enable an engagement-based revenue generation model. According to one embodiment, a computer implemented method comprises storing advertising content, serving an XML file from an advertising server to an advertisement manager in order to control a player on a user computer, dynamically generating the advertisement through the player based on directions from the advertisement manager and the stored content, and tracking and reporting a user's engagement with the advertisement in order to determine compensation for the publisher. |
| US08401896B2 |
Automated task processor for insurance claims
An insurance claim processing system may include an insurance claim database and an automated task processor. The insurance claim database may be configured to store and provide access to data in a data record that is related to an insurance claim. The automated task processor may be executable with a computer to identify an insurance claim processing task from the insurance claim database, and obtain insurance claim data related to the identified insurance claim processing task. The automated task processor may also select an action plan from an action plan database based on the obtained insurance claim data. The automated task processor may also identify a set of one or more automated procedures included in the action plan, and cause execution of the identified set of procedures included in the action plan. |
| US08401895B2 |
Pre-existing liability payment and reward system and method of use
A pre-existing liability payment and reward system including a user communication module in communication with a pre-existing liability holder; a merchant communication module that transacts with the user communication module and a processing communication module; a processing communication module that communicates with the merchant communication module and a provider communication module; a provider calculation module that determines a reward; a provider communication module in communication with the provider calculation module; a system calculation module that determines a reward and communicates with a system communication module; a system communication module in communication with a system calculation module; a holder calculation module managing a pre-existing liability holder user account; and a holder communication module in communication with a user communication module and the system communication module. A method of use is also provided. |
| US08401892B2 |
Systems and methods of analyzing accounts receivable and sales outstanding
Systems and methods are provided to perform an analysis of the accounts receivable of a business. Each component of the accounts receivable is reviewed individually and all factors related to that particular component are accounted for. A data tool is then implemented to analyze the data and to recognize the areas of all of the components that are susceptible to improvement. A strategy is then developed to maximize the efficiency of the accounts receivable. |
| US08401890B1 |
System and method for identifying one or more business transactions and/or business systems
A system for identifying one or more business transactions and one or more business systems is provided. The system includes a consolidated logical database comprising an information domain hierarchy comprising a set comprising one or more defined data requirement elements. The system includes a physical database, comprising one or more business transactions. An identification routine is used to select a defined data requirement element to identify the business transaction. |
| US08401889B2 |
Estimating the spend capacity of consumer households
The spend capacity of a consumer typically increases as the number of consumers in the household increases, since the consumer can draw on the spending power of other consumers in the household. The size of wallet of the household is thus a better indicator of the consumer's spend capacity than an individual size of wallet. All consumers in a given household can be aggregated based on, for example, their address of record. Duplicate tradelines within each household are removed from consideration in a size of wallet estimate. A spend capacity is then estimated for each tradeline using calculations derived from a consumer behavior model. The spend capacities for all tradelines in the household are combined to determine a household size of wallet. Each consumer in the household is then tagged with the household size of wallet, rather than their individual size of wallet. |
| US08401886B2 |
Optimized call center operations method and system
The present invention provides an optimized system and method for electronically operating a call center. The system includes three major logical components, including a technology component with one or more third party software products, an in-house tools component, and a knowledge management component. Each of the plurality of third party software programs in the technology component is associated with related in-house tools and knowledge management tools and tool components (including data and programs). When one of the tools within any of the three logical components is updated or modified (as, for example, when a third party software is upgraded or replaced), the system automatically notifies the user which associated or related in-house tool or knowledge management tools or tool components also need to be modified and retrieves and performs the updates to these related tools and tool components. |
| US08401883B2 |
Maintaining viable provider-client relationships
A process for enhancing the relationship between a service provider and a client is disclosed. A first data set of feedback from employees of the service provider regarding service provided by the service provider to the client is received via machine interface. A second data set of feedback from a client regarding services provided by the service provider to the client also is received via machine interface. An analysis of the first and second data sets is implemented via a computer programmed to compare the first and second data sets and assess areas of similarity and areas of difference between the first and second data sets. A strategy is developed based on the analysis for the service provider to enhance areas of similarity and reduce differences between the first and second data sets. The strategy is implemented in the relationship between the service provider and the client. |
| US08401881B2 |
Extended web enabled business to business computer system for rental vehicle services
An Internet-enabled rental vehicle reservation management method and system are disclosed. Via the system and method, authorized purchasers can select a rental vehicle service provider from a among a plurality of competitive rental vehicle service providers via at least one graphical user interface (GUI) menu, and the authorized purchasers can further interact with the system and method to (1) automatically book a rental vehicle reservation with a selected competitive rental vehicle service provider without human intervention on the part of personnel of the selected competitive rental vehicle service provider operating the computer system and (2) manage the booked rental vehicle reservation. In an exemplary embodiment, the reservations created and managed through the system and method are replacement rental vehicles and the authorized purchasers are insurance company personnel. |
| US08401880B2 |
Computer reservation and usage monitoring system and related methods
A computer network may include a host computer and a plurality of computer workstations selectively connectable thereto at which user work sessions may be initiated. Each computer workstation when disconnected from the host computer (e.g., due to server outage, etc.) may advantageously initiate a user session responsive to a user request and store session information for updating the respective user account balance when reconnected with the host computer. Additionally, when the computer workstations are connected to the host computer they may copy respective user account balances from the host computer upon initiation of user sessions, and update the copied account balances based upon computer usage during the respective user sessions. The computer network may also include at least one reservation computer for cooperating with the host computer to schedule user session reservations and provide a requesting user an estimated time before a user session will be made available. |
| US08401875B2 |
Secured personal data handling and management system
A system, method and personal apparatus for managing highly secured personal data is provided. The system and the personal apparatus are complementary, both providing highly secured personal data, mass, safe and secured data access, storage and management solutions, while serving the needs for managing and exchanging secured personal data with external services and data providers and with other such highly secured personal data users. The apparatus may be used independently of the system by securely connecting the apparatus to service providers. The apparatus, which is uniquely identified with a unique user, includes a sensor module comprising a plurality of biometric sensors for reading a plurality of personal biological identification parameters of the user and an authentication unit for positive authentication of the user's personal biological identification parameters stored in the authentication unit. The system is designed to securely serve the needs of conducting and maintaining multiple users' personal data access, storage, updating and retrieval capabilities. The method supports the safe and secured operation of the apparatus by its owner, in order to get access to the system and to exchange highly secured personal data with external pre-registered service providers and with other registered system users. |
| US08401871B2 |
Healthcare notification method and system including a healthcare website
Methods and apparatus enabling organizations with a need to communicate with healthcare providers regarding health-related issues affecting patient health to notify healthcare providers of a health-related issue affecting patient health are disclosed. An electronic notification of the health-related issue is transmitted by one of the organizations to a healthcare notification network, which may include a healthcare website, for transmission to a healthcare provider, where the electronic notification includes a mechanism for obtaining an acknowledgement indicating that the healthcare provider has received and opened the electronic notification. Healthcare related information, such as drug recalls and medication warnings to healthcare providers from content providers, along with other services, is provided at the healthcare website. Healthcare related information may also be provided through other websites, such as electronic prescription and electronic medical/health records websites. Other services include providing corresponding Continuing Medical Education (“CME”) courses that may enable healthcare providers to earn CME credits toward a Maintenance of Certification (MOC) required by Medical Boards. MOCs for corresponding healthcare providers along with certificates to prescribe particular medications and/or use particular medical devices may be also stored at the healthcare website and verified by third parties, such as pharmacists and medical device manufacturers, before delivery. |
| US08401862B2 |
Audio encoder, method for providing output signal, bandwidth extension decoder, and method for providing bandwidth extended audio signal
An audio encoder for providing an output signal using an input audio signal includes a patch generator, a comparator and an output interface. The patch generator generates at least one bandwidth extension high-frequency signal, wherein a bandwidth extension high-frequency signal includes a high-frequency band. The high-frequency band of the bandwidth extension high-frequency signal is based on a low frequency band of the input audio signal. A comparator calculates a plurality of comparison parameters. A comparison parameter is calculated based on a comparison of the input audio signal and a generated bandwidth extension high-frequency signal. Each comparison parameter of the plurality of comparison parameters is calculated based on a different offset frequency between the input audio signal and a generated bandwidth extension high-frequency signal. Further, the comparator determines a comparison parameter from the plurality of comparison parameters, wherein the determined comparison parameter fulfils a predefined criterion. |
| US08401860B1 |
Voice-activated command and control for remotely controlled model vehicles
A voice-activated command and control system for remotely-controlled vehicles includes a voice-activated control module, a microphone, and a verbal or visual feedback indicator such as a speaker. The operator speaks instructions into the microphone to activate control functions on the vehicle. Confirmation of receipt and/or status of the verbally commanded instructions are sent back to the operator such as spoken through the speaker. The microphone and speaker can be implemented, for example, either in a headset (with a microphone and earphones) worn by the operator, or in the hand-held controller for the vehicle. The system can be alternately implemented without the speaker or other feedback element. |
| US08401856B2 |
Automatic normalization of spoken syllable duration
A very common problem is when people speak a language other than the language which they are accustomed, syllables can be spoken for longer or shorter than the listener would regard as appropriate. An example of this can be observed when people who have a heavy Japanese accent speak English. Since Japanese words end with vowels, there is a tendency for native Japanese to add a vowel sound to the end of English words that should end with a consonant. Illustratively, native Japanese speakers often pronounce “orange” as “orenji.” An aspect provides an automatic speech-correcting process that would not necessarily need to know that fruit is being discussed; the system would only need to know that the speaker is accustomed to Japanese, that the listener is accustomed to English, that “orenji” is not a word in English, and that “orenji” is a typical Japanese mispronunciation of the English word “orange.” |
| US08401854B2 |
Speech recognition on large lists using fragments
A system and method is provided for recognizing a speech input and selecting an entry from a list of entries. The method includes recognizing a speech input. A fragment list of fragmented entries is provided and compared to the recognized speech input to generate a candidate list of best matching entries based on the comparison result. The system includes a speech recognition module, and a data base for storing the list of entries and the fragmented list. The speech recognition module may obtain the fragmented list from the data base and store a candidate list of best matching entries in memory. A display may also be provided to allow the user to select from a list of best matching entries. |
| US08401853B2 |
System and method for enhancing voice-enabled search based on automated demographic identification
Disclosed herein are systems, methods, and non-transitory computer-readable storage media for approximating responses to a user speech query in voice-enabled search based on metadata that include demographic features of the speaker. A system practicing the method recognizes received speech from a speaker to generate recognized speech, identifies metadata about the speaker from the received speech, and feeds the recognized speech and the metadata to a question-answering engine. Identifying the metadata about the speaker is based on voice characteristics of the received speech. The demographic features can include age, gender, socio-economic group, nationality, and/or region. The metadata identified about the speaker from the received speech can be combined with or override self-reported speaker demographic information. |
| US08401852B2 |
Utilizing features generated from phonic units in speech recognition
A computer-implemented speech recognition system described herein includes a receiver component that receives a plurality of detected units of an audio signal, wherein the audio signal comprises a speech utterance of an individual. A selector component selects a subset of the plurality of detected units that correspond to a particular time-span. A generator component generates at least one feature with respect to the particular time-span, wherein the at least one feature is one of an existence feature, an expectation feature, or an edit distance feature. Additionally, a statistical speech recognition model outputs at least one word that corresponds to the particular time-span based at least in part upon the at least one feature generated by the feature generator component. |
| US08401851B2 |
System and method for targeted tuning of a speech recognition system
A system and method of targeted tuning of a speech recognition system are disclosed. In a particular embodiment, a method includes determining a frequency of occurrence of a particular type of utterance method and includes determining whether the frequency of occurrence exceeds a threshold. The method further includes tuning a speech recognition system to improve recognition of the particular type of utterance when the frequency of occurrence of the particular type of utterance exceeds the threshold. |
| US08401849B2 |
Methods employing phase state analysis for use in speech synthesis and recognition
A computer-implemented method for automatically analyzing, predicting, and/or modifying acoustic units of prosodic human speech utterances for use in speech synthesis or speech recognition. Possible steps include: initiating analysis of acoustic wave data representing the human speech utterances, via the phase state of the acoustic wave data; using one or more phase state defined acoustic wave metrics as common elements for analyzing, and optionally modifying, pitch, amplitude, duration, and other measurable acoustic parameters of the acoustic wave data, at predetermined time intervals; analyzing acoustic wave data representing a selected acoustic unit to determine the phase state of the acoustic unit; and analyzing the acoustic wave data representing the selected acoustic unit to determine at least one acoustic parameter of the acoustic unit with reference to the determined phase state of the selected acoustic unit. Also included are systems for implementing the described and related methods. |
| US08401844B2 |
Gain control system, gain control method, and gain control program
Disclosed is a gain control system in which speech model constituted from a sound pressure and a feature is stored in a speech model storage unit for each of a plurality of phonemes or for each of clusters into which a speech is divided. When an input signal is given, a feature conversion unit calculates a feature and a sound pressure of the input signal. A sound pressure comparison unit determines a sound pressure ratio between the input signal and each of speech models. A distance calculation unit calculates a distance between the feature of the input signal and the feature of each of the speech models. A gain calculation unit calculates a gain value from the sound pressure ratio and information on the distance. A sound pressure compensation unit thereby compensates for the sound pressure of the input signal. |
| US08401843B2 |
Method and device for coding transition frames in speech signals
There is provided a transition mode device and method for use in a predictive-type sound signal codec for producing a transition mode excitation replacing an adaptive codebook excitation in a transition frame and/or a frame following the transition in the sound signal, comprising an input for receiving a codebook index and a transition mode codebook for generating a set of codevectors independent from past excitation. The transition mode codebook is responsive to the index for generating, in the transition frame and/or frame following the transition, one of the codevectors of the set corresponding to the transition mode excitation. There is also provided an encoding device and method and a decoding device and method using the above described transition mode device and method. |
| US08401840B2 |
Automatic spoken language identification based on phoneme sequence patterns
A language identification system that includes a universal phoneme decoder (UPD) is described. The UPD contains a universal phoneme set representing both 1) all phonemes occurring in the set of two or more spoken languages, and 2) captures phoneme correspondences across languages, such that a set of unique phoneme patterns and probabilities are calculated in order to identify a most likely phoneme occurring each time in the audio files in the set of two or more potential languages in which the UPD was trained on. Each statistical language model (SLM) uses the set of unique phoneme patterns created for each language in the set to distinguish between spoken human languages in the set of languages. The run-time language identifier module identifies a particular human language being spoken by utilizing the linguistic probabilities supplied by the SLMs that are based on the set of unique phoneme patterns created for each language. |
| US08401836B1 |
Optimizing parameters for machine translation
Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer program products, for language translation are disclosed. In one aspect, a method includes accessing a translation hypergraph that represents a plurality of candidate translations, the translation hypergraph including a plurality of paths including nodes connected by edges; calculating first posterior probabilities for each edge in the translation hypergraph; calculating second posterior probabilities for each n-gram represented in the translation hypergraph based on the first posterior probabilities; and performing decoding on the translation hypergraph using the second posterior probabilities to convert a sample text from a first language to a second language. |
| US08401834B2 |
Computer implemented method for modelizing a nuclear reactor core and a corresponding computer program product
A computer implemented method for modelizing a nuclear reactor core, including the steps of: partitioning the core in cubes to constitute nodes of a grid for computer implemented calculation, calculating neutron flux by using an iterative solving procedure of at least one eigensystem, the components of an iterant of the eigensystem corresponding either to a neutron flux, to a neutron outcurrent or to a neutron incurrent, for a respective cube to be calculated.The neutrons are sorted in a plurality of neutron energy groups, and the eigensystem iterative solving procedure includes a substep of conditioning the eigensystem into a restricted eigensystem corresponding to the eigensystem for a selection of some neutron energy groups. |
| US08401831B2 |
Methods for designing secondary cutting structures for a bottom hole assembly
A method for designing a secondary cutting structure for use in a bottom hole assembly, the method including defining initial design parameters for the secondary cutting structure and analyzing forces acting on the secondary cutting structure. Additionally, the method includes modifying at least one design element of the secondary cutting structure and simulating an effect of the modifying on both the secondary cutting structure and a primary cutting structure to determine if an improved condition is met. Also, a method for designing a drilling tool assembly, the method including defining initial drilling tool assembly design parameters including a primary cutting structure and a secondary cutting structure, and simulating a dynamic response of the drilling tool assembly. Additionally, the method includes adjusting at least one design element of the secondary cutting structure based on the dynamic response of the drilling tool assembly, determining if the adjusted design element improved a condition of the drilling, and repeating the simulating and adjusting until the condition is optimized. |
| US08401829B2 |
Automated method to determine composite material constituent properties
A method of determining in situ composite material constituent properties is provided. In one example computer software is provided that automatically determines adjusted material properties or in situ properties of each constituent of a composite material. Methods shown ensure that a finite element model will consistently predict material behavior not just at one desired stress/strain state, but in all simulated states. |
| US08401826B2 |
System and method for representation, modeling and application of three-dimensional digital pontics
Modeling pontics at successive treatment stages includes: (1) calculating space measurements between first and second teeth by getting first and second tooth transformations at a treatment stage i; (2) applying the first and second tooth transformations to get positions of the first and second teeth at the stage i; (3) calculating a direction vector of the space measurements at the stage i; (4) calculating a reference plane using the direction vector as a normal; (5) determining whether the space is available for a pontic by measuring the distance from the closest point on each of the first and second teeth to the reference plane; (6) generating an original pontic geometry for a first treatment stage; and (7) generating pontic geometries at each successive stage by calculating deformation parameters based on the original pontic geometry and size characteristics of the space and of the first and second teeth at each stage. |
| US08401825B2 |
Methods and systems for data processing and their applications
A method (400) of processing signal outputs of a plurality of topologically distinct sensors in response to stimuli is described. The method comprises obtaining (402) a plurality of temporal sensor outputs in parallel. Thereafter, features are extracted (406), the features having dynamic behavior pattern. The extraction is performed in a topology consistent way by arithmetic processing in parallel of neighboring temporal sensor outputs. Furthermore, a quality of the extracted features is being determined. |
| US08401824B2 |
Method for determining an output value of a sensor of automation technology
In a method for determining an output value of a sensor of automation technology, in a case in which the sensor has a non-linear characteristic curve K, which is pointwise specified, help points Hj are additionally produced according to a simple calculational specification. The output value is obtained from the input value via an interpolation of at least two points of the characteristic curve. |
| US08401822B2 |
System, wellness circuit and method of determining wellness of a rotating electrical apparatus
A wellness circuit is for a rotating electrical apparatus having a rated current and being operatively associated with an electrical switching, control, protection or monitoring apparatus structured to provide a number of currents and a number of voltages of the rotating electrical apparatus. The wellness circuit includes a current sensor scaled to the rated current and structured to provide a notch current signal representative of one of the number of currents; an interface to the electrical switching, control, protection or monitoring apparatus, the interface providing the number of currents and the number of voltages; and a processor employing the number of currents and the number of voltages from the interface and the notch current signal to determine wellness of the rotating electrical apparatus. The wellness circuit is structured to be separate from or added to the electrical switching, control, protection or monitoring apparatus. |
| US08401821B1 |
Method, apparatus and computer program for latency measurement
A method, apparatus and computer program for measuring a latency associated with a transaction between logic units is described. In certain described examples, transactions take place over an on-chip interconnect, for example an interconnect forming part of a system-on-chip configuration. In certain described examples, time values obtained in response to signals indicative of transaction initiation events are added to a data queue. A transaction initiation event has an associated transaction identifier and each data queue is associated with a particular transaction identifier. The method and apparatus enable time values relating to transactions that overlap in time to be output from a data queue on receipt of a transaction completion event and thus measured. |
| US08401819B2 |
Statistical processing methods used in abnormal situation detection
Detection of one or more abnormal situations is performed using various statistical measures, such as a mean, a median, a standard deviation, etc. of one or more process parameters or variable measurements made by statistical process monitoring blocks within a plant. This detection is enhanced in various cases by using specialized data filters and data processing techniques, which are designed to be computationally simple and therefore are able to be applied to data collected at a high sampling rate in a field device having limited processing power. The enhanced data or measurements may be used to provided better or more accurate statistical measures of the data, may be used to trim the data to remove outliers from this data, may be used to fit this data to non-linear functions, or may be use to quickly detect the occurrence of various abnormal situations within specific plant equipment, such as distillation columns and fluid catalytic crackers. |
| US08401817B2 |
Velocity detection device and servomotor
A velocity detection device includes a rotational direction discriminator calculating an x coordinate or a y coordinate in temporary coordinates on a line between an origin of the coordinates and a point obtained by rotating the actual second coordinates by as much as a rotational angle θ in a direction of a coordinate axis, the rotational direction discriminator discriminating a rotational direction from the actual first coordinates to the actual second coordinates based on either a sign of the x or y coordinate in the temporary coordinates; and a processor calculating calculational second coordinates represented by a multiplication, addition or subtraction between the actual first coordinates and one of the trigonometric function values to make calculational second coordinates closer to the actual second coordinates, and calculating the velocity of the moving body based on the temporary angles corresponding to the trigonometric function value used for the calculational second coordinates. |
| US08401813B2 |
Test table creation system and test table creation method
The objective of the present invention is to efficiently create a test table in a monitoring control system.There are provided a logic drawing analysis unit (20) that analyzes a logic drawing (LG1) stored in a logic drawing storage device (1); an input value creation unit (8) that creates an input value for each of the input value types into which analogue values are categorized, based on an input point (11) of the logic drawing (LG1) derived by the logic drawing analysis unit (20) and an input specification (ITB1) for the logic drawing (LG1) stored in an input specification storage device (2); an output value creation unit (6) that creates the respective expected values corresponding to the input values created in the input value creation unit (8), for the output points (15, 18) that correspond to the types of arithmetic elements derived by the logic drawing analysis unit (20); and a table creation unit (9) that creates a test table (TTB1), based on the input value created by the input value creation unit (8) and the expected value created by the output value creation unit (6). |
| US08401812B2 |
Tester, method for testing a device under test and computer program
A tester for testing a device under test has a first channel unit and a second channel unit. The first channel unit has a corresponding first pin connection for a signal from a device under test, a corresponding first test processor adapted to process, at least partially, data obtained from the first pin connection, and a corresponding first memory coupled with the first test processor and adapted to store data provided by the first test processor. The first channel unit is adapted to transfer at least a part of the data obtained from the first pin connection to the second channel unit as transfer data. The second channel unit has a corresponding second test processor adapted to process, at least partly, the transfer data from the first channel unit. |
| US08401808B2 |
Wavelength-multiplexed optical signal measurement device and the method thereof
Light to be measured L and sampling pulse light LSP are each split into M beams, and a time delay of 0, T, 2T, . . . , (M−1)T is given to each of the M-split sampling pulse light beams. The M-split light beams to be measured are then respectively multiplexed with M optical 90-degree hybrids, and M electrical field amplitudes per time T are determined for the light beam to be measured, based on M sets of output currents received at a balance light receiving element that receives light emitted from each of the optical 90-degree hybrids. The amplitudes of the respective wavelength optical signals contained in the light beam to be measured are calculated through Fourier transformations of the field electrical amplitudes. Pulsed light with a spectral width that covers the total frequency bandwidth of the light to be measured is used as the sampling pulse light. Where the total frequency bandwidth of the light to be measured is Δftotal, and the frequency interval of the optical signals contained in the light to be measured is Δf, T≦1/Δftotal and 1/(MT)≦Δf are set. |
| US08401802B2 |
Haplotype estimating apparatus and program
The present invention calculates a sum of the count numbers for each of the marker sites to obtain a maximum value of the sum of the count numbers, enumerates polymorphic identification characters up to the count numbers of the polymorphic nucleotides, permutates the enumerated polymorphic identification characters so as to create any character string that has copy units of which the number equals the maximum value, divides the character string into two by the copy unit to store the divided strings as a combination of the haplotype character strings, calculates the number of identical haplotype character strings in the group, obtains a frequency of the haplotype character string in the group, and estimates the combination of the haplotype character strings (representing haplotypes) of each individual of which frequency satisfying a predetermined condition. |
| US08401801B2 |
Methods for selecting medications
Methods for selecting a medication for a patient are described that include determining the patient's genotype for a panel of genes and selecting the medication based on the genotype. Articles of manufacture also are provided that include nucleic acid molecules for detecting alleles of genes encoding drug metabolizing enzymes and genes encoding products involved in neurotransmission. |
| US08401798B2 |
Systems and methods for constructing frequency lookup tables for expression systems
Methods for determining a property that affects expression of polynucleotides are provided. A plurality of polynucleotides each encoding a polypeptide sequence is constructed. A frequency that a sequence element is used in a first polynucleotide is different than in a second polynucleotide. Each polynucleotide is expressed in an expression system to obtain an expression property value thereby constructing a dataset that contains, for each respective polynucleotide, sequence element occurrence in the respective polynucleotide and the measured expression property value of the respective polynucleotide. A model is computed that describes variation in the measured expression property values as a function of a plurality of variables and weights. From the model, a property that affects expression of polynucleotides in the expression system is determined, where the property is an effect that the frequency of occurrence of one or more sequence elements has on the expression property of polynucleotides in the expression system. |
| US08401792B2 |
Navigation system and control method thereof
A navigation system includes a touch screen for receiving a touch input and displaying a navigation map, mode-switching means for issuing a mode-switching command to switch the navigation system into an input mode, a memory for storing a database, and a controller to recognize a handwriting input or a gesture input to acquire an input information, search the database for a facility information corresponding to the input information, and show facilities represented by the facility information in the navigation map. |
| US08401787B2 |
Method of determining drive lane using steering wheel model
Provided is a method of determining a drive lane using a steering wheel model. The method includes a step S100 of preparing a precise digital map having an accuracy capable of differentiating a road lane; a step S200 of estimating a vehicle location on a road using GPS information; a step S300 of checking whether the vehicle location information is normal using a difference between variation in the azimuth angle of the vehicle obtained by using the GPS information and variation in the azimuth angle of the vehicle obtained by using the steering wheel model; and a step S500 of determining and outputting a drive lane occupied by a running vehicle. |
| US08401782B2 |
System and method for assessing vehicle paths in a road environment
A method and system for assessing vehicle paths in a road environment including a vehicle and external objects includes: determining a position and a dynamic state of the host vehicle and of each of the external objects; generating a plurality of paths that may be followed by the vehicle as it moves toward the external objects; and evaluating a cost associated with each of the paths, the cost based on a lateral acceleration experienced by the vehicle. Each path is made up of path segments, including: an initial path segment corresponding to the vehicle continuing along a selected route without consideration of the external objects, and a maneuver pair for each external object, each maneuver pair including a path segment passing to the left of the external object and a path segment passing to the right of the external object. |
| US08401781B2 |
Method, apparatus and computer program for determining the location of a user in an area
Apparatus for orientating a user in a space wherein the space comprises a plurality of zones of which only certain zones constitute functional zones wherein each functional zone includes a first type device containing information relating to the position of the zone in the space and wherein the first type device is reactive to the presence of a second type device associated with the user to provide the user with the information to determine the orientation of the user in the space. A method of orientating the user within the space and guiding the user toward one or more features in the space is also disclosed. |
| US08401779B2 |
SEG (smart energy gateway) for optimized energy flow control
A smart energy gateway (SEG) operable to optimize energy consumption in a manner that optionally reduces user costs and/or emissions. The SEG may include a controller operable to manage energy distribution between one or more sources and one or more loads include within a vehicle according to one or more energy distribution schedules, such as but not limited to energy distribution schedules weight according to monetary and/or emission-based valuation metrics. |
| US08401777B2 |
System for wireless transmission of measurement results intented to be used in a coupling device and a use of the system in a vehicle
A coupling device (1) for gas and liquid systems comprises a passive transponder and at least one sensor for measuring at least one quantity. The transponder is connected to the sensor and arranged to wirelessly transmit and receive data via communication protocols. Moreover the sensor is passive, connected to and integrated with the transponder, the sensor being activated with energy induced by the transponder. An independent claim is included for a use of a wireless transmission system in a vehicle. |
| US08401769B2 |
Control method of restarting engine in an AT ISG automobile
A control method of restarting an engine of an AT ISG vehicle may include a first step of restarting the engine when a state of the vehicle satisfies a restart condition after an idle-stop, a second step of keeping a throttle valve constant at a first critical value or less when a positional value of an acceleration pedal may be equal to a second critical value or more after the first step, and a third step of opening a throttle valve until the positional value of the acceleration pedal detected by the acceleration pedal position sensor and a positional value of the throttle valve detected by a throttle valve position sensor may be matched after a critical time passes, a shifting may be completed after the restarting, or when the acceleration pedal may be pressed down less than at the second critical value after the first step. |
| US08401768B2 |
System and method for restarting an engine
Various systems and methods are described for controlling an engine in a vehicle, the engine being coupled to a transmission. One example method comprises, under selected braking conditions, shutting-off the engine and spinning-down the engine to rest while the vehicle is traveling, and in response to a foot-off-brake event, restarting the engine by at least partially engaging the transmission to assist in spinning-up of the engine from rest while the vehicle is traveling. In this manner, vehicle inertia can be used to assist in spinning-up the engine from rest when the vehicle is moving. |
| US08401765B2 |
Inter-cylinder air-fuel ratio imbalance determination apparatus for internal combustion engine
An inter-cylinder air-fuel ratio imbalance determination apparatus that obtains, based on an output value Vabyfs of an air-fuel ratio sensor, an air-fuel ratio fluctuation indicating amount (AFD) which becomes larger as an air-fuel ratio fluctuation of an exhaust gas passing through a position at which the air-fuel ratio sensor is disposed becomes larger, during a parameter obtaining period. The determination apparatus estimates an air-fuel ratio sensor element temperature (Temps) having a strong relation with responsiveness of the air-fuel ratio sensor during the parameter obtaining period, and obtains a corrected air-fuel ratio fluctuation indicating amount by correcting the AFD based on the estimated Temps. The determination apparatus adopts the corrected air-fuel ratio fluctuation indicating amount as the imbalance determination parameter X, and determines whether or not an inter-cylinder air-fuel-ratio imbalance state has been occurring based on a comparison between the imbalance determination parameter X and the imbalance determination threshold Xth. |
| US08401755B2 |
System and method for detecting lockup clutch on-coming capacity
A dynamic model is stored in memory that defines torque transmitted by a lockup clutch in a torque converter as a function of a plurality of torque converter operating parameters. A lockup clutch command to control engagement the lockup clutch is asserted, and thereafter a number of the plurality of torque converter operating parameters are monitored. The model is continually solved using the monitored operating parameters to determine torque transmitted by the lockup clutch over time, and a lockup clutch on-coming capacity signal is produced if the torque transmitted by the lockup clutch exceeds a torque threshold. |
| US08401753B2 |
Automatic downhill speed control system
A method for automatically controlling the downhill speed of a machine. The method includes establishing a target machine speed based on a current machine speed and determining whether at least one trigger condition including a grade greater than a predetermined threshold has been satisfied. If satisfied, the method activates a control system to control at least one of a powertrain retarder and a change in a transmission gear to prevent exceeding the target machine speed. |
| US08401750B2 |
Method and device for automatic or semiautomatic selection of a better starting gear in a vehicle
Method and a device for automatic selection of a better starting gear in a vehicle, including the steps of engaging a first starting gear, on driver demand controlling propulsion torque as to attempt to achieve a first take off, if the first starting gear is too high interrupting the first take off and automatically braking the vehicle, engaging a second adapted starting gear which is a lower gear compared to the first starting gear, controlling propulsion torque as to attempt to achieve a second vehicle take off, and if the second vehicle take off attempt results in a transmitting of torque to driven wheels of the vehicle being enough as to perform a take off then stop braking the vehicle. An incorrectly selected starting gear can thus be automatically changed. The starting gear change can be performed in an uphill situation. |
| US08401748B2 |
Method and device for influencing the traction force during shifting operations of a manual transmission in vehicles
In a method for influencing the traction force during shifting operations of a manual transmission in vehicles having at least two drive axles, the drive system of the first axle is activated in such a way that the interruptions in traction force occurring at the second axle during shifting operations of the manual transmission are at least partially compensated for. |
| US08401745B2 |
Pressure control system for a hydraulic lift and flotation system
A control system is provided to control the rate of pressure rise in a hydraulic lift and flotation system. When a hydraulic cylinder of the hydraulic lift and flotation system is to be adjusted, the pressure in the hydraulic lift and flotation system has to be increased to a predetermined pressure controlled by a relief valve before the hydraulic cylinder can be operated. The unload valve of the hydraulic lift and flotation system can be closed in a controlled or regulated manner in order to control the rate at which pressure rises in the hydraulic lift and flotation system. |
| US08401743B2 |
Motor grader blade positioning system and method
A ground engaging vehicle having a tool connected to the vehicle, at least one actuator coupled to the tool and an electronic controller. The electronic controller is controllably coupled to the at least one actuator. The controller includes an operator interface. The controller is configured for issuing a plurality of commands, recording the commands, positioning the tool and replaying at least some of the commands. The issuing step includes issuing a plurality of commands to the at least one actuator using the operator interface to place the tool in a position relative to the vehicle. The recording step records the commands issued in the issuing step. The positioning step includes positioning the tool in another position different from the position. The replaying step includes replaying at least some of the commands recorded in the recording step, thereby repositioning the tool substantially in the original position. |
| US08401739B2 |
Device for activating a security system in a vehicle
Disclosed is a device for activating a security system in a vehicle including a first and second vehicle sensor (4). The sensor include, respectively, a measuring value sensor (4.1) which can detect acceleration and structure-borne noise, and a central unit (2) which evaluates the signals of at least two vehicle sensors (4) and activates the security system according to the signals. The first and second vehicle sensors have a first direction of sensitivity for at least one measuring value sensor (4.1), which is used to detect acceleration, and a second direction of sensitivity for at least one measuring value sensor (4.1) which is used to detect structure-borne noise. |
| US08401738B2 |
Electric power steering system
An ECU of an electric power steering system includes a driving circuit configured as an H bridge circuit; a microcomputer that controls the driving circuit; a capacitor for stabilizing electric power that is supplied to the driving circuit; and a resistor that is interposed in a second power supply path that bypasses a first power supply path in which the relay contact is interposed. The microcomputer causes a relay circuit to be activated after the capacitor is charged via the resistor (second power supply path). The microcomputer determines whether a stuck-open fault has occurred on the basis of a voltage difference between terminals of the relay contact at the time when both FETs that are connected in series and that constitute the driving circuit are turned on to cause the discharge of the capacitor after the relay circuit is activated. |
| US08401736B2 |
Driving assistance apparatus and driving assistance method
Traveling environment information, which is information on a traveling environment around a vehicle, is obtained. If the automation level of the vehicle, which is set according to the traveling environment information, is decreased, the driving assistance level is decreased in a stepwise manner to execute a driving assistance control. |
| US08401729B2 |
Diagnostic tool for repairing aircraft and method of using such a tool
A device according to the present invention comprises: a central unit (8) having access to a database (18) in which there are stored not only information on the aircraft fleet to be managed but also an aircraft repair manual, this central unit (8) having means of communicating with the outside, and in particular with a technical center (16) of at least one aircraft manufacturer, at least one portable device equipped with visual display means as well as with means of wireless communication between the said portable device and the central unit (8). Application to the analysis of damage observed in an aircraft during inspection thereof. |
| US08401728B2 |
Battery system for vehicle, on-vehicle battery module, and cell controller
A battery system for vehicle comprises a battery unit that is constituted with a plurality of serially connected cell groups each include a plurality of serially connected battery cells, integrated circuits that are each disposed in correspondence to one of the cell groups of the battery unit and each measure terminal voltages at the battery cells in the corresponding cell group, and a signal transmission path through which one of the integrated circuits is connected to another one of the integrated circuits or to a circuit other than that of the integrated circuits. |
| US08401727B2 |
Method and device for the diagnosis of an NOx sensor for an internal combustion engine
In a method and a device for the diagnosis of an NOx sensor (54) for an internal combustion engine, during a homogenous operation of the internal combustion engine, a base diagnostic value (NOx_DIAG_BAS) of the NOx sensor (54) is determined as a function of a reference value (I_REF) of a measuring signal of the NOx sensor (54) determined in a new state of the NOx sensor (54) and a current value (I_AV) of the measuring signal of the NOx sensor (54). A time-dependent measuring value sequence (O2_EG_T) of the oxygen content of the exhaust gas in the exhaust gas system (14) is determined by the exhaust gas probe (53). Depending on the measuring value sequence (O2_EG_T) of the oxygen content of the exhaust gas, and the base diagnostic value (NOx_DIAG_BAS) of the NOx sensor (54), a corrected diagnostic value (NOx_DIAG_COR) is determined for the NOx sensor (54). |
| US08401725B2 |
Target route setting support system
A target route setting support system is equipped with a transiting area/starting-terminal point recognizing unit, a route candidate generating unit, and a determining unit. The transiting area/starting-terminal point recognizing unit recognizes a node or a link connecting nodes together designated by the user via a remote controller as a designated transiting area, the target position as a terminal point, and a departure position as a starting point. The route candidate generating unit generates a moving route candidate connecting the terminal point and the starting point so the designated transiting area is included at least in a part of the moving route candidate. The determining unit determines the level of a possibility of contact between the robot and an object in the case where the robot is made to move along the moving route candidate, and outputs the determination result via an output device. |
| US08401724B2 |
Control apparatus for hybrid vehicle
A control apparatus for a hybrid vehicle includes an internal combustion engine and a generator motor, a capacitor, and a driving force assisting unit. Further, the control device includes a switching unit that selects an appropriate traveling range from a plurality of traveling ranges including at least a normal traveling range and a charging priority range for preferentially charging the capacitor and switches the range, and a threshold value increasing unit that increases, when the charging priority range is selected by the switching unit, the predetermined determination threshold value as compared to when the normal traveling range is selected by the switching unit. |
| US08401721B2 |
Variable valve actuating apparatus, valve phase varying apparatus and control apparatus for internal combustion engine
An internal combustion engine is provided with a valve lift varying mechanism for intake valves and a valve phase varying mechanism for exhaust valves. A controller performs a control operation in response to a request to pause at least one cylinder while the engine is in operation. The control operation includes: a first operation of setting an intake valve lift to a zero-lift setpoint by the valve lift varying mechanism; and a second operation of setting an exhaust valve phase by the valve phase varying mechanism so as to set an exhaust valve opening timing to a first timing setpoint on an advance side of bottom dead center and set an exhaust valve closing timing to a second timing setpoint on a retard side of bottom dead center. The first and second timing setpoints are closer to top dead center than to bottom dead center. |
| US08401709B2 |
Dynamic distributed power grid control system
A system for dynamically managing and controlling distributed energy resources in a transmission/distribution power grid is disclosed. A plurality of regions within a transmission/distribution power grid is autonomously managed using regional control modules. Each regional control module oversees the management and control of the transmission/distribution power grid and is further associated with a plurality of local control modules that interface with distributed energy resources within a region. Power production and power consumption are monitored and analyzed by the enterprise control module which, upon determining that power consumption within a region does not match power producing capability, dynamically reallocates distributed energy resources throughout the grid keeping the system balance. Power flow at key nodes within the network are monitored and analyzed by the local control modules, regional control modules, and enterprise control modules with compensating actions taken in the event that system parameter risks violating safety, stability, or operational thresholds. |
| US08401706B2 |
Networked multi-inverter maximum power-point tracking
A group of solar power stations with inverters are adjusted in order to achieve optimum power output in accordance with maximum power-point tracking (MPPT). The MPPT data is used to perform adjustments. Power measurement factors, including Maximum Power Points (MPPs) are established to represent a bus-voltage setting that produces the maximum power output from an individual photovoltaic panel. These settings are established for the group so as to optimize power output under a variety of operating conditions. |
| US08401702B2 |
Robot, and control apparatus, control method, and control program for robot
A robot arm provided with a body unit shifting mechanism that connects a base unit and a body unit so as to be relatively shifted, and joint lock mechanisms that are capable of mechanically securing respective joints is disposed on the body unit, and a robot operation control unit controls to switch between a robot arm operation mode in which the robot arm is operated with one of the joints of the robot arm brought into a free state, and a body unit shift mode in which the body unit is shifted with the joint being brought into a locked state. |
| US08401701B2 |
Substrate transfer robot, substrate transfer apparatus including the same, and semiconductor manufacturing apparatus including the same
A substrate transfer robot sets an interference region in advance in the range of motion of the substrate transfer robot; stores a plurality of patterns of a combination of a starting position, a target position, and the interference region, the starting position and the target position being among taught positions; determines which pattern among the plurality of patterns a movement of the substrate transfer robot from the starting position to the target position matches when the substrate transfer robot moves between the plurality of taught positions; and determines a movement path from the starting position to the target position so as to avoid the interference region in accordance with the determined pattern so that the substrate transfer robot avoids the interference region. |
| US08401699B2 |
Manipulator and manipulator posture control method
A manipulator includes a main unit movable to a specified target position, an arm unit rotatably provided on the main unit, and a posture controller. The posture controller controls the posture of the arm unit so that a front surface of the arm unit facing forward in a moving direction of the main unit is not orthogonal to the moving direction of the main unit when the movement of the main unit is performed. The arm unit may be inclined obliquely backward with respect to a moving direction of the main unit when the main unit is moved to a specified target position. |
| US08401697B2 |
Electronically controlled and monitored enclosure to dispense tobacco products
A device for storing and dispensing tobacco products includes a housing configured to store tobacco product packages, a tracking system, and an electronic system. The housing may contain a plurality of chambers, each configured to store a different brand of tobacco product packages. The tracking system is configured to track the number of tobacco product packages in each chamber as tobacco product packages are dispensed from the chambers and to include one or more light emitting elements and one or more light detection elements. The electronic system is configured to enable dispensing of the tobacco product packages from the chambers and to store information related to the dispensing of the packages from the chambers. |
| US08401683B2 |
Audio onset detection
Among other things, techniques and systems are disclosed for detecting onsets. On a device, an audio signal is pre-processed in temporal domain. The pre-processed audio signal is smoothed on the device. A predetermined quantity of peaks is selectively identified in the pre-processed and smoothed audio signal based on a size of a sample window applied to the pre-processed and smoothed audio signal. |
| US08401680B2 |
Amplifier system
When any one of a plurality of amplifiers has been selected in response to amplifier selecting operation, an amplifier Detail View of the selected amplifier is displayed, where corresponding parameters are displayed via elements of the amplifier Detail View. When any one of a plurality of groups has been selected in response to group selecting operation, a group Detail View of the selected group is displayed, where maximum and minimum values detected from among values of a parameter of individual amplifiers of the selected group are displayed via a band-shaped element of a corresponding fader element. In another example, where a hierarchical group is selected in a tree display section on a control screen, respective state information, including parameter values or states of parameters, of a plurality of amplifiers belonging to the selected hierarchical group is displayed in a state information section. |
| US08401674B2 |
Apparatus for delivery of pharmaceuticals to the cochlea
An implantable tissue-stimulating device, such as a cochlear implant, having a resiliently flexible elongate member (11) having a plurality of electrodes (12) positioned thereon. The elongate member (11) provides a means of delivering at least one bio-active substance to the implantee following implantation of the elongate member (11). The delivery means can comprise a lumen 21 containing the bio-active substance in a liquid form. The bio-active substance can comprise a steroid or can perform a function of reducing the resting neuron potential of neurons within the cochlea. |
| US08401672B2 |
Method and apparatus for controlling autonomic balance using neural stimulation
A neural stimulation system senses autonomic activities and applies neural stimulation to sympathetic and parasympathetic nerves to control autonomic balance. The neural stimulation system is capable of delivering neural stimulation pulses for sympathetic excitation, sympathetic inhibition, parasympathetic excitation, and parasympathetic inhibition. |
| US08401667B2 |
Selective accumulation of energy with or without knowledge of tissue topography
Methods and systems for heating a body tissue region adjacent a body lumen using selective accumulation of energy without knowledge of tissue topography. Methods include positioning an energy delivery portion of a catheter within the lumen adjacent the body tissue region, determining a pulse characteristic in response to a thermal property of a first tissue type and applying pulsed energy with the characteristic to treat a second tissue type within the region by drawing heat from the first tissue at a rate that inhibits thermal damage to the first tissue while building-up heat in the second tissue. Systems include a catheter body having an energy delivery portion processor configured to control a pulse characteristic of pulsed energy to therapeutically treat the second tissue by drawing heat from the first tissue at a rate that inhibits thermal damage to the first tissue while building-up heat in the second tissue. |
| US08401666B2 |
Modification profiles for posture-responsive therapy
In general, the disclosure describes techniques for modifying therapy provided to a patient by a medical device. The techniques may be applicable to electrical stimulation therapy or other therapies. Modification of therapy may include adjustment of one or more therapy parameter values that define one or more characteristics of stimulation therapy delivered to a patient. The therapy modification may be based on activity of a patient that is detected by an IMD, such as a change in a detected posture state occupied by the patient. Different therapy modifications may be applied for different changes in detected posture state. An IMD may modify therapy based on a transition from one posture state to another posture state, and apply different modifications for different transitions. In some aspects, the modification may include a profile, such as a ramp up or ramp down in a parameter value over a period of time. The profile may be different for different posture transitions. A ramp slope may be steeper for one transition than for another transition. When a patient transitions from an upright to a lying posture state, for example, the profile may be especially abrupt. In some examples, a modification profile may define a dwell time. |
| US08401664B2 |
System and method for charging a power cell in an implantable medical device
Apparatus and methods for charging a power cell in an implantable medical device (“IMD”) are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a method includes providing an electrical pulse to an inductor external to the IMD. A frequency of an oscillation signal induced in the inductor by the current pulse is measured. The inductor is driven with an oscillating signal having a frequency based on the measured frequency of the oscillation signal. The power cell is charged using current induced in the IMD by the driving of the inductor. |
| US08401662B2 |
Performance assessment and adaptation of an acoustic communication link
Systems and methods for adapting the performance of an acoustic communication link with an implantable medical device (IMD) are disclosed. An illustrative method includes initiating an acoustic link with the IMD, measuring an initial performance of the acoustic link, determining whether the initial performance of the acoustic link is adequate, adjusting an operating parameter related to the acoustic link in the event the initial performance of the acoustic link is inadequate, measuring a performance of the acoustic link in response to the adjusted operating parameter, and setting the operating parameter to a prior setting if the measured performance of the acoustic link does not improve in response to the adjusted operating parameter. |
| US08401657B1 |
Spectral profile adjustment of incoming audio signals for cochlear implant patients
Methods and systems for normalizing a spectral profile corresponding to an audio signal include detecting a spectral profile of an incoming audio signal and comparing the spectral profile of the incoming audio signal to a reference spectral profile. The methods further include using the comparison to determine an adjusted spectral profile that more closely matches the reference spectral profile than does the spectral profile of the incoming audio signal and applying electrical stimulation representative of the adjusted spectral profile to a cochlear implant patient. |
| US08401655B2 |
Stimulation design for neuromodulation
The present application relates to a new stimulation design which can be utilized to treat neurological conditions. The stimulation system produces a burst mode stimulation which alters the neuronal activity of the predetermined site, thereby treating the neurological condition or disorder. The burst stimulus comprises a plurality of groups of spike pulses having a maximum inter-spike interval of 100 milliseconds. The burst stimulus is separated by a substantially quiescent period of time between the plurality of groups of spike pulses. This inter-group interval may comprise a minimum of 5 seconds. |
| US08401652B2 |
Devices and methods for treatment of heart failure and associated conditions
Devices and methods of use are described for detecting and treating an undesirable level of fluid in a pulmonary circulation of a patient. An exemplary system may include an implantable baroreflex activation device including an electrode configured to be implanted proximate a baroreptor within a patient, an implantable sensor configured to provide an indication of a fluid level within the patient, and a control system coupled to the baroreflex activation device and the sensor. The control system may be programmed to automatically detect a level of a fluid in a pulmonary circulation of the patient with the sensor and upon detecting an undesirable level of the fluid in the pulmonary circulation, delivering a therapy via the electrode of the baroreflex activation device to reduce the level of fluid in the pulmonary circulation. |
| US08401650B2 |
Methods and apparatus for electrical treatment using balloon and electrode
The present invention provides systems, apparatus and methods for selectively applying electrical energy to body tissue. A device is provided having an enclosure within an outer wall formed from an electrically-permeable material to allow for electrical energy to pass from the interior of the enclosure through the outer wall. The device further includes an electrode positioned within the interior of the enclosure and a fluid passage coupled to the enclosure for delivery of an electrically conductive fluid into the interior of the enclosure such that the electrically conductive fluid couples the electrode with the electrically-permeable section of the outer wall. The conductive fluid allows for the passage of electrical energy from the electrode through the fluid and the outer wall of the enclosure for treatment of tissue on or in a patient. In this manner, the electrode does not directly contact the tissue of the patient, which reduces the potential for collateral tissue damage or necrosis and/or excessive electric fields in the tissue. |
| US08401644B2 |
Method and apparatus for post-processing of episodes detected by a medical device
A method and system of post-processing of sensing data generated by a medical device that includes transmitting a plurality of stored sensing data generated by the medical device to an access device, the stored sensing data including sensed atrial events and sensed ventricular events. The access device determines, in response to the transmitted data, instances where the medical device identified a cardiac event being detected in response to the sensing data, and determines whether there is an abrupt onset of the cardiac event in response to the transmitted data. |
| US08401642B2 |
Pressure-driven intermittent pacing therapy
Cardioprotective pre-excitation pacing may be applied to stress or de-stress a particular myocardial region delivering of pacing pulses in a manner that causes a dyssynchronous contraction. Such dyssynchronous contractions are responsible for the desired cardioprotective effects of pre-excitation pacing but may also be hazardous. Described herein is a method and system that uses measures of a patient's physiological response to ventricular dyssynchrony to control the duty cycles of intermittent pre-excitation pacing. |
| US08401641B2 |
Treatment of cardiac arrhythmia by modification of neuronal signaling through fat pads of the heart
To control cardiac arrhythmias such as atrial fibrillation post-operatively, various non-ablative agents include polymers, fibroblasts, neurotoxins, and growth factors are introduced into one or more cardiac fat pads into the atrioventricular nodal fat pad in proximity to the autonomic ganglia therein. Any desired technique may be used for introducing the agent, including injection. The sinoatrial nodal fat pad target site and the atrioventricular nodal fat pad target site are identified using a stimulator, which may have electrodes coupled thereto or which may coupled to electrodes built into a delivery system. |
| US08401639B2 |
Anodal stimulation detection and avoidance
Cardiac resynchronization therapy is delivered to a heart using an extended bipolar electrode configuration in accordance with programmed pacing parameters including a non-zero intraventricular delay. The extended bipolar electrode configuration comprises a left ventricular electrode defining a cathode of the extended bipolar electrode configuration and a right ventricular electrode defining an anode of the extended bipolar electrode configuration. A pace pulse is delivered to the left ventricular electrode and anodal stimulation of the right ventricle is detected based on the sensed response to the pace pulse. |
| US08401635B2 |
Device and method using integrated neuronal cells and an electronic device
The present invention provides a device of integrated neuronal cells interfaced with an electronic device and a method of producing the same. |
| US08401631B2 |
Method and system for monitoring physiological conditions
A method for providing an indication of a state of awareness for a patient, includes the steps of arranging data of an EEG and EMG power spectrogram to provide power versus frequency in a log-log arrangement; calculating a first best-fit line for a lower frequency region of the EEG power spectrogram; calculating at least a second best-fit line for a higher frequency region of the EEG power spectrogram. The display of these lines is augmented by displaying a template that identifies different regions on the display that help confirm the state of the patient. Secondly, the time domain EEG signals can be filtered and displayed such that different frequency bands can be simultaneously displayed or a single frequency band can be displayed according to different time scales. |
| US08401627B1 |
Methods and systems for monitoring heart instabilities
Systems and method for assessing a patient's myocardial electrical stability by pacing a patient's heart using a pacing sequence that includes at least two different types of pacing pulses. The pacing rate used is preferably only slightly above the patient's intrinsic heart rate. A degree of alternans, in a signal (e.g., IEGM or ECG) that is indicative of cardiac activity in response to the pacing sequence, is determined. The degree of alternans can be determined by comparing portions of the signal that are indicative of cardiac activity in response to the first type of pacing pulses to portions of the signal that are indicative of cardiac activity in response to the second type of pacing pulses. The patient's myocardial electrical stability is assessed based on the determined degree of alternans. |
| US08401626B2 |
System and method for assessing sleep quality
An assessment of sleep quality and sleep disordered breathing is determined from cardiopulmonary coupling between two physiological data series. An R-R interval series is derived from an electrocardiogram (ECG) signal. The normal beats from the R-R interval series are extracted to produce a normal-to-normal interval series. The amplitude variations in the QRS complex are used to extract a surrogate respiration signal (i.e., ECG-derived respiration) associated with the NN interval series. The two series are corrected to remove outliers, and resampled. The cross-spectral power and coherence of the two resampled signals are calculated over a plurality of coherence windows. For each coherence window, the product of the coherence and cross-spectral power is used to calculate coherent cross-power. Using the appropriate thresholds for the coherent cross-power, the proportion of sleep spent in CAP, non-CAP, and wake and/or REM are determined. Coherent cross-power can be applied to differentiate obstructive from non-obstructive disease, and admixtures of the same. |
| US08401619B2 |
Systems and methods for virtual index-matching of diffusive media
The invention relates to systems and methods for tomographic imaging of a subject comprising diffuse media by converting measurements of electromagnetic radiation, e.g., fluorescent light, obtained in free space exterior to the subject into data that would be measured if the subject were surrounded by an infinite and homogeneous diffusive medium, e.g., a medium with optical properties equal to the average optical properties of the subject. After applying a transformation to convert measurements to virtually-matched values, propagation of light is simulated from the index-matched surface to a set of virtual detectors exterior to the subject and arranged in a geometrically advantageous fashion, for example, in a planar array, thereby facilitating the use of fast reconstruction techniques. |
| US08401615B1 |
Planar coil flexion fixture for magnetic resonance imaging and use thereof
An aspect of the present invention is a system for magnetic resonance imaging that includes a fixture for housing an antenna such that the position of a portion of a patient's anatomy remains fixed relative to the antenna as the patient moves between a first and a second position for imaging. |
| US08401613B2 |
PET-MRI combination apparatus
Disclosed herein is a PET-MRI combination apparatus which can extend transaxial and axial fields of view (FOV) by transmitting an output signal from a photo sensor to the outside of an MRI bore using cable. The PET-MRI combination apparatus includes an MRI bore for capturing an MR image of an object. A PET detector is installed inside imaging space of the MRI bore, and is configured such that a plurality of scintillation crystal arrays, each having scintillation crystals arranged in a ring shape, is arranged in a longitudinal direction so as to extend a axial field of view (FOV). A PET circuit unit is installed outside the MRI bore to prevent the PET circuit unit from being influenced by a magnetic field in the MRI bore, and is configured to include a signal amplification circuit and a signal processing circuit. A cable is configured to connect the PET detector to the PET circuit unit. |
| US08401612B1 |
Magnetic resonance imaging system and method for detecting chiari malformations
A method for detecting Chiari malformations. The method generally comprises positioning a patient in an upright orientation in a patient-receiving space of a magnetic resonance imaging apparatus and acquiring images of the patient's cerebellum and brainstem in the upright orientation. The method further comprises positioning the patient in a recumbent orientation in the patient-receiving space of the magnetic resonance imaging apparatus and acquiring images of the patient's cerebellum and brainstem in the recumbent orientation. |
| US08401611B2 |
Apparatus and method for imaging tissue
A device and method for imaging body tissue, the device comprising a catheter for accessing body cavities having a catheter end, the catheter end having there within an ionizing radiation source for emitting ionizing radiation; and at least one ionizing radiation detector for detecting ionizing radiation; and wherein preferably a signal is emitted by the ionizing radiation source, said signal comprising photons or electrons, said photons or electrons are reflected from the body tissue or provoke the body tissue to generate photons or electrons. |
| US08401609B2 |
System, method and applications involving identification of biological circuits such as neurological characteristics
Various aspects are directed to systems and methods for assessing neural activity of a neural region having multiple subfields. In certain embodiments, a method includes evoking a cellular electrical response in at least one subfield due to neural activity in the neural region, capturing image data of the electrical response at a level sufficiently detailed in space and time to differentiate between polarization-based events of two respective portions of the subfield, and then assessing neural activity by correlating space and time information, from the captured data, for the two respective portions of the sub-field. Other more specific aspects of the invention involve different preparation and neural stimulation approaches which can vary depending on the application. |
| US08401608B2 |
Method of analyzing photon density waves in a medical monitor
A monitoring system that may include an emission feature capable of emitting light into tissue, a modulator capable of modulating the emitter at a modulation frequency generally in a range of about 50 MHz to 3.0 GHz to generate resolvable photon density waves, a detection feature capable of detecting photons of the photon density waves after passage through the tissue and capable of providing a distribution of detected photons over a time period for the photon density waves, and a processor capable of calculating a skewness of the distribution and making determinations relating to a value of a physiologic parameter of the tissue based at least in part on the skewness of the distribution. |
| US08401607B2 |
Nuisance alarm reductions in a physiological monitor
A method and apparatus for controlling alarms in a medical diagnostic apparatus where an alarm is generated when a measured value for a physiological parameter is outside a specified range. The method continuously calculates a baseline value, and establishes dynamic thresholds that are related to and continuously track the baseline value. The method determines the amount of time the measured value is past the dynamic threshold, and the amount by which the threshold is passed. Alarms are triggered based upon a combination of the amount of time and the amount by which the threshold is passed. Preferably, the combination is an integral or some function of an integral. |
| US08401606B2 |
Nuisance alarm reductions in a physiological monitor
A method and apparatus for controlling alarms in a medical diagnostic apparatus where an alarm is generated when a measured value for a physiological parameter is outside a specified range. The method continuously calculates a baseline value, and establishes dynamic thresholds that are related to and continuously track the baseline value. The method determines the amount of time the measured value is past the dynamic threshold, and the amount by which the threshold is passed. Alarms are triggered based upon a combination of the amount of time and the amount by which the threshold is passed. Preferably, the combination is an integral or some function of an integral. |
| US08401604B2 |
Apparatus and methods for non-invasive measurement of a substance within a body
Embodiments of the present system and methods measure a concentration of a substance, such as glucose, in a body. The present embodiments measure a first amount of infrared (IR) radiation absorbed or emitted from the body in a first wavelength band, and a second amount of IR radiation absorbed or emitted from the body in a second wavelength band. The present embodiments also measure a temperature at a surface of the body and an ambient temperature. A normalized ratio parameter is calculated from the four measurements, and the concentration of the substance in the body is calculated by correlating the normalized ratio parameter with the body surface temperature and the ambient temperature using an empirically derived lookup table. Also disclosed are methods for creating the empirically derived lookup table. |
| US08401599B2 |
Superconducting AC generator
An alternating current (AC) generator and method of operating the generator are provided. The generator includes a pair of two opposing cylinders. Each cylinder includes a high-temperature superconductor material at a temperature. The superconductor material is in a superconducting state in the presence of an external magnetic field below a critical field strength, wherein the critical field strength is a function of the temperature of the superconductor material. A sum of a non-zero time-invariant magnetic field strength and a time-varying magnetic field strength cycles between at least a first field strength below the critical field strength for the superconductor material at the temperature and at least a second field strength above the critical field strength for the superconductor material at the temperature, such that the superconductor material cycles between a superconducting state and a non-superconducting state. The generator further includes a piston configured to move within the two cylinders. The piston includes a permanent magnet having a magnetic field that interacts with the superconductor material of each of the two opposing cylinders. A time-varying force is applied to the magnet by an interaction of the magnet's magnetic field with the superconductor material. The generator further includes a pickup coil positioned so that movement of the magnet induces an electrical current in the pickup coil. |
| US08401597B2 |
Mobile terminal device
A mobile terminal device including a first housing, a second housing, the device having multiple configurations, including a first configuration in which the second housing is closed with respect to the first housing, a second configuration in which the second housing is slid relative to the first housing from the first configuration, and a third configuration in which the first housing is separated from the second housing, and a first input key is provided on the first housing, and is covered with the second housing in the first and second configurations and is exposed in the third configuration. |
| US08401595B2 |
Method and system for integrated wireless power and data communication
A method and system of integrated wireless power and data transmission in a wireless device having a data communication circuit for wireless data communication and a power reception circuit including a charge storage unit. The wireless device is tuned to receive wireless RF signals in a certain frequency band via an antenna. Switching between power reception mode and data communication mode is detected. Received RF signal electrical charge is selectively distributed to the power reception circuit and/or the data communication circuit based on the switching mode and/or strength of the RF signal. |