最新美国发明专利第2013-03-26期 - 专利汇|PatentHub专利检索|专利查询网|发明专利查询分析

Document	Document Title
US08403200B2	Device for supplying an inert gas to a wave soldering installation The invention relates to a device for supplying inert gas in order to protect the surface of a solder bath in a wave soldering installation and the components to be soldered against oxidation. Wave soldering installations form solder waves over which parts to be soldered are transported. The parts to be soldered are generally electronic printed circuit boards which have electronic components soldered onto their undersides by the solder wave making contact with the printed circuit board.
US08403199B2	Localized jet soldering device and partial jet soldering method To enable the molten solder to be partially spouted onto a component-mounting member in a stable state without decreasing the revolutions of a pump which is difficult to set a spouted amount of molten solder, even if a nozzle having a small spouting opening is used in a partial-jet-solder bath.As shown in FIG. 3, an automatic partial-jet-soldering apparatus 100 is provided with a solder bath 4 that has a nozzle base portion 44 and contains molten solder 7, a pump 5 that supplies the molten solder 7 contained in the solder bath 4 under a predetermined pressure to the nozzle base portion 44, plural nozzles 8a and the like that have predetermined solder-spouting areas and connect the nozzle base portion 44 to spout the molten solder 7 supplied from the pump 5 under the predetermined pressure so that it rises by its surface tension, and a dummy nozzle 32 that has a solder-spouting area more than that of any of the nozzles 8a and the like and connects the nozzle base portion 44 to spout the molten solder 7 supplied from the pump 5 under the predetermined pressure, wherein the dummy nozzle 32 is positioned on a position which is nearer the pump 5 than the nozzles 8a and the like.
US08403195B2	Dissection tip and introducer for surgical instrument The present disclosure describes a surgical fastener applying apparatus that includes an elongate body portion having proximal and distal ends, an end effector including a first movably coupled to a second jaw that is positioned at the distal end of the elongate body portion, and an introducer member. The introducer member has proximal and distal portions, and is configured and dimensioned for releasable connection with the end effector. The introducer member is at least partially formed from a flexible material, and is configured and dimensioned to separate target tissue from collateral tissue prior to positioning of the target tissue between the first and second jaws of the end effector.
US08403194B2	Tool positioning system for positioning power fastener tools A system and method for positioning a tool. The system includes a base member configured to contact a first decking member and a second decking member; at least one base guide including a first end and an opposing second end, the first end coupled to the base member, the at least one base guide configured to position the base member relative to the first decking member and the second decking member; and an adjustable section coupled to the base member, the adjustable section configured to allow adjustment of at least one of a position and an angle of the tool relative to the base member.
US08403190B2	Tray assembly for vehicle Disclosed is a tray assembly. The tray assembly may include a tray having a guide slot, a hinge arm including a cam-shaped portion and rotably coupled to the tray, a cover fixed to an end portion of the hinge arm, a drawer box storable in the tray and having a guide pin at a side portion thereof, the guide pin passing through the guide slot of the tray and being movable along the guide slot by selectively engaging with the cam-shaped portion of the hinge arm.
US08403186B2	Composite spout and injection-forming apparatus for forming the composite spout A composite spout obtained by injection forming a spout body in a state where a sleeve having a functional resin layer disposed as an intermediate layer is fitted as a core onto the core member of an injection-forming metal mold such that the inner peripheral surface only of the sleeve is substantially exposed on the inner peripheral surface of the spout body. A tilted surface is formed on the inner peripheral surface at one end of the spout body in at least a portion thereof in the circumferential direction, the tilted surface being tilted outward in the radial direction from a position in agreement with the inner peripheral edge at the one end of the sleeve or from the inside thereof in the radial direction facing the one end of the spout body.
US08403181B2	Water-ingress-preventing mechanism for lotion pump The invention provides a water-ingress-preventing mechanism for a lotion pump. The mechanism is mainly used for a lotion pump mounted on a container with a liquid therein and is able to effectively prevent foreign liquids from entering the container. According to one aspect of the invention, in the locking tube portion (13) of the press head (10) is formed at least one longitudinal slot (15) which extends upwards from the lower end edge of the locking tube portion over at least part of the length of the locking tube portion. The slot is disposed such that the upper end of the slot is at a position above the top surface (25) of the cylinder cover (20) when the press head is pressed down to and at the lower stop position of its press stroke with respect to the cylinder cover. According to another aspect of the invention, the external thread (14) on the locking tube portion extends helically upwards from the lower end edge of the locking tube portion, whereas the internal thread (26) in the central through-hole (21) in the cylinder cover extends helically downwards from the upper end edge of the central through-hole. The features in the both of the two aspects effectively prevent foreign liquids from being sucked into the container during operation of the lotion pump.
US08403180B2	Chemicals mixing container with elastic partition wall A chemicals mixing container includes: a cylinder (8) having a tubular shaped outer tube (10), and an end wall (11) which seals one end of the outer tube; an elastic partition wall (12) placed inside the outer tube to define a mixing chamber (5) within the cylinder; and an ejection auxiliary member (13) placed inside the outer tube and outside the mixing chamber, and which has an end face swollen toward the mixing chamber and moreover which is enabled to press the elastic partition wall against the end wall. The chemicals mixing container is enabled to reliably mix a liquid material and a powder material together and discharge a mixture (18) of the liquid material and the powder material without waste.
US08403177B2	Pressurized dispenser for mixing and producing two-component materials Pressurized can comprising a body (2), a dome (3) accommodating a valve (4), a concavely shaped bottom (5), an inner casing (7) attached to a cup (6), a push rod (9) arranged in the inner casing (7), said push rod (9) being actuated through the cup (6) and intended to force open the inner casing (7), with said inner casing (7) being joined to the cup (6) via a spring cage (11), said spring cage (11) containing a spring-loaded trigger (12) which acts on the push rod (9) which, in turn, acts on a cover (8) arranged at the can-side end of the inner casing (7), said cover (8) being a membrane which seals the inner casing (7) at its can-side end hermetically against the contents of the pressurized can (1) and which is torn open by the push rod (9) when the trigger (12) is actuated.
US08403170B1	Pressure vessel A pressure vessel includes: an outer container unit having an inner space and first and second supporting portions; a lining container disposed inside the outer container unit and having an end portion that corresponds to the first supporting portion; an elastic diaphragm disposed in and dividing the inner space into air and water chambers, and having retaining and extending sectors that correspond in position to the end portion and the second supporting portion respectively; and a pressing member disposed in the air chamber and having first and second pressing segments that press tightly the retaining sector and the end portion against the first supporting portion and the extending sector on the second supporting portion respectively.
US08403169B2	Mobile tank for cryogenic liquids A tank for cryogenic liquids, which is intended for installation in motor vehicles and which consists of an outer container and of an inner container suspended in the latter in tension or compression struts. In order to take the contrasting requirements in motor vehicles into account in an optimum way, between the outer container and inner container abutments and supporting faces are additionally provided, which can be spaced apart from one another when the vehicle is at a standstill and can be brought to bear when the vehicle is driving. The abutments inside the outer container Co.-operate with supporting faces on the inner container and can be displaced by means of an actuator.
US08403166B2	Sealable storage container A sealable storage container is described and which includes a container bottom having a continuous sidewall, a container lid for mating cooperation with a container bottom; a rotatable member received in, and cooperating with the container lid; a moveable pressure plate cooperating with the rotatable member; and a resilient sealing member mounted on a moveable pressure plate and extending in the direction of the container lid, and wherein rotation of the rotatable member causes the resilient seal to deform, at least in part, laterally outwardly so as to releasably sealably engage the container bottom to affect sealable attachment of the container lid to the container bottom.
US08403162B2	Collapsible coolers An expandable and collapsible cooler includes: a base defining a bottom portion of the cooler; an upper rim defining an upper portion of the cooler; and a cooler wall extending between the base and the upper rim and surrounding an interior storage space of the cooler. The cooler wall includes inner and outer collapsible walls each extending between and being attached to the base and the upper rim. Each collapsible wall includes flexible elastomeric membranes joined together by rigid portions, each membrane including a plurality of hinge lines at which the membrane is configured to bend such that the collapsible wall is transitional between a respective collapsed configuration and a respective expanded configuration by bending along the hinge lines.
US08403160B2	Container with audible freshness locking system The present invention concerns a container comprising a container body with bottom and side walls and a container opening, and a container closure (1), said body and closure comprising corresponding screw threads (3) to allow releasable attachment of the closure onto the body in order to open/close the container opening, characterized in that the container body comprises at least one cam-like means (4) located on the external surface of the container body walls, and the closure comprises at least one engagement means (5) corresponding to the cam-like means of the container body, said engagement means being located at the internal surface of the closure walls, so positioned that during the screwing operation of said closure onto said container body, said cam-like and engagement means cooperate in a audible manner at the time said closure is sufficiently engaged onto the body to ensure gas and/or liquid tightness of the closed container.
US08403156B1	Canister organizer An organizer for storing and displaying a plurality of canisters along a vertical surface includes a support structure and a plurality of wall-mounting brackets. The support structure includes a large rectangular body with a plurality of equally-spaced circular apertures on front and back surfaces, allowing for the insertion of desired cylindrical objects for storage and display. Each of the wall-mounting brackets further provides an outwardly extending tabs facing upwards, thereby allowing a user to set the apertures of the shelf on the brackets for secure mounting.
US08403155B1	Hand tool frame A hand tool frame has a baseboard, two clamping elements and multiple positioning elements. The baseboard has a body and a hanging panel. The hanging panel is connected to the top of the body and has a hanging hole. The clamping elements are mounted on the baseboard and each clamping element has a clamping panel. Each clamping panel has multiple clamping claws and multiple inserting holes. The positioning elements are mounted on the baseboard at intervals between the clamping elements with the same sizes and each positioning element has an elastic arm. The elastic arm is formed on and protrudes from the body and has a curved segment and a limiting segment. The limiting segment is formed on and protrudes from the curved segment to abut against a hand tool.
US08403154B2	Cable management assembly, system and method A cable management assembly, and method related thereto, including a riser panel having an interface portion and a plurality of cable management devices. The interface portion having a plurality of shaped apertures. The cable management devices having attachments that correspond to the shaped apertures to secure the cable management devices to the panel at selected vertical and horizontal locations. The cable management assembly being configured to extend between two adjacent telecommunications racks or to couple to the end of a telecommunications rack.
US08403153B2	Adsorbent filter media for removal of biological contaminants in process liquids Adsorbent filter media particularly suited for removal of biological contaminants in process liquids. A porous fixed bed of adsorbent material is formed, using only a granular adsorbent and a water-insoluble thermoplastic binder. The resulting composite filter allows for a higher amount of adsorbent with smaller adsorbent particles than conventional depth filters. Elimination of cellulose fiber, as well as the elimination of the thermoset binder, results in reduced contamination of the process liquid.
US08403152B2	Fail safe mechanism In one embodiment, the present disclosure provides fail-safe mechanisms for final filters. The fail-safe mechanisms of the present disclosure include a prefilter that is essentially transparent or translucent to TOC contaminants and a microporous filter downstream from the prefilter that filters contaminants by means of size-exclusion, mechanical interception, coagulation, or a combination thereof, the filter being adapted to significantly reduce fluid flow and undergo blockage under a challenge by TOC contaminants. In another embodiment, the present disclosure provides a method of filtration that includes the steps of providing a microporous filter disposed upstream from a final filter, the microporous filter capable of filtering contaminants from a fluid by means of size-exclusion, mechanical interception, coagulation, or a combination thereof, and said filter being adapted to significantly reduce fluid flow and undergo blockage under a challenge by TOC contaminants, and filtering the fluid through the microporous filter
US08403148B2	Method of sorting documents of value A method of sorting documents of value includes a) forming a stack of documents of value, the including two or more batches of documents of value, each batch of documents of value being provided with first and second separators to separate the batch from an adjacent batch; and, b) sequentially feeding all the documents in the stack through a sorting machine to inspect the documents and to sort the documents into one or more output stations in dependence upon the results of the inspection, and sorting all first separators to a separator output station.
US08403147B2	Mobile aggregate material processing system and method A compact modular mobile aggregate processing system configured with no stand-alone inter-plant conveyors for decreasing the footprint of the system and an infinitely adjustable flow diverter(s) for increasing the control of and variation of output characteristics of the system; the system further including specialized folding conveyors.
US08403140B2	Apparatus and method for displaying tool holders incorporating magnets An apparatus to display a tool holder that incorporates magnets comprises at least a magnetically attractable work item, a tool holder incorporating magnets and an attachment mechanism for attaching the magnetically attractable work item to the display. The attachment mechanism attaches to the magnetic tool holder such that the magnetically attractable work item is able to be removed from the magnet of the tool holder while still coupled to the magnetic tool display. In some embodiments, the apparatus also comprises a display placard. In these embodiments, the attachment mechanism attaches to the display placard and the magnetically attractable work item such that the magnetically attractable work item is able to be removed from the magnet of the tool holder while still coupled to the display placard.
US08403137B2	Flexible packaging for compressed duct A container for a compressible article is disclosed, wherein the container includes first and second opposed sides having a first length, a first pair of flaps or edge attached to an end of the first and second opposed sides defining an end of the container, third and fourth opposed sides capable of having a second shorter length; and a second pair of flaps or edges attached to the third and fourth sides, the second pair of flaps having a fold line approximately aligned with the end of the container.
US08403136B1	Waterproof, shockproof container for handheld electronic device A waterproof, shockproof container for a handheld electronic device is provided with a rectangular base including a top loop flange disposed along and spaced from edges, a loop gap between the flange and the edges of the base, four bottom L-shaped depressions at four corners of the base respectively, and threaded holes spaced along the gap wherein four of the threaded holes are through the depressions respectively; a rectangular waterproof loop member fitted in the loop gap and including bossed holes spaced along edges, and four L-shaped collision resistant members at four corners of the waterproof loop member respectively; a rectangular, hollow frame including a loop flange disposed along edges, and bossed threaded holes spaced along an inner surface of the flange; and a rectangular, hollow bumper member. The base, the frame, and the bumper member are releasably secured together.
US08403132B2	Retractable tooling apparatus and tool pouch A retractor coil lanyard device for mounting in a pouch of a tool pouch for hand tools includes a tubular housing having a first housing end and a second housing end and a resiliently extensible and retractable coil disposed within the tubular housing. The tubular housing has a predefined length where, when placed within a tool pocket of a tool belt pouch, the first housing end is adjacent a bottom of the tool pocket and the second housing end is adjacent a top of the tool pocket. The coil has a coil body, a first coil end and a second coil end. The coil body is formed from a cord having a predefined diameter where the cord is formed into a helix. The first coil end is retained at the first housing end and the second coil end extends a predefined distance beyond the second housing end and is configured for attaching to a hand tool.
US08403130B1	Conveyor systems having intermediate rollers A conveyor system includes a frame, a drive roller carried by the frame, and a tail roller carried by the frame. The drive roller and the tail roller each include a relief channel positioned around a roller circumference. The conveyor system further includes a first intermediate roller positioned between the drive roller and the tail roller and carried by the frame, where the first intermediate roller has a channel positioned around a first intermediate roller circumference. The conveyor system also includes a continuous flexible belt positioned around the drive roller and the tail roller, where the continuous flexible belt has an exterior surface, an interior surface, and a guide extending inwards from the interior surface. The guide is positioned within the channel of the first intermediate roller and the guide is spaced apart from the drive roller relief channel and the tail roller relief channel.
US08403127B2	Biomass transport installation for introduction into a pressurised container The introduction of a heterogeneous solid substance, such as biomass, into a container which is under pressure is difficult. The rotary valves and airlocks used hitherto have substantial deficiencies. The use of standard screw conveyors has hitherto failed due to the fact that a cavity formed behind the screw helix in which gas could escape from the pressurized container. These deficiencies are resolved in that two independently controllable screws are arranged in a screw conveyor pipe. Between the primary screw driven by a motor and the secondary screw driven by another motor, the biomass is compacted by high pressure as a consequence of the different revolution speeds of the motors in such a way that an almost gas-tight plug is formed. The invention is particularly well-suited for the introduction of biomass into a gasification installation which is under pressure, for the production of synthesis gas.
US08403126B1	Method of operating rolling mill conveyor In a rolling mill in which hot rolled product is formed into rings by a laying head and the rings are transported in an overlapping pattern to a reforming station where the rings are gathered into coils, a method of increasing the time gap between billet lengths of product delivered to the reforming station by advancing the rings of a front end of one billet along said conveyor at a one speed while advancing the rings of a tail end of a preceding billet at another speed greater than said one speed.
US08403124B2	Residual magnetic devices and methods Residual magnetic locks, brakes, rotation inhibitors, clutches, actuators, and latches. The residual magnetic devices can include a core housing and an armature. The residual magnetic devices can include a coil that receives a magnetization current to create an irreversible residual magnetic force between the core housing and the armature.
US08403123B2	Magnetically actuated one-way clutch A one-way clutch includes a first race secured against rotation and fitted with a coil, a second race supported for rotation, a coil carried by one of the races, and struts supported by one of the races, each strut driveably connecting and disconnecting the races in response to a magnetic field induced by current in the coil.
US08403122B2	Wet-type multi-plate clutch In a wet-type multi-plate clutch comprising an externally-toothed plate and an internally-toothed plate each of which is formed by adhering a friction material on a core plate and in which torque is transmitted by engaging the externally-toothed plate and the internally-toothed plate, the friction materials are adhered on opposed surfaces of the externally-toothed plate and the internally-toothed plate which are opposed to each other.
US08403121B2	Sealing device for a dual clutch transmission of a motor vehicle A device for sealing a double clutch transmission of a motor vehicle, with a transmission housing, in which are arranged a clutch chamber with clutch oil and a double clutch, a transmission chamber with transmission oil and a double clutch transmission wheel set and two co-axial drive shafts disposed, one inside the other. One drive shaft is an interior central shaft which extends inside the transmission chamber from the end of the second hollow drive shaft. The two drive shafts each have a sealing element to seal the clutch chamber from the transmission chamber. A mounting component is situated inside and fixed to the transmission housing to support two adjacent sealing elements. A first sealing element forms a seal radially on the hollow drive shaft and a second sealing element forms a seal radially on the central drive shaft to provide a reliable seal and offer a simple ventilation and leakage detection.
US08403112B2	Hoist system with high system power factor A suspension work platform hoist system having reduced reactive power to produce a hoist system power factor of at least 0.95 when operating at a steady state full-load condition as the motor raises the work platform. The hoist system power factor takes into account all the power consuming devices of the suspension work platform hoist system as well as a suspended conductor system that connects the constant frequency input power source to the hoist, which is often in excess of several hundred feet. The hoist system power factor may be achieved by incorporating a reactive power reducing input power system into the suspension work platform hoist system. The reactive power reducing input power system decreases the magnitude of the reactive power of the motor producing a high hoist system power. The reactive power reducing input power system may include an AC-DC converter and a regulator system in electrical communication with a DC-AC inverter that is in electrical communication with the motor.
US08403108B2	Acoustically tunable sound absorption articles and methods of making same A moldable acoustic facing comprises cellulosic fibers and synthetic fibers entangled together. The acoustic facing has a basis weight of from about 1.5 to about 5.0 ounces per square yard (osy), a thickness of less than about 0.050″, a mean pore size of between about 8 microns and about 40 microns, and an elongation at break of at least twenty percent. The acoustic facing includes less than about five percent synthetic microfiber and has an acoustic resistance of at least about 250 Rayls.
US08403106B2	Man-portable non-lethal pressure shield A man-portable non-lethal pressure shield provides both a physical as well as pressure shield. The pressure shield addresses the concerns of military, police and human rights organizations and international law as regards effectiveness, efficiency and safety and efficiency. A folded acoustic horn is incorporated into the physical shell of the shield. The horn couples acoustic pulses from a sonic pulse generator to an acoustic aperture to output a pulsed pressure beam that approximates a plane wave to produce a pressure barrier. The operator may specify a desired effect on its human target that is maintained as range-to-target changes or a desired effect at a specified perimeter range. The shields may be networked to facilitate coordinated action among multiple pressure shields as a force multiplier or to provide a more sophisticated pressure barrier.
US08403103B1	Apparatus for use in turning steerable vehicle wheels An apparatus (10) for use in turning steerable vehicle wheels (14, 16) includes a hydraulic power steering motor (12). A pump (26) having an outlet port (28) is connected in fluid communication with the power steering motor (12) and operable to supply hydraulic fluid to the power steering motor (12). A continuously variable transmission (50) is connected with the engine of the vehicle and the pump (26). The continuously variable transmission (50) is operable to drive the pump (26) at a first speed when the pressure at the outlet port (28) is at a first pressure. The continuously variable transmission (50) is operable to drive the pump (26) at a second speed when the pressure at the outlet port (28) is at a second pressure different than the first pressure. The first speed at which the pump (26) is driven is greater than the second speed.
US08403096B2	Rear vehicle body structure of vehicle A rear floor panel extends rearwardly from a kick-up portion formed at a rear portion of a floor panel. A lateral connecting member which constitutes part of a rear suspension connects to supporting portions to support both rear wheels. An engine is arranged below the rear floor panel and in front of the lateral connecting member. A generator is arranged below the rear floor panel and in back of the engine. Accordingly, the traveling stability of the vehicle can be improved and the yaw inertia moment of the vehicle can be decreased.
US08403094B2	Power unit and vehicle equipped with it A power unit includes an engine, a belt transmission driven by the engine, and a second transmission driven by the belt transmission. The engine includes an engine output shaft having an end portion projecting outward from the engine. The second transmission includes a transmission input shaft and a transmission output shaft having respective end portions projecting outward from the second transmission. The belt transmission includes a drive pulley provided on the end portion of the engine output shaft, a driven pulley provided on the end portion of the transmission input shaft, and a belt looped over the drive and driven pulleys. The belt has first and second portions between the drive and driven pulleys. The first portion runs from the drive pulley to the driven pulley. The second portion runs from the driven pulley to the drive pulley. The end portion of the transmission output shaft is extended through a portion of the belt transmission between the drive and driven pulleys and between the first and second portions of the belt so as to project outward from the belt transmission.
US08403091B2	Pneumatic-IC engine based power management system for automobiles and the like A pneumatic-internal combustion (IC) engine based power management system with improved energy efficiency for automobile application. More particularly, the pneumatic IC engine based power management system comprises a compressor, a pressure vessel, a pneumatic motor and related control mechanisms to provide energy on demand and reduce environmental pollution. The compressor is driven by the IC engine during low power demand by the vehicle. The lightweight pressure vessel wrapped with high strength metal wire and/or fibers provide impact resistance adequate to store compressed air at rated pressure. For low/no load condition of engine or compressor, the IC engine will shut off rather than idling to save fuel. The stored compressed air drives the air motor that powers the vehicle's initial motion and then starts the IC engine to provide continuous power. A controller monitors the power demand and actuates different system components accordingly through sensors. The system also supports accessories such as air conditioning, heater etc. and a wheel-rim system for inflation maintenance and easy change over of tires.
US08403090B2	Power supply apparatus for vehicle A power supply apparatus includes a plurality of battery modules, a support plate, a plurality of first reinforcing projections, and a plurality of second reinforcing projections. The support plate supports the battery modules and includes a first plate and a second plate. The first plate thermally contacts bottom surfaces of the battery modules. The second plate is placed on a bottom surface of the first plate to define cooling spaces between the first and second plates. A coolant is to flow in the cooling spaces. The plurality of first reinforcing projections is provided on at least one of the first and second plates. The first reinforcing projections project into the cooling spaces and extend in a first direction. The plurality of second reinforcing projections is provided on a top surface of the first plate and extending in a second direction intersecting with the first direction.
US08403089B2	Use of fan shroud to ventilate engine compartment A method and apparatus to ventilate an engine compartment of a vehicle.
US08403088B2	Electric axle drive unit An electric axle drive unit for an axle of a vehicle has an electric machine. The drive output of electric machine can be connected to the input of a transmission device. The electric drive unit has a differential gear, the input member of which is connected to an output of the transmission device. The output members of the differential gear can be connected respectively to a left-hand and a right-hand driveshaft of the axle. At least one transmission stage of the transmission device and the differential gear are arranged on opposite sides of the electric machine in the axial direction. The differential gear is connected to the transmission stage by means of a hollow shaft.
US08403082B2	Double wishbones and double pivots vehicle suspension system A vehicle equipped with a double wishbones and double tandem members suspension system to suspend the vehicle, the double tandem members being operatively interconnected together and adapted to receive idling wheels adapted to support and guide an endless belt thereon to provide significant suspension travel and prevents an endless belt disengagement from the idling wheels. A suspension and a kit thereof are also provided.
US08403072B2	Trigger profile for a power tool An improved method is provided for operating a power tool. The method includes receiving an input control variable from an input unit; determining a derivative of the input control variable; selecting one of a plurality of control profiles based on the control input variable and the derivative, each control profile correlating the control input variable of the input unit to a rotational speed at which to drive the output shaft; and driving the output shaft at a rotational speed in accordance with the selected control profile.
US08403071B1	Station having protective wall and isolated chamber An aboveground fueling facility for storing and dispensing a combustible fluid such as gasoline includes a double-wall storage tank provided in a fuel storage section where the tank is constructed and arranged to store the combustible fluid in a fire resistant tank and box. The facility further includes a dispenser section for dispensing the fuel and an isolating wall which separates the fuel storage section from the dispenser section. The isolating wall is preferably a fire wall and in part defines a fuel supply chamber. An access door provides access for a person to enter or exit the fuel supply chamber. A user may obtain self-service of fuel at the dispenser section which may also be secured by a door. Fire resistant panels are also used as the exterior box structure for the facility and also provide a display or advertising function.
US08403066B2	Control line hybrid junction assembly A hybrid junction assembly is provided. The hybrid junction assembly may comprise a junction body configured to sealingly couple to a first control line and a second control line. In addition, the assembly may include a transfer conduit configured to fit within a hybrid control line such that an annulus is formed between the transfer conduit and the hybrid control line. The first control line and the transfer conduit may form a first communication pathway and the second control line and the annulus may form a second communication pathway. The transfer conduit and the hybrid control line may be sealingly coupled to the junction body.
US08403062B2	Wellbore method and apparatus for completion, production and injection Method, system and apparatus to produce hydrocarbons includes a packer apparatus with a swellable packer element around primary and secondary flow paths, the packer is configured to block flow in a portion of a wellbore annulus. The method includes disposing sand control devices having shunt tubes and a packer within a wellbore adjacent to a subsurface reservoir. The packer is then set within an interval, which may be an open-hole section of the wellbore, and gravel packing the sand control devices in different intervals. Hydrocarbons are produced by passing hydrocarbons through the sand control devices with different intervals providing zonal isolation. In some embodiments, intervals may be alternatively packed and plugged, wherein the plugged intervals are not packed.
US08403061B2	Method of making a flow control device that reduces flow of the fluid when a selected property of the fluid is in selected range A method of making a flow control device for controlling flow of fluid between a formation and a wellbore is provided, which method in one aspect may include: providing a member suitable for placement in a wellbore for receiving formation fluid; selecting a geometry for a flow-through region configured to substantially increase value of a selected parameter relating to the flow-through region when a selected property of the formation fluid is in a first range changes and maintain a substantially constant pressure drop across the flow-through region when the selected property of the fluid is in a second range; and forming the flow-through region on the member to provide the flow control device.
US08403054B2	Torque tripping mechanism for a valve A torque limiter for use in an actuating drive stem of a subsea wellhead having a collar with an axial bore and a slot through its side. The slot includes a projection directed towards a lower end of the collar and has an edge oriented oblique to the collar axis. A driven shaft inserts in the bore, and a pin mounted in the driven shaft engages the slot. A spring assembly coupled to the driven shaft pushes the collar to retain the pin in the end of the projection. A driveshaft with a drive pin inserts into the bore on an upper side of the collar. The upper end of the collar includes a shoulder that contacts the drive pin when the collar rotates. The spring compresses when excessive torque is in the driven shaft moving the pin up the projection and disengaging the drive pin and shoulder.
US08403053B2	Circuit functional test system and method Method and deadman test circuit for testing a functionality of a shearing blowout preventer. The circuit includes a solenoid valve configured to be electrically controlled and to receive a fluid under a first pressure; a sub plate mounted valve configured to be hydraulically controlled by the solenoid valve and to receive the fluid under a second pressure; and a selector valve fluidly connecting an output of the sub plate mounted valve to a shearing blowout preventer and to a device. The selector valve is configured to be operated by an operator.
US08403046B2	Apparatus and method for providing an alternate flow path in isolation devices An apparatus for use in a wellbore is described, the apparatus having a tubular body and a throughbore which defines a primary fluid path through the apparatus. An expanding element is disposed around the tubular body and is configured to provide an annular barrier in a space between the tubular body and a surrounding wall. A conduit defining a secondary flow path through the apparatus is provided, and is configured to be in fluid communication with at least one alternate path, such as a shunt tube. The conduit is arranged to vary the secondary flow path along a longitudinal direction of the apparatus, for example to redirect the flow path to a radial position closer to the tool body. The conduit is configured to have a reduced effect on the operation of the expanding element, while still allowing the conduit to be coupled to alternate flow paths of adjacent apparatus.
US08403045B2	Settable compositions comprising unexpanded perlite and methods of cementing in subterranean formations An embodiment of the present invention comprises a method of cementing comprising: placing a settable composition into a well bore, the settable composition comprising unexpanded perlite, cement kiln dust, and water; and allowing the settable composition to set. Another embodiment of the present invention comprises a method of cementing comprising: placing a settable composition into a well bore, the settable composition comprising ground unexpanded perlite, Portland cement interground with pumicite, and water; and allowing the settable composition to set. Yet another embodiment of the present invention comprises a settable composition comprising: ground unexpanded perlite; cement kiln dust; and water.
US08403043B2	Microwave-promoted desulfurization of crude oil Heavy crude oils having high sulfur content and viscosities are upgraded by a hydrodesulfurization (HDS) process that includes microwave irradiation of a mixture of the sour heavy crude oil with at least one catalyst and optionally, one or more sensitizers, and irradiation in the presence of hydrogen. The process is also adapted to microwave treatment of hard to break emulsions, either above ground or below ground where water-in-oil emulsions are initially formed, followed by the catalytic hydrodesulfurization promoted by application of further microwave energy to the demulsified crude oil stream.
US08403041B2	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.
US08403040B2	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.
US08403039B2	Tool and method for providing access to a wellhead annulus A system and method for accessing an annulus within a wellhead assembly while the annulus is pressurized. The system includes a tubular body with an attached valve assembly and adapter. The adapter to the wellhead assembly with a sealed annular fitting. The body houses a selectively extendable plunger assembly rotatable by an attached motor. A bit or milling device is provided on the end of the plunger assembly, so that selectively extending the plunger assembly through the valve assembly and adapter contacts the bit against the wellhead assembly. An opening is formed through the wellhead assembly with the rotating bit allowing access to the annulus.
US08403037B2	Dissolvable tool and method A method of dissolving a tool includes exposing an outer surface of the tool to an environment reactive with the tool, reacting the tool with the environment, and applying stress to the tool. The method also includes concentrating stress on the tool at stress risers in the outer surface, and initiating fracturing the tool at the stress risers.
US08403031B2	Heat transmission unit A heat transmission unit includes a channel conducting a coolant, and a channel conducting a fluid to be cooled. The two channels are separated from each other by a wall provided with ribs extending therefrom into at least one of the two channels. The channel conducting the fluid to be cooled includes a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet. The channel is separated by a partition wall, arranged in flow direction, into a first and a second partial channel having a first partial inlet for fluid and a second partial inlet for fluid, and a first partial outlet for fluid and a second partial outlet for fluid. At least the first partial inlet for fluid is adapted to be shut off by a first shut-off device.
US08403030B2	Cooling manifold A cooling manifold and a method for manufacturing the cooling manifold are provided. The cooling manifold includes a housing that defines an interior region having a serpentine flow path therein. The housing has a first plurality of grooves extending from a first surface of the housing into the housing. The grooves do not fluidly communicate with the interior region. The first plurality of grooves receive a portion of a thermally conductive member therein to conduct heat energy from the thermally conductive member to the housing. The cooling manifold further includes a top cap configured to seal a first end of the housing and a bottom cap configured to seal a second end of the housing.
US08403027B2	Strip casting of immiscible metals The present invention discloses a method of strip casting an aluminum alloy from immiscible liquids that yields a highly uniform structure of fine second phase particles. The results of the present invention are achieved by using a known casting process to cast the alloy into a thin strip at high speeds. In the method of the present invention, the casting speed is preferably in the region of about 50-300 feet per minute (fpm) and the thickness of the strip preferably smaller than 0.08-0.25 inches. Under these conditions, favorable results are achieved when droplets of the immiscible liquid phase nucleate in the liquid ahead of the solidification front established in the casting process. The droplets of the immiscible phase are engulfed by the rapidly moving freeze front into the space between the Secondary Dendrite Arms (SDA).
US08403024B2	Form release layer for the casting nonferrous metals A metallic, ferriferous permanent mold, especially a permanent steel mold, is provided that can be impinged upon with a liquid or flowable aluminum material, a layer for protecting the permanent form and for obtaining an optimum cast result being producible by means of a mold release agent. The invention also relates to a mold release agent for producing said layer and to a method for producing said layer.
US08403018B2	Manufacturing equipment of wearing article Equipment of manufacturing a wearing article includes a plurality of units movably arranged on a unit basis for transferring a half-completed product of the wearing article. The plurality of units is configured to perform the steps of shaping pulverized pulp into an absorbent body, sandwiching the absorbent body between first and second sheet members to obtain a continuous body of an absorbent main body, producing at least apart of a belt element, severing the continuous body to obtain the absorbent main body, affixing a pair of the belt elements to end sections of the absorbent main body, folding the absorbent main body in two, and superposing the belt elements on each other, joining the superposing belt elements at intervals at a to-be-joined portion to obtain the waist-belt section, and severing the continuous body corresponding to the to-be-joined portion for each waist-belt section to obtain the wearing article.
US08403017B2	System, method and apparatus for making tapered looped suture A system and method for forming a looped suture having a tapered cut is provided. The system includes a base for selectively retaining a portion of thread, a clamping device for receiving a first end of the thread, a tensioning device for receiving a second end of the thread, and a welding/cutting assembly configured to join a first section and second section of the thread to form a loop and to form a tapered end on the first section of the thread. A die for forming a looped suture having a tapered cut is also provided.
US08403016B2	Mandrel with sliding exterior projection A mandrel suitable for forming a hollow part from a heat curable material includes an (a) an elongate central member having a coefficient of expansion which is different than the coefficient of expansion of the cured heat curable material, (b) at least one lateral member disposed at a first location and projecting away from the outer surface of the central member, the lateral member being slidably attached to the central member, and (c) a rigid elongate strut member having a coefficient of expansion substantially similar to the coefficient of expansion of the cured heat curable material. The first end of the strut member is affixed to the lateral member, and the second end of the strut member is affixed spaced apart from the lateral member.
US08403015B2	Laminating device A laminating arrangement includes a laminating roller, a heat source for heating the laminating roller, the heat source being powered by an AC power supply, and a heat source intensity control system for controlling the intensity of the heat source. The intensity control system includes a processor and a triode for alternating current communicating with the processor. The triode for alternating current is turned on and off by the processor to control the AC power supply to the heat source to vary the intensity of the heat source.
US08403010B2	Tablet filling device There is provided a tablet filling device, which can smoothly supply vials without any stop of the device even if the vials cause a jam within a stocker. The tablet filling device is related to removing a vial 9 from a stocker 21 accommodating a large number of vials 9 according to a prescription data, dispensing tablets into the vial 9 to fill the vial, and discharging the vial 9 filled with the tablets. The stocker 21 includes: a vial removing device 24 configured to scoop the vial 9 accommodated in the stocker 21 upward to remove the vial; and a vial conveying device 23 configured to convey the vial 9 toward the vial removing device 24. When a jam of the vial 9 occurs, the vial conveying device 23 is reversely driven.
US08403009B2	Method and device for filling containers A method for filling a plurality of containers in cycles at a predetermined number of stationary filling units arranged in a row with a first spacing from each other. The method includes providing a plurality of positively guided containers in a row, one-by-one, wherein the containers have a uniform second spacing from each other, wherein the first spacing of the individual filling units is a whole-number multiple of the second spacing of the containers, and filling a predetermined number of the containers simultaneously at the filling units. The containers are shifted in cycles along the filling units in a transport direction by a step length, which is a whole-number multiple of the second spacing of the containers and which is shorter than a third spacing between a first filling unit and a last filling unit steps of filling and shifting are repeated over a predetermined number of iterations.
US08403007B1	Rivet plumbing repair apparatus and method A repair process for a puncture through a plumbing pipe, the process initiates with a step of machining a puncture hole to a uniformly shaped hole having a diameter for receiving a repair rivet. The process continues by inserting and securing a blind rivet through the hole. The rivet can be sealed via any of a variety of methods, including using a solderable rivet and soldering the rivet to the pipe, utilizing a sealed blind rivet, combined with a gasket assembled between a rivet flange and the pipe surface. For two punctures, a section of coupling material can be utilized, sized to cover both punctures. The section is assembled to the pipe by inserting the rivet through both the section and the pipe, securing the rivet, then soldering the coupling to the pipe. A rivet end seal can be assembled to an end of a common blind rivet creating a watertight seal.
US08403006B2	Kit for fastening and locking of components A stack or assembly of fluid, mechanical, and/or electrical components permits removal of some components for maintenance, without compromising the fluid integrity of the remainder of the assembly. A fastening bolt, attached to at least one fluid component, is screwed into a stacking bolt, attached to another fluid component, the bolts being screwed together inside the bore of an adapter plate. A resilient insert sits between the head of the stacking bolt and the bore. At least a portion of the bore has a continuous taper, such that the diameter of the bore decreases in the vicinity of the insert. The taper creates a reduced diameter hole on one surface of the adapter plate, thus preventing interference between fluid ports on an adjacent fluid component. The taper also prevents loss of the insert during transportation and storage, and prevents undesired extrusion of material of the insert when the components are fastened together.
US08403004B2	Variable flow rate controller A variable flow rate controller is provided herein. The controller may have a linearly traversable switch such that the controller is primed to flush air bubbles out of the fluid system of the controller prior to administering fluidic medication to a patient. Moreover, the controller may have a plurality of valves which may be independently opened and closed by a caming surface. To close the valve, a first seal may be disposed between offset inlet and outlet to prevent fluid from flowing from the inlet to the outlet. To open the valve, the first seal is disposed on one side of both of the inlet and outlet. Fluid if permitted to flow from the inlet to the outlet.
US08403003B2	Fluid pressure control device having a throttling element seal A fluid flow control device includes a body defining an inlet, an outlet, and a fluid flow path extending from the inlet to the outlet. A valve seat ring is coupled to the body and defines an orifice through which the fluid flow path passes. A cage is also coupled to the body and defines an interior bore, wherein the cage includes at least one passage through which the fluid flow path passes. A throttling element is sized for insertion into the cage interior bore and movable along an axis between open and closed positions. The throttling element defines a sealing surface oriented substantially parallel to the axis. A seal is positioned to engage the sealing surface when the throttling element is substantially in the closed position, thereby to restrict fluid flow through the valve seat ring orifice.
US08402995B2	Flow-volume regulator A flow-volume regulator has an elastic throttle body which delimits, between itself and a housing wall, a control gap that changes under the pressure of a fluid flow, and at least one associated bypass and/or cleaning channel that has at least one channel inlet arranged upstream of the control gap and at least one channel outlet arranged downstream of the control gap. The bypass and/or cleaning channel contains a valve which can move against a restoring force under the pressure of the oncoming fluid, from an open position into a closed position, and seals the bypass and/or cleaning channel in its closed position. The flow-volume regulator allows an additional volume of the fluid through the bypass channel when the oncoming fluid is at low pressure, so that its flow curve is significantly increased in the low pressure range.
US08402993B2	Hydraulic fluid cooling system for a dual clutch automatic transmission A system for providing a constant flow of cooled hydraulic fluid to a dual clutch assembly of a transmission of a motor vehicle includes a hydraulic fluid cooler, a pressure control valve and a logic valve. The system is also capable of providing additional hydraulic fluid to the dual clutch assembly. The hydraulic fluid cooler provides hydraulic fluid to each clutch of a dual clutch assembly and to a logic valve. The logic valve is operable to divert additional fluid flow to either of the clutches of the dual clutch assembly.
US08402992B2	Branching unit for boring without stopping passage of fluid A gear case part (70), which has an upper aperture that opens upward and which forms a recess that houses a portion of a drive gear device (63) and for which the drive gear device (63) can be inserted from the upper aperture and assembled, is provided integrally on the upper part of a first or second divided case (21, 22); a cover (66) that blocks the upper aperture of the gear case part (70) is fastened to the gear case part (70); an operating part (67) protrudes upward from a through-hole (66a) that vertically penetrates the cover (66); and by removing the cover (66) from the gear case part (70), the drive gear device (63) can be extracted from the gear case part (70) through the upper aperture.
US08402990B1	Fuel dispensing system A fueling station comprising an above-ground tank, above-ground piping, and above-ground fuel pump modules adapted for easy construction, installation, and maintenance.
US08402989B2	Telescopic pump nozzle adapted for engaging with different tire valves for tire inflation A telescopic pump nozzle for a pump includes a shaft having a first end and a second end, a channel formed therein and communicating the first end with the second end, and a threadedly coupled portion defined at the first end, and in addition, the second end is coupled to an air pipe of the pump. A tube has a first end and a second end and includes first and second connected sections formed on the inner wall of the first end, a compartment defined in the second end, and at least one O-ring mounted on the shaft and abutted against the inner wall of the compartment in an air-tight manner. The second connected section is provided between the first connected section and the compartment. The shaft is slideably disposed in the compartment of the tube. The threadedly coupled portion is selectively coupled to the second connected section.
US08402988B2	Stem-mounted tire inflation pressure regulator The specification discloses a tire inflation pressure regulator facilitating precise tire inflation. The regulator includes a body, a two-position valve within the body, and a rotational lock. The body includes an air inlet, an air outlet, and an air vent. In one position, the valve directs air from the air inlet to the air outlet when the tire pressure is below a preset level; and, in a second position, the valve directs air from the air inlet to the air vent when the tire pressure exceeds the preset level to prevent overfilling. The valve moves rapidly between the two positions, and is unstable between the two positions. The valve includes a regulator enabling the preset level to be adjusted. The rotational lock enables the regulator to be screwed onto a tire stem, but prevents removal of the regulator from the tire stem without a key.
US08402982B2	Modular outdoor playpen apparatus A modular outdoor playpen apparatus including a room-sized enclosure, having an area in a range of 10 square feet to 20 square feet, the enclosure having a cushioned bottom wall, an open top, four side panels releasably hingedly attached to each other, a unitary cushioned padding removably disposed over all of the entire inner walls of the side panels, and a padded covering removably disposed over the bottom wall between the side panels. The apparatus also provides a canopy that attaches to the cushioned padding.
US08402981B2	Protective element The invention relates to a protective element, especially a suspended protective element for using as a parasol or an umbrella, comprising a vertical pole, a protective cover element, and a holding structure connected to the vertical pole. The holding structure is rotatably mounted in relation to the vertical pole, and the rotational axis of the support extends at least approximately parallel to the longitudinal axis of the vertical pole.
US08402976B2	Electrically heated smoking system An electrically heated smoking system for receiving an aerosol-forming substrate. includes at least one heating element for heating the substrate to form an aerosol, a power supply for supplying power to the heating element, electrical hardware connected to the power supply and the heating element, and an interface for establishing a communications link with a host. The communications link may be a USB link and the host may be a personal computer.
US08402973B2	Method and system for sizing an oral device Systems for sizing oral applications include both a width measuring template or tool for determining the distance between opposed molars and an arch sizing tool for determining the size and shape of the patient's dental arch. Based on this information, individual appliances can be selected from an inventory of such appliances, where the selected appliance would best fit the patient.
US08402972B2	Breathing mask arrangement and a forehead support device for same A forehead cushion for a forehead support of a breathing mask arrangement includes a cushion element including a contact surface adapted to contact a patient's forehead and provide a distribution of contact force and a coupling element provided to the cushion element. The coupling element is adapted to couple the cushion element to the forehead support. The cushion element is movable with respect to the coupling element to achieve different contact positions on the patient's forehead.
US08402970B2	System and method for integrated high frequency oscillatory ventilation An integrated ventilation system is presented. The integrated ventilation system includes a high frequency ventilation module configured to be operationally coupled to a ventilation system, where the high frequency ventilation module is configured to aid the ventilation system in performing high frequency ventilation. A method for providing high frequency ventilation via use of a high frequency ventilation module, where the high frequency ventilation module is configured to be operationally coupled to a ventilation system, and where the high frequency ventilation module is configured to aid the ventilation system in performing high frequency ventilation, is presented. The method includes creating a vacuum effect at an outlet port of the ventilation system to aid in active exhalation of gas from a patient.
US08402968B2	Respiratory system for inducing therapeutic hypothermia The present invention provides a method and apparatus for controlling a patient's body temperature and in particular for inducing therapeutic hypothermia. Various embodiments of the system are described. The system includes: a source of breathing gas, which may be in the form of a compressed breathing gas mixture; a heat exchanger or other heating and/or cooling device; and a breathing interface, such as a breathing mask or tracheal tube. Optionally, the system may include additional features, such as a mechanical respirator, a nebulizer for introducing medication into the breathing gas, a body temperature probe and a feedback controller. The system can use air or a specialized breathing gas mixture, such as He/O.sub.2 or SF/O.sub.2 to increase the heat transfer rate. In addition, the system may include an ice particle generator for introducing fine ice particles into the flow of breathing gas to further increase the heat transfer rate.
US08402959B1	Magnetic force feed projectile feeder drive mechanism A paintball loader having a loader body with an exit tube, and a drive assembly including a drive member that rotates about an axis and has at least one fin affixed thereto for moving a paintball toward the exit tube is provided. The drive member has an inner surface and an outer surface. A motor is provided that rotates a drive shaft. At least one first magnet is connected to the drive shaft and at least one second magnet is connected to the drive member. The at least one first magnet and the at least one second magnet have like poles arranged facing each other in a circumferential direction of the drive member about the axis, such that rotation of the drive shaft causes the first magnet to repel the second magnet, rotating the drive member.
US08402956B2	Double barrel toy launcher apparatus A toy launcher apparatus for discharging soft foam projectiles, the apparatus having a housing and a barrel assembly, including side-by-side barrels, that simulates a real double barrel shotgun. Within the housing are two launching assemblies operatively connected to the barrels, and a trigger assembly for capturing launching tubes of the launching assemblies and for allowing a user to release the launching tubes, and launching springs mounted around the launching tubes to cause the projectiles to be “fired” when the launching tubes are released. Also mounted to the housing and the barrel assembly, and operatively connected to the launching assemblies, is a cocking assembly having an elongated link pivotally connected at one end to the barrel assembly and at an opposite end to a ratchet and compression mechanism. The ratchet and compression mechanism includes a central block with an upward extending arm for engaging the launching tubes to compress the launching springs, and a downward extending arm for engaging a rack connected to an inner frame of the housing to prevent the launching springs, when partially compressed, from snapping to an expanded position should the user fumble the apparatus during a cocking cycle. The barrel assembly is rotatable between a housing aligned position and a housing nonaligned position. The barrel assembly also includes a slide collar for facilitating sliding the barrels between an extended position and a retracted position when the barrel assembly is in the housing aligned position.
US08402955B2	Bow press A bow press for pressing the limbs of compound bows. The press has a pair of coplanar lever arms mounted on a frame. The lever arms are spaced inwardly from their fixed fulcrum points on the frame toward a bow-pressing location defined between their upper ends, such that their path of travel from a starting position is primarily on the downward arcuate path of their range of motion. The starting contact point with the bow's limbs can thus be closer to the bow's cams, reducing the adjustment skill needed to position the bow, and reducing stress on the limbs. In a preferred form, the lever arms are simultaneously operated by a central telescopic screw jack mounted on the frame to reciprocate on an axis perpendicular to the bow held between the lever arms.
US08402953B2	Engine It is an object to provide an engine that makes it possible to constantly detect the number of rotations of a supercharger with a calculation load of an ECU reduced. An engine 1 is provided with an engine base 8 comprised of a plurality of cylinders and a turbocharger 7, a crank angle sensor 4, a turbo sensor 5 that detects rotations of the turbocharger 7 as pulses, an amplifier 11 that divides the pulses by an arbitrary division ratio and calculates the divided pulses, and an ECU 10 that judges a surge condition of the turbocharger 7, wherein the ECU 10 sets a predetermined position of a piston of each cylinder in a crank angle of the engine base 8 to count start timing of the divided pulses, outputs the divided pulses counted from the count start timing to the number of predetermined rotations as a first output, and judges that, if a difference between the first outputs at every cylinder is more than a predetermined value, the turbocharger 7 is in the surge condition.
US08402951B2	Reverse operating nonlinear spring The present invention provides an apparatus for enabling operation of a piezoelectric actuator, comprising a spring configured to provide a compressive force to a piezoelectric element of a piezoelectric actuator, wherein the compressive force varies with displacement of the piezoelectric element such that the compressive force is less at a first displacement than at a second displacement, and wherein the first displacement is greater than the second displacement.
US08402946B2	Fuel distributor A fuel distributor for supplying fuel to injection valves for internal combustion engines includes a hollow manifold having a plurality of branch bores disposed radially therethrough. A plurality of branch lines are operably connected with a manifold at the branch bores by adapters. The adapters have either a one-piece deep-drawn construction or a one-piece extruded construction, and include a mounting flange that conforms to the outer contour of the manifold and joins the adapter to the exterior of the manifold, and a neck portion that closely receives and securely mounts therein the end portions of the branch lines.
US08402942B2	System and methods for improving efficiency in internal combustion engines The present invention relates to system and methods for improving efficiency of an internal combustion engine. This system may include a fuel processor. The system receives instructions for a desired engine output and operating conditions. The system may then determine an operational state corresponding to the desired output. The operational state includes designating the cylinders into one of three categories: working, deactivated and passive. The number of working cylinders is calculated by dividing the desired output by the power provided by one cylinder operating at substantially optimal efficiency. Then the system substantially disables fuel flow to and air flow to the deactivated cylinders, substantially disables fuel flow to and firing of the passive cylinders, and substantially regulates fuel flow to, air flow to and firing of the working cylinders. Firing of the working cylinders is synchronized with engine speed to reduce unwanted engine vibrations. The number of working, passive and deactivated cylinders may be continually altered in response to changes in desired output or operating conditions.
US08402937B2	Combustion engine cylinder head intake duct and method of manufacture An intake duct cast as a recess in a combustion engine cylinder head that opens into a combustion chamber thereof at its lower end via an annular valve-seat housing. The intake duct, over part of its length, includes a substantially planar underside connected to the housing via a transition region that defines a shrinkage void of rounded shape within the mass of the cylinder head.
US08402932B2	Continuously variable valve actuation system A continuously variable valve actuation (CVVA) system may include a driving cam firmly fixed to a crank shaft and rotated by a driving force of the crank shaft, a driven cam configured to rotatably contact the driving cam, wherein the driven cam is selectively pressed by the driving cam to rotate around one end thereof serving as a rotational axle and has a cam face at the other end thereof so as to press and open a valve when pressed, and a swing arm, one end of which is pivotally coupled to a stationary member and the other end of which is coupled to the one end of the driven cam to be rotated around the rotational axle of the swing arm.
US08402926B1	Pet protective bathing cap and method of use A pet cap having an integrated cap base gathering member attached about a perimeter of a cap body. The pet cap is placed over a pet's head, covering the pet's ears and ear canals. A grooming party baths the pet. The cap provides a barrier between water and other fluids and the pet's ears and ear canals. A securing strap is provided, spanning across an opening of the pet cap. The securing strap is positioned under the pet's snout to maintain the pet cap in position. The securing strap can be removably attached to the pet cap. The cap can include optional ear cover flaps extending downward from a lower edge of the cap body.
US08402925B2	Retractable animal leash The present invention is a retractable animal leash having a housing that surrounds a spring activated spooled leash. The housing may be opened in order to gain access to the spring-activated spooled leash and replace or repair the spooled leash as desired.
US08402923B2	Toy for people or animals A toy for people or animals, especially for dogs, is provided. The disc-shaped or component ring toy has a body having optional recesses on an outer surface thereof. The body comprises a ring core of a first, hard polymeric material, and a covering of a second, soft polymeric thermosetting material, natural rubber, or mixture of a thermosetting and non-thermosetting material which may be frictionally connected, thermally and chemically bonded, or otherwise mechanically interconnected to the first polymeric material.
US08402920B2	System and method for cleaning teats of a milk-producing animal An embodiment of the invention is directed to a system for cleaning teats of multiple milk-producing animals, wherein the animals are housed in a parlor area and the teats are cleaned or disinfected before a milking operation is started. The system comprises an aqueous chlorine dioxide disinfectant solution source provided at the parlor area; and, a hand-held applicator having a housing volume within which one or more scrubbing elements are positioned for engaging a teat of the milk-producing animal having been inserted in the volume for cleaning. The hand-held applicator is remotely operable relative to the disinfectant solution source.
US08402912B2	Spin coating device A spin coating device includes a container and a rotating member. The container is used for holding a first solution and includes a sidewall which a plurality of substrates are arranged on. The rotating member is rotatable within the container and includes an inlet and at least one outlet. A second solution flows into the rotating member through the inlet, and flows into the container through the at lease one outlet. A mixture of the first solution and the second solution is spread onto the substrate by centrifugal force of the rotating member.
US08402910B2	Dip coating apparatus A dip coating apparatus includes a housing and a workpiece holder movably and rotatably received in the housing. The housing includes an immersing portion configured for carrying out immersion process and a drying portion configured for carrying out drying process. The inner spaces of the immersing portion and the drying portion are communicated with each other. The lifting workpiece holder is configured for fixed workpieces thereon and moving and rotating relative to the immersing portion and the drying portion of the housing. The workpieces are driven by the lifting-rotating to carry out the immersion process and the drying process.
US08402909B2	Production facility and production process for hot dip galvannealed steel plate The present invention provides a production facility of hot dip galvannealed steel plate able to produce hot dip galvannealed steel plate on production conditions optimal at all times despite rapid changes in the steel type, plating deposition, and other external factors, wherein the production facility 1 of hot dip galvannealed steel plate is provided with a soaking/cooling furnace 7 for treating steel plate I running after leaving a rapid heating furnace 6 by at least one of soaking and cooling. Further, the soaking/cooling furnace 7 is configured to enable a change of the ratio in the furnace of the soaking region 15 for soaking steel plate I by soaking means 21 at a soaking temperature of 500° C. to 650° C. and the cooling region 16 for cooling the steel plate I by spray nozzles 22 by a 5° C./sec or more average cooling rate.
US08402907B2	Boat cleat assembly A movable cleat assembly is provided. The movable cleat includes a support base, a face plate positioned adjacent the support base and a retractable cleat. The retractable cleat includes a handle portion and at least one leg extending through the support base and the face plate. The face plate further includes an edge that is adapted to deform or otherwise embed a portion of itself into a boat when installed. At least one of the support base and face plate includes at least one tube to receive the leg therein. The at least one tube is composed of a corrosion-proof material.
US08402904B2	Sewing machine and computer-readable medium storing sewing machine control program A sewing machine includes a housing portion, a bed, a needle plate, an image capture device, a moving device, a command acquisition device, and a moving control device. The housing portion houses at least one needle bar. The needle plate is provided on the bed and includes a needle hole. The image capture device is adapted to capture an image of the needle hole. The moving device moves the image capture device in relation to the housing portion. The command acquisition device acquires a command to move the image capture device in relation to the housing portion. The moving control device controls the moving device in accordance with the command that has been acquired by the command acquisition device to move the image capture device in relation to the housing portion.
US08402901B1	Lazy susan device and accessories A lazy susan type device with accessories for facilitating a taco dinner. The lazy susan includes a plurality of openings adapted to removably receive a tortilla server and a taco holder. A burrito folder is provided as a separate accessory item but it is not received within said openings.
US08402900B2	Interactive workstation A workstation system (1) comprising with a plurality of desktops e.g. (3a), each desktop (3a) comprising a primary work area (33) and at least one recessed portion e.g. (34b) providing an auxiliary work area e.g. (36b). The recessed portions (34b) of adjacent desktops (3a-3d) can be arranged to provide an interactive work area (6a-6d) for multiple people.
US08402896B1	Hybrid-luminescent munition projectiles Novel hybrid luminescent ammunition (HLA) is provided. The HLA projectiles can include photoluminescent or triboluminescent material, or both. The photoluminescent and triboluminescent material can be placed at various locations on the projectile. In one configuration, the triboluminescent material that gives off light when the projectile impacts the target. In another configuration, a photoluminescent material provides a during flight and the triboluminescent material provides identification of target impact. In another configuration, the triboluminescent material is used to provide both the ballistic trace and the impact identification. Methods of making the HLA are also provided.
US08402895B2	Vortice amplified diffuser for buoyancy dissipater and method for selectable diffusion Embodiments of a vortice-amplified diffuser section for use in a buoyancy dissipater are generally described herein. The vortice-amplified diffuser section may include a plurality of diffusion ports to diffuse an expanding gas, a reduction sleeve to adjust an amount of diffusion flow, and vortex generators within at least some of the diffusion ports to generate vortices. The reduction sleeve may be configurable to block off some of the diffusion ports. The vortex generators may generate vortices of gas bubbles in the water to reduce the water's buoyancy and to inhibit movement or disrupt the operations of an errant vessel. The reduction sleeve may be used to control the size, shape, and intensity of the expanding gas bubble or bubble plume as well as to control the lethality level of the buoyancy reduction.
US08402894B1	Boat propeller entanglement apparatus and munition A compressed air launched munition comprises a projectile which after firing forms a multiplicity of elongated ropes held in a tubular configuration by a series of stiff spacers. The stiff spacers retain a rope tube diameter of at least about 8 inches. The ropes and stiff spacers have an essentially neutral specific gravity in water. The projectile is effective in entangling a boat propeller and stopping an uncooperative boat with little damage.
US08402889B2	Apertured media embellishing template and system and method using same A multi-function media embellishing template and a system and method of embellishing media with the template is provided. The template includes a body having a media abutment surface and an aperture in the media abutment surface extending through the template, and an embellishing wall extending from the media abutment surface and terminating in an embellishing surface. The media embellishing template can be formed by exposing first and second sides of a template blank not covered by a resist to etchant, etching the surface of the first side to form a media abutment surface and an embellishing wall extending from the media abutment surface and terminating in an embellishing surface, and etching the surface of the second side not covered by the resist to form at least one aperture extending through the template.
US08402873B2	Pallet dismantler A pallet dismantler includes a frame, a first drive roller rotatably coupled to the frame, and an arm pivotably coupled to the frame. A sleeve member is rigidly coupled to the arm. An axle extends from the sleeve. A second drive roller is rotatably coupled to the axle. An adjustable ratchet member extends between the arm and the frame. The adjustable ratchet member is operable to adjust the position of the second driver roller relative to the first drive roller. A blade member is trained on the first and second drive rollers.
US08402872B2	Hybrid towel dispenser A hybrid towel dispenser is provided that can be operated in an automatic dispensing mode and a manual dispensing mode. The dispenser includes a drum having a retractable knife that extends out of the drum when the drum rotates past a selected position and severs a towel segment from a towel sheet. The dispenser also includes a motor, a manual advance assembly, and a one-way rotational coupling that couples the motor to the drum such that the motor rotates the drum in the automatic dispensing mode and a user can rotate the drum in the manual dispensing mode separately from the motor, using the manual advance assembly.
US08402871B2	Receiving and guiding device for receiving a work piece and guiding a cutting tool A receiving and guiding device for receiving a work piece and guiding a cutting tool has a receiving frame with a bearing surface for the work piece, a guide rail for the cutting tool, which guide rail is displaceable between a functional position and a non-functional position, and in the functional position is located above the bearing surface and the receiving frame, and a support arm supporting the guide rail in the functional position, wherein the support arm and the guide rail are moveable relative to one another.
US08402869B2	Brake mechanism for power equipment Woodworking machines are disclosed having cutting tools adapted to cut workpieces. The machines include a detection system adapted to detect one or more dangerous conditions between a person and the cutting tool. The machines also include a brake mechanism having one or more braking components adapted to engage and stop the cutting tool in response to the detection of a dangerous condition.
US08402868B2	Apparatus and method for shaping slabs of material A slab shaping system includes a slab shaping device. The slab shaping device includes a cutting device and de-burring device, wherein the cutting device and the de-burring device, respectively cut and de-burr a slab. According to an embodiment, the slab shaping system may include a plurality of spaced apart slab support beams that form at least one slot therebetween. According to an embodiment, the cutting device and de-burring device may be axially-aligned. A method for operating a slab shaping system is disclosed. The method includes the steps of positioning a plurality of slab support beams on a table to form at least one slot; positioning a slab over the slab support beams; positioning a cutting device and de-burring device of a slab shaping device in axial-alignment; and cutting and de-burring the cut in the slab along a length of the at least one slot.
US08402867B2	Cutting tool with protrusions, and methods of use thereof A cutting element adapted for removing a chip from a surface of a workpiece has at least one cutting edge defined by an intersection line between a rake and a relief surface and is formed with one or more workpiece deforming protrusions. At least a portion of the protrusions is spaced from the cutting edge such this portion protrudes, along a plane perpendicular to the relief surface and passing through the cutting edge, in a direction transverse to the relief surface beyond the cutting edge. At least the projecting portion of at least one of the protrusions is constructed so as to deform the workpiece before its contact with the cutting edge.
US08402865B2	Hand tool A hand tool includes a handle, a shank pivotally connected to the handle, and a locking unit operable for retaining the shank in a selected one of first and second angles relative to the handle. The first angle is about 175° to 185°, wherein the second angle is about 115° to 145°.
US08402864B1	Wrench gripping assist apparatus A wrench gripping assist apparatus includes an elongated member having a first end, a second end and a peripheral surface extending between the first and second ends. The elongated member has a slot therein extending into the peripheral surface and through each of the first and second ends. The slot is configured to receive a handle of a wrench so that opposite heads of the wrench extend away from the first and second ends. The peripheral surface has a plurality of finger grips therein.
US08402863B2	Adjustable gripping tool A self-energizing and de-energizing adjustable gripping tool for engaging a work piece to impart work thereto includes a first element and second element disposed for relative movement. The second element includes an actuation portion having a plurality of slots. The first element includes gripping elements which are each associated with a force transfer element that engages one of the slots such that movement of the second element relative to the first element actuates the gripping elements to engage the work piece.
US08402861B2	Adjustable riser assembly A vehicle, such as a snowmobile, includes a handlebar assembly for steering the vehicle. The handlebar assembly includes a riser pivotally secured to a steering shaft and handlebars pivotally secured to the riser. A clamp selectively engages both handlebars and steering shaft to fix the position of the riser relative to the handlebars and steering shaft. The clamp includes upper and lower clamps selectively drawn toward one another by a locking member embodied as a cam-lock including a rod having a cam eccentrically and pivotally connected to one end and an enlargement secured to the opposite end. A lever pivots the cam to shorten or lengthen the distance between a lower surface of the cam and the enlargement.
US08402859B2	Barrel cam shift mechanism A shift mechanism for a dual clutch transmission employs a rotating barrel cam having at least three tracks which are engaged by and translate at least three associated cam followers. The cam followers extend from shift fork bodies which slide on rails and include shift forks which bi-directionally translate at least three synchronizer clutches which engage at least five forward gears or speeds and reverse. A single electric motor and gear train drive the barrel cam.
US08402858B2	Gearshift device for change-speed gearboxes of motor vehicles A gearshift device for a change-speed gearbox of a motor vehicle, includes, but is not limited to a gearshift lever guided movably between positions corresponding to different gears, on which a locking member is displaceable between a locking position in a first degree of freedom in which it blocks any movement of the gearshift lever from a forward gear position into a reverse gear position, and a release position in a first degree of freedom in which it allows movement from the forward gear position into the reverse gear position. The locking member on the gearshift lever is movable in a second degree of freedom between a normal position in which movement between release position and locking position is possible and an alignment position in which it fixes the gearshift lever free from play.
US08402856B2	Engine tapered gear assembly An engine gear drive assembly may include first and second taper gears and a biasing member. The first taper gear may be rotationally and axially fixed to the first rotary engine component. The second taper gear may be rotationally fixed to the second rotary engine component and axially displaceable relative to the second rotary engine component. The biasing member may bias the second taper gear in a first axial direction into engagement with the first taper gear.
US08402855B2	Hydraulic control systems for dual clutch transmissions Hydraulic control systems for a dual clutch transmission include a regulated source of pressurized hydraulic fluid including an electric pump, a filter and an accumulator, a pair of pressure control valves and a branching hydraulic circuit including pressure or flow control valves, spool or logic valves and two position valves which collectively supply and exhaust hydraulic fluid from a plurality of shift actuators. The actuators are connected to shift rails which include shift forks and are slidable to engage synchronizers and positive clutches associated with the various gear ratios.
US08402854B2	Linear actuator A linear actuator capable of setting a bed to a flat state in emergencies is provided.A linear actuator 10 contains a shaft 16 with a feed male screw section 17, a worm gear reduction device for transmitting the rotation of a motor 40 to the shaft 16, a nut 19 that is coupled by a screw to the feed male screw section 17 and advances or retreats by the forward rotation of the shaft 16 and advances or retreats by the reverse rotation of the shaft 16, and a moving cylinder 12 that is fixed to the nut 19 and advances and retreats relative to a housing 11, wherein a sub-shaft 52 linking to the worm gear reduction device, an inner race 59 spline-coupled to the sub-shaft 52, an engaging male section 82 and engaging female section 83 for free engaging, provided between a collar 55 of the shaft 16 and the inner race 59, an operating ring 66 fitted to allow free rotation on the outer circumference of the housing 11, and a function ring 72 for converting the rotation of the operating ring 66 to an axial movement and transmitting it to the inner race 59 are installed. The shaft 16 can be freely rotated in emergencies by releasing the engaging between the engaging male section and the engaging female section.
US08402845B2	Dual path gas distribution device An apparatus for deploying two fluids separately into a reaction chamber is provided. The apparatus includes a first distribution network that is formed on a plate having a distribution face and a dispensing face. The first distribution network is defined by a plurality of recessed channels on the distribution face. The plurality of recessed channels includes a plurality of thru-ports that extend from the plurality of recessed channels to the dispensing face. The apparatus further includes a second distribution network that has passages formed below the plurality of recessed channels and above the dispensing face. A first set of ports extends from the passages to the distribution face and a second set of ports extends from a top surface of the distribution face to the dispensing face.
US08402844B2	Roving wireless sensor and method for use in a vehicle health and usage monitoring system A health and usage monitoring system for use in monitoring health and usage of one or more components of a vehicle. In various embodiments, the present invention uses at least one roving wireless sensor that can be temporarily placed in a first position to monitor one or more components of the vehicle and then moved to another position to monitor one or more other components of the vehicle, thus reducing the total number of sensors used to monitor the vehicle. In some embodiments, a system according to the present invention may comprise at least one or more roving wireless sensors. Other embodiments may comprise one or more roving wireless sensors used in conjunction with one or more wired sensors. The present invention also provides similar embodiments for a method of monitoring the health and usage of one or more components of a vehicle.
US08402842B2	Surface sampling mobile chemical detection probe A sampling device that contains a heated porous inlet and a transfer line. The device provides sample compounds present as vapor, liquid, or solid, in air, or on surfaces such as soil. The sample device can collect and deliver the sample to an analyzer in real time and can operate while in motion such as on a moving vehicle. The sampling device is especially useful to screen toxic and hazardous compounds that might be contaminating an inhabited area.
US08402838B1	Nutplate tester A nutplate tester is provided. The nutplate tester includes a main body and a holder coupled to the main body. The holder is configured to hold a probe. The nutplate tester also includes a pneumatic actuator coupled to the holder, and an extension frame coupled to the main body. The extension frame includes an attachment portion configured to attach to a post foot that engages a structure that a nutplate is fastened to. The pneumatic actuator is configured to apply pressure against the holder relative to the extension frame to engage the nutplate by the probe held by the holder. The nutplate tester also includes a feed control coupled to the pneumatic actuator. The feed control is configured to control fluid to be supplied to the pneumatic actuator to apply the pressure by the pneumatic actuator against the holder according to at least one of a controlled speed and a controlled pressure.
US08402835B2	Compensation of stress effects on pressure sensor components Pressure sensors having components with reduced variations due to stresses caused by various layers and components that are included in the manufacturing process. In one example, a first stress in a first direction causes a variation in a component. A second stress in a second direction is applied, thereby reducing the variation in the component. The first and second stresses may be caused by a polysilicon layer, while the component may be a resistor in a Wheatstone bridge.
US08402833B2	Stepper motor gauge A gauge includes a housing and a fitting having an inlet, an internal flow path, and an outlet. A sensor is in fluidic communication with the internal flow path and measures a characteristic of a fluid in the flow path. A control unit is in electrical communication with the pressure sensor, receives an output from the pressure sensor and generates a command based on the output received. A stepper motor has a rotor shaft with an indicator needle operatively connected thereto, and is in electrical communication with the control unit. A power supply is in electrical communication with the pressure sensor, the motor and the control unit for supplying power thereto. The control unit transmits the command to the stepper motor, which receives the command from the control unit and drives the rotor shaft according to the command, displaying the sensed characteristic via the needle.
US08402826B2	Micromechanical z-sensor A micromechanical z-sensor includes a sensitivity, a torsion spring, and a seismic additional mass, the torsion spring having a spring width, and the seismic additional mass including webs having a web width. The web width is selected smaller than the spring width.
US08402816B2	Systems and methods for detecting leaks A system for detecting leaks on a surface, such as a floor or a bottom of an equipment cabinet, includes a sound wave generator configured to generate sound waves, a tube having a first end coupled to the sound wave generator, a second end opposite the first end, and a plurality of openings formed in the tube, and a sound wave receiver coupled to the second end of the tube. The sound wave receiver is configured to detect sound waves generated by the sound wave generator that travel through the tube. The arrangement is such that sound waves are blocked from detection by the sound wave receiver when fluid enters the tube through the plurality of openings in the tube thereby indicating a fluid leak on the surface.
US08402811B2	Cyclic impact-sliding fatigue wear testing instrument This invention deals with a testing instrument that is used to investigate failure behavior of items subject to impact and sliding forces. The testing instrument produces an impact motion and a sliding motion in each testing cycle with maximum contact pressure similar to actual stresses applied to the items during real applications. The invented instrument simulates wear conditions and failure behaviors of biomedical implants, components, tools and coatings which are observed in practical applications.
US08402809B2	Method for determining the work required to expel a tampon from a tampon applicator A method and apparatus for determining the work required to expel a tampon from a tampon applicator having a barrel containing the tampon and a plunger for expelling the tampon from the barrel. The method includes the steps of selecting and applying an applicator gripping test force to a grip zone on the barrel of the tampon applicator and selecting a tampon expulsion test rate and applying a force to the plunger sufficient to expel the tampon from the barrel of the tampon applicator at the selected tampon expulsion test rate. Further, the method includes the step of calculating the force on the plunger required to expel the tampon from the barrel at the selected tampon expulsion test rate as a function of the distance the tampon travels during expulsion.
US08402808B2	Function test of fuel cell exhaust gas stream hydrogen sensor by generating defined hydrogen pulses while driving and at regular service with fuel cell system immanent devices A system and method for determining whether a hydrogen concentration sensor in the exhaust of a fuel cell system is operating properly during operation of the system. The method includes injecting hydrogen gas pulses from an injector directly into the system exhaust and analyzing a sensor response from those hydrogen injection pulses. Alternately, pulses from anode purges or bleeds can be provided to the exhaust to determine sensor response.
US08402805B2	Method and apparatus for forming a corrugated web having a continuously varying shape A method and apparatus are used to form a corrugated web having a cross sectional shape with at least one characteristic that varies substantially continuously along the substantially the entire length of the web. The apparatus includes multiple sets of dies which progressively form corrugations in a moving sheet. At least one characteristic of the web's cross sectional shape is varied along the entire length of the web by displacing the dies as the sheet moves through the die sets.
US08402802B2	Conveying device, hot rolling apparatus, conveying method, and hot rolling method A conveying device includes a plurality of conveying rollers supported in parallel at predetermined intervals, and conveys a workpiece to a heat-retaining/heating furnace from a rolling mill by the conveying rollers. The conveying device includes an impact prediction data collecting unit and a control unit. The impact prediction data collecting unit acquires data on the upstream of the heat-retaining/heating furnace. The data is used to predict the magnitude of an impact applied to rollers in the furnace, which are positioned in the heat-retaining/heating furnace, of the conveying rollers by the workpiece. The control unit predicts the magnitude of an impact from the data, which is acquired by the impact prediction data collecting unit, and adjusts the conveying speed of the workpiece in the heat-retaining/heating furnace according to the magnitude of the impact.
US08402801B2	Cord manufacturing apparatus and cord manufacturing method A helical cord having an elliptical shape and the like is manufactured so that a length-to-width ratio or a dimension of a shaped form of the cord to be shaped in a longitudinal direction can be changed. A cord (C) is sequentially passed through through holes (21H, 22H) of stationary and movable shaping bodies (21, 22) opposing each other of a shaping device (20). At that time, the movable shaping body (22) is moved along the stationary shaping body (21) by a moving device so that the through holes (21H, 22H) become eccentric with respect to each other, and the cord (C) passing between the eccentric through holes (21H, 22H) is bent and deformed so as to be shaped. Also, a first and a second displacement mechanism that displace the movable shaping body (22) in X- and Y-directions are provided in the moving device, the movable shaping body (22) is thereby reciprocatingly displaced in the both directions in synchronization by displacement amounts which were set, respectively, the movable shaping body (22) is continuously moved in response to the displacements in the both directions, and thus the passing cord (C) is shaped.
US08402799B2	Securing system and method A securing system and method including an article holder portion having at least two separable portions; a mount portion adapted for carrying at least one of the separable portions of the holder portion; and optionally at least one sensor for monitoring the article and providing an output signal indicative of article tampering.
US08402798B2	Locking clamp A locking clamp device is provided with first and second clamping members. The first clamping member includes a base member with a first clamping surface and a locking member movable with respect to the base member between a securing position and a releasing position. The second clamping member is slidably engaged with the first clamping member and selectively movable to a plurality of clamping positions. The second clamping member includes a second clamping surface opposite the first clamping surface. The lockout device further includes a means for preventing movement of the locking member from the securing position to the releasing position. The locking member is configured to secure the second clamping member in one of the plurality of clamping positions when the locking member is in the securing position.
US08402796B2	Laundry machine having first and second laundry treating spaces A laundry machine includes a first laundry treatment apparatus, second laundry treatment apparatus including an air supply unit, a first course selection part for a user to select a treating course for the first laundry treatment apparatus, and a second course selection part provided together with the first course selection part, the second course selection part for the user to select a treating course for the second laundry treatment apparatus.
US08402794B2	Hinged knitting loom Disclosed is a convertible knitting loom that includes a first body and a second body that are connected via a hinge so that the bodies can rotate relative to each other and used in more than one configuration. Each body includes knitting pegs for weaving and knitting yarn. The first and second bodies are configured to be provided in at least first (closed) configuration such that the first body and the second body are parallel to each other and a second (open, linear) configuration such that the bodies are substantially linearly aligned. A removable fastener or lock pin can be used to lock the bodies of the loom in either the first or second configuration.
US08402793B2	Transverse row bushings and methods with freedom of movement An exemplary bushing systemutilizes a bushing having a bottom plate having a plurality of holes from which filaments are drawn, and a plurality of support-receiving elements that are each configured to receive an elongated support. The support-receiving elements extend through the bushing generally along a longitudinal axis. A frame supports the bushing and includes a pair of horizontal rails upon which the supports rest. The horizontal rails comprise a treated surface that permits movement of the elongated supports relative to the frame in the longitudinal direction as the bushing expands and contracts due to thermal heating and cooling.
US08402790B2	Process for producing glass substrate for information recording medium To provide a process to improve acid resistance of a glass substrate for an information recording medium.A process for producing a glass substrate for an information recording medium, comprising processing a glass formed into a plate by a float process, a down-draw method or a press method, wherein, in cooling of the glass in the last step where the glass has a temperature of at least its strain point, the time during which the glass temperature is at least its strain point and at most a temperature where the glass viscosity is 1010 dPa·s is at least 13 minutes.
US08402785B2	Method and apparatus for measuring surface shape profile An apparatus for measuring a shape profile of a surface of a sheet of material includes a light source for providing a light beam to be directed at the surface of the sheet of material, a linear translation stage coupled to the light source for translating the light source over the surface of the sheet of material such that the light beam, when directed at the surface, is incident on the surface at multiple positions and produces a reflected light beam at each of the multiple positions, a plurality of light receivers located at predetermined positions for selectively intercepting the reflected light beam produced at each of the multiple positions, a data acquisition device configured to receive information related to position difference between the light source and a selected one of the plurality of light receivers intercepting the reflected light beam produced at each of the multiple positions, and a data analysis device configured to correlate the position difference information to a shape profile of the surface of the sheet of material.
US08402780B2	Oil return for a direct exchange geothermal heat pump A heating/cooling system design enabling one to maintain a superheat level of more than 1 degree F. and up to 10 degrees F., incorporating a specially designed accumulator, optional special oil return means, a specially designed receiver, and, when utilized in a DX geothermal system application, a preferable sub-surface liquid refrigerant transport line insulation design, as well as a design enabling the utilization of at least two compressors to increase heat transfer temperature differentials together with special oil separators.
US08402779B2	Air conditioner An air conditioner refrigerant circuit performs a cooling operation in which an outdoor heat exchanger functions as a condenser of the refrigerant compressed in a compressor and an indoor heat exchanger functions as an evaporator of the refrigerant condensed in the outdoor heat exchanger. Further, an outdoor expansion valve is disposed at a position that is at once downstream of the outdoor heat exchanger and upstream of a liquid refrigerant communication pipe in the refrigerant flow direction in the refrigerant circuit in the cooling operation, and shuts off the refrigerant flow. A refrigerant detection unit is disposed upstream of the outdoor expansion valve and detects the amount or the amount-related value of refrigerant accumulated upstream of the outdoor expansion valve.
US08402774B2	Spraying water under ambient air cryogenic vaporizers In apparatus to convert cryogenic fluid to gas, a vaporizer having passages to pass the cool or cold cryogenic fluid in heat transfer relation with warming gas flowing downwardly through the vaporizer, the vaporizer having surfaces on which ice collects and from which ice falls to the base of the vaporizer and collects in a pile, and removing fluid flow control means operating to direct flow of removing fluid at the ice pile with sufficient force to cause removal of such ice in the pile relative to the vaporizer base.
US08402773B2	Two-stage cooling system A two-stage cooling system configured to cool an interior of an enclosure includes a cabinet, a first vortex tube secured within the cabinet, and a second vortex tube secured within the cabinet. The cabinet defines a venting chamber. The first and second vortex tubes each include a hot pipe within the venting chamber and a cool gas delivery pipe extending outwardly from the cabinet. The first and second cool gas delivery pipes are configured to deliver cold gas to the interior of the enclosure. A separate thermostat may be operatively attached to each vortex tube and extend outwardly from the cabinet to be positioned within the interior of the enclosure. Additionally, first and second dampening sleeves may be secured around at least a portion of the first and second hot pipes, respectively, such that the dampening sleeves dampen noise produced by the vortex tubes.
US08402770B2	Turbine engine including an improved means for adjusting the flow rate of a cooling air flow sampled at the output of a high-pressure compressor using an annular air injection channel A turbine engine including a channel for injecting a cooling air flow of a high-pressure turbine disk, opening into a cavity that is substantially isolated, upstream, from a cavity in which an air flow sampled at the output of a high-pressure compressor circulates, by a first labyrinth seal, and downstream, from a cavity communicating with the primary flow of the turbine engine, by a second labyrinth seal. The turbine engine includes channels communicating with the injection channel and opening through a static part of the first labyrinth seal between two lips of that seal, so as to allow an air flow coming from the injection channel to be injected between the lips.
US08402763B2	Combustor headend guide vanes to reduce flow maldistribution into multi-nozzle arrangement A combustor for a gas turbine includes a plurality of nozzles provided in an array; a baffle plate configured to provide a desired air flow distribution to the array of nozzles; and a casing comprising a plurality of holes in an outer surface. The casing extends from a headend of the combustor to the baffle plate. A method of distributing an air flow in a combustor of a gas turbine includes providing an air flow to the outer surface of the casing; directing the air flow around the baffle plate; and distributing the air flow through the baffle plate to the array of nozzles.
US08402762B2	Power generation plant and method of generating electric energy A power generation plant and a method of generating electric energy from recovered heat during an industrial process that uses steam as a means of transferring energy. The method comprises: a) generating a first saturated steam in a first heat exchanger heated by a first source of recovered heat; b) feeding the first saturated steam into a first steam turbine generator, where the first steam turbine generator outputs exhaust steam; c) removing moisture from the exhaust steam with a moisture separator; d) superheating the moisture reduced exhaust steam from step c) in a main heat exchanger with a heat source; and e) feeding the superheated exhaust steam into a second steam turbine generator. The power generation plant comprises a first source of saturated steam, a first steam turbine generator, a moisture separator, a second source of saturated steam, a heat exchanger and a second steam turbine generator.
US08402761B2	Step-less hydrostatic gear box for rotary movement SLGB A hydrostatic system for step less rotary movement transmission having two hydrostatic motors with radial pistons connected in a push-pull configuration, an oil distribution system and a system for elimination of air and other volatile substances from the working spaces. The input of the gear box is connected to the engine and the output is connected to the external load. In this push-pull configuration of both hydrostatic motors, the stators of both hydrostatic motors are the active part of the gear box, while rotors of both hydrostatic motors are the passive part of the system. Additionally, the hydrostatic system has both hydrostatic motors having the same rotary speed but moving in the opposite direction. While the first stator is connected to the engine, the common driven shaft of the both hydrostatic motors is connected to the external load on the output of the system.
US08402759B2	Drive having an energy storage device and method for storing kinetic energy The invention relates to a drive (1) having an energy storage device and a method for storing brake energy. A drive (1) has an energy storage device having a hydrostatic piston engine (9) and a storage element (11) which is connected thereto. In a high-pressure storage line (10), an adjustable throttle location (15) is arranged between the piston engine (9) and the storage element (11). During the braking operation, the adjustable throttle location (15) is adjusted in accordance with a detected requested brake torque. The pressure medium is conveyed from the hydrostatic piston engine (9) via the adjustable throttle location (15) into the storage element (11).
US08402757B2	Waste heat control apparatus The waste heat control apparatus is used in a heat recovery system for recovering and reusing waste heat of an engine. The waste heat control apparatus includes a plurality of waste heat amount adjusting sections activated to increase an amount of the waste heat of the engine, and a control section which performs waste heat control in accordance with a heat utilization demand to increase the amount of the waste heat of the engine by activating at least one of the plurality of waste heat amount adjusting sections.
US08402756B2	Equal length Y-collector An exhaust system includes first and second exhaust pipes each of which has an upstream end communicating with an engine and a downstream end. The exhaust pipes are of different lengths. A length equalizer includes an outer pipe and an inner pipe disposed within the outer pipe. Once end of the inner pipe communicates with a space between the inner and outer pipes. The longer of the two exhaust pipes communicates with the space between the inner and outer pipes of the length equalizer. The shorter of the two exhaust pipes communicates directly with the inner pipe of the length equalizer. The distance between the downstream end of the longer exhaust pipe and the inner end of the inner pipe of the length equalizer is substantially equal to the difference in length between the longer and shorter exhaust pipes.
US08402755B2	Gas turbine combustor exhaust gas spray cooling for NOx control using selective catalytic reductions Systems for reducing nitrogen oxides in combustion exhaust gas include a selective catalytic reactor (SCR) assembly having a catalyst bed for receiving a flow of exhaust gas, an exhaust gas conduit for introducing exhaust gas to the SCR assembly, at least one nozzle for introducing cooling water into the exhaust gas before the exhaust gas exits the SCR assembly, and at least one reductant conduit for introducing at least one reductant into the exhaust gas to form a reductant/exhaust mixture before the exhaust gas exits the SCR assembly. Methods for reducing nitrogen oxides in combustion exhaust gas include introducing an exhaust gas into a SCR assembly, and introducing cooling water into the exhaust gas, reducing the temperature of the exhaust gas, and introducing at least one reductant into the exhaust gas to form a reductant/exhaust mixture before the exhaust gas exits the SCR assembly.
US08402753B2	Exhaust gas purification system for an internal combustion engine This invention is to reduce NOx occluded in a NOx catalyst in a more appropriate manner. In this invention, in case where an amount of NOx occluded when an execution condition for NOx reduction control holds is more than a predetermined amount of occlusion, NOx reduction control is performed by lowering the O2 concentration of the exhaust gas by means of said O2 concentration lowering means and at the same time supplying a reducing agent to the NOx catalyst by a reducing agent supplying means. In addition, in case where the amount of NOx occluded when the execution condition for NOx reduction control holds is equal to or less than the predetermined amount of occlusion, NOx reduction control is executed by supplying the reducing agent to the NOx catalyst by the reducing agent supplying means without lowering the O2 concentration of the exhaust gas by the O2 concentration lowering means.
US08402750B2	Reagent tank normalizing system A reagent injection system for reducing emissions from an engine includes a reagent container. A heating element is positioned in a heat transfer relationship with reagent stored within the container. An interchange tube includes a first end in receipt of a recirculated liquid reagent and a second open end positioned in the container. The interchange tube includes a bleed-off tube branching off of the interchange tube between the first and second ends. A terminal end of the bleed-off tube is positioned within a vapor dome above a surface of the reagent.
US08402747B2	Method for heating up a catalytic converter At least one chemical heating measure, which causes an increase in the catalytic converter temperature essentially by introducing into the exhaust gas channel additional chemical energy in excess of energy provided at an initial engine operating point, is combined with at least one thermal heating measure, which causes an increase in the catalytic converter temperature essentially by introducing into the exhaust gas channel additional thermal energy in excess of energy provided at an initial engine operating point, so that a major fraction of the chemical energy is introduced temporally before a major fraction of the thermal energy is introduced.
US08402745B2	Pulse jet engines A pulse jet engine comprising a quarter wave gas resonator (1) which is arranged to cycle at an ultrasonic frequency, wherein the resonator (1) is closed, or substantially closed, to gas flow at the pressure antinode (4) thereof. The shape and dimensions of the quarter wave gas resonator (1) at least partially determine the ultrasonic frequency at which the resonator (1) cycles.
US08402742B2	Gas turbine engine systems involving tip fans Gas turbine engine systems involving tip fans are provided. In this regard, a representative gas turbine engine system includes: a multi-stage fan having a first rotatable set of blades and a second counter-rotatable set of blades, the second rotatable set of blades defining an inner fan and a tip fan and being located downstream of the first set of rotatable blades; and an epicyclic differential gear assembly operative to receive a torque input and differentially apply the torque input to the first set of blades and the second set of blades.
US08402740B2	Aircraft propulsion unit in multi-fan design An aircraft propulsion unit includes a gas-turbine core engine 10 having at least one compressor, one combustion chamber and one turbine driving a main shaft 11. The main shaft 11 of the gas-turbine core engine 10 is operationally connected to at least two separate fans 6-9 via a mechanical drive connection, each of them being arranged beside the gas-turbine core engine 10.
US08402730B2	Multi-axis floating merger suspension A crop merging machine includes a trailer frame, a drawbar assembly coupled to an axle, and a header assembly including a frame and a wheel. The merging machine further includes a pick-up assembly coupled to the header frame and a cross-conveyor assembly coupled to the header frame adjacent to the pick-up assembly. The pick-up and cross-conveyor assemblies are configured to cooperate to lift crop materials off the field surface and move the crop materials laterally to discharge onto the field surface to form a windrow. The merging machine includes a suspension assembly disposed between the trailer frame and header assembly, the suspension assembly being coupled to the header assembly and trailer frame and configured to allow the header assembly to pivot, relative to the trailer frame, about a first axis of rotation and to pivot about a second, distinct axis of rotation to follow a contour of the field surface.
US08402729B2	Vehicle and method for harvesting espalier fruit, especially berries or grapes A vehicle for harvesting espalier fruit, such as berries or grapes, and for further processing to a must on the vehicle. The vehicle comprises a frame configured to reach over a row of plants to be harvested in an area of a u-shaped recess of the vehicle. Also included are wheels on both sides of the u-shaped recess and arranged on the frame. Further included is a picking device to separate the fruit from a remainder of the plants. A solid-bowl screw-type centrifuge is arranged directly on the vehicle, which solid-bowl screw-type centrifuge separates and clarifies a fruit mash into at least a solids phase and a liquid phase.
US08402727B2	Stalk-chopper and machine for harvesting maize equipped with such stalk-chopper A stalk-chopper, in particular for a machine for harvesting maize, comprising a hollow casing having a central portion and two box-section arms that extend in cantilever fashion from the central portion according to a U-shaped configuration, the box-section arms being set at a distance from one another in a transverse direction and having respective distal ends set at a distance from the central portion in a longitudinal direction, two rotating output members projecting on the outside of said box-section arms at the respective distal ends of said box-section arms, the output members being carried in a rotatable way by the respective arms about respective mutually parallel axes of rotation, two rotary cutting devices connected to respective output members and having respective cutting diameters partially overlapping one another; and a transmission device housed within said hollow casing and provided for driving said output members in rotation in concordant directions.
US08402723B2	Vacuum skin packaging method and apparatus A method for the manufacture of a vacuum skin package where the lower support member is formed in a suitably selected shape which process comprises feeding a flat lower web (3) of thermoplastic material with the product (6) to be packaged loaded thereon and an upper thermoplastic web (27), to a vacuum chamber (8) for skin packaging that comprises an upper element (9) comprising a heated upper concavity (11) and a lower element (10) comprising a female vacuum forming mould (16) suitably shaped to match the desired shape for the support member of the end package, closing the vacuum chamber (8) and drawing the upper web (27) toward the upper concavity (11) by differential pressure; evacuating air or gases from the space between the lower web (3) and the upper web (27), in the closed vacuum chamber (8), while maintaining the vacuum from above the upper web and from below the lower supporting web; and reintroducing air from above the upper film, thus moving the heated upper web (27) against the product (6) and the lower supporting web (3), thereby vacuum forming the lower supporting web (3) against the suitably shaped female mould cavity (19) in the lower element and bonding the upper web (27) to the lower supporting web (3) all around the product (6) to form a hermetically sealed skin package.
US08402721B2	Beverage bottling or container filling plant having a beverage bottle or container labeling machine, and a beverage bottle or container labeling machine A container labeling machine gluing apparatus which has a rotatable glue roller and a glue dispenser for dispensing glue onto the glue roller. The apparatus also has a glue thickness adjuster which adjusts the thickness of a glue layer on the glue roller. The glue thickness adjuster comprises a spring element and a glue contact element connected to the spring element, which spring element presses the glue contact element into contact with glue on the glue roller. The glue contact element is disposed upstream of remaining portions of its glue thickness adjuster in the direction of rotation of the glue roller.
US08402718B2	Wind turbine installation A wind turbine installation is provided. The installation includes a wind turbine tower or tower section, a receiving part of a wind turbine foundation installation, connection means suitable for connecting the wind turbine tower or tower section to the receiving part, whereby a lower end of the wind turbine tower or the tower section is flange-less.
US08402717B1	Wood hybrid light pole An exemplary embodiment includes a wood hybrid light pole with an internal wireway for electrical wires and a base with anchoring bolts and space for electrical connections.
US08402711B2	Multistable shape-shifting surfaces Multistable shape-shifting surfaces that retain their effectiveness as physical barriers while undergoing changes in shape and that can remain stable in the various shapes. The shape changes include any motion that makes the surface more effective at performing its function, such as expansion, shrinkage, twisting, encircling, wiggling, swallowing or constricting. The shape-shifting surfaces include tiled arrays of polygonal cells, each cell including specifically-designed compliant flexures attached to specifically-shaped overlapping thin plates or shells. The surfaces remain stable by leveraging them during deformation to an extent that they cannot spontaneously return to the unstressed shape. Applications for such surfaces include micro-scale cellular engineering and macro-scale biomedical applications, recreational uses, national security, and environmental protection.
US08402709B2	Flooring panel or wall panel and use thereof A building panel, such as a flooring panel or wall panel and a method of assembling the same into a floor, wall cladding, etc. The panel is provided with a locking means in the form of groove (6) and tongue (7) forming a tongue/groove joint for assembling of the panels. In a preferred embodiment, the groove (6) and the tongue (7) are made of water resistant material and formed with a snap-together joint.
US08402708B2	Modular blocks and structures made therefrom A modular block apparatus including a block having a top surface, a bottom surface, and a generally cylindrical core passage extending between the top and bottom surfaces, and a locking assembly received in the core passage including a core having a through-bore extending therethrough defining alternating core grooves and lands, a locking rod having an array of alternating rod grooves and lands complementary to the core grooves and lands, and a rod key positioned between the locking rod and the core for retaining the locking rod in engagement with the core.
US08402707B2	Interlocking panel system A panel system includes elongated panels coupled together at a seam portion with respective interlocking portions at corresponding vertical ends to provide a substantially planar surface. In siding panel systems, joined siding panels are provided in vertically arranged rows that further couple together along adjacent horizontal edges of the respective rows of siding panels.
US08402704B2	Solar power structure and kit for making the same A strong, aesthetically pleasing solar power structure comprising a hollow-beam frame, a plurality of photovoltaic panels, a sub-assembly for holding the PV panels, and a plurality of columns is provided. Also provided is a kit for making such a structure.
US08402703B2	Mounting support for a photovoltaic module A mounting support for a photovoltaic module is described. The mounting support includes a foundation having an integrated wire-way ledge portion. A photovoltaic module support mechanism is coupled with the foundation.
US08402693B1	Transparent window for storm shutters A window made from a transparent material is designed to fit through a slat of a accordion type of storm shutter that is capable of being mounted when the storm shutter is mounted to the window, door and the like of a premise. The window includes a large diameter portion that is larger than the cut-out in the slat and a smaller diameter portion with outside threads fits through the cut-out. A ring on the other side of the slat engages the threads to thread the window to the slat. Other fitting on the window are contemplated by this invention.
US08402692B1	Invertible plant pot A plant pot for growing plants in an inverted orientation is provided. The plant pot comprises a soil chamber for retaining soil, and an open end for filling the soil chamber. An end cover releasably couples to the open end to retain the soil. A base end opposes the open end and comprises an aperture through which a plant is planted. An aperture cover releasably couples to the aperture and comprises an adjustable opening. The adjustable opening encircles the stem of the plant and enlarges as the stem grows.
US08402688B2	Lure A lure of the present invention comprises a lure body formed as a hollow body by using a transparent material, wherein a plurality of long projections are arranged parallel at predetermined intervals on an inner face of the hollow lure body, a first coloring part is provided on one side face of the long projection, and a second coloring part expressing a color different from the first coloring part is provided on the other side face of the long projection.In the lure of the present invention, the first and second coloring parts provided on the inner face of the lure body can be seen through via the lure body.For example, in the case of viewing the lure from one direction, only the color of the first coloring part can be seen through. On the other hand, in the case of viewing the lure from the other direction, only the color of the second coloring part can be seen through.Since the color of the lure of the present invention can be changed depending on the viewing directions, an excellent fish collecting effect is produced. In addition, the long projections of the lure do not come into contact with a foreign matter at the time of use, so that adhesion of water stain to the first and second coloring parts or peeling off of these coloring parts can be prevented.
US08402682B2	Bleacher with advertising tunnel An advertising display system including a bleacher having a seating surface and support beams below the seating surface and defining a primary chamber, and an advertising panel assembly mounted within the primary chamber and defining a secondary chamber. The primary chamber has a first end and a second end and the advertising panel assembly may include an intermediate advertising panel between a first and second advertising panel that define the sides of the secondary chamber. Additionally, a ceiling panel may extend between the top edges of the first and second panels.
US08402675B2	Footwear construction and related method of manufacture A footwear construction including a portion of an upper and/or sole, a strap defining a sleeve, and a cord joined with the upper and/or sole portion, extending toward the strap and slidably housed in the sleeve. An adjustment element is selectively locatable along a part of the cord. By sliding the cord relative to the sleeve and optionally adjusting the location of the adjustment element, the spatial relationship between the strap and the upper and/or sole portion can be selectively adjusted to accommodate a particular dimension of a wearer's foot and/or ankle. A method is also provided for manufacturing footwear including the above components.
US08402668B2	Coordinate measuring apparatus An improved coordinate measuring apparatus is provided. The coordinate measuring apparatus has a device that holds a CMM adapter plate in a way that simulates the locating points on the electromagnetic device in the CMM. Once in place, the threaded cube on the adapter plate is aligned to the CMM machine axes by holding a sliding V-block on the device against any corner of the cube. The screws that hold the threaded cube in the adapter plate are then tightened, and the adapter plate is released from the device. The threaded cube is now square to the CMM X-Y-Z axes.
US08402667B2	Clamp level A device for determining the relationship of a surface relative to level is provided, the device having an elongated body portion and at least one attachment portion for attaching the elongated body portion to a workpiece. The at least one attachment portion may include a clamp or other attachment mechanism that can be stored in a storage position and deployed in at least one deployed position so as to attach the elongated body portion to the workpiece.
US08402662B1	Knife opening assist A removable knife opening assist for a folding knife. The removable knife opening assist includes a hook and an attachment portion. The folding knife is configured to be stored in a folded condition in a container. The removable knife opening assist is configured to snag the container so that the folding knife is automatically opened for use when the folding knife is withdrawn from the container, without the need to manipulate the knife, other than the simple withdrawal of the folding knife from the container.
US08402661B2	Wheel support hub unit, bearing ring member for wheel support hub unit, and method of manufacturing the same A raceway member 6 of a wheel support hub unit, having wheel or vehicle body fixing portions 7 extending radially outward from a solid or hollow shaft portion, and a wheel or vehicle body positioning cylindrical portion 9 extending concentrically with the shaft portion, the fixing portion 7 being formed by the cold side extrusion so that the fixing portion is integral with the shaft portion 5.
US08402659B2	Sintered gear element featuring locally selective surface compression A method for producing an at least partially surface-densified metallic toothed element comprising a densified sintering material, in order to improve a strength profile, a preform of the toothed element being produced with a locally selective oversize profile relative to a final size of the toothed element and being rolled to the final size by means of at least one rolling die, the toothed element being densified in locally varied manner at least in the region of at least one flank and/or one root of a tooth of the toothed element to produce a densified outer layer.
US08402658B2	Manufacturing method of compressor pulley A compressor pulley having a partially cold forged base of improved strength and a bridge of improved strength is easily manufactured. Metal is heated to a predetermined temp and then hot forged into a pulley shape. A piercing step then forms a through hold in a center portion of the pulley. The heated pulley is then cooled to room temperature. Then the pulley is rough guided. A partial cold-forging step forges the base at room temperature. A slot is then pierced in the base portion. During a finishing step, groove working and grinding are performed on a surface of the pulley.
US08402657B2	Method of making a flow shaper for a sprinkler assembly A sprinkler assembly includes a body, a support, which extends from the body, and a closure device that releasably closes the discharge opening of the body. The sprinkler assembly further includes a trigger that releasably holds the closure device at the discharge opening. The support is adapted to allow the fluid flowing from the discharge opening, when the closure device is released, to pass through the support substantially unimpeded by the support and, further, is adapted to reshape the flow of fluid as it flows through the support.
US08402656B2	Diaphragm damper and method of production and production apparatus of same A method of producing a diaphragm damper 1 having a high pressure chamber 3 comprised of two diaphragms 2 with flanges 6 welded together and charged inside with a high pressure gas. The diaphragms 2 are made of magnetically attractable thin metal sheets. A pair of jigs 30, 40 provided to face each other inside the pressure vessel 20 hold the diaphragms 2 by magnetic force. The pressure vessel 20 is sealed and evacuated, then the pressure vessel 20 is charged and pressurized by a mixed gas including helium. After this, the pair of jigs 30, 40 are made to approach each other to make the flanges 6 of the pair of diaphragms 2 come into close contact. Inside the pressure vessel 20, the jigs 30, 40 are simultaneously rotated to rotate the pair of diaphragms 2 and a laser beam is fired at the flanges 6 of the diaphragms 2 to weld the flanges 6 over their entire circumferences.
US08402652B2	Methods of making wind turbine rotor blades A method of manufacturing a wind turbine rotor blade includes, in one embodiment, the steps of providing a core, and applying at least one reinforcing skin to the core to form a blade subassembly. Each reinforcing skin is formed from a mat of reinforcing fibers. The method also includes applying a micro-porous membrane over the at least one reinforcing skin, applying a vacuum film over the micro-porous membrane, introducing a polymeric resin to the core, infusing the resin through the core and through the at least one reinforcing skin by applying a vacuum to the blade assembly, and curing the resin to form the rotor blade.
US08402651B2	Method of manufacturing vane A method is provided which manufactures a vane used for an oil-sealed rotary vacuum pump and having at least a part formed of a resin material, the method including: an oil impregnating process of immersing the vane into oil used for the oil-sealed rotary vacuum pump under a depressurized condition, the oil impregnating process being carried out before a finishing process of finishing the vane into a final shape.
US08402647B2	Methods of manufacturing illumination systems Methods of manufacturing light panels having at least one re-entrant turning feature. In one embodiment, a method of manufacturing a light panel includes providing a base layer, providing a cover layer, and coupling the cover layer to the base layer to form at least one re-entrant turning feature between the base layer and the cover layer. In another embodiment, a method of manufacturing a light panel includes providing a base layer, forming at least one receiving space in the base layer, providing at least one prismatic block, and coupling at least a portion of the prismatic block into the receiving space such that re-entrant turning features are formed between the prismatic block and the base layer.
US08402645B2	Method for producing an electric component-mounted substrate A method of producing an electric component-mounted substrate having a cavity structure is provided. Because a supporting substrate and electric components and are connected together to a first face of a base substrate, the number of steps for the connection is reduced to shorten the producing time. When electric components are to be connected to a second face, the base substrate is supported by the supporting substrate, and the electric components and connected to the first face do not contact a processing table and therefore they undergo no damage. Thus, an electric component-mounted substrate having high reliability can be produced in a short time.
US08402643B2	Gas cartridge loading mechanism A gas cartridge loading mechanism has a sensor member movable toward a collar retaining portion and mounted to undergo pivotal movement between a locked position and an unlocked position, and a stopper configured to prevent movement of the sensor member when the sensor member is disposed in the locked position and to allow movement of the sensor member when the sensor member is disposed in the unlocked position. The sensor member is configured to move in the locked position when a gas cartridge is set with improper orientation, and to move in the unlocked position when the gas cartridge is set with proper orientation.
US08402640B2	Alignment and lead insertion device for an electronic component An opposing first plate and second plate are slideably disposed with respect to each other using self-aligning plate registration means. Circuit board registration means and component registration means are provided for the initial X-Y alignment and registration of the circuit board and socket contact elements with one or more electrically conductive leads of an electronic component such as a focal plane array (FPA). A non-contact portion is provided on the first plate to eliminate plate contact with the first component surface which may comprise the lens of an FPA. The first and second plates are urged together such that an even, controlled and substantially planar compressive force is applied, permitting the efficient insertion of the electrically conductive leads into the socket contacts.
US08402638B1	Press system with embossing foil free to expand for nano-imprinting of recording media Recording media press systems and methods of operating such press systems. Press system embodiments include a first die and a second die. The press system further includes a mandrel extending along a longitudinal mandrel axis through the first die. A rod portion of the mandrel to receive a magnetic recording disk to be pressed. The press system further includes a foil holder coupled to the first die. The foil holder to clamp a first portion of an embossing foil to the first die and allow the clamped foil portion to move in a radial direction relative to the foil holder.
US08402632B2	Method for crimping an insert in a support with two superposed panels A method for crimping an insert to be clinched in a support by means of a placing apparatus having an anvil, in an area where the support comprises superposed first and second panels at a distance from one another, wherein the shank is inserted axially in the support and the anvil is brought up against the distal end of the shank, and the second section is then axially compressed against the anvil to create a securing edge, axial compression of the second section then being continued to create a crimping rim delineating an anchoring groove, in combination with the securing edge, surrounding the second panel, axial compression of the second section then being continued to bring about clamping of the support between the securing head and the securing edge in conjunction with clamping of the second panel between the securing edge and the crimping rim.
US08402628B2	Apparatus, carrier, and method for securing an article for coating processes An apparatus for securing an article, a carrier including the apparatus, and a method involving the apparatus are disclosed. The apparatus includes a base having a channel and a pivot post, an engagement member for selectively engaging the article, a rotatable actuation member having a pivot feature corresponding to the pivot post, and a positioning member secured to the base. The engagement member is slidably positionable in the channel of the base, the positioning member establishes travel limits for the rotatable actuation member, and the positioning member urges the engagement member toward the article. Rotation of the rotatable actuation member slides the engagement member along the channel of the base, thereby securing the article by the force provided by the positioning member.
US08402626B2	Heat sink installing device A heat sink installing device includes a base, a pair of guiding poles, a slidable cover, a pair of latches and a number of auxiliary wings. The pair of guiding poles is perpendicularly mounted on the base and separated from each other. The slidable cover is slidably fitted on the pair of guiding poles and defines a pair of through holes running through two opposite side surfaces of the slidable cover. Each of the latches is mounted on the slidable cover and latched on one of the guiding poles correspondingly. The plurality of auxiliary wings are correspondingly attached on a side surface of the slidable cover around the through hole and inclined towards the center of the through hole by a distal end thereof away from the slidable cover.
US08402619B2	System and method for reducing environmental crematorial release of mercury from mercury-containing dental amalgam The invention described herein provides for a simple, economical system and method for reducing environmental release of dental amalgamous mercury from teeth caused by cremation of corpses. The invention controls and reduces the amount of mercury released using a pre-crematorial and non-disfiguring system and method. The system of the invention can include a dental containment and applicator delivery system to apply a curable thermal protectant composition onto the teeth. The composition coating significantly inhibits the extent of thermal destruction of the tooth per se including its amalgam filling content.
US08402618B2	Fastening device A fastening device of locking press button type includes a first element (1) which in use is present at a substrate and a second element (9) which, to fasten an object (10) to the substrate, can be releasably fastened to the first element by way of a to a snapping part (2) of the first element snapping snapping part (11) of it and wherein the elements (1, 9) remote from their snapping part (2, 11 respectively) have a hooking part (3, 8 respectively) such that the elements (1, 9) first have to be mutually engaged making a mutual angle by the hooking parts (3, 8) and then are pivoted onto each other to subsequently be fixed snapped to each other.
US08402617B2	Sand-removing seat belt buckle A sand-removing seat belt buckle has a housing and a latching assembly. The housing has a chamber, a first opening and a second opening formed through two ends of the housing, at least one sand cavity formed through a bottom of the housing and being adjacent to the second opening, and at least one support bump formed on an inner bottom of the housing. The latching assembly serves to latch and unlatch an insertion member, and is securely mounted in the housing and on top of the at least one support bump, so that a space is formed between the insertion member and the inner bottom of the housing and communicates with the first opening, the second opening and the sand cavity. Sand, mud and crushed pebbles entering from the first opening can be removed from the sand cavity and the second opening through the space without being deposited inside the seat belt buckle.
US08402608B2	Hinge A hinge is mounted between a cover and a base of an electronic device and has a supporting bracket, a rotating bracket, a mounting bracket and a pintle. The supporting bracket is connected to the base, and the rotating bracket is connected to the cover. The mounting bracket is attached to the supporting bracket and has a positioning wing and two sleeves. The pintle is attached to the rotating bracket, is mounted through the mounting bracket and has a flat wall. The flat wall of the pintle selectively abuts against the positioning wing of the mounting bracket to hold the cover at a desired position. The abrasion between the sleeves and the pintle balances torque.
US08402601B2	Vacuum cleaner nozzle The invention relates to a vacuum cleaner nozzle for cleaning of surfaces such as floors, comprising a rotatable, elongated brush (5), which is provided with brush means and located close to an air inlet opening to the vacuum cleaner. The brush is rotatably driven and adapted to rotate during cleaning to brush off debris and dust from the surface or to accomplish agitation of the surface. A first end of the brush is adapted to be mounted in the vacuum cleaner nozzle by moving the brush in an axial direction, while a second end of the brush is adapted to be mounted in the vacuum cleaner nozzle by moving the brush in a lateral direction, wherein the second end of the brush is maintained in a recess (13) by means of a releasable blocking element (7). The blocking element (7) is quick releasable without any need for a tool.
US08402600B2	Vacuum cleaner nozzle and roller A vacuum cleaner nozzle with a nozzle housing, an outlet opening on the housing, a suction opening on a side of the housing facing a surface to be cleaned, at least one roller connected to the housing to support the vacuum cleaner nozzle, and a sealing member on the nozzle. The suction opening communicates with the outlet opening to draw debris through the suction opening when a suction source is connected to the outlet. The roller has an essentially air tight material and rotates such that the roller surface moves towards the suction opening to sweep debris towards the suction opening. The sealing member has a sealing portion in close apposition to at least part of the roller. The sealing portion partly surrounds and substantially restricts airflow across a sealed portion of the roller located essentially opposite the surface being cleaned. The roller also functions as an air barrier.
US08402599B2	Vacuum cleaner dirt cup and seal A dirt cup for a vacuum cleaner including a container, a tube, a lid, a first chamber, a second chamber, and a seal. The container includes an open bottom end. The lid is coupled to the container. The lid includes an aperture that extends through the lid. The lid is movable between a closed position where the lid covers the open bottom end and an open position for emptying the container through the open bottom end. The seal is coupled to the lid and includes a flange and a post that extends from the flange. The post extends into the aperture of the lid to couple the seal to the lid. The seal is positioned between the lid and the tube when the lid is in the closed position to inhibit airflow between the first chamber and the second chamber.
US08402597B2	Steam appliance with motion switch A steam appliance having a water pump controlled by a motion switch response to movement of the appliance is provided. In one embodiment, a micro-switch is turned ON and OFF by movement of a micro-switch actuator in operative engagement with the towel frame at the base if the appliance. In another embodiment, the actuator is operatively connected to a mechanical pump to activate the pump. The motor switch or actuator will be displaced whenever the unit is moved by a user, thus causing the pump to pump water to the boiler. Steam is then fed to a steam pad that may have a replaceable fabric pad fit snugly on the frame to distribute clean steam to a surface to be steamed.
US08402596B2	Directional atomizer system for cleaning chandeliers An apparatus for cleaning chandeliers includes a hand-held jet gun having a proximal end connected to a source of hot water under positive pressure and a distal end having a spray head for discharging hot water under pressure in a spray pattern. A hand-held vacuum shield has at least one vacuum inlet connected to a source of negative pressure. Hot water discharged from the spray head is attracted to the hand-held vacuum shield when the spray head and the hand-held vacuum shield are held in relatively close proximity to one another and the hand-held vacuum shield is in fluid communication with the source of negative pressure. An object disposed between the spray head and the hand-held vacuum shield is cleansed by the action of hot water under positive pressure impinging against it. The hand-held vacuum shield protects objects not disposed between the spray head and the hand-held vacuum shield.
US08402595B2	Windscreen wiper device comprising an elastic, elongated carrier element, as well as an elongated wiper blade of a flexible material, which can be placed in abutment with the windscreen to be wiped A windscreen wiper device comprising an elastic, elongated carrier element, as well as an elongated wiper blade of a flexible material, which can be placed in abutment with a windscreen to be wiped, which wiper blade includes opposing longitudinal grooves on its longitudinal sides, in which grooves spaced-apart-longitudinal strips of the carrier element are disposed, wherein neighboring ends of the longitudinal strips are interconnected by a respective connecting piece, which windscreen wiper device comprises a connecting device for an oscillating wiper arm wherein the strips; and the connecting piece are slidably connected by means of a snap connection with the interposition of a joint part.
US08402593B2	Windscreen wiper device A windscreen wiper device comprising an elastic, elongated carrier element, as well as an elongated wiper blade (2) of a flexible material, which can be placed in abutment with a windscreen to be wiped, which wiper blade includes opposing longitudinal grooves on its longitudinal sides, in which grooves spaced-apart longitudinal strips (4) of the carrier element are disposed, wherein neighboring ends of said longitudinal strips are interconnected by a respective connecting piece (G), which windscreen wiper device comprises a connecting device (7) for an oscillating wiper arm (8), with the special feature that said wiper blade is detachably connected to said longitudinal strips, wherein said wiper blade can freely slide along said longitudinal strips between a first position, wherein said wiper blade is retained onto said longitudinal strips, and a second position, wherein said wiper blade is disconnected from said longitudinal strips in order to be replaced or repaired.
US08402592B2	Flex brush apparatus and method A brush includes a first tuft holder having at least one tuft, a second tuft holder having at least one tuft, a support structure having a handle to grasp and use the brush, an adjustment mechanism for adjusting the brush between (1) a first condition where the first and second tuft holders are not movable with respect to each other; and, (2) a second condition where the first tuft holder is movable with respect to the second tuft holder, and wherein the first and second tuft holders remain attached to the support structure in the first and second conditions.
US08402588B2	Multi-layer surface treatment pad for motorized device A multi-layer surface treating pad is disclosed. It has an upper layer suitable to serve as one part of a hook/loop type fastener system, a bottom layer which comprises an abrasive or polishing material, and a cleaning or other surface treating formulation positioned between the upper and bottom layer in the form of a bump which is positioned mostly in a central region of the pad. The bump of the formulation causes the upper layer to bulge upwardly so as to provide a visual indication as to where one optimally should attach a motorized device thereto.
US08402587B2	Optical connector cleaning tool An optical connector cleaning tool includes a holder, cleaner, and cap. The holder includes, a cylindrical slider, a cylindrical body which is rotatable and movable in the axial direction with respect to the slider, and a slider return spring which biases the body forward to return the slider to the initial position. The slider has a pair of elastic pieces having guide projections. In the outer circumferential surface of the body, spiral grooves with which the guide projections engage are formed within the angular range of 360°. When the slider moves forward, the body rotates by the cam action of the guide projections and spiral grooves. The cleaner includes, a cleaning thread accommodated in a rotary pod, a supply reel, a take-up reel, and a cleaning pin, and is connected to the body.
US08402584B2	Length changeable ship ramp The invention relates to a device (1) for a length-changeable ship ramp (2). According to the invention, a part (3) of a telescope (4) forms a driveway surface on the ramp. Furthermore, a device (50) for a ship ramp (2), which has turntables (51, 51A, 51B) between ramp parts (10, 11, 12), has means for locking the turntables of the telescopic ramp parts in order of priority.
US08402581B2	Method and apparatus for patient loading and unloading A method and apparatus of a positioning system are described to position an upper-half of a body relative to a head-end of a couch. The positioning system may be a patient positioning system and may include a treatment couch, a leg rest coupled to the treatment couch, and a drive mechanism coupled to the leg rest. The patient positioning system may also include a treatment couch, having a base portion of a treatment couch and plurality of detachable portions of the treatment couch. The plurality of detachable portions to adjust a height of the treatment couch to accommodate differing heights of patients.
US08402580B2	Fabric system Bedding material including a first fabric section manufactured from performance fabric and having a first and second side; and, a second fabric section attached to the first side of the first fabric section. Additionally, a third fabric section can be attached to the second side of the first fabric section. The first fabric section can be attached to the second fabric section through a flatlock stitch. The first fabric section can include a first zone and a second zone wherein the first zone contains different performance properties from the second zone and the first zone can have thermal or moisture wicking properties.
US08402572B2	Toilet armrest support system Toilet armrest support system comprises a removable armrest platform having a centrally disposed opening that conforms to the opening over an existing toilet bowl rim. The removable armrest platform supports detachable armrests configured to provide a wider area under the armrests for larger individuals requiring more space. The relatively thin and rigid platform slides underneath an existing toilet seat and engages a docking sub-system fastened to existing hinge openings with toilet seat fasteners on the rear of the toilet. The docking sub-system is of unitary construction comprising docking bar, docking ports at each end of the docking bar, and an anchor block between the docking ports. The removable platform easily slides into the docking ports and under the elevated anchor block. A locking mechanism on the anchor block locks the removable platform securely in place which can then be removed just as easily and quickly.
US08402570B2	Discharge device, in particular toilet flusher, having a tank that can be coupled A toilet freshener for releasing a preparation into a toilet bowl includes a dispenser, at least one container couplable with the dispenser for storing the preparation, a release element for releasing preparation into the toilet bowl and connected in communicating manner to the container via a line so that the bottom of the container is arranged above the release orifice of the release element in the direction of gravity, such that a difference in level is formed between the bottom of the container and the release orifice of the release element, and a pin connected to the line, which interacts with the couplable container such that, during coupling of the container with the dispenser, the pin displaces a volume of preparation in the container, whereby a pressure is produced in the container, which pressure conveys the preparation over the difference in level into the line.
US08402566B2	Stitched seam structure, item of clothing comprising a stitched seam structure and method for producing a stitched seam structure A seam joining structure (1) includes a first material web (10) with a first barrier layer (42) and with a first edge (14) on an outer boundary of the first material web (10), a second material web (30) with a second barrier layer (42) and with a second edge (34) on an outer boundary of the second material web (30), as well as at least one seam (21) that joins the first and second material webs (10, 30) in a seam area (3) to form a first seam allowance (13) between the seam (21) and the first edge (14) of the first material web (10) and to form a second seam allowance (33) between seam (21) and the second edge (34) of the second material web (30). The first and second material webs (10, 30) are arranged one above the other in seam area (3) and the second seam allowance (33) is folded around the first edge (14) of the first material web (10) and covers the at least one seam (21) to form a seam cover (2), whereby the seam cover (2) is joined in the seam area (3) to the first material web (10). This seam-joining structure can contribute to creating waterproof functional clothing with high wearing comfort.
US08402563B1	Camouflage for hunter or soldier or the like Camouflage apparel for a hunter or solder or the like comprising a cape or sheet composed of camouflage material. The cape may be separate or attached to a pouch or hood of camouflage material. The cape and hood may be separate or attached to a portion of a vest which extends across the back of the neck of the wearer thereof such that the cape is receivable in the hood for stowage and such that the cape may be removed from the hood to drape across the front of the wearer. The vest has a seat which is stowably securable to the rear of the vest by straps which are fastened by buckles which are manipulatable at locations in front of the vest.
US08407811B2	Scanning probe microscope and method of observing sample using the same In a scanning probe microscope, a nanotube and metal nano-particles are combined together to configure a plasmon-enhanced near-field probe having an optical resolution on the order of nanometers as a measuring probe in which a metal structure is embedded, and this plasmon-enhanced near-field probe is installed in a highly-efficient plasmon exciting unit to repeat approaching to and retracting from each measuring point on a sample with a low contact force, so that optical information and profile information of the surface of the sample are measured with a resolution on the order of nanometers, a high S/N ratio, and high reproducibility without damaging both of the probe and the sample.
US08407806B2	Digital data distribution detection, deterrence and disablement system and method A method of distributing a data over a network includes protecting the data as a protected document by encryption and watermarking, controlling access to the protected document based on permissions, checking for permissions from a database, recording a record of the step of checking in the database, and accessing the protected document if allowed per permissions from the step of checking. The method collects a so-called “document thread” indicating a fingerprint of the first accessor of the data and the distributions and uses subsequently made of the data. The method is operable via a web page interface, such as through a browser of a device of the network communicatively connected to a web server of a data center. The method is alternately operable atop a document/data management system, including a client device application of a device of the network communicatively connected to the document/data management system. The method provides detection and log of the protected data in each event of access by the device over the network, deterrence of inappropriate access to the protected data by the device through policies for the document and device and event recordation on access, and disablement of the protected data for access by the device if access is not permissible per the method.
US08407804B2	System and method of whitelisting parent virtual images In embodiments of the present invention improved capabilities are described for virtual machine scan optimization. In response to a change in the primary virtual machine, the virtual machine scan optimization may involve comparing the primary virtual machine to the related virtual machine and tracking changes of the primary virtual machine with respect to the related virtual machine wherein the changes are identified by location within the primary virtual machine; forming a tracked changes log; generating a relevant file map of the primary virtual machine wherein the relevant file map includes a plurality of relevant files and each of the plurality of relevant files' locations in the primary virtual machine; comparing the changed locations identified in the track changes log with the locations of the plurality of relevant files to determine if any one of the plurality of relevant files has been changed; and in the event that a relevant file has been changed, as indicated by the comparison of the relevant file map to the tracked changes log, causing the changed relevant file to be security scanned.
US08407799B2	Software behavior modeling device, software behavior modeling method, software behavior verification device, and software behavior verification method A software behavior modeling device which forms a model of a behavior of software includes; an event information acquisition unit configured to acquire event information indicating a specific event which occurs during execution of the software; a stack information acquisition unit configured to acquire stack information stored in a call stack at a time of occurrence of the specific event; a score setting unit configured to set a score in accordance with a storage location in which each element included in the stack information is stored in the call stack; and a model generating unit configured to form a model of a relationship between the specific event and the element by using the score, and to generate a behavior model of the software.
US08407797B1	Anti-malware emulation systems and methods In some embodiments, antivirus/malware behavior-based scanning (emulation) is accelerated by identifying known code sequences and executing pre-stored native-code routines (e.g. decompression, decryption, checksum routines) implementing the functionality of the known code sequences before returning to the emulation. During emulation, target machine code instructions are compared to a set of known signatures. If a known code sequence is identified, the emulator calls a native code routine and caches the current instruction address. If the emulator subsequently reaches a cached address, a native code routine may be called without scanning the data at the address for known signatures. Signature scanning may be performed selectively for instructions following code flow changes (e.g. after jump, call or interrupt instructions). The emulator may also call native-code routines implementing virtual operating system calls, and native-code unpacked file reconstruction routines that reconstruct unpacked files from the contents of virtual memory for scanning by a content-based malware scanner.
US08407796B2	Computer virus screening methods and systems A method includes receiving a status update from a client device, the status update reflects at least one change associated with the client device, updating a model of the client device based on the status update, receiving data to be screened for a virus, the data is received after an updating of the model of the client device, and screening the model of the client device for the virus. Systems and articles of manufacture are also disclosed.
US08407790B2	Low-latency detection of scripting-language-based exploits Systems and methods for protecting client computers are described. One method includes receiving webpage data at a proxy from a webpage before the data reaches an intended recipient; gathering scripting-language-data from the webpage data; normalizing the scripting-language-data so as to generate normalized data; emulating execution of the normalized scripting-language-data with a inspection-point-script-execution engine that that is adapted to provide inspection points instead of effectuating particular functions, and determining whether to block the data from the intended recipient by analyzing inspection-data collected from the inspection points.
US08407788B2	Methods and systems for implementing a self defending/repairing database This disclosure describes, generally, methods and systems for self defending and repairing a database. The method includes monitoring, at a database server, code modifications to a database management application. The database management application is configured to maintain the database. The method further includes determining that a code modification has occurred to the database management application. The method further includes checking the code modification for the presence of an authorization key, and in response to an invalid or non-existent authorization key, determining that the code modification is unauthorized. Further, the method includes quarantining the modified code in a secure storage location, and automatically accessing original code of the database management application and replacing the modified code with code from the original code of the database management application.
US08407784B2	Method and system for protection against information stealing software A system and method for identifying infection of unwanted software on an electronic device is disclosed. A software agent configured to generate a bait and is installed on the electronic device. The bait can simulate a situation in which the user performs a login session and submits personal information or it may just contain artificial sensitive information. Parameters may be inserted into the bait such as the identity of the electronic device that the bait is installed upon. The output of the electronic device is monitored and analyzed for attempts of transmitting the bait. The output is analyzed by correlating the output with the bait and can be done by comparing information about the bait with the traffic over a computer network in order to decide about the existence and the location of unwanted software. Furthermore, it is possible to store information about the bait in a database and then compare information about a user with the information in the database in order to determine if the electronic device that transmitted the bait contains unwanted software.
US08407778B2	Apparatus and methods for processing filter rules Techniques for processing filter rules are disclosed. To this end, filter rules having one or more attributes where each attribute indicates a condition to qualify whether a filter rule applies to a subsequent event are received. Summary rules are generated where each summary rule has a number of summary conditions. Some filter rules become associated with the generated summary rules. The summary conditions are extended to span the attributes of the associated filter rules.
US08407777B1	SOCKS tunneling for firewall traversal The present invention provides a unique way of implementing the SOCKS protocol for establishing connections through a firewall. In general, instead of having a SOCKS server implemented entirely in the firewall, SOCKS servers are implemented on both a server and a client, which are configured to communicate with each other through the firewall. The SOCKS servers on the server and client allow multiple objects on both the server and the client to communicate with each other through a single port through the firewall, wherein the SOCKS servers on the server and the client cooperate with each other and their respective objects to allow the objects to establish the connections.
US08407775B2	Systems and methods for access control The disclosure describes various systems and methods for access control. One such method includes providing an access control module that includes a base portion and an update portion. The update portion is electrically coupled to the base portion via a detachable electrical connector, and wherein operation of the access control module is based at least in part on an interaction between the base portion and the update portion.
US08407764B2	User authentication apparatus and method for supporting PMIPv6 in next generation networks Provided are a user authentication apparatus and method for supporting PMIPv6 (Proxy Mobile Internet Protocol version 6) in next generation networks. Authentication and mobility signaling protocol can be performed without having an additional signaling process when a mobile terminal moves by extending user profiles of the next generations to support the PMIPv6.
US08407763B2	Secure network interface device An interface device for a protected workstation or host has a network interface for connection to a multi-level secure network, a first address corresponding to a guard control port, and a second address corresponding to a guard data port. A transport guard in the device has a control component coupled to the guard control port for processing configuration data sent to the first address and producing a desired security configuration, a guard component coupled to the output of the control component and to the guard data port of the network interface, and a host interface coupled to the guard component for exchanging data with the protected host. Only when permitted by the desired security configuration, the guard component passes network data addressed to the second address of the network interface to the host interface, and passes outbound data from the host interface to the network through the guard data port.
US08407762B2	System for three level authentication of a user A system and method for three level authentication of a user has been disclosed. The system 100 performs three level authentication: first level being selection of at least one predefined image from a plurality of images including decoy images; second level being selection of at least one predefined tile in the tiled version of the selected images to generate a transaction key; and the third level being entering a transaction key generated after first and second level are successfully completed, which is used for final account login and grant of transaction rights. The authentication is done on user's computing node 110 by communicating with authentication server 102 for first and second level authentication and the transaction key for third level authentication being generated by transaction key generating server 124 and transmitted on to user's computing node.
US08407758B2	Network security appliance A network security appliance that provides security to devices in industrial environments by transparently bridging traffic to the endpoint device. The security 5 appliance securely communicates with a management server for receiving configuration data for operation of security modules in the appliance by encrypted communications. The security appliance utilizes the network address of the industrial device when communicating with a management server and is addressed by the management server using the address of one of the protected devices associated with the appliance. Learned device characteristics are provided by the appliance to the management server which tailors software and security rules to specific network vulnerabilities of the device and control protocol. The security appliance sends periodic heartbeat messages to the management server using the network address of the device. The heartbeat message can also report anomalous events which may required additional software being provided from the management server to the node.
US08407757B2	Specifying and enforcing run-time policies for application processes being executed on a computer The present invention provides a method and system of specifying and enforcing at least one run-time policy for at least one computer process executing on a computer system, where the computer system includes a computer operating system. In an exemplary embodiment, the method and system include (1) relating the policy with an executable file of the process, (2) associating the policy with a running instance of the process, and (3) enforcing the policy on the running instance.
US08407753B2	Content list tailoring for capability of IPTV device An Internet Protocol TV (IPTV) manufacturer and/or IPTV device user may configure and upload the profile of the IPTV into an IPTV server. The IPTV server filters the playable contents delivered to the IPTV as necessary to match downloaded playlists and links with the IPTV profile.
US08407750B2	Enabling users of peer to peer clients to socially interact while viewing videos Embodiments of the present invention pertain to enabling users of peer to peer clients to socially interact while viewing videos. According to one embodiment, a first client and a second client are physically remote from each other. A first video and a second video are for the same show but are in different formats. The first client accesses the first video and the second client accesses the second video. The users of the first client and the second client are enabled to socially interact with each other using peer to peer communications between the first client and the second client.
US08407739B2	Apparatus and method for displaying broadcasting program guide information Provided are an apparatus and a method for displaying a broadcasting program guide information.This application is for displaying the broadcasting program guide information by enlarging an area of a screen corresponding to a predetermined identifier or a blank area on the screen, and thereby outputting the program guide information.
US08407737B1	Systems and methods for providing a scan transport bar A scan transport bar is disclosed. The scan transport bar includes a number of cells indicating programs within the scan. The scan transport bar is displayed with the currently-tuned program. The scan transport bar includes tuning sequence numbers for allowing users to easily tune to programs within the scan. A countdown timer is also provided that indicates the amount of time until the next tune in the scan.
US08407733B2	Method and apparatus for establishing individualized subscription plans in a switched digital video system A content delivery system headend is provided which includes a Switched Digital Video (SDV) manager for coordinating SDV sessions requested by subscribers over an access network. The headend also includes an input for receiving content to be broadcast during the SDV sessions and a subscriber control unit. The subscriber control unit is configured to compare channel change requests received by the SDV manager from subscribers to a current subscription plan that specifies a pre-established set of channels to which the subscriber has previously subscribed. In this way tuning information for accessing channels specified in the channel change requests is only supplied if the channel change requests request channels included in the current subscription plan.
US08407726B2	Collaboration in low bandwidth applications For collaboration amongst applications, a first application is selected from the applications based on a pre-defined parameter of the first application and selecting a second application from the applications. At least one common collaboration element exists between the first application and the second application. A tag is added to the first application. The tag corresponds to an event notification corresponding to an event associated with the at least one common element.
US08407725B2	Proteins, pools, and slawx in processing environments Embodiments described herein include mechanisms for encapsulating data that needs to be shared between or across processes. These mechanisms include slawx (plural of “slaw”), proteins, and pools. Generally, slawx provide the lowest-level of data definition for inter-process exchange, proteins provide mid-level structure and hooks for querying and filtering, and pools provide for high-level organization and access semantics. Slawx includes a mechanism for efficient, platform-independent data representation and access. Proteins provide a data encapsulation and transport scheme using slawx as the payload. Pools provide structured and flexible aggregation, ordering, filtering, and distribution of proteins within a process, among local processes, across a network between remote or distributed processes, and via longer term (e.g. on-disk, etc.) storage.
US08407724B2	Agile help, defect tracking, and support framework for composite applications This disclosure describes, generally, methods and systems for implementing agile and dynamic help, defect tracking, and support frameworks for composite applications. The method includes implementing, on a computer system including a storage database, a composite application including a plurality of application components and establishing, in the computer system's storage database, a storage container for each of the plurality of application components. The storage containers are configured to store support information for each of the component applications. The method further includes storing, in the storage database, support data for each of the plurality of component applications, removing at least one of the plurality of component applications from the composite application, and maintaining, in the storage database, the support data for the remaining component applications of the composite application.
US08407723B2	JAVA virtual machine having integrated transaction management system and facility to query managed objects A computing system and method is a specification of user-defined business logic is provided as JAVA program instructions (or another programming language) which does not natively provide for specification of full transactionality, to accomplish a fully transactional application, including executed managed objects. The managed objects are persisted in a shared memory of the computing system, such that a scope of the objects is global to the fully transactional application. Furthermore, a catalog of the managed object is maintained. A query interface is provided for querying the managed objects, in order to receive a query from an application, to process the catalog, and to provide a result indication of at least one of the managed objects back to the querying application. Thus, for example, the application may process the managed objects that are indicated in the query result.
US08407718B2	Method and apparatus for composite user interface generation A method for directing messages between a composite user interface and at least one source application. A message is to be directed to a predetermined set of services, each service executes a command specified by the message and the message comprises details of the predetermined set of services. Each service in the predetermined set of services uses said details to determine whether the message should be sent to another service, and if it is determined that the message should be sent to another service transmits the message to an appropriate service.
US08407715B2	Live range sensitive context switch procedure comprising a plurality of register sets associated with usage frequencies and live set information of tasks A method of optimizing multi-set context switch for embedded processors includes the steps of partitioning a plurality of registers into a plurality of register sets based on a live-range-sensitive context-switch procedure that is associated with a usage frequency of each of the registers, storing contents of first target registers according to live set information of a current task, wherein the first target registers are selected from the register sets, determining a next task by an operating system and updating the live set information according to the next task, and restoring contents of second target registers according to the updated live set information, wherein the second target registers are selected from the register sets.
US08407713B2	Infrastructure of data summarization including light programs and helper steps A method of summarizing data includes providing a multi-method summarization program including instructions for summarizing data for a transaction processing system. At least one functional aspect of the transaction processing system for which a summarization of a subset of the data is desired is determined. The functional subset to a user as a light summarization program is exposed. The dependencies of the functional subset can be enforced at runtime allowing packaging flexibility. A method for efficient parallel processing involving not necessarily filled requests for help.
US08407710B2	Systems and methods for dynamically scanning a plurality of active ports for priority schedule of work Systems and methods for scanning ports for work are provided. One system includes one or more processors, multiple ports, a first tracking mechanism, and a second tracking mechanism for tracking high priority work and low priority work, respectively. The processor(s) is/are configured to perform the below method. One method includes scanning the ports, finding high priority work on a port, and accepting or declining the high priority work. The method further includes changing a designation of the processor to TRUE in the first tracking mechanism if the processor accepts the high priority work such that the processor is allowed to perform the high priority work on the port. Also provided are computer storage mediums including computer code for performing the above method.
US08407708B2	Techniques for providing improved affinity scheduling in a multiprocessor computer system Techniques for controlling a thread on a computerized system having multiple processors involve accessing state information of a blocked thread, and maintaining the state information of the blocked thread at current values when the state information indicates that less than a predetermined amount of time has elapsed since the blocked thread ran on the computerized system. Such techniques further involve setting the state information of the blocked thread to identify affinity for a particular processor of the multiple processors when the state information indicates that at least the predetermined amount of time has elapsed since the blocked thread ran on the computerized system. Such operation enables the system to place a cold blocked thread which shares data with another thread on the same processor of that other thread so that, when the blocked thread awakens and runs, that thread is closer to the shared data.
US08407707B2	Task queuing in a network communications processor architecture Described embodiments provide a method of assigning tasks to queues of a processing core. Tasks are assigned to a queue by sending, by a source processing core, a new task having a task identifier. A destination processing core receives the new task and determines whether another task having the same identifier exists in any of the queues corresponding to the destination processing core. If another task with the same identifier as the new task exists, the destination processing core assigns the new task to the queue containing a task with the same identifier as the new task. If no task with the same identifier as the new task exists in the queues, the destination processing core assigns the new task to the queue having the fewest tasks. The source processing core writes the new task to the assigned queue. The destination processing core executes the tasks in its queues.
US08407706B2	Framework for parallel business object processing The present disclosure relates to methods, systems, and software for performing parallel processing on a set of business object actions forming a batch process. The batch process may be performed by compiling a group of independent work packages, each work package representing a discrete business object action. The work packages are clustered and an individual session for each work package is created. The work packages are then executed in parallel by a framework for parallel processing, external of an application requesting the batch process. Each session is closed after processing of the work package is completed, and the cluster is closed after processing of the work packages is completed.
US08407705B2	Assigning priorities to threads of execution Systems and processes may be implemented to receive threads of execution and assign priorities to the threads of execution. Threads of execution may include nonvolatile memory input/output threads, other input/output threads, and/or other non-input/output threads. A lower priority may be assigned to nonvolatile memory input/output threads than other input/output threads. An algorithm may determine an order of execution of the threads of execution. An order of execution may be at least partially based on assigned priorities.
US08407701B2	Facilitating quiesce operations within a logically partitioned computer system A facility is provided for processing to distinguish between a full conventional (or total system) quiesce request within a logically partitioned computer system, which requires all processors of the computer system to remain quiesced for the duration of the quiesce-related operation, and a new early-release conventional quiesce request, which is associated with fast-quiesce request utilization. In accordance with the facility, once all processors have quiesced responsive to a pending quiesce request sequence, the processors are allowed to block early-release conventional quiesce interrupts and to continue processing if there is no total system quiesce request in the pending quiesce request sequence.
US08407700B2	Methods and systems for merging virtualization sublayers A computer-implemented method may include identifying first and second sublayers of a virtualized application. The first and/or second virtualization sublayers may include a read-write sublayer, a read-only sublayer, a virtual-reset-point sublayer, and/or a patch sublayer. The computer-implemented method may also include merging an instance of the first virtualization sublayer with an instance of the second virtualization sublayer. Various other methods, systems, and computer-readable media are also disclosed.
US08407699B2	System and method for managing code isolation A computing system is configured to use a trampoline to isolate sensitive code in a virtual environment and in other applications. An import table may describe the entry points of a privileged code module or driver that generates privileged code. A system and method loads a shadow kernel to facilitate isolating the linkage between drivers and the rest of the system. The shadow kernel may be a copy of the operating system kernel that does not have the same integral position in the operation of the computing device. The shadow kernel may be used as a template for creating a jump table to redirect more critical privileged resource access requests from specially loaded kernel mode drivers to the PVM. All requests may pass through the PVM, which redirects non-critical functions to the original kernel. Multiple copies of a given driver or code module may be loaded in a given session.
US08407698B2	Driver installation and diskless booting of virtual and physical machines based on machine characteristic Methods and systems are described for provisioning a common virtual disk to both a physical and a virtual computing machine. These methods and systems can include creating a virtual disk that has binding information for both a paravirtual network interface card and a physical network interface card so that, either a virtual machine having a paravirtual network interface card, or a physical machine having a physical network interface card, may boot from the created virtual disk. Creation of the virtual disk can include exposing the paravirtual network interface card to a physical machine so that an installer program may bind to both the paravirtual network interface card and the physical network interface card.
US08407696B2	Method for delivering, testing, and applying software patches or other changes to a conventionally installed application in virtual application containers A method for updating an application on a host system includes steps or acts of: installing an application on the host system; installing a virtual machine monitor on the host system, installing a first virtual container on the host system, wherein the first virtual container comprises at least one update to the installed application; and instantiating the first virtual container under the virtual machine monitor in a mode wherein the host system can be accessed but not modified and wherein instantiating the first virtual container includes updating the installed application in the first virtual computer and running the updated application in the first virtual container. The method may also include a step of confirming that the updated application runs properly. Optionally, the virtual container may be devirtualized.
US08407692B2	Dynamic correction of component manifests Described is processing a manifest associated with a software component (such as for installation purposes) to determine whether the manifest has errors, and if so, providing a corrected manifest. To process the manifest, an identifier associated with the manifest is used to consult a correction data store to determine whether the manifest is known to require correction. The identifier may be generated via a hash (e.g., of the manifest contents) if one is not appropriately associated with the manifest. If the manifest is known to require correction, a corrected manifest is used, such as from a substitute corrected manifest, or a set of deltas that modify the manifest into the corrected manifest. The substitute manifest or deltas may be in the data store or obtained via a link. A corrected manifest may also be provided by evaluating the manifest for rule violations, and fixing any rule violations that are found.
US08407690B2	Method in a network of the delivery of files A method in a network of the delivery of files from a server computer (101) to a client computer (102) in which the client computer is polling the server computer looking to see in the server if at least one new file associated with this client computer is available. If yes, then the client computer is downloading the files associated with this client computer at specific intervals. The client computer is all by itself polling the server computer at specific intervals and it itself controls the downloading of the updates which occurs at times during which the downloading does not disturb the working of the client computer.
US08407686B2	Method and system for problem notification and processing A notification of a problem associated with an application may be received. A difference may be determined between a problem version of the application and an operational version of the application to identify a change associated with the problem. A person associated with the change may be determined. A task of resolving the problem may be assigned to the person associated with the change. A person may be notified of the problem and of the assigning of the task based on the identified change. A modification may be performed to resolve the problem associated with the change based on the determining of the difference.
US08407685B2	Systems and methods for generating ordered download selections based on usage information Embodiments relate to a platform for generating ordered download selections based on usage information. A download site can provide a selectable or searchable set of applications to download. The download site collects usage information from online desktops operating on a set of clients. The online desktop of each client samples the applications being used on the client at given intervals and reports the client's usage statistics to the download site. The download site aggregates the usage information received from participating clients and collectively orders applications for download, according to usage rank. A work processing application used by the most users in the last day or other period may be listed first, followed by the second-most used, and so forth. The sampling of actual application usage, instead of for instance download totals, allows the download site to provide downloads in an order most closely approximating users' actual usage behavior.
US08407683B2	Software uninstallation system, method and computer program product A system, method and computer program product are provided for uninstalling software on a computer. In use, a plurality of software products identified on a computer is displayed. Further, a first user instruction to uninstall at least a portion of at least one of the software products from the computer is received. Such first user instruction is received via an interface. Still yet, the at least a portion of the at least one software product is uninstalled from the computer, in response to the receipt of the first user instruction. Also, a second user instruction may be received to cancel the uninstallation. Thus, the uninstallation may be cancelled, in response to the receipt of the second user instruction.
US08407682B2	Software and method that enables selection of one of a plurality of online service providers Software stored on a computer-readable storage medium at a user station provides a plurality of functions including an online service selector function that enables a user at the user station to select any one of a plurality of available online service providers, and a communications function that establishes a communication link between the user station and the selected one of the available online service providers. Corresponding methods for operating a user station are also described.
US08407681B2	System and method for changing variables at runtime A system and associated method for changing the initial size of a variable where intermediate code contains a static method class which in turn contains the initial size of variable. Comparing a statistic with the initial size of the variable, the statistic being derived from all current instances of the variable contained in located in dynamic memory, the comparing being performed in response to an event having occurred. Then modifying the initial size of the variable located in the intermediate code. The modification being in such a way as to change the initial size of variable in dependence of the statistic and all current instances of the variable located in the dynamic memory. Finally, repeating the comparing and changing steps for all variables contained in the dynamic memory.
US08407677B2	Maintainable dynamic instrumentation technique for changing versions of software A technique for the dynamic instrumentation of a running software system. One or more callable instrumentation functions are accessible in a first memory space associated with the software system. The one or more callable instrumentation functions are adapted to probe an operation of the software system and return data regarding the probed operation. Probed operation environment information needed by the one or more instrumentation functions is provided to a second memory space associated with the software system. First memory space addresses associated with the probed operation environment information are determined from a resource that is accessible in the second memory space. A probe handler is generated that includes calls to the one or more instrumentation functions with references to the first memory space addresses. The probe handler is callable as part of the probed operation.
US08407674B2	Detecting thread starvation Thread starvation is indicated for a program under test while the program is running. Beginning with a least frequently used thread in a list of thread tracking structures, if recorded events are currently listed for the thread, thread starvation is detected based on a percentage of the recorded events that took place while other threads were waiting a synchronization object held by the thread. If no recorded events are listed for the thread, the percentage of recorded of events that take place while other threads were waiting for synchronization object held by the thread does not exceed the predetermined percentage, and there are timestamps currently listed for the thread and the thread is currently waiting for a synchronization object, thread starvation is detected based on a percentage of time the thread has been waiting for the synchronization object. Thread starvation detection is repeated for each of the remaining threads in the list of thread tracking structure, beginning with the next to least frequently active thread.
US08407673B2	Trace log rule parsing A method, system and computer program product for handling errors in trace logs is presented. In an exemplary manner, the method includes detecting, in an error log, an error line entry for an error that is associated with a software execution. The error line entry includes a variable component and a static component. The variable component is associated with a real-time description of the software execution that changes every time the software execution occurs, and the static component is a fixed error descriptor of the error. The fixed error descriptor is parsed out from the error line entry to create a parsed static component, which is correlated with a resource that can be used to correct the error.
US08407672B2	Systems and methods for synchronizing software execution across data processing systems and platforms Systems and methods for software automation are provided. Software testcases are distributed across multiple data processing systems (equivalently, “machines” or “hosts”) that may collectively include multiple platforms (equivalently, “operating systems”). A testcase may be executed as one or more processes progressing through a sequence of phases, with execution within a phase being asynchronous among processes. Synchronization of the testcase processes across the data processing systems and platforms may be effected by managing an event; the testcase processes block on the event upon completion of the current testcase phase. A testcase phase execution service on each host handles synchronization events. The definition of the testcase may include metadata that identifies the particular phases in sequence, that is phase names, for the testcase; the phase names identifies the phases to the synchronization process that triggers the synchronization events which initiate each succeeding phase of the testcase.
US08407671B2	Accessory validation system Circuits, methods, and apparatus for testing media player accessories. One example includes an accessory validation system including hardware, firmware, and software. This example provides two test modes, referred to a sniff mode and an emulation mode. In the sniff mode, a test box may be inserted between an accessory and a media player. Traffic between the accessory and media player may be monitored and the presence of errors may be determined. In the emulation mode, the accessory validation system hardware emulates a media player. The emulator provides various types of responses to the accessory that would otherwise occur infrequently with an actual media player. The tests to be completed in these modes are compiled based on the category of functions that an accessory maker wishes to claim for the accessory. These category claims are then converted into a number of rules. From these rules, specific tests are generated.
US08407668B2	Model based spreadsheet scripting language Techniques for programming using a model based spreadsheet scripting language are disclosed herein, where procedural aspects may be incorporated along with the model based aspects therein. In particular, techniques for performing calculations of a value, and recalculation of interdependent formulas using programs written with the model based spreadsheet scripting language are disclosed.
US08407664B2	Software model business objects Methods and apparatus, including computer program products, for defining a software model business object are described. A plurality of business objects and interactions between these business objects are defined. Each business object is operable to encapsulate business data and can be associated with exactly one process component. Each of the process components characterizes software implementing a respective and distinct process and defines a respective at least one service interface for communicating and interacting with business objects in other process components. Moreover, all communication and interaction between process components takes place through the respective interfaces of the process components. Additionally, the interactions among business objects in different deployment units occur solely via the process component interfaces.
US08407663B2	Upgrading simple applications to full scale solutions The architecture provides development tools for the occasional developer to build a substantial portion of an application interface for accessing and interacting with actual data. The lack in knowledge of the occasional developer to complete the project is then supplemented by a development service provider such that experienced developers complete the interface and integrate the interface into the application environment so the occasional developer can use the application to access data for which the interface was developed. The architecture provides tools that are understandable for building in a guided way the framework and the user experience for the application, and then passes on the more complex pieces to IT because coding may be needed or a model should be generated that is scalable for a large number of users, for example. IT then completes the development process and integrates the final solution into the application environment.
US08407658B2	Methods, systems, and computer program products for using direct memory access to initialize a programmable logic device Methods, systems, and computer program products for using direct memory access (DMA) to initialize a programmable logic device (PLD) are provided. A method includes manipulating a control line of the PLD to configure the PLD in a programming mode, receiving PLD programming data from a DMA control at a DMA speed, and writing the PLD programming data to a data buffer. The method also includes reading the PLD programming data from the data buffer, and transmitting the PLD programming data to a programming port on the PLD at a PLD programming speed.
US08407656B2	Method and structure for a transistor having a relatively large threshold voltage variation range and for a random number generator incorporating multiple essentially identical transistors having such a large threshold voltage variation range Disclosed are a design method and structure for a transistor having a relatively large threshold voltage (Vt) variation range due to exacerbated random dopant fluctuation (RDF). Exacerbated RDF and, thereby a relatively large Vt variation range, is achieved through the use of complementary doping in one or more transistor components and/or through lateral dopant non-uniformity between the channel region and any halo regions. Also disclosed are a design method and structure for a random number generator, which incorporates multiple pairs of essentially identical transistors having such a large Vt variation and which relies on Vt mismatch in pairs of those the transistors to generate a multi-bit output (e.g., a unique identifier for a chip or a secret key). By widening the Vt variation range of the transistors in the random number generator, detecting Vt mismatch between transistors becomes more likely and the resulting multi-bit output will be more stable.
US08407651B2	Optimization for circuit design Methods for optimizing design parameters of a circuit are disclosed. In one aspect, an optimization problem includes one or more performance specifications that represent an exponent of a design parameter to be optimized. Various parameters of passive and active circuit devices may be efficiently and accurately optimized as a result. In another aspect, linear performance specifications are included for accurately calculating voltages. In yet other aspects of the invention, three special types of convex optimization problems are disclosed for enabling the above use of exponents of design parameters which provide efficient and accurate calculations of a virtually unlimited array of circuit parameters and performance characteristics.
US08407648B2	Printed circuit board layout device capable of automatically arranging encapsulated component and method thereof A computer-implemented method for component arrangement in a PCB layout device is provided. The device includes wiring diagrams. First, generates a PCB encapsulation diagram corresponding to the selected wiring diagram. Then, obtains the coordinates of each electronic component in the selected wiring diagram. Next, generates a prompt to prompt the user to select a reference point in the PCB encapsulation diagram. Then, obtains the coordinates of the reference point. Next, determines an abscissa difference and an ordinate difference between one component in the wiring diagram and the reference point. Then, determines the coordinates of each encapsulated component in the PCB encapsulation diagram according to the abscissa difference, the ordinate difference, and the coordinates of each electronic component in the wiring diagram. And last, moves each encapsulated component to the determined corresponding coordinates of each encapsulated component in the PCB encapsulation diagram.
US08407647B2	Systems and methods for designing and making integrated circuits with consideration of wiring demand ratio A method for designing and making an integrated circuit is described. That method utilizes statistical models of wire segments to accurately estimate the expected length of minimum-length, orthogonal wire segments within a block. From these estimates, the method accurately estimates an ratio between the horizontal and vertical routing resources required, termed the “H/V Demand Ratio.” From the H/V Demand Ratio, an accurate estimate of the height and width of the block may be determined. Thereafter, placement and routing may be performed quickly and accurately, thereby allowing the block to be designed and manufactured quickly and cost effectively. A method for designing an integrated circuit with efficient metal-1 resource utilization is also described.
US08407644B2	Reducing crosstalk in the design of module nets A method, a system and a computer program product for reducing coupling noise in low loss on-module wires used for connecting module components in electrical circuits/devices. During the design stage, an Enhanced Crosstalk Reduction (ECR) utility identifies interconnect wires as driven/aggressor traces or receiver traces. The ECR utility substantially avoids forward crosstalk in a victim trace by specially arranging driver traces adjacent to the receiver victim trace in order to provide a lower level and saturated level of backward crosstalk. In particular, the ECR utility provided a configuration of wire/trace layers based on one or more of: (a) the crosstalk impact of a trace when positioned in a particular location; (b) the crosstalk impact of the trace upon remaining components based on placement in the particular location; and (c) system component specifications. In addition, the ECR utility reduces crosstalk by providing a configuration of receiver wires and transmitter wires without the use of isolation layers.
US08407641B2	Logic design verification techniques for liveness checking with retiming A technique for verification of a retimed logic design using liveness checking includes assigning a liveness gate to a liveness property for an original netlist and assigning a fairness gate to a fairness constraint for the original netlist. In this case, the fairness gate is associated with the liveness gate and is asserted for at least one time-step during any valid behavioral loop associated with the liveness gate. The original netlist is retimed, using a retiming engine, to provide a retimed netlist. The liveness and fairness gates of the retimed netlist are retimed such that a lag of the fairness gate is no greater than a lag of the liveness gate. Verification analysis is then performed on the retimed netlist. Finally, when the verification analysis yields a valid counter-example trace for the retimed netlist, a liveness violation for the original netlist is returned.
US08407637B2	Automation of the zero-pole identification methods for the stability analysis of microwave active circuits A method of analyzing electrical stability of an active circuit splits a frequency response of an electrical or electronic circuit according to sub-bands (134, 136, 138) and in each sub-band (134, 136, 138) implements a step of determining an identification transfer function adapted for a stability analysis. The step of determining the transfer function is automatic and executed in the form of an identification loop, parameterized according to a current order of transfer function, and stopped when the norm of a phase error function for the error between the phase (222, 224, 226) of the current identified transfer function and that of the frequency response has exceeded a predetermined phase error threshold value.
US08407634B1	Analysis of stress impact on transistor performance Roughly described, a method for approximating stress-induced mobility enhancement in a channel region in an integrated circuit layout, including approximating the stress at each of a plurality of sample points in the channel, converting the stress approximation at each of the sample points to a respective mobility enhancement value, and averaging the mobility enhancement values at all the sample points. The method enables integrated circuit stress analysis that takes into account stresses contributed by multiple stress generation mechanisms, stresses having vector components other than along the length of the channel, and stress contributions (including mitigations) due to the presence of other structures in the neighborhood of the channel region under study, other than the nearest STI interfaces. The method also enables stress analysis of large layout regions and even full-chip layouts, without incurring the computation costs of a full TCAD simulation.
US08407632B2	Detecting dose and focus variations during photolithography A method, system, and computer usable program product for detecting dose and focus variations during photolithography are provided in the illustrative embodiments. A test shape is formed on a wafer, the wafer being used to manufacture integrated circuits, the test shape being formed using a dose value and a focus value that are predetermined for the manufacturing. A capacitance of the test shape is measured. The capacitance is resolved to a second dosing value and a second focus value using an extraction model. A difference between the dosing value and the second dosing value is computed. A recommendation is made for dosing adjustment in the manufacturing based on the difference.
US08407630B1	Modeling and cross correlation of design predicted criticalities for optimization of semiconductor manufacturing A method and apparatus for modeling and cross correlation of design predicted criticalities include a feedback loop where information from the manufacturing process is provided to cross correlation engine for optimization of semiconductor manufacturing. The information may include parametric information, functional information, and hot spots determination. The sharing of information allows for design intent to be reflected in manufacturing metrology space; thus, allowing for more intelligent metrology and reduces cycle time.
US08407622B2	Portable device and method of providing menu icons A portable device and a method of providing menu icons are provided. The portable device includes a button signal determination unit, a focus location checking unit, a background screen management unit, and an icon management unit. The button signal determination unit determines whether an input button signal is the signal of a function button or the signal of a direction button when the button signal is received from a user. The focus location checking unit determines a location of a focus located on a specific menu icon. The background screen management unit changes the view point of a background screen to a direction in which the focus is moved. The icon management unit changes the size of a menu icon based on the location of the focus.
US08407618B2	Displaying an operation key image to distinguish a correspondence between an operation key and a selected window To enable a user to distinguish readily a correspondence between an operation key and a window to which the operation is assigned. An information-processing device according to the present invention, on obtaining an operation signal of a particular operation key (specifying key) (S1), determines whether a focused (or selected) window exists (S2). If such a window does not exist, the information-processing device displays a window of a particular application and a soft key image corresponding to a soft key so that they are located close to each other, and focuses the window of the particular application (S6 and S7).
US08407617B2	Providing a visual representation of various resources related to passages of classic literature Systems and methods for providing graphical representations of resources related to passages of classic literature are provided. According to one implementation, a graphical user interface (GUI) is provided in which the GUI includes a search field configured to enable a user to enter a search term. The search term may be recognized as a subject focus element. The GUI also includes a bloom diagram window configured to display an initial bloom diagram having the subject focus element at a center location and resource elements related to the subject focus element at locations surrounding the center location. A passage window is configured to display one or more passages of a classic literary work, wherein the passages related to the subject focus element. Also, the GUI includes a resource window configured to display a description of the resource elements.
US08407616B2	Graphical user interfaces and methods for thermography A graphical user interface facilitates methods for analyzing a temperature distribution across a scene that is captured by a thermal imaging device. Preferably, the interface includes a both a two-dimensional image of the captured scene and a three-dimensional representation of the captured scene. The three-dimensional representation is formed by a plurality of pixels, each of which are coded by a qualitative value from within a range of qualitative values, and each value, within the range, corresponds to a temperature. Each of the plurality of pixels is arranged, in a first and a second dimension of the three dimensions, according to a position of a corresponding pixel of the two-dimensional image, and, in a third dimension, according to a magnitude of the temperature associated therewith.
US08407614B2	Setting control using edges of a user interface A setting control may be mapped to an edge of a user interface to facilitate control of various settings and access thereto. The mapping may be implemented based on a number of setting values associated with the setting control and a size of a specified edge of the user interface. Additionally, multiple edges of a user interface may be mapped to a variety of setting controls. The edge-mapped setting controls may also be automatically reconfigured according to user preferences and interaction with the interface. Indicators are also generated to provide visual indications about the setting controls and/or a current setting. The appearance of indicators may be altered to convey a variety of information such as the current setting of a control or the type of setting control.
US08407613B2	Directory management on a portable multifunction device In some embodiments, a portable multifunction device with a touch screen display concurrently displays on the touch screen display a plurality of predefined regions, the predefined regions including: a source region, a command region, and a destination region. In response to detecting a first command association input by a user on the touch screen display, the device associates a first icon from the source region with a first directory management command icon in the command region. In response to detecting a first command performance input that includes selecting a first folder icon in the destination region, the device performs a directory management operation on a folder or file that corresponds to the first icon. The directory management operation is in accordance with the first directory management command icon and the selected first folder in the destination region.
US08407611B2	Apparatus and method for designing graphical user interfaces (GUIs) having different fidelities A method includes defining a placeholder widget having a property and defining a prototype graphical user interface (GUI) having an instance of the placeholder widget. The method also includes presenting the prototype GUI to a user, where an appearance of the instance of the placeholder widget is based on the property of the placeholder widget. The method further includes replacing the instance of the placeholder widget in the prototype GUI with an instance of another widget. In addition, the method includes updating the presentation of the prototype GUI using the instance of the other widget. Replacing the instance of the placeholder widget with the instance of the other widget could include transforming an instance of a lower fidelity placeholder widget into an instance of a higher fidelity widget. The property of the placeholder widget could include a textual property, an image property, and/or a graphics property.
US08407608B1	Touch input assist A user interface of an electronic content rendering device implements input assistance to enhance user experience when browsing linked content. As a touch input moves along a trajectory, an input assistance application provides enhanced fields associated with various navigation elements as the touch input draws toward the navigation elements. Responsive to detecting deceleration of the touch input within a threshold distance of a navigation element, the input assistance application enhances the associated field.
US08407603B2	Portable electronic device for instant messaging multiple recipients A portable electronic device with a touch screen display displays a list of instant messaging conversations including a group conversation. The group conversation includes a first multi-recipient identifier and a group conversation indicia. In response to detecting a user selection of the group conversation, the device displays a set of outgoing messages from a user of the device to multiple recipients in a chronological order and a second multi-recipient identifier. The device receives a new outgoing message for the group conversation entered by the user of the device through the touch screen display, and responds to detecting a user request to send the new outgoing message to the multiple recipients by sending the new outgoing message to the multiple recipients in the group conversation. The new outgoing message is appended to the set of outgoing messages displayed on the touch screen display.
US08407599B1	Address book extension Methods, media, and systems are provided for presenting potential matches for address book entries across multiple online applications. Interaction between a web site provider, telecommunications network provider, and third-party data sources enable presentation of an input form that can be utilized across applications for a number of different types of information. Potential matches are automatically displayed based on the information provided in an application-independent user-input form. The retrieval of data is for any type of information that may be applicable to the particular software application for which the retrieval is taking place. Computer-readable media and systems are provided for performing methods of presenting potential matches in address book information across a plurality of internet software applications. Computer-readable media for performing methods of facilitating requests for information from one or more user address book databases are also provided.
US08407595B1	Imaging service for automating the display of images An imaging service creates a visual presentation. The imaging service accesses images of a location, arranges them such that they create a desired visual effect when displayed, and combines them in a visual presentation. The imaging service may employ a client/server system, in which case images and information are uploaded from a client, and the visual presentation is downloaded to the client. The imaging service may also receive compensation from a computer user for using the imaging service.
US08407592B2	System and method for enabling users to interact in a virtual space The present invention provides a highly scalable architecture for a three-dimensional graphical, multi-user, interactive virtual world system. In a preferred embodiment a plurality of users interact in the three-dimensional, computer-generated graphical space where each user executes a client process to view a virtual world from the perspective of that user. The virtual world shows avatars representing the other users who are neighbors of the user viewing the virtual word. In order that the view can be updated to reflect the motion of the remote user's avatars, motion information is transmitted to a central server process which provides positions updates to client processes for neighbors of the user at that client process. The client process also uses an environment database to determine which background objects to render as well as to limit the movement of the user's avatar.
US08407589B2	Grouping writing regions of digital ink A method for grouping writing regions of digital ink receives processed digital ink that comprises writing regions. A relationship can be generated between a plurality of the writing regions. A feature set can be determined that is associated with the plurality of the writing regions. The plurality of the writing regions can be grouped based on the feature set.
US08407587B2	System of processing a document targeted for one system on another system A document processing system for actively processing a document targeted for one system on another system. The system of processing a document having associated field definitions targeted for a system operating in a first encoding scheme in a text editor operating in a second encoding scheme includes determining if a change to the document in the second encoding scheme violates one of the field definitions associated with the document and providing an indication to the text editor when a field definition violation is determined. The processing functions include creating, inserting, editing, deleting and formatting. The document processing system can be used when editing RPG documents in a Unicode editor for ultimate processing by a non-Unicode system such as EBCDIC DBCS. The indications can include setting a flag, which can be used by the text editor to drive visual indicators of violations, deny changes and the like.
US08407586B2	Editing apparatus, editing method, and program An apparatus includes an editing area display unit configured to display a screen including an editing area that enables a user to edit a document, a temporary storage area display unit configured to display a temporary storage area which differs from the editing area and temporarily displays a list of reduced images of editing materials, and a layout editing unit configured to edit the document by adding a material selected from the editing materials displayed in the temporary storage area. When a currently edited document is transferred to a file, a control unit stores a path of a material displayed in the temporary storage area in relation to the document transferred to the file. When a document file stored in relation to the path of a material area is newly opened, the control unit determines whether the newly opened document file is related to the material in the temporary storage area.
US08407579B2	System and method for managing a spreadsheet A system and method for managing a spreadsheet are disclosed. The method may include determining a portion of a digital image of a data statement, determining data of the data statement based on the portion of the digital image, and mapping a data cell of a standardized spreadsheet to the portion of the digital image based on the data of the data statement. The data of the data statement may be determined by applying an optical character recognition process to the digital image. The data cell may be mapped to the portion of the digital image based on a label or key included in the data of the data statement, a set of coordinate values, a mathematical equation, and/or the like. The method may further include determining a location of a second data statement based on the mapping data.
US08407576B1	Situational web-based dashboard A method of assembling situational Web-based dashboard from a wide array of web pages, digital media and components with just a few clicks and no programming, so a user can view scattered information from disparate sources on a single web-based screen. The components that can be included into dashboard pages are: live-area components created on-demand from any sub-region of any web page or web application; any rich media component such as rich text, video, picture, widget; and any office document (Microsoft Office documents and PDF etc.). Each dashboard page can contain any number of components. The size, position, location and layout of the components in the dashboard can be easily configured using a computer mouse, or through a touch screen interface. Each component in the dashboard can do auto-refresh from the source with a specified time interval, which also prevents user session timeout for secured web sites. The resulting dashboard can also be shared with others for collaboration. A set of dashboard pages can also be bundle together, and automatically display in a slideshow mode on-screen to auto display and monitor large number of information.
US08407572B2	Viterbi decoder and writing and reading method A Viterbi decoder includes a survival memory unit, for storing a plurality of survivor metric into a writing column of a writing bank of a plurality of banks in alternating intervals of a clock according to a writing bank order and a writing column order, and a trace back unit, for reading a reading column of each bank not performing storing operations according to a reading bank order and a reading column order in every interval of the clock.
US08407569B1	Error event processing methods and systems Circuitry and methods can be provided to correct errors in decision bits. A plurality of error event syndromes can be computed for a first plurality of error events. For each of a plurality of error event syndromes, two best error events can be selected. A cross-syndrome second best error event can be selected from among the first plurality of error events. A global second best error event can be selected from among the cross-syndrome second best error event and the second best per-syndrome error events. A second plurality of error events can be selected from among the global second best error event and the best per-syndrome error events. The second plurality of error events can be used for data post-processing.
US08407568B2	Method and system for a soft-output Nordstrom-Robinson decoder Aspects of a method and system for a method and system for a soft output Nordstrom-Robinson (NR) decoder may include one or more processors and/or circuits that are operable to more efficiently compute cross correlation values for a received soft output word based on a NR codebook in comparison to brute force computation approaches. Log likelihood ratios may be computed for each information bit corresponding to the received soft output word by determining corresponding maximum cross correlation values.
US08407566B2	Method and apparatus for channel coding and modulation for unequal error protection in transmitting uncompressed video over wideband high frequency wireless system An Unequal Error Protection (UEP) transmission apparatus comprises a bit separator unit configured to, when video data are received, separate pixels of the video data into Most Significant Bits (MSBs) and Least Significant Bits (LSBs) according to a degree of importance on a pixel-component basis; a header generation unit configured to create an MSB sub-frame and a LSB sub-frame based on the respective MSBs and LSBs and create an MSB Medium Access Control (MAC) sub-frame and a LSB MAC sub-frame to which respective headers are added; and a channel coding unit configured to create a channel-encoded MSB data and a channel-encoded LSB data by performing error correction encodings corresponding to the respective MSB MAC sub-frame and LSB MAC sub-frame and add padding bits, corresponding to the respective channel-encoded MSB data and channel-encoded LSB data, to the channel-encoded MSB data and channel-encoded LSB data.
US08407564B2	Prediction and cancellation of systematic noise sources in non-volatile memory Various embodiments of the invention pertain to a technique of recovering data from a portion of a non-volatile memory which was not reliably read because the number of read errors exceeded the ability of the ECC process to correct those errors. For each cell in that portion of memory, a quantized estimate is made of the amount of offset in the read reference voltage that is predicted to correct for any systematic noise that may have affected the reading of that cell. For each quantized offset, the read reference voltage is adjusted by that amount and data from the relevant cells is read. The combined results for all the cells are then processed through the ECC again.
US08407563B2	Low-complexity soft-decision decoding of error-correction codes A system and method for correcting errors in an ECC block using soft-decision data. In an embodiment, a soft-decision ECC decoding method, uses “soft” data indicative of how reliable bits of data are when read out. Such reliability information may be used to identify particular symbols with a higher likelihood of error such that these symbols may be changed in an attempt to reduce the total number of errors in the data. In an embodiment, a soft-decision ECC decoding path may include a reliability checker operable to receive bits of data read from a data store and operable to associate a reliability factor with each bit of data. Then, an update module may iteratively change bits or groups of bits based upon an ordering of the reliability factors.
US08407562B2	Systems and methods for compressing data in non-volatile semiconductor memory drives A non-volatile semiconductor memory (NVSM) storage system includes a NVSM drive interface configured to receive host data sectors (HDSs) from a host interface. A buffer managing module is configured to store the HDSs in a buffer. A compression module is configured to compress the HDSs to generate compressed HDSs of different lengths. A drive data sector (DDS) generating module is configured to add nuisance data to the compressed HDSs to generate DDSs. The DDSs are stored in NVSM.
US08407558B2	Code-assisted error-detection technique Embodiments of a circuit are described. In this circuit, an encoder circuit encodes a set of N symbols as a given codeword in a code space, where the given codeword includes a set of M symbols. M drivers are coupled to the encoder circuit and are coupled to M links in a channel, where a given driver outputs a given symbol in the set of M symbols onto a given link. Moreover, an error-detection circuit, which is coupled to the encoder circuit, generates and stores error-detection information associated with the set of M symbols, where the error-detection information facilitates subsequent probabilistic determination of a type of error during communication of the set of M symbols to another circuit. Additionally, a receiver circuit receives feedback information from the other circuit. This feedback information includes error information about detection of another type of error in the set of M symbols based on characteristics of the code space. Furthermore, control logic performs remedial action based on the feedback information.
US08407552B2	Method based on error corrector codes, applicable to a variable rate multimedia datastream A method and apparatus are provided for creating a matrix for correcting errors of transmission of multimedia data packets at a non-constant rate between a sender terminal and at least one receiver terminal. The multimedia data packets constitute elements of the correction matrix. The correction matrix has dimensions that are determined as a function of a maximum rate of the multimedia data packets at the input of the sender terminal, and the multimedia data packets are placed in the correction matrix at regular time slots. A noted absence of any multimedia data packets for a given time slot is represented in the correction matrix by an empty location.
US08407550B2	Method and system for decoding graph-based codes using message-passing with difference-map dynamics A code to be decoded by message-passing is represented by a factor graph. The factor graph includes variable nodes indexed by i and constraint nodes indexed by a connected by edges for transferring messages mi→a outgoing from the variable nodes to the constraint nodes and messages ma→i incoming from the constraint nodes to the variable nodes. The messages mi→a are initialized based on beliefs bi of a received codeword. The messages ma→i are generated by overshooting the messages mi→a at the constraint nodes. The beliefs bi are updated at the variable nodes using the messages ma→i. The codeword is outputted if found, otherwise, the messages mi→a are updated using a correction for the overshooting.
US08407546B2	Packet retransmission and memory sharing Through the identification of different packet-types, packets can be handled based on an assigned packet handling identifier. This identifier can, for example, enable forwarding of latency-sensitive packets without delay and allow error-sensitive packets to be stored for possible retransmission. In another embodiment, and optionally in conjunction with retransmission protocols including a packet handling identifier, a memory used for retransmission of packets can be shared with other transceiver functionality such as, coding, decoding, interleaving, deinterleaving, error correction, and the like.
US08407545B2	Communication device A communication device is provided with a partial Fourier transformation circuit that calculates a correction parameter for quadrature errors correction. The partial Fourier transformation circuit is programmed to calculate a single one of frequency bins.
US08407542B2	Implementing switching factor reduction in LBIST A method and circuit are provided for implementing switching factor reduction in Logic Built in Self Test (LBIST) diagnostics, and a design structure on which the subject circuit resides. Switching factor reduction logic is coupled to a Pseudo-Random Pattern Generator (PRPG) providing channel input patterns to a plurality of LBIST channels used for the LBIST diagnostics. The switching factor reduction logic selectively provides controlled channel input patterns for each of the plurality of channels.
US08407541B1	Dynamic test signal routing controller Integrated circuits with dynamic pin routing capabilities are provided. An integrated circuit may include circuitry under test and a dynamic signal routing controller. The dynamic signal routing controller may include multiplexers, a test register, and a signal select register. The circuitry under test may be connected to internal test lines that receive static test signals and dynamic test signals. The internal test lines that receive static test signals may be selectively routed to the test register (e.g., test registers store static test signals) while the internal test lines that receive dynamic test signals may be selectively routed to test pins (e.g., dynamic test signals are driven through the test pins). Each multiplexer may have a given input that is connected to the test register and additional inputs that are connected to the test pins. The signal select register stores control bits that configure the routing performed by each multiplexer.
US08407536B2	Voice processing apparatus and method for detecting and correcting errors in voice data A voice processing apparatus includes: an error detector which detects an error in a frame containing voice data; a correction value calculator which determines a level of the error detected by the error detector and calculates a correction value according to the level; and a voice data corrector which corrects the voice data by using the correction value calculated by the correction value calculator.
US08407530B2	Server reachability detection An application attempts to use a first protocol stack to send a first message to a server. After attempting to send the first message to the server, the application attempts to use a second protocol stack to send a second message to the server. After attempting to send the second message to the server, the application performs a timeout activity before a timeout period for the second message expires when the first message timed out. Alternatively, when the timeout period for the second message expires and the first message did not time out, the application performs the timeout activity. When the client device received a response to the second message from the server before the timeout period for the second message expires, the application performs a different activity.
US08407528B2	Circuits, systems, apparatus and processes for monitoring activity in multi-processing systems An electronic circuit includes a first processor (100) operable to perform processing operations, a first trace buffer (230) coupled to the first processor (100), a first triggering circuit (210) coupled to the first processor (100), the first triggering circuit (210) operable to detect a specified sequence of particular processing operations in the first processor (100); a second processor (101), a second trace buffer (231) coupled to the second processor (101), a second triggering circuit (211) coupled to the second processor (101), the second triggering circuit (211) operable to detect at least one other processing operation in the second processor (101); and a cross trace circuit (330) having a trace output and having inputs coupled to the first triggering circuit (210) and to the second triggering circuit (211), the cross trace circuit (330) configurably operable to respond to a sequence including both a detection of the sequence of particular processing operations of the first processor (100) by the first triggering circuit (210) and a detection of the at least one other processing operation of the second processor (101) by the second triggering circuit (211), to couple at least one of the first trace buffer (230) and the second trace buffer (231) to the trace output. Various circuits, devices, telecommunications products, wireless handsets, systems and processes of operation and manufacture are disclosed.
US08407524B2	Server throttled client debugging Systems and methods of debugging client applications may provide for detecting a runtime error in a first version of a client application, and obtaining a second version of the client application server in response to the runtime error. The second version of the client application may be used to conduct a diagnosis of the runtime error.
US08407520B2	System and method for definition, creation, management, transmission, and monitoring of errors in SOA environment A computer-implemented system and method for the definition, creation, management, transmission, and monitoring of errors in a SOA environment. An example embodiment includes: defining a common standard error data structure; automatically generating a unique identifier (ID) for each new error data instance; allowing customization of error data structure through extensions; creation and management of error instances that conform to this structure; ability to group errors across various dimensions; introducing the concept of an error library, the error library including a plurality of localizable error bundles, each of the error bundles including a plurality of error data instances for a particular domain, along with the associated metadata; automatically creating runtime artifacts for each error; ability to transmit errors either as faults or as part of the normal response payload; automatic error metric collection based on various error categories, and finally, tooling to help manage error libraries and reporting errors.
US08407519B2	Remedying method for troubles in virtual server system and system thereof According to the invention, a managing server, using a snapshot-appended information table which stores management information for identifying snapshots of a virtual server, a setting change table which stores setting change information on the virtual server, and a policy table which stores policies to be met by the virtual server, acquires the setting change information from the setting change table, selects the setting change information items from the acquired setting change information matching policies stored in the policy table, acquires management information on the snapshots of the virtual server from the snapshot-appended information table, identifies a snapshot of the virtual server with reference to the acquired management information, changes the identified snapshot of the virtual server based on the selected setting change information items, and rolls back the virtual server according to the changed snapshot.
US08407516B2	Controlling memory redundancy in a system In one embodiment, the present invention provides an ability to handle an error occurring during a memory migration operation in a high availability system. In addition, a method can be used to dynamically remap a memory page stored in a non-mirrored memory region of memory to a mirrored memory region. This dynamic remapping may be responsive to a determination that the memory page has been accessed more than a threshold number of times, indicating a criticality of information on the page. Other embodiments are described and claimed.
US08407507B2	Power management circuit, power management method and power management program for controlling power supplied to functional blocks in integrated circuits A power management circuit has a resource management unit which performs a use management of a functional block in an integrated circuit, and a power management unit which transmits a power control request to a power control device which controls power of the functional block for each domain. The power control request designates the domain and the power control content for the domain. The power management unit executes a use prohibition process prohibiting the use of the functional block belonging to the domain, by using the resource management unit, before transmitting the power control request to the power control device, in accordance with a type of the functional block belonging to the domain and the power control content.
US08407501B2	Allocation of storage resources in a networked computing environment based on energy utilization Embodiments of the present invention provide an approach to provision storage resources (e.g., across an enterprise storage system (ESS) such as a general parallel file system (GPFS) or the like) for different workloads in an energy efficient manner. The system evaluates different energy profiles/workloads' energy consumption characteristics of storage devices to determine an allocation plan that reduces the energy cost (e.g., results in the lowest cost/energy consumption for handling a storage workload). In a typical embodiment, energy consumption characteristics for handling a particular storage workload will be determined. Thereafter, a type of storage device capable of handling the workload will be determined. Then, an allocation plan that results in the most efficient energy consumption for handling the workload will be developed. In general, the allocation plan is based upon the energy consumption characteristics and an energy efficiency algorithm. The energy efficiency algorithm serves to identify storage device(s) that can handle the workload in such a way as to reduce total energy consumption and, accordingly, costs. Along these lines, the energy efficiency algorithm may also consider other factors such as capacity and load of storage devices and service level agreement (SLA) terms in addition to energy costs (e.g., over times of day and/or days of week). In any event, at least one storage device can then be selected for handling the storage workload according to the allocation plan.
US08407494B2	Power supply control method and device When a reception of a data signal is detected, a power supply control start signal is generated and the data signal is outputted to a signal processor in a fixed time. A power supply control signal for suppressing an output voltage variation of a power supply of the signal processor is generated until a processing completion signal from the signal processor is received after the power supply control start signal is generated. Alternatively, data signals received are separated by type and outputted to respective signal processors. After validity setting signals by type are received, a power supply control start signal is generated when the validity setting signals become valid in an overlapped manner. Such a power supply control signal is generated until one of the validity setting signals which have been valid so far becomes invalid after the power supply control start signal is generated.
US08407493B2	Method of supplying power for a device wired adapter, and wireless universal serial bus communication system In a method of supplying power for a device wired adapter, a stand-alone USB device is connected to the device wired adapter for operating as a wireless USB device. The stand-alone USB device is set as a USB on-the-go host. The device wired adapter is set as a USB on-the-go device. Power is supplied to the device wired adapter by the stand-alone USB device. A USB on-the-go role of the device wired adapter is swapped with a USB on-the-go role of the stand-alone USB device.
US08407490B2	Power supply having an auxiliary switch to control a relay switch connected in parallel to a main switch for continuing supply power when the main switch is off There is provided a power supply device including: a main power switch; an auxiliary power switch; a power supplying switch; a relay having a relay contact and an excitation coil that, in an excited state, closes the relay contact, and, when the excited state is cancelled, opens the relay contact; a control section effecting control such that, when the main power switch is in an on position and the auxiliary power switch is in an on/off position, the power supplying switch is turned on/off; and a driving section that drives the relay such that, when the main power switch is in an on position and the auxiliary power switch is in an on position, the excitation coil is excited and maintain the excited state, and, when the auxiliary power switch is in an off position, cancels the excited state of the excitation coil.
US08407486B2	Sending and releasing pending messages Releasing pending messages is provided. An electronic message is received via a network from a sending client device. The electronic message includes a request to place the electronic message in a pending file and an authorization to release data. The electronic message is placed in the pending file and the authorization to release data is stored in a storage device. An authorization is received to release the electronic message from the pending file. Then, it is determined whether the authorization to release the electronic message matches the stored authorization to release data. In response to determining that a match is found, the electronic message is released from the pending file. Then, the released electronic message is sent to a receiving client device via the network.
US08407484B2	Flash memory distribution of digital content Methods, apparatuses, and computer-readable media for distributing digital content. One embodiment comprises an apparatus comprising: a device (100) communications bus; coupled to the device communications bus (150), a bi-directional communications controller (110) capable of communicatively interfacing with a computer (710); coupled to the device communications bus (150), an integrated processor (130) capable of executing (270) computer-executable instructions; and coupled to the integrated processor (130), a storage module (140) capable of storing computer-executable instructions.
US08407480B2	Methods for secure enrollment and backup of personal identity credentials into electronic devices A method and system for securely enrolling personal identity credentials into personal identification devices. The system of the invention comprises the manufacturer of the device and an enrollment authority. The manufacturer is responsible for recording serial numbers or another unique identifier for each device that it produces, along with a self-generated public key for each device. The enrollment authority is recognized by the manufacturer or another suitable institution as capable of validating an individual before enrolling him into the device. The enrollment authority maintains and operates the appropriate equipment for enrollment, and provides its approval of the enrollment. The methods described herein discuss post-manufacturing, enrollment, backup, and recovery processes for the device.
US08407479B2	Data authentication and tamper detection One embodiment includes a method that includes receiving an ephemeral value from a challenging device. The method also includes retrieving data whose content is presumed known to the challenging device. The method includes generating a digital signature of the data based on the ephemeral value. Additionally, the method includes transmitting the digital signature to the challenging device.
US08407478B2	Control message signature for device control A method of controlling a peripheral device includes generating, in a host processor, a control message for transmission to the peripheral device, and calculating a signature for the control message. The control message and the signature are written to an address in a system memory of the host processor, and the peripheral device is notified of the address, so as to cause the device to read the control message and the signature from the system memory.
US08407475B2	Augmented single factor split key asymmetric cryptography-key generation and distributor A system for authenticating communication network users includes a user-associated user station communicatively coupled to an authenticating station via the communication network. The authenticating station is configured to authenticate the user and receive a first value, representing a first user credential, from the user station. A first key portion is generated based on the first value and a second value that is unknown to the user. The first key portion, along with a second key portion, is used for authenticating credentials of the user for a predefined period of time or for authenticating user credentials for a predefined number of times. The second key portion is generated based on the first key portion. A cookie that includes the second value or a value derived from the second value is generated and transmitted to the user station and then the second value is destroyed.
US08407473B2	Information processing apparatus and method, recording medium and program The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus allowing proper communication with a communication partner in accordance with a communication time of the communication partner.
US08407472B2	Mobile content delivery optimization A device receives, from a target user device, a request for encrypted content, where the request is sent via a wireless access network. The device identifies a donor user device that is available to provide the encrypted content via a local wireless network connection, where the donor user device has previously downloaded the encrypted content. The device sends, to the target user device and/or the donor user device, instructions to establish a peer-to-peer connection, via the local wireless network, to provide the encrypted content to the target user device, where the encrypted content is decrypted by the target user device using a license key provided over a different network than the local wireless connection.
US08407471B1	Selecting a network service for communicating with a server The Domain Name System (DNS) can be used to query for security information in real time. A security module on a client detects a network connection and sends a test probe as a DNS resolution request to a DNS server associated with a security server via the network connection. The test probe requests resolution of a domain name for which the DNS server is authoritative. The security module analyzes a response to the test probe to determine whether the response is valid based on testing information included in the DNS response. Responsive to whether a valid response to the test probe is received, the security module selects a network service for subsequent communications via the network connection.
US08407464B2	Techniques for using AAA services for certificate validation and authorization In one embodiment, techniques to validate certificates using authentication, authorization, and accounting (AAA) services are provided. A service receives a request from a requester for validation of a certificate. The request may include the certificate associated with the requester. The servicer creates a AAA request that includes the certificate. The AAA request is then sent to the AAA server. A response is then received from the AAA server that includes a result of the certificate validation and also AAA attributes associated with any AAA services performed. The servicer may then validate the proof of possession of the private key or perform other type of authentication calculations after receiving the response from the AAA server if the response indicates the certificate was validated. The servicer can then perform an action based on the certificate validation and AAA attributes.
US08407461B2	Plug-in system for software applications A plug-in framework is invoked within a plug-in, where the plug-in framework includes a software library configured to define, register, and configure plug-ins, where the plug-in includes a software module that extends or customizes functionality of a software application that is external to the plug-in, and where the plug-in includes a mapping name. A plug-in instance declaration is searched, by the plug-in framework, for a mapping that includes the mapping name, where the plug-in instance declaration is located within a plug-in file, and where the plug-in declaration comprises one or more mappings. When a mapping of the mapping name to the value is found, the value is returned, by the plug-in framework, to the plug-in based on the mapping. The plug-in framework also allows a plug-in provider to associate a plug-in with metadata.
US08407458B2	Embedded device for implementing a boot process on a host An embedded device, for implementing a boot process on a host, is provided. This embedded device includes servers supporting various industry-standard Internet protocols and services related to the boot process. This embedded device also includes a storage medium that stores boot options for multiple Operating Systems (OSs).
US08407457B2	System and method for monitoring debug events A system has a pipelined processor for executing a plurality of instructions by sequentially fetching, decoding, executing and writing results associated with execution of each instruction. Debug circuitry is coupled to the pipelined processor for monitoring execution of the instructions to determine when a debug event occurs. The debug circuitry generates a debug exception to interrupt instruction processing flow. The debug circuitry has control circuitry for indicating a number of instructions, if any, that complete instruction execution between an instruction that caused the debug event and a point in instruction execution when the exception is taken.
US08407454B2	Processing long-latency instructions in a pipelined processor There is provided a method and processor for processing a thread. The thread comprises a plurality of sequential instructions, the plurality of sequential instructions comprising some short-latency instructions and some long-latency instructions and at least one hazard instruction, the hazard instruction requiring one or more preceding instructions to be processed before the hazard instruction is processed. The method comprises the steps of: a) before processing each long-latency instruction, incrementing by one, a counter associated with the thread; b) after each long-latency instruction has been processed, decrementing by one, the counter associated with the thread; c) before processing each hazard instruction, checking the value of the counter associated with the thread, and i) if the counter value is zero, processing the hazard instruction, or ii) if the counter value is non-zero, pausing processing of the hazard instruction until a later time. The processor includes means for performing steps a), b) and c) of the method.
US08407452B2	Processor for performing encryption mask processing using randomly generated instructions and data An arithmetic processing apparatus includes an operation circuit group that performs encryption and a redundant operation circuit group configured the same as the operation circuit group. The arithmetic processing apparatus, while performing encryption, performs normal encryption in the operation circuit group, and performs an encryption mask processing program by using data and the like randomly generated by a random data generating unit and the like in the redundant operation circuit group. The arithmetic processing apparatus, when not performing encryption, performs normal arithmetic processing in the redundant operation circuit group.
US08407451B2	Method and apparatus for enabling resource allocation identification at the instruction level in a processor system An information handling system includes a processor with multiple hardware units that generate program application load, store, and I/O interface requests to system busses within the information handling system. The processor includes a resource allocation identifier (RAID) that links the processor hardware unit initiating a system bus request with a specific resource allocation group. The resource allocation group assigns a specific bandwidth allocation rate to the initiating processor. When a load, store, or I/O interface bus request reaches the I/O bus for execution, the resource allocation manager restricts the amount of bandwidth associated with each I/O request by assigning discrete amounts of bandwidth to each successive I/O requester. Successive stages of the instruction pipeline in the hardware unit contain the resource allocation identifiers (RAID) linked to the specific load, store, or I/O instruction.
US08407446B2	Simultaneously supporting different block sizes on a single hard drive A method and system where a hardware platform such as a disk drive is formatted to the largest block length it is desired to read from or write to. Using commands, data can be accessed from the drive in any block length that is equal to or less than the formatted block length.
US08407444B2	Hardware off-load garbage collection acceleration for languages with finalizers A memory allocation message for each primary memory allocation in a primary memory made by a primary processor is received at a hardware memory management module, including an indication of whether a finalizer routine is associated with each primary memory allocation. A representation of each primary memory allocation is allocated within a second memory in response to each memory allocation message, including the indication of whether there is the associated finalizer routine. A determination is made, based upon the allocated representations of each primary memory allocation within the second memory, to free a primary memory allocation in the primary memory. A call object finalizer message is sent to the primary processor instructing the primary processor to call the finalizer routine associated with the primary memory allocation in the primary memory in response to determining that the primary memory allocation has the associated finalizer routine.
US08407432B2	Cache coherency sequencing implementation and adaptive LLC access priority control for CMP A method and apparatus for cache coherency sequencing implementation and an adaptive LLC access priority control is disclosed. One embodiment provides mechanisms to resolve last level cache access priority among multiple internal CMP cores, internal snoops and external snoops. Another embodiment provides mechanisms for implementing cache coherency in multi-core CMP system.
US08407431B2	Computer system preventing storage of duplicate files A storage arrangement including: a first storage system having one or more first logical storage devices and a second storage system having one or more second logical storage devices, configured to: a) determine whether two or more identical contents hash values are contained in a plurality of contents hash values of said plurality of files; and b) change an access destination of a first file corresponding to a first contents hash value from among said two or more identical contents hash values, to a position of a second file corresponding to a second contents hash value if there are said two or more identical contents hash values, c) do not migrate said first file to said second storage system, and migrate said second file to said second storage system to store in any of said one or more second logical storage devices.
US08407429B2	Multi-context configurable memory controller The exemplary embodiments provide a multi-context configurable memory controller comprising: an input-output data port array comprising a plurality of input queues and a plurality of output queues; at least one configuration and control register to store, for each context of a plurality of contexts, a plurality of configuration bits; a configurable circuit element configurable for a plurality of data operations, each data operation corresponding to a context of a plurality of contexts, the plurality of data operations comprising memory address generation, memory write operations, and memory read operations, the configurable circuit element comprising a plurality of configurable address generators; and an element controller, the element controller comprising a port arbitration circuit to arbitrate among a plurality of contexts having a ready-to-run status, and the element controller to allow concurrent execution of multiple data operations for multiple contexts having the ready-to-run status.
US08407424B2	Data coherence method and apparatus for multi-node computer system A method and apparatus for maintaining data coherency in a computer system having a plurality of nodes forms a directory by grouping the nodes into a plurality of hierarchical groups of two or more levels. The method and apparatus also 1) set the directory to have data relating to a first set of groups within a first level, and 2) determine if a requesting node requesting data is a member of one of the first set of groups. The directory then is set to have data relating to a second group of nodes if the requesting node is determined not to be a member of the first set of groups within the first level. The second group of nodes is in a higher level than the first level.
US08407420B2	System, apparatus and method utilizing early access to shared cache pipeline for latency reduction A memory system, apparatus and method for performing operations in a shared cache coupled to a first requester and a second requester. The method includes receiving at the shared cache a first request from the second requester; assigning the request to a state machine; transmitting a first pipe pass request from the state machine to an arbiter; providing a first instruction from the first pipe pass request to a cache pipeline, the first instruction causing a first pipe pass; and providing a second pipe pass request to the arbiter before the first pipe pass is completed. The first requester may be a lower level cache such as an L2 cache, or an I/O device and the second requester may be an upper level cache such as an L4 cache, and the first request may be a coherency request.
US08407418B2	Information processing apparatus and driver According to one embodiment, an information processing apparatus includes a memory includes a buffer area, a first storage, a second storage and a driver. The buffer area is reserved in order to transfer data between the driver and a host system that requests for data writing and data reading. The driver is configured to write data into the second storage and read data from the second storage using the first external storage as a cache for the second storage. The driver is further configured to reserve a cache area in the memory, between a buffer area and the first external storage, and between a buffer area and the second storage.
US08407414B2	Method for analyzing performance information A management computer includes a communication device for communicating with a storage system and a plurality of computers. The management computer also includes a processor executing to: store relation information between the storage system and the plurality of computers; collect a plurality of computer performance information about computer-side I/O loads generated by programs on the plurality of computers, from the plurality of computers; identify a storage resource from a plurality of storage resources in the storage system; and identify at least one computer performance information from the plurality of computer performance information based on the relation information; and output the at least one computer performance information to a display. The at least one computer performance information corresponds to a certain computer-side I/O load that generates a load to the identified storage resource.
US08407411B2	Operation frequency adjusting system and method Techniques pertaining to adjusting the operation frequency of a DRAM are disclosed. According to one embodiment, the DRAM operation frequency adjusting system includes a statistic module counting effective operations of a DRAM to obtain a bandwidth utilization rate of the DRAM at a present operation frequency; a parameter configuration module including a target frequency configuration sub-module configured to generate a target operation frequency; and a frequency switch controller for switching a present operation frequency of the DRAM to the target operation frequency. The invention adjusts the operation frequency of a DRAM according to the application environment, and creates a balance between performance and power consumption of DRAMs, and thus improves operation speed of system-on-chips as well as decreases the power consumption.
US08407409B2	Metrics and management for flash memory storage life According to one aspect of the invention, a method of evaluating reliability of flash memory media comprises managing a flash memory remaining life for each disk of a plurality of flash memory media disks provided in one or more flash memory media groups each of which has a configuration and a relationship between said each flash memory media group and the flash memory media disks in said each flash memory media group, wherein each flash memory media group is one of a RAID group or a thin provisioning pool; and calculating to obtain information of each flash memory media group based on the measured flash memory remaining life for each disk in said each flash memory media group, the configuration of said each flash memory media group, and the relationship between said each flash memory media group and the flash memory media disks in said each flash memory media group.
US08407408B2	Static wear leveling Methods permitting erasures to be performed evenly over time in memory, thereby extending the service life of a data storage device, and devices operable to perform those methods. Erasures performed on a given physical block in memory are tracked by incrementing a corresponding erase count included in an entry associated with a logical block correlated with that physical block. Each of a plurality of physical blocks included in the memory is associated with logical zones such that each logical zone comprises a different portion of the physical blocks. An erase count indicator is determined for each logical zone. When the total number of erasures for the given physical block reaches a limit, the entry associated with the logical block correlated with that physical block is exchanged with another entry associated with a logical block correlated with a physical block in a logical zone having a lower count indicator.
US08407405B2	Semiconductor storage device with a plurality of memories divided into groups and a controller that performs write control by interleaving data between the groups A semiconductor storage device, includes a plurality of flash memories and a controller for the flash memories. The flash memory includes a data cache operable to hold data for at least one record page in writing, the flash memory includes a plurality of erasure blocks each having a plurality of record pages, the record page is classified into a first record page and a second record page of which write time is longer than a write time of the first record page, and the controller for the flash memories is configured to: divide the plurality of flash memories into at least two groups; perform write control by interleaving data in the groups for each record page; determine whether a page to be written data is of the first record page or the second record page; and when it is determined that the page to be written data is the first record page, after a lapse of a first predetermined time from start of writing data of one of the groups, the controller starts writing data of another one of the groups, and when it is determined that the page to be written data is the second record page, after a lapse of a second predetermined time being longer than the first predetermined time from start of writing data of one of the groups, the controller starts writing data of another one of the groups.
US08407402B2	Memory system and data erasing method therefor A memory system includes a management table group in which management information including storage positions of data stored in a first storing area and a second storing area is stored. The management table group is stored in the second storing area. A controller performs data transfer between a host apparatus and the second storing area via the first storing area and performs management of the data in the first and second storing areas based on the management table group while updating the management table group expanded in the first storing area. The second storing area can store data associated with a first logical address area accessible from the host apparatus and data associated with a second logical address area accessible from the host apparatus, and the controller receives an erasing command from the host apparatus, collects the data associated with the second logical address area in a predetermined area in the second storing area, and then initializes the management table group.
US08407399B2	Method and apparatus for enforcing a flash memory caching policy Methods, apparatus and computer medium for enforcing one or more cache management policies are disclosed herein. In some embodiments, a flash memory of a storage device includes a plurality of flash memory dies each flash memory die including a respective cache storage area and a respective main storage area. A determination is made, for data that is received from an external host device to which main storage area the received data is addressed thereby specifying one of the plurality of flash memory dies as a target die for the received data. Whenever the received data is written into a cache storage area before being written into a main storage area, the received data is written into the cache storage area of the specified target die.
US08407397B2	Block management method for flash memory and controller and storage system using the same A block management method for managing a mapping relationship between a plurality of logical blocks and a plurality of physical blocks of a flash memory is provided. The block management method includes: grouping the logical blocks into a plurality of logical zones; recording the mapping relationship between each logical block in each logical zone and all the data physical blocks among the physical blocks in a corresponding logical zone table in unit of the logical zones; and recording all the no-data physical blocks among the physical blocks with a single no-data physical block table. Thereby, the logical blocks can be mapped to all the physical blocks so that frequent access to specific physical blocks can be avoided when a user writes data into a specific logical zone frequently, and accordingly the lifespan of the flash memory can be prolonged.
US08407396B2	Providing block data access for an operating system using solid-state memory Block data access is provided for an operating system by allocating a portion of solid-state memory of a data processing arrangement for use as a block storage device. A block device interface is created that provides access to the portion of solid-state memory via firmware of the data processing arrangement. The block device interface emulates an electromechanical data-storage device. The block device interface is presented to the operating system at a boot-time of the operating system and the block device interface is accessed using a block device driver of the operating system during the boot-time of the operating system. The block device driver emulates the electromechanical data-storage device to the operating system.
US08407392B2	Fast unaligned cache access system and method A cache unit multiple memory towers, which can be independently addressed. Cache lines are divided among multiple towers. Furthermore, physical lines of the memory towers are shared by multiple cache lines. Because each tower can be addressed independently and the cache lines are split among the towers, unaligned cache access can be performed. Furthermore, power can be conserved because not all the memory towers of the cache unit needs to be activated during some memory access operations.
US08407390B2	Method and apparatus for data processing According to the present invention, a method and apparatus for data processing is provided for a data processing device comprising an auxiliary execution system, a main execution system, a switch unit and a networking unit. The method and apparatus according to the present invention are capable of establishing a networking data channel between the auxiliary execution system, the switch unit and the networking unit based on a first control instruction for the switch unit; or of establishing a networking data channel between the main execution system, the switch unit and the networking unit based on a second control instruction for the switch unit. In this way, the realization of always online can be guaranteed, and apparently, the user satisfaction can be effectively improved.
US08407388B2	Device and method for manipulating communication messages A device for manipulating an operating state of a deterministic communication system is provided, which communication system includes a physical data bus, a plurality of nodes connected thereto, and an arrangement for transmitting messages in message frames at fixedly predefined communication cycles. The device is situated in the data bus between at least one node, from whose point of view the operating state of the communication system is manipulated, and the other nodes of the communication system. To make any desired manipulation of the operating state of the communication system possible, the manipulation device includes an arrangement for short-circuiting the data bus (2) and/or interrupting the data bus.
US08407386B2	Increasing functionality of a reader-writer lock In one embodiment, the present invention includes a method for accessing a shared memory associated with a reader-writer lock according to a first concurrency mode, dynamically changing from the first concurrency mode to a second concurrency mode, and accessing the shared memory according to the second concurrency mode. In this way, concurrency modes can be adaptively changed based on system conditions. Other embodiments are described and claimed.
US08407380B2	Remote operation system A remote operation system has a server, a client to which a first keyboard is connected, and a KVM switch connected to the server, the client and a second keyboard, the KVM switch including: an acquisition portion that acquires a state of the second keyboard; and the client including: a reception portion that receives a state of the first keyboard, and the state of the second keyboard from the KVM switch; a determination portion that determines whether the state of the first keyboard is identical with the state of the second keyboard; and a transmission portion that transmits information which makes the state of the first keyboard identical with the state of the second keyboard, to the first keyboard when the state of the first keyboard is not identical with the state of the second keyboard.
US08407376B2	Recording a communication pattern and replaying messages in a parallel computing system A parallel computer system includes a plurality of compute nodes. Each of the compute nodes includes at least one processor, at least one memory, and a direct memory address engine coupled to the at least one processor and the at least one memory. The system also includes a network interconnecting the plurality of compute nodes. The network operates a global message-passing application for performing communications across the network. Local instances of the global message-passing application operate at each of the compute nodes to carry out local processing operations independent of processing operations carried out at another one of the compute nodes. The direct memory address engines are configured to interact with the local instances of the global message-passing application via injection FIFO metadata describing an injection FIFO in a corresponding one of the memories. The local instances of the global message passing application are configured to record, in the injection FIFO in the corresponding one of the memories, message descriptors associated with messages of an arbitrary communication pattern in an iteration of an executing application program. The local instances of the global message passing application are configured to replay the message descriptors during a subsequent iteration of the executing application program.
US08407375B2	Information processing apparatus and information processing method A disclosed information processing apparatus is equipped with a built-in display unit and a built-in input unit. A display signal supplied from an external information processing apparatus connected to the information processing apparatus is combined with a display signal supplied from a core processing unit in a part of a screen of the display unit displaying the signal supplied from the core processing unit. An input signal received from the input unit is output only to the external information processing apparatus or only to the information processing apparatus depending on whether the part is determined as being activated or inactivated.
US08407373B2	Extended input/output measurement word facility for obtaining measurement data An Extended Input/output (I/O) measurement word facility is provided. Provision is made for emulation of the Extended I/O measurement word facility. The facility provides for storing measurement data associated with a single I/O operation in an extended measurement word associated with an I/O response block. In a further aspect, the stored data may have a resolution of approximately one-half microsecond.
US08407369B2	Digitally shredding on removable drives Embodiments provide unique and novel systems and methods for deleting data on removable drives. In embodiments, the removable drives store data that may be erased such that the data is considered destroyed but that allows the removable drive to be reused. The archiving system can determine which data should be erased. Then, the data is digitally shredded on sector boundaries of the removable drives such that the reclaimed memory cannot be read to decipher the erased data. In alternative embodiments, data is written across sector boundaries such that two or more files may occupy a single sector. A journal area allows for copying the data in a sector with two or more files, digitally shredding the sectors in the removable drive, and rewriting the data that was not to be digitally shredded to the original location of the data.
US08407366B2	Interconnecting members of a virtual network Computerized methods, systems, and computer-readable media are provided for establishing and managing a virtual network (V-net) and virtual machine (VM) switches that enable protected and isolated interconnections between members of the V-net. The V-net members include an originating network adapter that generates data packets addressed to a destination network adapter. Upon detecting data-packet generation, a source-side VM switch accesses a forwarding table associated with the V-net, ascertains a destination-side, VM-switch locator that corresponds to an identifier of the destination network adapter, and modifies the data packets to include the identifier. The forwarding table represents a mapping between the members of the V-net and VM switches located on respective nodes within the data center. In operation, the mapping enforces communication policies that govern data-packet traffic. Upon receiving the data packets, the destination-side VM switch restores the data packets and forwards them to the destination network adapter.
US08407362B2	Auto-discovery based item(s) sharing, including sender pushing and recipient approval Methods and apparatus involve the voluntary transfer or sharing of item(s), such as files or other data, based upon the automatic discovery of recipients, including sender pushing of the items and recipient approval. During use, computing devices advertise their availability for potential receipt of the items and recipients are automatically discovered. The sender attaches the items to a selected recipient, and a size, description, etc. of the items is calculated. Upon a connection between the sending and recipient computing devices, the sending device pushes to the recipient an identifier of the sender and the size, description, etc., so the recipient can determine whether they want to accept transfer. If so, the items are transferred, including display of the progress. If not, the sender is notified of the refusal. Other features contemplate attaching techniques, visual information display, authentication of parties, computer program products, and systems, to name a few.
US08407360B2	Generating a distributed stream processing application Techniques for generating a distributed stream processing application are provided. The techniques include obtaining a declarative description of one or more data stream processing tasks from a graph of operators, wherein the declarative description expresses at least one stream processing task, generating one or more containers that encompass a combination of one or more stream processing operators, and generating one or more execution units from the declarative description of one or more data stream processing tasks, wherein the one or more execution units are deployable across one or more distributed computing nodes, and comprise a distributed data stream processing application binary.
US08407358B1	Buffer management for streaming data A client receives streaming data from a server at a first data rate and buffers the streaming data in a buffer having a finite size. The client consumes the streaming data from the buffer at a second data rate. The second data rate is variable. Based on a data depth of the buffer relative to a reference data depth, the client generates a sequence of signals and sends the sequence of signals to the server to dynamically adjust the first data rate. The sequence of signals influences the data depth of the buffer toward the reference data depth.
US08407356B1	Real time communications system A computerized human communication arbitrating and distributing system, including a controller digital computer and a plurality of participator digital computers, each of the participator computers including an input device for receiving human-input information from a human user and an output device for presenting information to the user, each said user having a user identity. A connection, such as Internet, links the controller computer with each of the participator computers. Controller software runs on the controller computer to arbitrate in accordance with predefined rules including said user identity, which ones of the participator computers can interact in one of a plurality of groups through the controller computer and to distribute real time data to the respective ones of the groups. Participator software runs on each of the participator computers to handle a user interface permitting one said user to send a multimedia information message to the controller computer, which arbitrates which of the participator computers receive the multimedia information message and conveys the multimedia information message to the selected participator computers to present the multimedia information to the respective user.
US08407350B2	System and method for projecting content beyond firewalls A system and method for exchanging information between clients separated by firewalls is disclosed. A server may receive the information as posted through a browser client from beyond a first firewall and relay it to another client beyond a second firewall without lowering the security levels of the firewalls.
US08407347B2	Method of operating multiple input and output devices through a single computer A system for operating multiple independent terminals of grouped, locally connected input and output devices through a single graphical user interface layer running on a computer comprising an event queue module for receiving each input command from each input device; an event handler module for receiving the input commands from the event queue module and directing input commands from specific input devices via corresponding socket/listeners of the single graphical user interface layer to corresponding ones of multiple pointers, focuses and client applications based on predetermined associations between grouped devices and respective ones of the socket/listeners; and an output module for directing output commands from each socket/listener to respective ones of the output devices based on the predetermined associations. A system for creating multiple independent terminals of grouped input and output devices connected to and for operation by a single computer comprising a configuration module for simultaneously providing unique output commands to ungrouped output devices to cause the output devices to respectively provide a unique input directive to a user; the configuration module also for receiving unique input commands from individual ungrouped input devices, each unique input command corresponding to a respective one of the unique output directives; and an association module for, in response to the receiving, commonly associating with a unique group identifier each of corresponding input and output devices and respective ones of multiple pointers and focuses.
US08407345B2	Enforcing application and access control policies in an information management system with two or more interactive enforcement points A method and apparatus for controlling document access and application usage using centrally managed rules. The rules are stored and manipulated in a central rule database via a rule server. Policy enforcers are installed on client systems and/or on servers and perform document access and application usage control for both direct user document accesses and application usage, and application program document accesses by evaluating the rules sent to the policy enforcer. The rule server decides which rules are required by each policy enforcer. A policy enforcer can also perform obligation and remediation operations as a part of rule evaluation. Policy enforcers on client systems and servers can operate autonomously, evaluating policies that have been received, when communications have been discontinued with the rule server.
US08407343B2	System, method, and computer-readable medium for managing communications among service modules A communication method between service modules in a system in which service modules operating on a plurality of information processing apparatuses connected with a network operate in collaboration with each other, the system includes a monitoring apparatus that is provided with a monitor module monitoring a connection between service modules in the system and that has connection management information including identifier information for uniquely identifying an information processing apparatus in which a service module is operating in the system, and connection information including external connection information for the service module to perform communication using an external network between the information processing apparatuses and internal connection information for the service module to perform communication using an internal network of the information processing apparatus.
US08407341B2	Monitoring communications Methods, computer readable media, and apparatuses for monitoring communications are presented. A first username may be compared with a second username. The first username may be associated with a sender of a communication, and the second username may be associated with a recipient of the communication. Thereafter, based on the comparing, the probability that the first username and the second username are both associated with a single entity may be determined. In at least one arrangement, in response to determining that the probability exceeds a threshold, it may be determined that the first username and the second username are both associated with the single entity. In at least one additional arrangement, the threshold may be modified automatically based on previously analyzed incident data.
US08407336B2	Supporting apparatus for analyzing computer operation status Processing time required from transmission of a request packet including a processing request from a client, until return of a reply packet in which internal information including an operation status of a plurality of servers is added to an execution result of processing corresponding to the processing request, obtained by the servers in cooperation with each other, is calculated by a function incorporated beforehand in the respective servers. Moreover, the internal information added to the reply packet is extracted and stored in an internal information DB in association with the calculated required time of the processing. Furthermore predetermined statistical processing is performed with respect to the internal information and the required time associated with the internal information stored in the internal information DB to analyze the operation status of the plurality of servers.
US08407329B2	Reporting information to a network For achieving device management, the terminal may select certain command execution results and transmit such to the network instead of always sending all command execution results. Accordingly, resources of the terminal and radio communication resources can be more efficiently utilized when compared to previously used device management procedures. Furthermore, since a record that is relevant to operations performed within the terminal is saved, even if a certain result of executing a particular command is not successfully transmitted to the network due to an error, the network may still be able to verify the command execution result by accessing the record that was stored in the terminal.
US08407327B1	Network management using visual identifiers This disclosure relates to network management using visual identifiers. In one of many possible embodiments, a network management system includes a visual identifier device located visibly proximate to a network device. The visual identifier device includes a set of visual identifiers and a selector mechanism configured to be manipulated to select at least one of the visual identifiers to be assigned to the network device. The network management system also includes a display device configured to display a visual representation of said selected visual identifier.
US08407325B2	Method and system for automated project accountability The invention provides a method for automated project accountability comprising, determining at least one decision maker of a project preparation, determining a readiness category for the decision maker, and providing a readiness category rating for the readiness category. The method further determines a decision process for the readiness category and readiness category rating, conducts a project assessment as a function of the decision process, and determines a project readiness as a function of the project assessments.
US08407324B2	Dynamic modification of the address of a proxy In certain embodiments, a method includes receiving, at a first address of a proxy, a first request for access to a network from an application on an endpoint and forwarding, by the proxy, the request to the network on behalf of the application from the first address of the proxy. The method also includes determining, by the proxy, to change the address of the proxy from the first address to a second address and determining, by the proxy, the second address. Even further, the method includes changing, by the proxy, the address of the proxy to the second address. Moreover, the method includes receiving, at the second address of the proxy, a second request for access to the network from the application. The method also includes forwarding, by the proxy, the second request to the network on behalf of the application from the second address of the proxy.
US08407320B2	Method and system for correlation of mobile channel subscription with delivery context A method and system for establishing a delivery context for channel subscription in a mobile network comprising the steps of: establishing, from a mobile device in the mobile network, a subscription with a content provider; and passing a delivery context to a delivery server.
US08407314B2	System and method for sharing unsupported document types between communication devices An improved system and method are used for sharing a document between two communication devices that do not have an application that can display the document. In one example, the document is sent by the communication device that is sharing the document to a document server for processing into pages of one or more different document types, and both communication devices retrieve the stored pages as needed for display. The sharing communication device updates the other communication device when a new page is to be retrieved from the document server.
US08407311B1	System and method for creating relationships among users of an instant messaging service A computer-implemented method of introducing users of a service includes sending a suggestion to a first user of a service and suggesting an introduction of a second user to a third user of the service. The second and third users are both identified as contacts of the first user in a contact list of the first user and the second and third users satisfy predefined selection criteria with respect to shared contacts, comprising users identified in contact lists of both the second and third users. The method also includes receiving, from the first user, a response to the suggestion; and upon receiving a positive response to the suggestion from the first user, sending the introduction to at least one of the second and third users.
US08407310B2	Method for data communication, data communication system and mobile communication terminal A cellular phone 10 transmits a request for management information including size information of object data which is desired to be downloaded, and determines whether a size of the object data exceeds a predetermined value or not, based on the size information. If the size of the object data does not exceed the predetermined value, the cellular phone 10 stores the object data, received in response to the download request, in a temporary storage area. If the size of the object data does exceed the predetermined value, the cellular phone 10 determines whether a free area for storing the object data in a permanent storage area exists or not. If a free area exists, the object data received in response to the download request is stored in the permanent storage area. As a result, the temporary storage area to be used for storing history is not used for storing a large amount of content data, and the history of a number of operations can be held in the temporary storage area without providing a large temporary storage area.
US08407306B1	Systems and methods for managing message delivery based on message priority The disclosed technology covers messaging systems and methods. An example messaging system may include a messaging server, a plurality of predetermined conditions, and a communication interface. The messaging server may receive one or more messages directed to a first computing device, and may assign a priority level to each of the messages. The plurality of predetermined conditions may determine when to transmit the one or more messages to the first computing device, and a first predetermined condition may be deemed met when at least one message directed toward the first computing device is assigned high priority. The communication interface may transmit the one or more messages to the first computing device if at least one of the predetermined conditions is met. The messaging server may repeatedly evaluate the predetermined conditions and may hold the one or more messages until at least one of the predetermined conditions is met.
US08407302B2	Managing meeting invitations to sub-invitees A computer implemented method manages meeting invitations to sub-invitees. A meeting coordinating computer detects a meeting invitation being sent from a meeting moderator's computer to a primary invitee's computer. The meeting coordinating computer intercepts a response from the primary invitee's computer. This response contains a request for a sub-invitee to accompany the primary invitee to the meeting. If the sub-invitee is initially authorized by the meeting coordinating computer to attend the meeting, then a request is transmitted to the meeting moderator's computer for additional authorization to invite the sub-invitee to the meeting.
US08407296B2	Multiple and multi-part message methods and systems for handling electronic message content for electronic communications devices Multiple and multi-part message methods and systems for handling electronic message content for electronic communications devices are presented. An exemplary method for handling electronic message content for an electronic communications device includes: receiving a first electronic message that includes default message content at the communications device; receiving a second electronic message that includes alternate message content at the communications device; determining at the communications device whether the first received message indicates availability of the alternate message content; and if the first received message indicates availability of the alternate message content, automatically providing the alternate message content of the second received message instead of the default message content of the first received message, in response to a user using the communications device to open the first received message indicating availability of the alternate message content or in response to the user using the communications device to open the second received message.
US08407294B2	Unified messaging system using web based application server for management of messages using standardized servers A unified web-based voice messaging system uses an application server, configured for executing a voice application defined by XML documents, that accesses subscriber attributes from a standardized information database server (such as LDAP), and messages from a standardized messaging server (such as IMAP), regardless of message format. The application server, upon receiving a request from a browser serving a user, accesses the standardized database server to obtain attribute information for responding to the voice application operation request. The application server generates an HTML document having media content and control tags for personalized execution of the voice application operation based on the attribute information obtained from the standardized database server. The application server also is configured for storing messages for a called party in the standardized messaging server by storing within the message format information that specifies the corresponding message format. Hence, the application server can respond to a request for a stored message from a subscriber by accessing the stored message from the standardized messaging server, and generating an HTML document having media content and control tags for presenting the subscriber with the stored message in a prescribed format based on the message format and the capabilities of the access device used by the subscriber.
US08407293B2	Print service system A mail server has a mail receiving section for receiving an electronic mail including attached image data transmitted from a user through Internet, a print user designation managing section for making a user ID and a password for the corresponding user and transmitting them, and a data accumulating unit for making a user directory for each user ID and storing image data therein. When the user ID and the password are inputted from a touch panel by the user, one or more print terminals download the image data from the data accumulating unit through the Internet in order to print the image data. A usage guide including information related to an installation location of the print terminal is provided to the user in a web site (usage guide site).
US08407292B2	E-mail protocol optimized for a mobile environment and gateway using same A message delivery server system for delivery of electronic content to a receiving client, comprises: a data storage for storing electronic content, a connection unit for maintaining a connection with the receiving client, and a connection establishment unit for allowing a receiving client to establish a connection with the server. The connection establishment unit comprises a definition unit for placing one or more connection definitions relating to the connection in an entity that is independent of any actual connection socket used for the session. The definition unit can be use to establish additional sockets to maintain the session and the definitions within can be used to find the best way to download media to the receiving client.
US08407291B1	System and method for dispensing e-Care An e-Care dispenser is disclosed herein which configures a set of devices to cooperatively process care requests by utilizing functional aspects distributed throughout those devices. The devices can be end user devices with varying capabilities, some of which might not possess resources to process the care request independently. The functional aspects can be distributed throughout the devices in such a manner as to efficiently utilize the devices in providing care.
US08407283B2	Device and method for disseminating content data between peers in a P2P mode, by using a bipartite peer overlay A method is intended for disseminating content data in a peer-to-peer mode between peers connected to at least one communication network. This method comprises the steps of: i) making peers exchange neighboring information between them to build a bipartite peer overlay comprising a first group, comprising peers having a complete content to be disseminated, and a second group, comprising peers having not this content or only a part of it and having links therebetween, ii) disseminating the data defining the content (and preferably encoded with erasure correcting codes) from peers of the first group to first peers of the second group according to the bipartite peer overlay, iii) disseminating the data received by the first peers to other peers of the second group according to the bipartite peer overlay, and iv) updating the bipartite peer overlay when a peer of the second group has fully completed the content.
US08407281B2	Intention-based automated conflict prediction and notification system Input devices such as satellites, field sensors, electronic pads, cellular phones, and/or radio transmitters communicate information representing queries, reports, and/or instructions to an intention determination system that is accessible by a user interface with a display. The intention determination system includes an input module for processing the information received from the input devices; a language converter for converting the information from a natural language format to a restructured form in a position-based format; a database system for storing the received information, the restructured information, and reference information; and a rule-based analyzer for periodically retrieving and processing the stored information. The analyzer sends an alert to the user interface to notify the user if execution of one the instructions creates a potential conflict with the other stored information. The user interface can include a node-based navigation system that allows user customization of how the alert is displayed.
US08407269B2	System and method to compute narrow bounds on a modal interval spherical projection A computer executable method of processing a representation of a modal interval spherical projection is provided. A representation of a vector comprised of modal intervals X, Y, and Z is provided wherein each modal interval of the modal intervals are delimited by first and second marks of a digital scale. An analytical expression of an azimuthal spherical projection is partitioned into terms of a pair of independent functions wherein a function of the pair exhibits a monotonicity over piecewise domains of the function. A modal interval analysis is performed upon the function wherein arguments of said piecewise domains are modal intervals.
US08407258B2	Systems and methods for rule inheritance Systems and methods for automating and increasing the efficiency of access to data using inheritance of access rules within an organization based upon the relationship of positions within the organization and the roles associated with the positions. In one embodiment, a role structure is used in conjunction with a hierarchical organization structure to allow access rules to be inherited by some of the positions from other positions based upon the relationship of positions within the organization and the roles associated with the positions. Access rules can be applied across equivalent or similar positions, yet differentiated between distinct portions of the organization and the distinct roles associated with the positions. Consequently, particular access rules are not necessarily inherited by all of the positions subordinate to a particular position with which the rule originates, and are not necessarily inherited by all of the positions that are associated with a particular role.
US08407255B1	Method and apparatus for exploiting master-detail data relationships to enhance searching operations A method and apparatus for exploiting a master-detail relationship between a first structured data and at least one second structured data to enhance searching operations of a database containing the first data structure and the at least one second data structure, comprising accessing a first structured data and at least one second structured data of the database; and in response to orthogonal data filter characteristics, augmenting the first structured data with information related to the at least one second structured data to enhance searching of the database.
US08407251B2	Promotion infrastructure having dispensing controls An online sales/automatic rebate and coupon redemption system provides online customers automatic retrieval and redemption of all applicable rebates and coupons during purchase. Purchase orders from customers are selectively fulfilled and products are shipped to the customers either by the system for online sales with automatic rebate and coupon redemption or by other merchant or manufacturer environments. The system purchases from merchants using applicable coupons and rebates and then sells the products to the customers, passing the savings to them. The system makes it possible to automatically retrieve coupons and rebates for items in a shopping cart during the activity of an online purchase at an electronic mall or an online merchant site. The system provides coupons to potential customers via email, based on customer profile, geographical information, etc. Manufacturers and merchants can update coupon value and content based on ongoing sales and volume of customer activity.
US08407250B2	Distribution of content document to varying users with security customization and scalability A system and method for receiving a request for a container document, determining whether the request is for a container document associated with a user group, determining whether a requestor of the request is associated with a level of status within the user group among a plurality of levels of status within the user group, determining the level of status of the requestor based on a determination that the requestor is associated with a level of status within the user group, requesting configuration information based on a determination that the container document is associated with a user group and the level of status, receiving the configuration information, and serving the container document using the configuration information.
US08407245B2	Efficient string pattern matching for large pattern sets A string matching system is described herein that provides for very fast and efficient pattern matching against large sets of certain types of pattern strings. If a set of pattern strings is comprised of strings that can be logically divided into segments, these pattern strings can be stored efficiently in a tree-like data structure, segment by segment, storing pattern-match syntax segments separately from literal string segments. After segmentation, individual match candidate strings are compared, segment by segment, against elements in the tree. The system uses a data structure that is conceptually a combination of a tree and a hash table. Using a hash table to implement the branching elements at each level in the tree contributes to quick matching speed at each level. By consistently separating strings into segments, the system can also share storage locations for like elements in the data structure.
US08407240B2	Autonomic self-healing network A system and method capable of obtaining information dynamically of assets residing on a network. The system and method further capable of comparing a device identifier to the dynamically obtained information of assets and policies at a time of a request to access the network and determining whether the device identifier matches at least one of the dynamically obtained information of assets and policies. The system and method further capable of quarantining the device from the network or a portion thereof based upon the determining.
US08407239B2	Multi-stage query processing system and method for use with tokenspace repository A multi-stage query processing system and method enables multi-stage query scoring, including “snippet” generation, through incremental document reconstruction facilitated by a multi-tiered mapping scheme. At one or more stages of a multi-stage query processing system a set of relevancy scores are used to select a subset of documents for presentation as an ordered list to a user. The set of relevancy scores can be derived in part from one or more sets of relevancy scores determined in prior stages of the multi-stage query processing system. In some embodiments, the multi-stage query processing system is capable of executing one or more passes on a user query, and using information from each pass to expand the user query for use in a subsequent pass to improve the relevancy of documents in the ordered list.
US08407236B2	Mining new words from a query log for input method editors Described is a technology in which new words (including a phrase or set of Chinese characters) are mined from a query log. The new words may be added to (or otherwise supplement) an IME dictionary. A set of candidate queries may be selected from the log based upon market (e.g., the Chinese market) and/or by language. From this set, various filtering steps are performed to locate only new words that are frequently in used. For example, only frequent queries are kept for further processing, which may include filtering out queries based on length (e.g., less than two or greater than eight Chinese characters), and/or filtering out queries based on too many stop-words in the query. Processing may also include filtering out a query that is a substring of a larger query, or vice-versa. Also described is Pinyin-based clustering and filtering, and filtering out queries already handled in the dictionary.
US08407235B2	Exposing and using metadata and meta-metadata Concepts and technologies are described herein for exposing and using metadata and for exposing meta-metadata in a tabularized format. Metadata associated with one or more ERP services is collected, parsed, and loaded into one or more sets of tables. The tables of metadata are exposed to software and/or devices to provide various functionality. The tables of metadata and meta-metadata data exposed in tabularized format are used at runtime, design time and/or at other times, and are used to provide various functionality. The tables of metadata and meta-metadata also are used to identify and track modifications made to one or more application objects associated with the ERP services, and to apply the modifications to new versions of metadata associated with the application objects.
US08407232B2	Document search system With respect to retrieving documents of interest using a search system, it is made possible to provide a document search system for retrieving documents of interest efficiently and intuitively. Along with a display of a list of search results, new query candidates as well as the hit counts returned with those queries are presented. Specifically, there is provided: a related word dictionary in which related words of search keywords are gathered; a related word query generation processing part configured to extract from the related word dictionary a related word of a search keyword contained in a first query that has been entered, and to generate a second query, which is a new query, using the related word; a search execution part configured to calculate an increase/decrease between the hit count for search results returned with the first query and the hit count for search results returned with the second query; and a search result display processing part configured to simultaneously display on a display part: the first query; the search results returned with the first query; the hit count for the search results; the second query; the hit count for the search results returned with the second query; and the increase/decrease.
US08407228B1	Method and mechanism for maintaining existence information for electronic layout data Disclosed is an improved approach for managing, tracking, and querying hierarchical data in layouts. According to some aspects, hierarchical grids are employed utilizing a scheme that organizes physical objects into a set of gradually refined grids that avoids the need to maintain duplicates while enhancing the desirable characteristics of existing schemes, including fast query times, fast data structure initialization and reduced memory footprint. Each grid-cell may be further partitioned into sub-containers to more efficiently provide space pruning during query operations. According to one approach, structures maintained to track existence of objects in a descendent hierarchy.
US08407219B1	Collaborative filtering Systems, methods, and apparatus, including computer program products, for collaborative filtering are provided. A method is provided. The method includes clustering a plurality of entities with respect to one or more latent variables in a probability distribution model of a relationship between a set of entities and a set of items, the probability distribution model comprising a probability distribution of the set of items with respect to the latent variables. The method also includes, as new items are added to the set of items, updating the probability distribution of the set of the items with respect to the latent variables, and generating an updated relationship score for an entity with respect to the set of items based on the entity's fractional membership in the clustering with respect to the latent variables and based on the updated probability distribution of the set of the items with respect to the latent variables.
US08407215B2	Text analysis to identify relevant entities A system includes a data structure comprising a plurality of mesh entities, the data structure associating each of the plurality of mesh entities with a respective name and a respective one or more attribute values, and associating each of the plurality of mesh entities with one or more relations to one or more other ones of the plurality of mesh entities. Some aspects include reception of a file comprising text, identification of text entities from the text, identification of first mesh entities from the plurality of mesh entities based on the identified text entities, determination, for each of the first mesh entities, of a name and one or more attribute values, and determination of a relevance associated with each identified text entity based on the determined name and one or more attribute values.
US08407211B1	Determining relevance scores for locations Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for determining relevance scores for locations. In one aspect, a method includes storing a respective plurality of category-location relevance scores for each location of a plurality of geographic locations. A category-location relevance score is based on a plurality of category-entity-location relevance scores for a plurality of entities associated with the category at the location. A first category-location relevance score is determined for a first geographic location that is not one of the plurality of geographic locations. Determining the first category-location relevance score includes calculating the first category-location relevance score based on a second category-location relevance score for a second geographic location in the plurality of geographic locations and a physical distance between the first geographic location and the second geographic location.
US08407194B1	Data classification and privacy repository A data classification and privacy repository for creating a secure and accurate database to inventory an organization's private or sensitive personally identifiable information includes at least one Meta Data Registry which links with an organization's enterprise database. The Meta Data Registry, scans, analyzes and classifies the files stored on an enterprise database and then hosts the metadata associated with those files in an indexable format. In one embodiment, the metadata is transported to a service provider/system administrator Aggregate Meta Data Repository where the metadata is validated, monitored, and assessed for risk. When a breach occurs, notifications to the appropriate individuals, companies, regulatory bodies and government agencies are automatically generated.
US08407189B2	Finding and fixing stability problems in personal computer systems A method for assisting an administrator to identify files suspected of causing instability on a personal computer comprises periodically creating file content sharing logs concurrently with archiving files of a plurality of personal computers by de-duplicating, when a notification is received regarding instability of a personal computer, then analyzing archive file content sharing log of the personal computer made immediately after receiving the notification for unique system and program files, missing files and newly installed files to generate an instability report. A missing or corrupted file can be restored back on the unstable personal computer by performing a backup restore operation on the unstable personal computer.
US08407184B2	Maintaining applications that are occasionally connected to an online services system In a method for maintaining applications that are occasionally connected to an online services system, metadata describing at least a portion of an online services database is retrieved and the portion of the online services database is authorized for replication at a software application, information for an entity for an application database in accordance with metadata is determined, information is sent for the entity to an application data management service, data for the software application is retrieved from the online services database in accordance with metadata, at least a portion of the data for the software application is sent to the application data management service and the portion of the data for the software application should be synchronized with the online services database, a request for information is received for rendering a component of a user interface, and information is provided for rendering the component of the user interface for the software application.
US08407183B2	Business intelligence data extraction on demand Methods and apparatus, including computer program products, for business intelligence data extraction on demand. In general, a first request is sent from a first system to a second system for a query of a data structure to include indications of updates at the second system to data at both the first and second systems. An indication of an update at the second system is received in response to the first request, where the indication includes an identification of updated data. A second request is sent to a database data structure of the second system for data corresponding to the updated data. The updated data is received at the first system in response to the second request. Data is updated at the first system in accordance with the updated data in response to the receiving the updated data.
US08407181B2	Email system providing enhanced conversation and category search features and related methods An email system may include an email server(s) configured to store email messages in a plurality of mailboxes, where the email messages are organized into different conversations and the conversations are organized into different categories. A plurality of mobile wireless communications devices may each be configured to store email messages from respective mailboxes also organized into the different conversations and the different categories. Each of the mobile wireless communications devices may also associate respective conversation IDs with the different conversations, and associate respective category IDs with the different categories. An email synchronization server(s) may be configured to synchronize email messages between the mobile wireless communications devices and respective mailboxes, translate an email search request in the form of a conversation ID(s) and a category ID(s) from a given mobile wireless communications device, and cooperate with email server(s) to retrieve email messages based upon the translated email search request.
US08407180B1	Eliminating inner joins based on a temporal relationship constraint A query is received. It is determined that the query includes an inner join between a parent table and a child table. It is determined that the following relationships exist between the parent table and the child table: referential integrity (“RI”) between a primary key attribute (pk) in the parent table and a foreign key attribute (fk) in the child table, where “attribute” is defined to mean one or more columns, and a temporal relationship constraint (“TRC”) between a period attribute in the parent table and a TRC-attribute in the child table, the TRC-attribute being a date or time attribute. It is determined that the query does not access any attribute in the parent table other than the pk. It is determined that the query specifies an equality predicate of the form pk=fk. It is determined that the query selects a snapshot from the parent using a predicate of the form parent.[period attribute] contains a point in time (t1). It is determined that the query selects from the child those rows whose TRC-attribute is equal to or prior to t1. The inner join is eliminated when planning execution of the query. The query is executed to produce a result. The result is saved.
US08407172B1	Method, apparatus, and article of manufacture for performing a pivot-in-place operation for a linear programming problem In accordance with one embodiment, a method of processing a linear programming problem can be implemented by utilizing a unique operation known as a pivot-in-place operation to reduce computer error.
US08407170B2	Root-cause analysis system and associated methods A method for determining a root cause of a problem in a multiple-element system includes correlating an incoming alarm signal with an element x in a multiple-element system and accessing an implication list comprising a list of all elements upstream of element x. At least one element on the implication list is weighted with data relating to the at least one element. Taking into account the weighting step, a probability is calculated that an element on the implication list comprises a most-probable root cause of the subsequent alarm signal. The identified most-probable root cause of the incoming alarm signal is output.
US08407167B1	Method for optimizing memory controller configuration in multi-core processors using fitness metrics and channel loads The location of the memory controllers within the on-chip fabric of multiprocessor architectures plays a central role in latency bandwidth characteristics of the processor-to-memory traffic. Intelligent placement substantially reduces the maximum channel load depending on the specific memory controller configuration selected. A variety of simulation techniques are used along and in combination to determine optimal memory controller arrangements. Diamond-type and diagonal X-type memory controller configurations that spread network traffic across all rows and columns in a multiprocessor array substantially improve over other arrangements. Such placements reduce interconnect latency by an average of 10% for real workloads, and the small number of memory controllers relative to the number of on-chip cores opens up a rich design space to optimize latency and bandwidth characteristics of the on-chip network.
US08407165B2	Method for parsing, searching and formatting of text input for visual mapping of knowledge information A method for performing relational analysis of parsed input is employed to create a visual map of knowledge information. A title, header or subject line for an input item of information is parsed into syntactical components of at least a subject component and any predicate component(s) relationally linked as topic and subtopics. A search of indices for the knowledge map and its topics and subtopics is carried out for the subject component. If a match is found, then the subject component is taken as the existing topic. If no match is found, then the subject component is formatted as a new entry in the knowledge map. Topic-related information content is stored in the repository referenced to the formatted topic. A similar process can be carried out for formatting predicate component(s). In this manner, input items of information can be quickly and conveniently added to the knowledge information map.
US08407164B2	Data classification and hierarchical clustering Apparatus, systems, and methods can operate to provide efficient data clustering, data classification, and data compression. A method comprises training set of training instances can be processed to select a subset of size-1 patterns, initialize a weight of each size-1 pattern, include the size-1 patterns in classes in a model associated with the training set, and then include a set of top-k size-2 patterns in a way that provides an effective balance between local, class, and global significance patterns. A method comprises processing a dataset to compute an overall significance value of each size-2 pattern in each instance in the dataset, sort the size-2 patterns, and select the top-k size-2 patterns to be represented in clusters, which can be refined into a clustered hierarchy. A method comprises creating an uncompressed bitmap, reordering the bitmap, and compressing the bitmap. Additional apparatus, systems, and methods are disclosed.
US08407163B2	Monitoring a device, network, or system with adaptive dynamic classification employing a hidden Markov model operating on a time sequence of information In a monitoring method, a time sequence of information pertaining to a monitored device, network, or system is recorded, comprising observations of the monitored device, network, or system and known prior correct action recommendations for the monitored device, network, or system. A hidden Markov model (HMM) operating on the time sequence of information is maintained. The HMM comprises a hidden state of the monitored device, network, or system. A current state of the monitored device, network, or system is classified using a classification value comprising an emission of the HMM that depends on an estimate of the distribution of the hidden state and on a selected portion of the time sequence of information. An action recommendation is generated for the current state of the monitored device, network, or system based on the classification value.
US08407162B2	Arrangement and method for network management The present invention relates to an arrangement for network management and adapted to be provided in or associated with a network node to be managed. It comprises, or is in communication with, modeling means adapted to, using substantially non-formal descriptions, model network domain and behavior using formal ontologies comprising inference capabilities by means of an inference engine, thus providing a formal ontology model describing domain and behavior. It also comprises annotating means adapted to add semantic information to the formal domain and behavior ontology model, generating means adapted to, using said formal ontology model and said inference engine, elaborate an algorithm adapted to generate and update a probabilistic causal network graph structure representing the domain and its behavior.
US08407160B2	Systems, methods, and media for generating sanitized data, sanitizing anomaly detection models, and/or generating sanitized anomaly detection models Systems, methods, and media for generating sanitized data, sanitizing anomaly detection models, and generating anomaly detection models are provided. In some embodiments, methods for generating sanitized data are provided. The methods including: dividing a first training dataset comprised of a plurality of training data items into a plurality of data subsets each including at least one training data item of the plurality of training data items of the first training dataset; based on the plurality of data subsets, generating a plurality of distinct anomaly detection micro-models; testing at least one data item of the plurality of data items of a second training dataset of training data items against each of the plurality of micro-models to produce a score for the at least one tested data item; and generating at least one output dataset based on the score for the at least one tested data item.
US08407158B2	System and method for providing interactive troubleshooting An approach provides interactive troubleshooting. A robotic chat application receives a service inquiry over a chat session from a chat-enabled device, wherein the service inquiry is associated with a service provider network. A troubleshooting engine collects information from a user of the chat-enabled device regarding the service inquiry. The robotic chat application retrieves a flow definition and an associated query corresponding to the service inquiry based upon the collected information. The troubleshooting engine generates a command, based on the query, for resolving the service inquiry.
US08407155B2	On-line mail processing system and mobile device application therefor A method for determining the postage associated with the delivery of an article including the steps of receiving an acquired image of the article over a network from a web enabled device (ii) comparing the acquired digital imaged to a plurality of stored digital images to ermine the identity of the acquired digital image, (iii) determining at least one characteristic of the identified digital image useful to determine a delivery cost associated with the identified digital image of the identified article, (iv) calculating the estimated cost of delivering the identified article to a destination address, and, (v) transmitting the estimated cost to the web enabled device. The method also determines the postage associated with the delivery of an article by means of a wireless communication network using a wireless mobile device having an optical imaging device. Furthermore, a system also determines the postage associated with the identified article.
US08407154B1	Predicting shipment origin points A shipment origin location for a product purchased by a customer is predicted. A merchant evaluator receives information from a user about a purchase transaction completed by the user with a merchant for a product, including the user's location. When the product is shipped, the merchant evaluator receives tracking information about the shipment. The merchant evaluator determines from the tracking information a point of origin for the shipment and updates its records to reflect the shipment origin point for that merchant and product, given the user's location. As the merchant evaluator compiles similar data for many products shipped by many merchants to many destinations, the merchant evaluator develops a searchable index, enabling a prediction to be made about a shipment origin point for a particular product from a particular merchant, given the location of the user ordering the product. A time-in-transit prediction can also be made.
US08407153B2	Intelligent interactive mail opening tracking method and system A method for tracking the opening of physical mail includes preparing a mail piece for delivery to a mailpiece recipient, the mailpiece having identifying information thereon, and communicating the mailpiece identifying information to a mail opening tracking organization. The mailpiece is delivered to the mailpiece recipient. The mailpiece is mechanically opened and data related to the mailpiece opening event is captured and the data related to the mailpiece opening event is communicated to the tracking organization.
US08407150B2	Reliability evaluation device, reliability evaluation method, and computer program product A reliability evaluation device includes a route acquiring unit that acquires a route from a starting point to a verification point of an application procedure as a group of paths indicative of relation between objects used for identity verification at each step based on data that includes the paths, a direction in which information is transferred, and path reliabilities indicative of accuracy of transferring the information, and a verification-point-reliability computing unit that computes reliability of the application procedure at the verification point by multiplying the path reliabilities by the reliability at the starting point.
US08407140B2	Global remittance platform The invention provides a remittance platform in which an enterprise, such as Wells Fargo, serves as a remittance transfer agent, where the remittance function is integrated with a bank. The invention allows access to the remittance program by both account holders with the enterprise and persons who do not have an account with the enterprise. The person accessing the service may pick the remittance service they want and the country they want. However, the service is not anchored to a particular account and can therefore work with both bank partners and non-bank partners and account holders and non-account holders. Further, the system may be private-labeled. Additionally, the invention provides a mechanism that allows one to send money easily to other countries and it allows bank partners to participate in the program easily as well. This is possible because the enterprise provides all of the processing in an integrated fashion.
US08407139B1	Credit risk evaluation with responsibility factors A system, device, and method for calculating an enhanced credit score using insurance rating information, individual rating factors, interaction rating factors, geographic rating factors, vehicle monitoring rating factors, and/or credit risk information is disclosed. Insurance rating information, individual rating factors, interaction rating factors, geographic rating factors, and vehicle monitoring rating factors, either individually or in combinations, may be used as inputs to a novel credit-scoring model to calculate an enhanced or improved credit score. The novel credit-scoring model may be implemented in a computer-readable medium comprising computer-executable instructions for causing a computing device to calculate an enhanced credit score. The computer-executable instructions may be arranged into an input module, output module, and calculation module. The modules may be used to calculate an enhanced credit score that may be used by lending institutions and others to determine the terms of a financing agreement with a user.
US08407138B2	System for resolving transactions An apparatus for resolving a debt transaction is provided. The apparatus includes a server having means for contacting the debtor by transmitting a communication to the debtor using one of a number of available communication channels, a credit information seeking module configured to obtain information from a financial information source other than the server and the debtor, and a rules based decision module configured to analyze information to determine a potential resolution strategy for the debt transaction comprising a transaction settlement offer based on creditworthiness of the debtor based on rules established by the creditor. The server is configured to provide the debtor with the transaction settlement offer, and to attempt to obtain agreement from the debtor to settle the debt transaction based on the at least one transaction settlement offer, and process at least a portion of a payment.
US08407137B2	Pay yourself first with user guidance The system encourages users to not only pay themselves first, but to pay themselves first in the largest amounts possible, even if they are not able to fully pay outstanding debts. The system obtains information related to the user's income, income sources, user's debts (e.g., bills) and user's goals. The system provides recommendations related to the prioritization of paying certain bills and the amount to pay for each bill based upon, for example, savings goals, minimizing penalties/fees associated with user's debts, minimum amounts due, due dates and available income. The system and/or the user may then determine a payment hierarchy which includes transferring funds to the user's savings account prior to paying all or a portion of certain bills, wherein the transfer of funds may include different funds transfer systems and methods.
US08407135B2	System and method for optimizing the frequency of market information updates in an electronic trading environment A system and method for optimizing the frequency of market information updates in an electronic trading environment are described herein. According to one example embodiment, by optimizing the frequency of market information updates, the burden on the client device to update the graphical user interface may be reduced, while still providing an accurate portrayal of the market to the user. An example method includes associating different precedence levels with messages comprising market information. Messages containing market information related to the inside market may be associated to a higher precedence level. Whereas messages containing market information relating to the quantities at prices outside the inside market may be associated with a lower precedence level. Based on the precedence level associated with a message, a client device may update the graphical user interface or the message may be stored in a data structure until a pre-defined condition is satisfied.
US08407134B2	Pass through liquidity in a multi-tiered trading system and method The present invention generally relates to brokerage systems and methods, and more particularly, to a multi-tiered trading system and corresponding methods which allow multiple customers and multiple dealers to transact on a single platform while maintaining the distinction of an inter-dealer system and a dealer-customer relationship.
US08407132B2	System and method for changing the view of a trading screen A trading screen displays market information, such as working orders, buy and sell orders, and other items of interest, in association with values on a value axis. Each item of interest is therefore displayed in relation to the value axis to provide a trader with an intuitive display of the market. In one embodiment, a user can select a location associated with a particular value on the trading screen and upon an selection, for example, by a click of the mouse button, the value axis is repositioned so that the selected value is moved to a predefined location. During which, market information is moved to new locations that are associated with their respective values on the value axis.
US08407131B2	Method and interface for presenting last traded quantity information Trading software may receive trading information from an exchange. The trading software may use the trading information to compute an estimate of last traded total sweep quantity. The trading software may also display the last traded total sweep quantity on a trading screen.
US08407130B1	Method and system for providing principal protection exposure to equity markets Various embodiments of the present invention relate to methods and systems for providing principal protection exposure to equity markets. More particularly, one embodiment of the present invention relates to a computer implementable method for performing data processing operations associated with providing principal protection exposure to an equity market, comprising the steps of: carrying out a sale of a trust certificate to generate proceeds, which sale is from a trust to a first entity; allocating a portion of the proceeds of the sale of the trust certificate to a purchase of an equity security, which purchase is by the trust from the equity market; and allocating a portion of the proceeds of the sale of the trust certificate to a purchase of a put option on the equity security, which purchase is by the trust from a second entity; wherein the sale of the trust certificate to the first entity, combined with the purchase of the equity security by the trust and the purchase of the put option by the trust, provides the first entity principal protection exposure to the equity market without causing substantial income statement volatility.
US08407129B2	Pricing cash settled on-the-run treasury futures contracts The disclosed embodiments relate to determining a listing date, an expiration date and the cash settlement price of a futures contract, i.e. a Treasury Futures, for the delivery of the most recently issued, referred to as an on-the-run, US treasury Note of a particular maturity by reference to the U.S. Treasury Auction cycle and the difference between a resultant industry surveyed swap rate and a resultant industry surveyed swap spread of the respective tenors (time remaining until maturity) of the on-the-run treasury futures.
US08407126B2	Prospective currency units Methods and systems for calculating values for indexes based on breakout currencies are provided. A prospective breakout index may be formed before an entity breaks out of a monetary union. Other aspects relate to calculating an initial index value on a breakout date. An initial exchange rate of the breakout currency may be combined with a breakout value and/or a base value. In one embodiment, the breakout value is the reciprocal of the initial exchange rate. Therefore, in accordance with certain embodiments, the initial index value of the breakout index may be equal to the base value. Further aspects relate to calculating a second index value. A second exchange rate of the breakout currency may be utilized with the fixed base value and the breakout value to calculate the second index value of the breakout index. Further aspects relate to creating a prospective currency unit for a monetary union.
US08407125B2	System and method for providing financial planning and advice The system facilitates portfolio advising and planning for a client. The system includes a portfolio integration module configured to receive and integrate data, wherein the data includes a client's goals, assets, savings and risk tolerance, wherein the portfolio integration module is further configures to compute a customized strategy based on the received data. The portfolio reconciler module is configured to compare a customized strategy to at least one of the other strategies, based on the received and integrated data in order to further facilitate the financial portfolio planning of the client, wherein the financial portfolio planning analyzes both planned hypothetical events and unplanned hypothetical events. The stochastic modeling module is configures to further analyze proposed situation portfolios based on future uncertainties, wherein future uncertainties include the unplanned hypothetical events. The simulation module is configured to compute the probability of meeting the client's goals.
US08407123B2	Methods and systems for providing a yield curve index An exemplary aspect comprises a computer system comprising: (a) one or more servers that receive electronic data describing prices for a first category of futures positions; and (b) one or more processors that calculate an index value at a specified time based on one or more weighted price changes for said first category of futures positions, wherein said index value has a target exposure to one or more yields for said first category of futures positions. In one or more exemplary embodiments, the computer system further comprises one or more processors that receive electronic data describing prices for a second category of futures positions, wherein the index value at the specified time is based on one or more differences between weighted price changes for the first category of futures positions and the second category of futures positions. Other exemplary aspects comprise related methods and software.
US08407119B2	Forecasting levels of currency usage and need A target level of funds may be defined to specify an ideal level of currency stored in a currency handling device for efficient operation. The target level may be modified based on forecasted currency usage needs. Forecasts may be conducted based on historical usage data, user input and seasonal/event considerations. When a level of funds exceeds the target level by a specified amount, a transport request may be generated. When a level of funds underruns the target level by a specified amount, a change order request may be generated. In one or more arrangements, recommendations for target levels, transport requests and change order requests may be provided for user confirmation instead of automatically executing the recommendation.
US08407118B1	Method and system for generating an economic indicator using aggregated financial data A method for generating an economic indicator involves obtaining financial data from multiple data sources, where the data courses include multiple business applications and/or multiple personal financial management applications. The method further involves aggregating financial data to obtain aggregated financial data, and generating the economic indicator using aggregated financial data.
US08407116B1	Quote/order processing in electronic market system A collector facility for an electronic market is described. The collector facility includes an interface for coupling order delivery systems to the order collector facility and a quote manager that manages multiple quotes/orders received from the interface at multiple price levels. The facility also includes a montage manager to display quotes received from the quote order manager in an aggregate montage or a current quote montage consistent with parameters specified in the multiple quotes.
US08407113B1	Inference-based tax preparation A method for operating a tax inference engine involves receiving tax data items, assigning confidence ratings to the tax data items using inference rules, and assigning relevance ratings to tax questions using the inference rules. The method further involves determining tax questions having ratings that exceed a threshold amount, and ordering the tax questions by the relevance ratings, personalizing a tax question using the inference rules, tax data items, and confidence ratings by altering a wording of the tax question, and determining tax advice using the inference rules, the tax data items, and the confidence ratings.
US08407112B2	Transaction authorisation system and method A transaction authorization system allows a customer to authorize transactions relating to at least one account associated with an institution. Data storage means enable access to customer identification data, a customer's remote communication device (RCD), and security identifier data associating the account with the identification data. Communication means receive an authorization request, referenced to the security identifier data, relating to the transaction and enable communication with the customer via the RCD to authorize a transaction or to indicate that a transaction is fraudulent. Data processing means identify the customer and RCD using the identification data and determine if the transaction is authorized, or has been indicated as being fraudulent, and if the transaction is fraudulent, to determine the type of fraud. The communication means provide an indication, referenced to the security identifier data, to the institution of whether the transaction is authorized.
US08407111B2	Method, system and computer program product for correlating information and location In one aspect, embodiments of a method of correlating information and location comprise establishing a reference point for an entity. A three-dimensional coordinate is assigned to a device that comprises the entity. The assigned three-dimensional coordinate is relative to the reference point. Information about the device is correlated with the assigned three-dimensional coordinate and stored in a computing device. The computing device receives secondary information, and in response to the secondary information received by the computing device, the computing device provides at least one of the three-dimensional coordinate of the device or at least a portion of the information about the device.
US08407107B2	Method to create a customized e-commerce store An electronic commerce system includes a host with two-way communication to a plurality of distributors. Each of these distributors offers an addressable inventory of merchandise that consists of discrete items. The host sorts the discrete items according to a class designation such that members of a same class are assigned a unique tag. A store builder may electronically request at least one of the unique tags. The host then creates a customized store with a unique name, look and feel, and product selection for the store builder. This store provides a consumer with access, via said distributor, to items assigned that unique tag.
US08407105B2	Discovery of behavior-based item relationships based on browsing session records Various processes are disclosed for discovering item relationships between particular items, such as products represented in an electronic catalog, based on monitored user behaviors (e.g., item viewing activities, item purchases, shopping cart activities, etc.). The discovered item relationships may, for example, be used to generate personalized item recommendations for users, and/or to supplement item detail pages of an electronic catalog with lists of related items. Also disclosed are processes for generating personalized item recommendations based on users' search activities and browse node visits.
US08407102B2	Printing via E-commerce method and system A method and system used to obtain and process orders for full color printing. A job configuration and price calculator is supplied to a customer. The calculator calculates automatically a price quote as the customer selects configuration options of a print job. The price quote is then displayed automatically. The customer may select configuration options repeatedly until the job configuration is final. A digital graphic layout or image file is then obtained from the customer. The digital graphic layout or image file is then prepared and a proof thereof is created. When the proof is satisfactory, the print job is printed and delivered to the customer.
US08407100B2	Machine, methods, and program product for electronic order entry Systems, methods, and program product for facilitating electronic ordering of goods, services, or goods and services, or other products, through messaging over a financial services electronic payment network, are provided. A customer provides electronic order registration activation information for an electronic order transaction card. The customer is provided an electronic order card having a unique electronic payment network compatible electronic order card identifier including a non-financial transaction IIN and a customer number, and is provided a catalogue or list including product order codes each associated with a different product, to enable electronic ordering over the financial services electronic payment network. An electronic order card configured to interface with a conventional point-of-sale terminal can be used to facilitate the electronic ordering over the existing financial services electronic payment network when presented to the point-of-sale terminal with a product order code identifying a selected product.
US08407099B1	Travel suggestions Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for providing travel suggestions. In one aspect, a method includes the action of providing a travel search interface, the travel search interface including one or more travel parameters and a suggestion of one or more people to visit from among a specified collection of individuals; receiving a user selection of a suggested person; providing one or more date range and price combinations for traveling to a city associated with the selected suggested person; and generating a travel itinerary for the selected travel date range.
US08407095B2	Method of delivering a pharmaceutical product via a medium One or more embodiments include a method of delivering a pharmaceutical product via a medium. The pharmaceutical product is associated with the medium and the medium assumes different values based on predetermined business rules. The method includes generating data in a database associated with a central computing station where the data identifies the medium and the product associated with the medium. The database is provisioned with the rules that determine the value of the medium. In response to the holder presenting the medium to a provider of the product for purposes of obtaining the product, a communication from the provider is received identifying the medium. A value for the medium is established based on the rules provisioned in the database. The value of the medium is updated, and that updated value is recorded in the database in response to the provider providing the product to the holder of the medium.
US08407089B2	System and method for receiving and responding to promotional offers using a mobile phone A method and means by which a mobile phone can participate in a promotional offer that is sponsored by an interested party is disclosed. The sponsor creates a promotional campaign and defines its parameters using promotional offer code (POC) data. The POC data is then pre-provisioned into the mobile phone. If a mobile phone user becomes aware of the promotional campaign and wishes to participate, he navigates his mobile phone menu structure to a “promotions” menu and inputs a POC that was included in the sponsor's advertisements. The mobile phone then links the input POC to the pre-provisioned POC data. Another function in the mobile phone then constructs a promotional offer entry (POE) that conforms to the parameters set out in the pre-provisioned POC data. The POE is then transmitted to the sponsor. The sponsor reviews all valid entries and chooses one or more winners. The sponsor can then broadcast a status message to all entrants to inform them whether they won anything from the promotion.
US08407087B2	Online reward point exchange method and system An online reward exchange system and method of operation, which includes an exchange computer that interoperates via a computer network with user computers, reward point issuer computers, and merchant computers. The merchants' products may be purchased by a user by requesting via a user computer, merchant's point of sale device, or mobile device an issuer(s) to redeem reward points in exchange for payment to the merchant for the product. The exchange computer is the gateway to the system and manages various transactions such as providing online product catalogs to users that list the merchants products, as well as displaying to the user the reward points he has available in his reward programs with the issuers. Once a user selects a desired product the exchange computer can mediate or manage the purchase transaction in which reward points are redeemed by the selected issuer and consideration is conveyed to the merchant in exchange for the merchant providing the product to the user.
US08407079B2	Method and system using an enterprise framework A system and method of modeling an enterprise and its objectives and its information technology system into a single enterprise framework so that the effect of changes in one can be seen as impacting the other. In its preferred embodiment, a generic framework is customized to reflect changes for the industry and the enterprise and its objectives and uses a LOTUS NOTES database with a front-end navigator to make modifications. The enterprise framework includes a section on governance which provides an architectural framework and a management process for the enterprise framework.
US08407074B2	Grouping system, grouping management server, and grouping program A group of participants taking part in an event is formed on the basis of intention of the participants. A grouping system includes a mobile terminal 3 having adjacent terminal communicating units 17, and a management server 1 for performing grouping. The management server 1 includes a member personal information database 51 for recording member ID information of the participants; an ID information combination database 52 for recording a combination of ID information obtained from another mobile terminal and ID information of itself; an event management database 53 for recording content of at least one event; an ID group management database 55 for registering an ID group; and group managing unit 67 for forming the ID group by linking ID information combinations having common ID information, recorded in the ID information combination database 52.
US08407069B2	Apparatus and method for constructing formularies An system for constructing formularies is disclosed. The system includes a central computer system and at least one additional computer. The central computer system compiles a list of various pharmaceutical products and sort them into different categories. Formularies are then created by selecting individual products or categories of products that will be covered. When prescription claims are received, coverage is either accepted or denied based on whether the products in the prescription claims are covered by the formulary.
US08407067B2	Method and apparatus for manufacturing an implant An orthopedic device includes a femoral implant having a non-custom internal bone engagement surface. The femoral implant includes at least nine parameters adjusted preoperatively to correspond to a specific patient. The parameters can include patient-specific lengths, such as, for example, medial and lateral condyle widths and notch height, and patient-specific medial and lateral angles.
US08407066B2	Insurance estimating system Disclosed is a computerized method and system for estimating treatment costs for a health care product and/or service for a health care patient. The estimate of health care costs is calculated before the patient is discharged from the facility providing the health care product or service. The estimate of health care costs may also be performed prior to any treatment or admission to the health care facility of the health care patient. The estimate of treatment costs may include a patient payable amount that estimates the cost of the health care product/service that will be the patient's responsibility. The health care patient may be billed for the health care product or service prior to discharging the health care patient and/or prior to providing the health care product or service to the health care patient. If desired, a loan for the estimated patient payable amount may be arranged and/or provided to the health care patient to pay for the patient's portion of the cost for the health care product and/or service.
US08407061B2	Networking methods and systems A network system includes integrated radio transceivers and digitizers, integrated baseband processors and device controllers, digital interfaces there between, and architectures and partitions for same. Licensing methodologies are provided for implementing the features described herein, and for other products and services.
US08407060B2	Audio decoder, audio object encoder, method for decoding a multi-audio-object signal, multi-audio-object encoding method, and non-transitory computer-readable medium therefor An audio decoder for decoding a multi-audio-object signal having an audio signal of a first type and an audio signal of a second type encoded therein is described, the multi-audio-object signal having a downmix signal and side information, the side information having level information of the audio signals of the first and second types in a first predetermined time/frequency resolution, and a residual signal specifying residual level values in a second predetermined time/frequency resolution, the audio decoder having a processor for computing prediction coefficients based on the level information; and an up-mixer for up-mixing the downmix signal based on the prediction coefficients and the residual signal to obtain a first up-mix audio signal approximating the audio signal of the first type and/or a second up-mix audio signal approximating the audio signal of the second type.
US08407058B2	Food processor with phonetic recognition ability A food processor with phonetic recognition ability is disclosed, which comprises: a phonetic recognition module and a food processing module. The phonetic recognition module is capable of receiving sound signals so as to identify a content of characters containing in the received sound signals. The food processing module is capable of producing food products containing characters corresponding to the phonetic recognition result of the phonetic recognition module.
US08407054B2	Speech synthesis device, speech synthesis method, and speech synthesis program A speech synthesis device is provided with: a central segment selection unit for selecting a central segment from among a plurality of speech segments; a prosody generation unit for generating prosody information based on the central segment; a non-central segment selection unit for selecting a non-central segment, which is a segment outside of a central segment section, based on the central segment and the prosody information; and a waveform generation unit for generating a synthesized speech waveform based on the prosody information, the central segment, and the non-central segment. The speech synthesis device first selects a central segment that forms a basis for prosody generation and generates prosody information based on the central segment so that it is possible to sufficiently reduce both concatenation distortion and sound quality degradation accompanying prosody control in the section of the central segment.
US08407053B2	Speech processing apparatus, method, and computer program product for synthesizing speech A speech processing apparatus, including a segmenting unit to divide a fundamental frequency signal of a speech signal corresponding to an input text into pitch segments, based on an alignment between samples of at least one given linguistic level included in the input text and the speech signal. Character strings of the input text are divided into the samples based on each linguistic level. A parameterizing unit generates a parametric representation of the pitch segments using a predetermined invertible operator and generates a group of first parameters in correspondence with each linguistic level. A descriptor generating unit generates, for each linguistic level, a descriptor that includes a set of features describing each sample in the input text and a model learning unit classifies the first parameters of each linguistic level of all speech signals in a memory into clusters based on the descriptor corresponding to the linguistic level.
US08407050B2	Method and system for automatic transcription prioritization A visual toolkit for prioritizing speech transcription is provided. The toolkit can include a logger (102) for capturing information from a speech recognition system, a processor (104) for determining an accuracy rating of the information, and a visual display (106) for categorizing the information and prioritizing a transcription of the information based on the accuracy rating. The prioritizing identifies spoken utterances having a transcription priority in view of the recognized result. The visual display can include a transcription category (156) having a modifiable textbox entry with a text entry initially corresponding to a text of the recognized result, and an accept button (157) for validating a transcription of the recognized result. The categories can be automatically ranked by the accuracy rating in an ordered priority for increasing an efficiency of transcription.
US08407048B2	Method and system for transcribing telephone conversation to text Methods and systems for transcribing portions of a telephone conversation to text enables users to request transcription such as by pressing a button on a mobile device, with the request transmitted to a server including transcription software. The server transcribes some or all of the telephone conversation to text, and transmits the text to the mobile device. The text data may be scanned for selected information, and only the selected information transmitted to the mobile device. The selected information may be automatically stored in memory of the mobile device, such as in an address book.
US08407047B2	Guidance information display device, guidance information display method and recording medium A guidance information display device includes: a voice input unit; a display unit for displaying guidance information; an operation unit for accepting an operation; and a processor capable of executing the following processes of: a voice recognition process operation of performing voice recognition based on inputted voice; a calculation operation of calculating an evaluation value for a recognition result of voice recognition by the voice recognition process operation; a display operation of reading out guidance information corresponding to the recognition result from a storage unit, which stores the guidance information, and displaying the guidance information at a display unit; and a decision operation of deciding a display mode of the guidance information at the display unit based on a variable value, which varies with an operation from the operation unit for the guidance information displayed by the display operation, and the evaluation value calculated by the calculation operation.
US08407043B2	Computationally efficient audio coder The present invention provides a computationally efficient technique for compression encoding of an audio signal, and further provides a technique to enhance the sound quality of the encoded audio signal. This is accomplished by including more accurate attack detection and a computationally efficient quantization technique. The improved audio coder converts the input audio signal to a digital audio signal. The audio coder then divides the digital audio signal into larger frames having a long-block frame length and partitions each of the frames into multiple short-blocks. The audio coder then computes short-block audio signal characteristics for each of the partitioned short-blocks based on changes in the input audio signal. The audio coder further compares the computed short-block characteristics to a set of threshold values to detect presence of an attack in each of the short-blocks and changes the long-block frame length of one or more short-blocks upon detecting the attack in the respective one or more short-blocks.
US08407031B2	Computer based models for disposable articles, disposable article material, and/or disposable article converting machines Computer based CAE models for simulating the physical behavior of disposable articles during manufacturing processes.
US08407030B2	Method for determining a time course of an accident occurring in a risk-prone installation A method for determining a time course of an accident which occurs inside an installation in which takes place at least one risk-prone process, characterized in that it comprises: (a) a step (MS) for determining a source term (S(t)) which identifies a source at the origin of the accident and which comprises rate data of a harmful substance emitted by the identified source, (b) a step (Mcd) for calculating in real time, amounts of the harmful substance present in different points of the installation, from said rate and from geometrical data (GI1) of the installation, and (c) a diagnostic step (MD) at the end of which a datum (dInt) of feasibility or non-feasibility of intervention in the installation is delivered, after analysis of the time-dependent variations of the amounts calculated in the calculation step.
US08407029B2	Unified graph matching in euclidean spaces and applications to image comparison and retrieval A first graph embedded in a Euclidean space is modeled by a globally rigid first model graph that includes all vertices and edges of the first graph and has a preselected maximum clique size. The modeling is configured to maintain the preselected maximum clique size by employing an edge adding process that replicates a vertex of a vertex pair connected by an edge. A mapping between vertices of the first graph and vertices of a second graph is computed by optimizing a mapping between vertices of the first model graph and vertices of the second graph.
US08407024B2	Motion determination apparatus, method and computer readable medium In one embodiment, a motion determination apparatus includes: a basic motion determination module determining a basic motion of a user, based on a sensor signal for detecting a motion of the user; a basic motion recording module recording the basic motion in a temporal sequence; a motion scene determination table configured to store the basic motion and a condition under which the basic motion occurs, for each motion scene; a motion scene determination module determining that the basic motion recorded in the temporal sequence corresponds to a certain motion scene, based on the motion scene determination table; a detailed label determination table storing a detailed label indicating a detailed motion in the motion scene, for each motion scene; and a detailed label determination module determining that the basic motion included in the motion scene corresponds to a certain detailed label, based on the detailed label determination table.
US08407023B2	Robotically controlled catheter and method of its calibration A method of calibrating a robotic device, such as a cardiac catheter, includes oscillating the device on an actuation axis by applying an oscillation vector at an oscillation frequency. While oscillating, a location of the device is periodically measured to generate a plurality of location data points, which may express the location of the device relative to a plurality of measurement axes. The location data points are then processed using a signal processing algorithm, such as a Fourier transform algorithm, to derive a transfer function relating a position of the device to a movement vector for the actuation axis. The transfer function may be resolved into and expressed as a calibration vector for the actuation axis, which may include one or more components, including zero components, directed along each of the measurement axes. The process may be repeated for any actuation axes on which calibration is desired.
US08407022B2	Real-time dynamic tracking of bias A bias value associated with a sensor, e.g., a time-varying, non-zero value which is output from a sensor when it is motionless, is estimated using at least two, different bias estimating techniques. A resultant combined or selected bias estimate may then be used to compensate the biased output of the sensor in, e.g., a 3D pointing device.
US08407021B2	Delay analysis device, delay analysis method, and delay analysis program A delay analysis device includes an acquisition section that acquires circuit information relating to a path through which signal propagation can be delayed, a determination section that sets up an assumed fault for each of pins disposed in the path, and determines whether a signal change output from a beginning latch can be propagated to an ending latch for each of pins for which the assumed faults are set up, and an analysis section that calculates a delay distribution by accumulating delay distributions expressed by probability density functions of delays that occur in individual delay elements included in the path determined that a signal change output from the beginning latch can be propagated to the ending latch, and by not accumulating the delay distributions at a pin through which it has been determined that the signal change cannot be propagated to the ending latch based on the acquired circuit information.
US08407019B2	Multi-circuit direct current monitor with modbus serial output A multi-circuit direct current monitor consists of a plurality of Hall Effect current sensors mounted on a printed circuit board oriented to sense the direct current (DC) flow from power generating devices such as solar arrays, output from the Hall Effect sensors connected to an analog to digital (A/D) converter which in turn is connected to a microprocessor. The multi-circuit direct current monitor continuously monitors instantaneous and average current values for each circuit as well as total instantaneous current and average current for all active circuits. The multi-circuit direct current monitor provides continuous communications via Modbus RTU as well as providing alarm outputs if one or more circuits deviates from the average output by a percentage greater than the user specified threshold for a user-defined period of time to detect failed or underperforming power output devices.
US08407018B2	Battery life estimation A method of estimating battery lifetime includes monitoring a charge characteristic of a battery during a first time period, monitoring an operating condition of the battery, determining a first battery life value for the first time period based on the operating condition of the battery, the charge characteristic, and a duration of the first time period, determining an overall battery life value using the first battery life value and a second battery life value for a second time period, and estimating a remaining battery lifetime for the battery based on the overall battery life value.
US08407015B2	Method and apparatus for monitoring and controlling an electrical boiler The invention relates to a method for determining the amount of warm water in a water tank of domestic water heating system, which includes: (a) Pre-determining various situation graphs, each graph describes the variation of the water temperature in said water tank as a function of time, in one specific operational situation of the system; (b) Dividing each of said graphs to plurality of sections, each graph section describes the variation of the water temperature in the water tank as a function of time, during a sectional period of time; (c) Determining for each graph section the percentage of warm water in the tank at the end of said section; (d) Storing in a memory storage said plurality of graph sections, and the corresponding percentage of warm water in the tank at the end of said section, as determined; (e) During the operation of the heating system, sampling periodically the temperature in the tank; (f) For each present sequence of samples, finding in said memory storage the most similar graph section, and further finding in said memory storage the percentage of warm water that corresponds to said graph section, said found percentage define the present percentage of warm water in the tank; and (g) Displaying to the user said present percentage of warm water in the tank, as found.
US08407014B2	Automatic selection of colorants and flakes for matching coating color and appearance The present invention is directed to a method for automatic selection of colorants and flakes to produce one or more matching formulas to match color and appearance of a target coating containing flakes. The present invention is further directed to a system for automatic selection of colorants and flakes for producing one or more matching formulas to match color and appearance of a target coating.
US08407010B2	Methods for rapid forensic analysis of mitochondrial DNA The present invention provides methods for rapid forensic analysis of mitochondrial DNA by amplification of a segment of mitochondrial DNA containing restriction sites, digesting the mitochondrial DNA segments with restriction enzymes, determining the molecular masses of the restriction fragments and comparing the molecular masses with the molecular masses of theoretical restriction digests of known mitochondrial DNA sequences stored in a database.
US08407009B2	System and method for molecular communication A disclosed molecular communication system includes a molecular transmitter configured to transmit an information molecule in which prescribed information is encoded, a molecular receiver configured to receive the information molecule, and a molecular capsule configured to carry the information molecule from the molecular transmitter to the molecular receiver. Each of the molecular transmitter, the molecular receiver, and the molecular capsule has an artificial cell membrane in which at least one kind of molecular switch is embedded, the molecular switch being responsive to an external input signal so as to control association and separation between the molecular transmitter and the molecular capsule, and association and separation between the molecular capsule and the molecular receiver, upon application of the external input signal.
US08407005B2	Method and apparatus for gradient electromagnetic induction well logging The method and apparatus for determining the conductivity of anisotropic formations surrounding a borehole. The method comprises measuring the gradient of the magnetic field by an electromagnet logging tool in a borehole in the subsurface formation. The instrument comprises one or several closely positioned parallel receiver coils and one or several closely positioned parallel transmitter coils with the magnetic direction of the transmitter coils parallel or different from the magnetic moment direction of the receiver coils. In an embodiment, a gradient induction instrument consists of a tri-axial transmitter array and up to 27 pairs of receiver coils, measuring some or all magnetic gradient components.
US08407002B2	Information provision apparatus A main computer includes an arrival determination section which determines, on the basis of present location information of a vehicle, destination information, and electric energy remaining amount information, whether the vehicle can reach the destination from the present location without charging an electricity storage unit of the vehicle, a rental car information acquisition section which acquires information regarding a rental car which the driver can change from the vehicle directly, and an information provision section which provides the rental car information to the driver of the vehicle, when the arrival determination section determines that the vehicle cannot reach the destination from the present location. On the basis of the rental car information, the driver of the vehicle can go to a rental car shop and rent a car. By changing from the vehicle to the rental car, the driver can quickly reach the destination by use of the rental car.
US08407000B2	Image augmented inertial navigation system (IAINS) and method An image-augmented inertial navigation system includes an inertial navigation system configured to estimate a navigation state vector and an imager configured to output pixel signals associated with terrain features passing through a field view of the imager. The system further includes a processing unit configured to determine a distance from the imager to each of the pixel signals for a given image frame and to determine a distance between the imager and a centroid of one or more of the terrain features passing through the field of view of the imager for the given image frame. The processing unit is also configured to track each terrain feature as the terrain features pass through the field of view of the imager. The processing unit is further configured to update the navigation state vector of the inertial navigation system based on calculated NED coordinates position information of the tracked terrain features.
US08406997B2	Systems and methods for improved generation of textual directions based on positional information Systems and methods are provided for providing improved generation of textual directions based on positional information. In an implementation, textual directions for traversing a path are generated based on positional information associated with the path. According to a method, positional information that specifies a longitude and latitude at a plurality of times is received and processed to generate a routing graph. The generated routing graph includes nodes and route links that connect the plurality of nodes. Textual directions are generated for traversing a path associated with the positional data, based in part on link information associated with the links of the generated routing graph.
US08406994B1	Electronically generated realistic-like map Improved designs of navigation devices or systems are disclosed. A navigation device presents a digital map resembling an ambient environment with a certain level of realism, where various objects resembling major structures or signs are presented or superimposed in the map. Depending on the time of the day or the weather condition of the time, the map or the objects therein is caused to be altered correspondingly in a tone that reflects the time or weather.
US08406992B2	Network-based navigation system having virtual drive-thru advertisements integrated with actual imagery from along a physical route A network-based navigation system includes a user interface and a computer server system that can access a map database, an actual imagery database and an advertisement database in order to provide visual route guidance information having virtual drive-thru advertisements integrated with actual imagery from along a physical route. The user interface permits a user to submit a request for navigation information, receive visual route guidance information in response to the request and initiate a drive-thru presentation of at least a portion of a route. The computer server determines at least one route from the map database based on the request from the user and provides route guidance information to the user interface in response. The computer server also identifies actual imagery from the image database associated with the at least one route and selectively replaces at least one polygon region identified in the actual imagery associated with the at least one route with at least one advertisement from the ad database to create a drive-thru presentation with at least one virtual advertisement. At least a portion of the drive-thru presentation is presented to the user interface. In one embodiment, the computer server records a drive-thru charge for the virtual advertisements present in the portion of the drive-thru presentation provided to the user interface.
US08406990B2	Navigational device A navigational device for guiding a vehicle within a network of traffic routes provides, for guidance purposes, a guide object that is shown in relation to the traffic route in such a manner that the guide object's movement represents driving maneuvers to be performed by the driver. The driver emulates the driving maneuvers shown to him/her and thus follows the previously calculated route.
US08406988B2	Computer-implemented method for ensuring the privacy of a user, computer program product, device A computer-implemented method and product ensures the privacy of a user and the utility of data communicated by a device, such as a vehicle telematics device, to a server, comprising receiving data at the device during the time period; processing, by the device, the received data; summarizing, by the device, the processed data in a matrix, wherein the rows and columns of the matrix define circumstances of movement of the device, wherein the matrix includes a plurality of matrix-entries, and wherein each matrix-entry includes a distance covered by the device during the time period under predefined circumstances of movement; and transmitting the summarized data from the device to the server.
US08406981B2	Engine throttle control system An operation amount detecting unit 17 detects an operation amount of a throttle grip from a zero position. A basic throttle opening degree computing unit 18 computes a basic throttle opening degree corresponding to the operation amount. A throttle opening degree additional value computing unit 20 outputs as a target throttle opening degree a value obtained by adding the basic throttle opening degree with a throttle opening degree additional value corresponding to the operation amount when the operation of the throttle grip is performed within a small operation region corresponding to an idle operation. The throttle opening degree additional value computing unit 20 outputs as the target throttle opening degree the basic throttle opening degree when the operation of the throttle grip is performed without the small operation region.
US08406974B2	Method of aligning a transmission synchronizer The present disclosure relates to methods of detecting misalignment in a transmission synchronizer and methods of alignment. Detection of misalignment is accomplished via monitoring a performance characteristic of a power source configured to provide an engagement force to the synchronizer. Where misalignment is detected a predetermined torque is applied to the input or output side of the synchronizer to rotationally align synchronizer components.
US08406971B2	Speed control management systems and methods Systems and methods are provided for controlling an amount of torque generated by an engine of a vehicle. The amount of torque may be controlled by limiting an amount of fuel or air or a combination thereof being provided to the engine. In some situations, controlling the amount of torque generated by the engine may be utilized to gradually limit the vehicle's acceleration, which in turn, may influence driver shifting strategies.
US08406964B2	Driver assistance system for agricultural working machines A driver assistance system for an agricultural working machine, in particular a combine harvester has a large number of working mechanisms, an arithmetic logic unit, and at least one display unit, in which the arithmetic logic unit may process information generated by machine-internal sensor systems, external information, and information that is storable in the arithmetic logic unit, and in which the driver assistance system overcomes—with consideration for at least a selection of the available information—critical functions of the agricultural working machine in that efficiency parameters of the agricultural working machine are optimized via interactive, natural-language communication between the operator of the agricultural working machine and the driver assistance system.
US08406961B2	Reconfigurable vehicle user interface system A reconfigurable vehicle user interface system is presented. A vehicle user interface has a touch sensitive input devices such as touchpads and a touch screen that have specific function commands mapped to them. A user can select which function commands are mapped to which portions of the touch screen. This allows a user to customize the steering wheel function commands.
US08406953B2	Control apparatus for electric vehicle In a control apparatus for an electric vehicle there are provided a first inverter that drives a motor; a second inverter that supplies electric power to a load; a power storage unit that supplies electric power to the first and second inverters; and a load control unit that can control a load amount, in accordance with a power storage amount in the power storage unit, or a condition amount thereof. The load control unit can perform control of an air blower, an air conditioner, and a ventilator, for example, stopping part or all of them.
US08406952B2	Electric parking brake control system and electric parking brake control method In an electric parking brake control apparatus for controlling an electric actuator for driving parking brakes, a dynamically estimated road surface inclination is estimated based on a running state of a vehicle while the vehicle is running, and a statically estimated road surface inclination is estimated based on an acceleration acting on the vehicle after the vehicle is stopped. In the event that the statically estimated road surface inclination is larger than the dynamically estimated road surface inclination after the vehicle is stopped, a braking force of the parking brakes is increased to be larger than a braking force that is set based on the dynamically estimated road surface inclination.

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