| Document | Document Title |
|---|---|
| US08413851B2 |
Security device for storage tanks
A security device protects the vulnerable portions or accessories of a bulk storage tank or container against unauthorized access. The device includes a housing that covers the vulnerable portions of the tank, the housing having two or more lockable doors that selectively permit access to the tank or container via two or more respective apertures. A first door is openable after unlocking a readily-accessible lock, while the second movable door is openable after an elongate lock member that is positioned internally within the housing is moved to an unlocking position. The elongate lock member can be moved to its unlocking position after the first door is opened. Certain tank operations, such as dispensing fuel, may be carried out after unlocking and opening a single door, while other operations, such as refilling the tank, may be accomplished after opening a second door once the first door has been opened. |
| US08413848B2 |
Hot melt adhesive metering system with interchangeable output assemblies
A hot melt adhesive or other thermoplastic material metering system has different output assemblies interchangeably mounted thereon in a modular manner. In this manner, if it is desired to effectively convert a particular metering system from one type of metering system to another type of metering system, a particular output assembly can be exchanged for a different output assembly. In addition, if a particular output assembly needs to be replaced or repaired, the particular output assembly can be simply removed and a new similar output assembly can be simply installed. |
| US08413844B2 |
Fluid container having an additive dispensing system
A fluid container for dispensing a first fluid and a consumable additive. The fluid container includes a first chamber for containing a first fluid and an additive dispensing system. The first chamber is configured such that the first fluid may be dispensed from the first chamber. The additive dispensing system selectively operable to dispense an amount of additive and is not in fluid communication with the first chamber. |
| US08413841B2 |
Apparatus for containment and concentration of volatile esters
An apparatus and method are disclosed and pertain to a lid for use with a container having a rim and an opening where volatile esters from an aromatic compound are dispersing into the environment and for enhancing the identification of the volatile esters. The lid is comprised of a generally planar laterally stabilized gas restrictive material for decreasing the dispersion rate of the volatile esters, resulting in increased concentration of the volatile esters within the container and enhancing the identification of the volatile esters emitted from the aromatic compound. The lid includes a surface for coupling to the rim in a manner that laterally stabilizes the lid so that it remains sufficiently fixed to the rim during agitation of the container. The surface also permits the lid to be removed from the rim. |
| US08413839B2 |
Carrying aids for containers
Carrying aids may be used with containers that include a wire bail pivotably attached to the container. The carrying aids may include a body configured to engage the bail and be grasped by a grasping hand to suspend the container in a first position. The body may be configured to transfer a torque from a grasping hand to the bail. The torque may pivot the bail relative to the container while lifting the container relative to a grasping hand from the first position to a second position above the first position. In some examples, the bail, with the body mounted thereon, may be pivoted down proximate the sidewall of the container such that the body engages a thumb of a grasping hand and presses the hand against the sidewall to stabilize and support the container relative to the grasping hand. |
| US08413835B2 |
Container assembly
A container assembly for controlling rate of oxygen transfer from the atmosphere into a liquid stored in the container assembly comprising, a container (1) having a body, the walls of the body having an oxygen permeability within a predetermined range chosen for the liquid being stored, a frame (2) for supporting the container and bracing at least one of the walls of the container against bulging, a pair of access openings (3) beneath the frame for allowing entry of the tynes of a forklift, a neck (7) with an open mouth extending from an upper wall of the body, the upper wall being shaped so as to allow substantially all air to flow out of the body through the neck as the container is filled to the level of the bottom of the neck and, an outlet (4) for draining liquid from the container arranged near a bottom wall of the body. |
| US08413834B2 |
Container with a tear-off lid and method for its production
A container (1) is provided with a tear-off lid (2) having a take out opening covered by a tear-off foil (25). The cut edge (3) of the take out opening is bent back into the chuck wall (34) area. By this the bare cut edge is protected by the connection of lid and container body. This connection can be provided by a seaming connection. |
| US08413829B2 |
Blow-molded container having finish with thread groove and tamper evident features
A blow-molded plastic container includes an upper portion having a finish, a body portion and a base. At least one groove is formed in a radial sidewall of the finish. The groove slopes gradually downward along the radial sidewall and away from an opening into the container. The container may also include a kick out feature engagable with a tamper-evidence band. A closure member is adapted to selectively mate with the finish on the container. At least one thread is formed on the closure member. |
| US08413827B2 |
Collapsible frame
A cable management frame assembly comprising a collapsible frame chassis and a plurality of positionally configurable cable management fixtures that can be affixed to the frame chassis without the use of tools or additional hardware such screws, nuts or bolts. A panel mount allows patch panels and equipment to be mounted to the frame chassis without the use of tools or additional hardware. |
| US08413823B2 |
Product securement and management system
A merchandising system that improves the merchandising of product by limiting the number and the frequency with which product can be removed from, for example, a merchandising shelf. The merchandising system may include a base configured to support product and a housing configured to engage the base. The housing may comprise a top wall, a first side wall, a second side wall, and a front retaining wall mounted to the base at an angle. The system may further include a spring-urged pusher movably mounted on the base. The system may further include an opening defined by the first side wall and the front retaining wall through which product may be removed. |
| US08413822B2 |
Cookbook rack
A rack for holding and displaying cookbooks. The rack is generally comprised of a shelf unit, a swivel arm, a slide and a tray. The swivel arm is pivotally attached to the base of shelf. The slide fits over the swivel arm and is able to slide the length of the swivel arm. The tray is attached to the slide and can display a cookbook or fold up into the shelf unit for easy storage. |
| US08413818B1 |
Filter unit
A filter unit includes a substantially cylindrical body portion having a proximal end and a distal end. First and second recessed engagement surfaces traverse at least part of the body portion. The first and second engagement surfaces include a first segment that extends substantially parallel with the longitudinal extent of the body portion. A second segment extends at an angle between 50 degrees and 60 degrees from the direction of the first segment. A third segment extends substantially orthogonal to the first segment. A laterally extending key member is disposed on the body portion between the first recessed engagement surface and the second recessed engagement surface. An engagement protrusion extends from the proximal end and has a sidewall with a water inlet and a concave engagement wall with a water outlet. The engagement wall includes a first portion that angles inward to the water outlet at a first angle. A second portion angles inward to the water outlet at a second angle different than the first angle. A periphery of the engagement wall at the first portion includes a first radius of curvature. The periphery of the engagement wall at the second portion includes a second radius of curvature that is larger than the first radius of curvature. First and second seals are disposed about the sidewall. The water inlet is disposed between the first and second seals. |
| US08413816B2 |
Sulfide flotation aid
The invention provides a method of improving a flotation separation process. The method involves PAPEMP, a material previously thought to only be of use in controlling scale deposit on surfaces of equipment used in cyanide leaching. In the invention the PAPEMP is added to the flotation separation process for improved sulfide mineral separation. Not only does the addition of PAPEMP improve the overall recovery of sulfide complexed metals in flotation, but by doing so it also reduces the energy requirements and adds other efficiencies to other downstream ore processing and refining steps. This has the added benefit of helping to preserve the environment. |
| US08413813B2 |
Dispensing package
A blister pack for dispensing pills that is childproof yet senior-friendly. The blister pack includes a housing, which may be substantially tear-resistant, that encloses one or more blisters contained on a blister sheet. In one embodiment, the cavities of the blisters are positioned such that pills or other objects are dispensed into a chamber. A neck extends outward from the chamber to permit a childproof cap to be removably attached thereto to permit the selective dispensing of the pills in a controlled fashion. In another embodiment, the blister pack may include a chamber for dispensing a first type of pill and a plurality of blisters not aligned with the chamber for dispensing a second type of pill. |
| US08413811B1 |
Dispenser package for medical/dental devices
A dispenser container assembly for storing and dispensing a medical/dental device comprises a support section, including first and second opposed clamshell halves pivoted together at a flexible hinge. Each clamshell half has a contact edge mating with a like contact edge of an opposed half to form a contained space therein. Each contact edge also has a feature mating with a like feature of an opposed contact edge to produce a mounting aperture for supporting a medical/dental device within the contained space. A cap section has a closed end and an open end that engages the support section to maintain the first and second opposed clamshell halves in a closed condition and to enclose an exterior portion of the medical/dental device supported in the mounting aperture of the support section. |
| US08413804B2 |
Cigarette paper pack
A cigarette paper pack for storing and supplying cigarette paper sheets for the self-rolling of cigarettes includes a container. The container comprises an insertion opening, the insertion opening comprising a latching protrusion, and at least one stack of cigarette paper sheets. An uppermost layer of the at least one stack of cigarette paper sheets extends through at least one removal opening assigned thereto in a wall. The wall is configured to form an upper side of the container during the use thereof. A recloseable cover is connected to the container. The reclosable cover comprises an insertion tab which comprises a latching opening. The reclosable covering is configured to be pivoted about a periphery so as to form a hinge axis. The insertion tab is configured to be inserted into the insertion opening. The latching opening and the latching protrusion are configured to form a latching device. |
| US08413800B2 |
Flat packaging of petri dishes for prolonged preservation and method of producing the same
The present invention provides an improved flat package of petri dishes and method of producing the same for prolonging shelf life and preservation of sterility of the petri dishes. The flat package is comprised of an optically clear, high-barrier, moisture-, gas- and microbial-resistant pouch. A plurality of petri dishes located adjacent one another are placed in an interior cavity of the pouch, after which the pouch is vacuum-packed, optionally flushed with an inert gas and then heat sealed. The placement and immobilization of the petri dishes in the pouch allow for prolonged shelf life and preservation of sterility, greatly reduced breakage rates, and enhanced visibility of the petri dishes by a user. |
| US08413799B2 |
Container clamp or container clip
The invention relates to a container clamp (2) or container clip provided on conveying elements in container filling installations for receiving the neck of a container, particularly a bottle, each clamp (2) or clip comprising a bearing block (3). The aim of the invention is to protect such installations by special clamping designs so that improper strain would result in the failure of only a single clamp and any further damage to the installations could be avoided. Said aim is achieved in that the bearing block (3) comprises holding elements (8, 9) which detach at least partially from the bearing and holding device (10, 11) when a lateral pivoting range or a lateral force is exceeded, wherein the bearing block (3) or the container clamp (2) or container clip is released to fall on the ground. |
| US08413797B2 |
Segmented slat
A slat segment is disclosed for use in packaging machines which dispense discrete pharmaceuticals, vitamin, or food products into containers. The slat segment is comprised of a straight elongated bar, whose first surface contains a plurality of substantially cylindrical cavities separated by adjacent walls. Discrete products ready for packaging are deposited into contoured intake flutes which guide the pharmaceuticals, vitamin, or food products into the cavities within the slat segment. The products are then dispensed from the slat segment via contoured disposal flutes connected to each cavity, to eventually be deposited into containers being conveyed proximate the packaging machine. Salient thermal radiation blocks are arranged along a second surface of the slat segment, along with thermal radiation webs, which facilitate conduction of thermal radiation away from the slat segment. The slat segment thereby maintains maximum strength and stability and minimizes necessary maintenance of the slat. |
| US08413796B2 |
Sputter tray moving system
A sputter tray moving system includes a sputter tray, a guide disposed under the sputter tray and including a groove, a pulley engaged with the groove of the guide and a buffer member disposed between the sputter tray and the guide. The sputter tray is moved when the pulley engaged with the groove of the guide is rotated in a rotation direction. |
| US08413793B2 |
Container conveying system for transporting unit items, in particular baggage items
A container conveying system for transporting baggage items in containers has at least one unloading station and/or a loading station for loading or unloading the container. The baggage item lies on an endless supporting belt which is guided transversely to the transporting direction of the container so as to be drivable about a deflection roller arranged on both sides of the container, wherein, for driving in the region of the loading and/or unloading station, a stationary drive is provided which is in operative connection during the loading and/or unloading operation with a drive element for the supporting belt that is provided on the container. In order to provide a drive design which is low-wear and guarantees a high degree of availability of the system, which minimizes the maintenance intervals and which represents a cost-effective alternative to prior solutions, it is proposed that in each case at least one planar field winding for generating an electric traveling field is installed as a stationary drive for the supporting belt in defined path segments. The field contactlessly drives an endlessly circulating runner element which is arranged on the container and which in turn is coupled in terms of gearing to the supporting belt. |
| US08413786B2 |
Apparatus and method for reducing loss in a vending machine due to forced entry and vandalism
An apparatus and method is disclosed for use with a vending machine having a cabinet for containing product to be dispensed, and a door for closing the cabinet. The door has a vertical column with two sides and a front face, the front face having openings that permit customer interface devices to be accessed by a customer. A continuous integral panel is secured to the vertical column and extends across a width of the front face and side of the vertical column. |
| US08413781B2 |
Positive locking roller stop device
A positive locking roller stop device includes two parallel disks; one is attached in a fixed position on a shaft while the other is mounted to same shaft via a bearing, allowing for rotation of this disk independent of the rotation of the shaft. One disk has one or more spring arm rollers attached to surface facing the second disk which has either an inclined notch(es) or inclined ramp(s) positioned to face the other disk and spring arm roller. Spacing between the disks allows the spring arm roller to engage the inclined notch(es) in the other disk when rotated in one direction thereby locking the movable disk to shaft while allowing free rotation of movable disk around shaft when rotated in opposite direction. |
| US08413772B2 |
Magnetorheological fluid elastic lag damper for helicopter rotors
A MagnetoRheological Fluid Elastic (MRFE) lag damper system for adaptive lead-lag damping of helicopter main rotors. Embodiments include snubber dampers especially for hingeless helicopter rotors, and concentric bearing dampers. The snubber lag dampers include a flexible snubber body defining a cavity, a flexible or rigid interior (e.g., center) wall subdividing the cavity, and a flow valve in the interior wall or external to the cavity. The flexible snubber body may comprise elastomeric materials and metal rings stacked together to create a sealed MR fluid cavity. The shear deformation of the snubber body induces MR fluid flow through the valve, controlled by a magnetic field in the valve. An MRFE concentric bearing damper is also disclosed, comprising a pair of concentric tubes with elastomeric material injected and cured in an annular gap between the two tubes, and an MR fluid reservoir with piston-mounted MR valve housed inside the innermost tube. |
| US08413770B1 |
Systems and methods for retarding the speed of a railcar
Systems and methods for retarding the speed of a railcar are provided. A supply of pressurized hydraulic fluid is provided to a piston cylinder to actuate the cylinder and thereby move a brake into a closed position in which the brake will apply a predetermined braking pressure to a wheel of the railcar. An accumulator accumulates fluid from the circuit when the wheel forces the brake out of the closed position and supplies accumulated fluid back to the circuit as the brake moves back into the closed position to thereby maintain a substantially constant braking pressure on the wheel as it moves through the retarder. |
| US08413768B2 |
Anti-lock brake structure
An anti-lock brake structure includes a brake base having a curved guiding portion formed thereon and a slidable holder. The slidable holder has a curved guiding groove defined therein for receiving the brake base. Two anti-lock inclined surfaces are positioned between the curved guiding portion and the curved guiding groove. Each anti-lock surface has a shallow section and a deeper section. Two wheel sets are disposed between the curved guiding portion and the curved guiding groove. A seat member connected to the slidable holder and receives an elastomer. A brake shoe is connected to the slidable holder. Each wheel set rolls and reciprocates between the shallow section and the deeper section of the corresponding anti-lock inclined surface, such that the brake shoe is tightly or loosely rubbed against a wheel rim of the vehicle to provide an anti-lock brake effect. |
| US08413766B2 |
Method of allocating calls of a lift installation as well as lift installation with an allocation of calls according to this method
A method of allocating calls of a lift installation with at least one lift and at least one car per lift to move passengers in a journey from at least one input floor to at least one destination floor, a system for executing the method and a computer readable memory with instructions for executing the method. The method includes receiving input calls from passengers travelling from an input floor to a destination floor, each call identifying at least one floor as an input floor or a destination floor. A start zone with identified input floors and a destination zone with identified destination floors are determined from the input calls and destination calls. Each identified floor within a corresponding zone is considered using at least one selection criterion and a stopping floor is selected which satisfies the criterion. The car is caused to stop at fewer than all the identified input floors and identified destination floors during the journey. |
| US08413764B1 |
Ladder safety device, systems and methods of arresting falls from ladders
A ladder safety device, systems and methods of arresting falls from ladders are provided. The ladder safety device includes a safety guide that extends along the length of an extension ladder. The length of the guide along the length of the ladder extends and contracts in unison with the extension and retraction of the extension ladder, and a tension is maintained on the guide to maintain a load during use of the ladder for climbing. |
| US08413763B2 |
Firefighters tracer line apparatus
A rescue line apparatus is configured as a horizontal tether for being readily connected between a door and a portion of the door jamb or other entry location and extending a line as the user moves within the structure. The device allows the user to readily locate their way back for egressing the structure, and can be readily disengaged by the user, which activates a braking system that prevents unit “run-away”. A multi-attach anchor head couples the far end of the line to any desired structure, and has a beacon assembly which outputs a light pattern of sufficient brightness to be seen by the user when visually locating their attachment point within the structure. A multi-element visual indicator is configured for indicating line extension distance, and displaying tether line status. Many options promote safety and a fully cooperative environment. |
| US08413762B1 |
Thermal-acoustic sections for an aircraft
Embodiments of thermal-acoustic sections for an aircraft for reducing noise along an acoustic path produced from an acoustic source are provided herein. The thermal-acoustic section comprises a first porous layer having a first characteristic acoustic impedance. A second porous layer is disposed adjacent to the first porous layer and has a second characteristic acoustic impedance that is greater than the first characteristic acoustic impedance. The thermal-acoustic section is configured to be positioned along the acoustic path such that at least a portion of the noise from the acoustic source is directed through the first porous layer to the second porous layer to promote absorption of the noise. |
| US08413761B2 |
Acoustic honeycomb with perforated septum caps
An acoustic structure that includes a honeycomb having cells in which septum caps are located. The septum caps are formed from sheets of flexible material that may be perforated before or after the material is inserted into the honeycomb. The flexible material is sufficiently flexible to allow folding into the shape of a septum cap. The flexible material is also sufficiently stiff to provide frictional engagement and locking of the septum cap to the honeycomb cell when the cap is inserted into the honeycomb during fabrication of the acoustic structure. An adhesive is applied to the septum caps after the caps have been inserted into the honeycomb cells to provide a permanent bond. |
| US08413756B2 |
Rover wheel
A movable and steerable device that has a platform with four wheel assemblies, any of which are both drivable and steerable. Different driving and steering options can make the device move in different directions and orientations. The driving can be done by a drive motor, forming a drive loop of material, such as chain, and a steering motor, also forming a steering loop. The different loops are attached to different sprockets on the device, which have different sizes, and therefore the different loops do not interfere with one another. |
| US08413752B2 |
Robotic vehicle
A robotic vehicle includes a chassis supported on right and left driven tracks, right and left elongated flippers disposed on corresponding sides of the chassis, and a battery unit holder disposed on the chassis for removably receiving a battery unit weighing at least 50 lbs. The battery unit holder includes a guide for receiving and guiding the battery unit to a connected position and a connector mount having locating features and communication features. The locating features receive corresponding locating features of the battery unit, as the battery unit is moved to its connected position, to align the communication features of the connector mount with corresponding communication features of the battery unit. The communication features of the connector mount are movable in a plane transverse to the guide to aid alignment of the communication features for establishment of an electrical connection therebetween when the battery unit is in its connected position. |
| US08413751B2 |
Vehicle and fuel cell vehicle-mounting method
A vehicle is equipped with fuel cells that is fastened to multiple side frames 810 arranged in parallel to each other and along a moving direction of the vehicle. The vehicle includes a support assembly arranged to span between the multiple side frames 810, a first fixation unit arranged to fasten the support assembly to the respective side frames 810, and a second fixation unit arranged to fix the fuel cells on the support assembly. This arrangement desirably reduces the influence of an external force applied to the fuel cells mounted on the vehicle and prevents an increase in total weight of the vehicle or a decrease in mounting space of the fuel cells. |
| US08413744B2 |
System and method for controlling the integrity of a drilling system
A system for monitoring and controlling a load on a downhole component of a well drilling system is disclosed. The system includes: a downhole tool disposed in a drillstring and configured to be movable within a borehole, the drillstring configured to allow a drilling fluid to be advanced therethrough and into the borehole; at least one sensor disposed within the downhole tool for in-situ measurement of at least one physicochemical property of an environment surrounding the downhole tool; and a processor configured to monitor the at least one physicochemical property and at least one of i) provide physicochemical property information to a user during a drilling/steering operation, ii) adjust a load on the downhole component based on the environment information and iii) shut down the system in response to a detection of a measured physicochemical property beyond a selected threshold. |
| US08413743B2 |
Power tools
A plurality of components of a power tool are coupled to each other to form a component assembly. Positioning members are disposed within a housing body and resiliently support the component assembly from opposite sides in an axial direction. |
| US08413742B2 |
Impact tool
It is an object of the invention to reduce noise caused by run-out of a tool bit in an impact tool. The representative impact tool according to the invention includes a tool holder 137 that houses a tool bit 119 in such a manner that the tool bit can linearly move in its axial direction, and a barrel 108 that is integrally connected to the tool holder 137 The impact tool further includes an elastic element 155 that is disposed between an inner circumferential surface of the tool holder 137 and an outer circumferential surface of the tool bit 119 in an end region of the tool bit 119 on the barrel side and connected in close contact with the tool holder 137 and the tool bit 119 over a predetermined length of the tool bit 119 in the axial direction. The elastic element 155 applies a biasing force to prevent a run-out of the tool bit 119 in a direction transverse to the axial direction. Further, an intermediate element 145 comes in point contact with the tool bit 119 on its axial center line. |
| US08413740B2 |
Fastener gun washer assembly holding device and method of use
A washer holding device for temporarily retaining nonmagnetic washers being applied to a building material surface with a fastener gun comprises an arm for affixing the washer holding device to a fastener gun and a washer receptacle joined to the arm. The washer receptacle includes a contacting end, a washer receiving cavity, and a central aperture, with the contacting end defining a distal end of the washer holding device and the cavity sized to receive a nonmagnetic washer such that the washer is temporarily retained within the cavity via a friction fit. An embodiment may include a shoulder, such as an annular flange, recessed from the contacting end, with the shoulder adapted to contact the surface of a deformable building material to limit the depression of the washer receptacle into the building material. The arm may be of various configurations for use with different style fastener guns. |
| US08413739B2 |
Agricultural implement standard mount
An agricultural implement including a coupling mechanism for coupling to a vehicle and a frame having a tool tube with a top, which is coupled to the coupling mechanism. The frame is adapted to be pulled by the vehicle. The agricultural implement includes a plurality of wheel assemblies coupled to the frame, which support the frame above a surface. The agricultural implement includes a tool tube bracket coupled to the tool tube. The agricultural implement includes a standard having a mounting portion and a tool-receiving portion. The mounting portion is coupled to the tool tube bracket for translational adjustment of a position of the standard relative to the tool tube. The agricultural implement includes a tool coupled to the tool-receiving portion of the standard. |
| US08413733B2 |
Bi-directional horizontal spraying aerosol fire-extinguishing apparatus
A new bi-directional horizontal spraying aerosol fire-extinguishing apparatus is disclosed, which comprises a shell structure, an aerosol generator including an aerosol generating agent and disposed inside the shell structure, and a control unit for initiating the aerosol generator. The bi-directional horizontal spraying aerosol fire-extinguishing apparatus of the present invention is characterized in that both ends of the shell structure or of the aerosol generator are respectively provided with an aerosol exhaust passage. The advantages of the present apparatus are in that it can reduce the spraying time of the aerosol extinguishing agent in the case of ensuring the fire-suppression efficiency, and increase the charge capacity of the fire-extinguishing apparatus, so that the capacity efficiency of the present apparatus is totally increased, and the present apparatus is easy and safe to be installed and does not occupy the useful space. |
| US08413732B2 |
System and method for sodium azide based suppression of fires
A fire suppressing gas generator includes a cylindrical housing comprising an array of discharge ports distributed generally uniformly therearound; a cylindrical filter disposed within the housing and spaced from the interior wall of the housing; a plurality of azide-based propellant grains inside the cylindrical filter; and at least one ignition device associated with the propellant grains. The propellant grains when ignited by the ignition device generate a fire suppressing gas which passes through the filter and out of the discharge ports of the cylindrical housing for delivery into a space. |
| US08413730B2 |
Wellhead assembly with telescoping casing hanger
A wellhead housing has a telescoping casing hanger with an actuator mechanism to provide for direct transfer of casing and pressure loads to the housing. The transfer of casing and pressure loads occurs even in conditions where the telescoping casing hanger may be set in a high position in the wellhead housing on a load shoulder. The transfer of casing and pressure loads also occurs in conditions where the telescoping casing hanger may be set in an earlier installed casing hanger in the wellhead housing for a larger diameter casing string. |
| US08413729B2 |
Apparatus and method for capping an underwater oil well
An apparatus and method for the creation of an impermeable pile in the vicinity of a dysfunctional oil well are provided. The impermeable pile is sealed and impervious to sea water and of sufficient strength to sustain the oil pressure to prevent oil leakage into the sea. The impermeable pile is configured for receiving oil from the well and discharging oil through a pipe leading to the surface. |
| US08413726B2 |
Apparatus, assembly and process for injecting fluid into a subterranean well
Apparatus, assembly and process for allowing gas lift operations to be conducted along a relatively long perforated interval below a packer in a generally vertical or a deviated subterranean well. An elongated segregation member may be lowered into locking engagement with a bypass mandrel secured to a tubing string above the packer. This segregation member may be configured and dimensioned to define two fluid flow paths. A first flow path extends from the surface of the earth through the annulus formed between the tubing string above the packer and casing secured in the well, the bypass mandrel, a bore through a portion of the segregation member and the interior of the tubing string below the packer. A second flow path extends from the subterranean region penetrated by the well through the annulus formed between the tubing string below the packer and casing secured in the well, the annulus between the segregation member and the packer, and the interior of the tubing string above the packer. Fluid produced into the well from the subterranean region may be conveyed to the surface via the second flow path and may be assisted by gas injected into the first flow path. Pressurized gas may be conveyed via the first flow paths. |
| US08413721B2 |
Viscosified fluids for remediating subterranean damage
Of the many methods and compositions provided herein, one method includes a method comprising introducing a viscosified remedial fluid comprising a base fluid, a viscosifying agent, and an oxidizer into at least a portion of a subterranean formation having damage present therein so as to contact the damage with the viscosified remedial fluid; and allowing the viscosified remedial fluid to at least partially remediate the damage present in the subterranean formation. Another method provided herein includes introducing a viscosified remedial fluid comprising a base fluid, a first viscosifying agent, and an oxidizer into at least a portion of a subterranean formation before a treatment fluid comprising a second viscosifying agent is introduced therein, wherein the oxidizer is available to remediate damage in the subterranean formation. |
| US08413719B2 |
Relative permeability modification
A fluid containing a viscous hyposaline aqueous solution of first and second cationic polymers that include quatemized ammonium groups, wherein the first cationic polymer includes a hydrophilic base polymer structure and the second cationic polymer includes a lipophilic base polymer Also disclosed is a method of introducing the viscous fluid into an initial first interval of a subterranean formation, and diverting with the viscous fluid a treating fluid from the initial first interval to an initial second interval. |
| US08413716B2 |
Position data based method, interface and device for blowout preventer
Methods and devices for using position data of a piston connected to a ram block in a blowout preventer to determine a backlash of the ram block, and/or to record a position of the ram block, and/or to calculate an instant when a supplemental closing pressure is desired to be applied, and/or to determine when maintenance of a ram locking mechanism is due, and/or to determine when sealing elements are worn. |
| US08413707B2 |
Molding process for simultaneously making an upper mold and a lower mold and a flaskless molding machine
A process and machine for simultaneously making an upper and lower flaskless mold, the process including defining a lower molding space by a drag flask that can enter or leave a molding space in which the molds are made, a match plate having patterns on the upper and lower surfaces and mounted on an upper surface of the drag flask, a lower filling frame provided with molding-sand introducing ports and connectable to the lower end of the drag flask to allow the lower filling frame to ascend and descend, and an ascendable and descendable lower squeeze board, and defining an upper molding space by a cope flask provided with molding-sand introducing ports and being mountable on the match plate to allow the cope flask to ascend and descend, and an upper squeeze board that is opposed to and fixedly provided above the match plate; simultaneously introducing molding sand into the upper and lower molding spaces; squeezing the molding sand by raising the lower squeeze board to make the upper mold and a lower mold; drawing the upper molds from the match plate; and stripping the upper mold from the cope flask, while stripping the lower filling frame from the lower mold. |
| US08413703B2 |
Tape applicator
A tape applicator has a handle, a pair of upright plates on the handle, and an accommodation space formed between the pair of upright plates. The handle is coaxially provided with a press member and an operation member. The operation member has a protruding holding plate. The holding plate holds the press member. The user can operate the operation member to turn the press member simultaneously. When the operation member is turned to its extremity, the user can further pull the press rod for the press rod to be further away from the accommodation space. Thus, the distance from the press member to the accommodation space is increased to enhance the use range of the tape applicator for different sizes of tapes. |
| US08413702B2 |
Alginate-containing wound dressing, method and apparatus for making the same
An apparatus for manufacturing a wound dressing is provided. The apparatus includes a base, a slot, a tension compensator and a take-up device. The slot has two ends and is disposed on the base. The tension compensator is slidably connected to the slot and operable to connect to at least one fiber. The take-up device includes a shaft and a board. The shaft rotates upon being driven, in which the shaft is aligned with a level between the two ends of the slot. The board is secured on the shaft for winding the fiber connected to the tension compensator. |
| US08413700B2 |
Tire having staggered turn-ups
A tire having a circumferential tread, at least one belt, an inner liner, a pair of sidewalls, and at least three carcass plies. The tire includes a pair of bead portions, each including a bead core, a bead filler, a flipper, a chafer, and a gum strip. The at least three carcass plies extend radially downward, inward of the bead filler, extend around the bead core, and continue upward, outward of the bead filler and terminate in at least three turn-up ends. At least one of the turn-up ends does not contact at least one of the radially downward extending carcass plies, the flipper, or the bead filler in one of the sidewalls, and at least two of the turn-up ends contact at least one of the radially downward extending carcass plies, the flipper, or the bead filler in one of the sidewalls. |
| US08413697B2 |
Pneumatic tire having a dual layer tread
A pneumatic tire comprising a carcass and a tread located radially outward of the carcass and extending between the tire sidewalls is disclosed. The tread provides a tread running surface and comprises a first, radially outer tread layer comprising a first rubber compound and a second, radially inner tread layer comprising a second rubber compound, wherein the second tread layer is located radially adjacent to the first tread layer, and wherein the first rubber compound is different from the second rubber compound. The second tread layer comprises a plurality of integrally formed extensions of the second tread layer extending from the second tread layer radially outwardly to the tread running surface. The first rubber compound and the second rubber compound each comprise at least at least 30 parts per hundred parts of rubber (phr) of silica. Each of the extensions has a width as measured in the axial direction of the tire in a range of from 1 to 15 mm. |
| US08413693B2 |
Lid opening/closing system of an airtight container
A curtain nozzle is located above an opening portion in a FIMS. A gas curtain formed of inert gas for closing the opening portion is formed. A cover is so provided as to cover a part of the curtain nozzle so as to prevent peripheral gas around an opening of the curtain nozzle from being involved in the gas curtain of the inert gas emitted from the curtain nozzle. |
| US08413685B2 |
Control valve
The present invention enlarges the working pressure flowing into the working chamber and improves the response ability of the valve controlling the fluid using a compact solenoid portion. In the control valve according to the present invention, the first effective pressure receiving area of the first pressure sensing spring apparatus, the first pressure receiving area of the first poppet valve and the second pressure receiving area of the second poppet valve are made substantially equal while the second effective pressure receiving area of the second pressure receiving spring apparatus are made larger than the first effective pressure receiving area of the first pressure receiving spring apparatus; and the valve seat body co-operates with the first valve body to close and open the first poppet valve and the second poppet valve in accordance with a pressure of the working fluid flowing into the communication chamber from the third poppet valve when the third poppet valve is opened and the fourth poppet valve is closed by moving the solenoid rod forward. |
| US08413682B2 |
Fluid valves having an integral safety shut-off
Fluid valves having an integral safety shut-off are described. An example valve assembly includes a body defining a flow path between an inlet and an outlet and opposing seating surfaces. The example valve assembly includes first valve trim including a first valve stem operatively coupled to a first closure member, the first closure member to engage one of the seating surfaces to control fluid flow between the inlet and the outlet during normal operation. The example valve assembly includes second valve trim including a second valve stem operatively coupled to a second closure member, the second closure member to engage the other one of the seating surfaces during a failure condition to restrict fluid flow between the inlet and the outlet. A surface of the second closure member to define a partial wall of the flow path during normal operation such that a profile of the flow path defined by the body and the second closure member is substantially continuous. |
| US08413680B2 |
Fluid distribution apparatus
A fluid distribution apparatus for use in a cutting or shaping machine to facilitate chip breaking and cooling a variety of different diameter gear tools and workpieces when machining a workpiece is described. The fluid distribution apparatus includes a manifold block having a top face and a bottom face, with the top face including a seating surface adapted to be seated against an attachment surface of the machine. The apparatus also includes mounting holes in the top face for fastening engagement to the cutting machine, at least one inlet passage for connection to at least one fluid delivery nozzle, and a plurality of outlet flow passages. |
| US08413679B2 |
Modular control device, especially of an electro-fluidic type
A modular control device (1) is proposed, containing a support module arrangement (3) equipped with a control module arrangement (15). Additionally provided information-carrying modules (42) make it possible to make information regarding the control modules (16) available. They respectively contain a fastening section (43) fixed in place on the support module arrangement (3) and an information-carrying section (45), which is pivotably seated on hinge means (44). The information-carrying section is embodied in an L-shape and can be selectively positioned in a working position, in which it extends over the control module arrangement (15), or in a release position, in which it makes the control module arrangement (15) accessible. |
| US08413674B2 |
Valve with electromechanical device for actuating the valve
The invention relates to an assembly comprising an electromechanical device and a self-sealing valve, and in particular, to any inflatable device that includes the assembly. In one embodiment, the assembly comprises a valve housing defining an opening through which fluid can be provided to the inflatable device, a flexible diaphragm assembly that is configured to self-seal the opening with sufficient fluid pressure in the inflatable device and to open under sufficient fluid pressure from a fluid moving device, to provide fluid through the opening to and seal the inflatable device. The assembly further comprises an electromechanical device including an actuating arm, having a first position in which the actuating arm urges open the self-sealing valve and a second position in which the actuating arm does not act upon the self-sealing valve, so as to regulate an amount of fluid within the inflatable device. With this arrangement, a small, low power, low duty cycle electromechanical device can be used. |
| US08413672B2 |
Valve flushing kit
Some embodiments of a valve flushing kit used in temporarily flushing a globe valve can include a flushing bonnet assembly that includes a circular disk adapted to be received in the upper opening of an internal valve cavity of a valve when a closure bonnet and a closure member of the valve are removed and a plurality of bonnet clamps each having at least one opening therethrough, wherein the opening can be adapted to be received on one of the threaded studs protruding from the upper exterior surface of a body of the valve and the bonnet clamps can be held in place by the threaded nut. |
| US08413669B2 |
Heating system for outdoor conveyors in a carwash
A system for heating conveyors which extend outside a wash tunnel of a carwash utilizes concrete structural slabs with heating apparatus embedded in the slab near a top surface and supported adjacent the conveyor. The heating apparatus can be a hydronic system or an electric heating mat embedded in the slabs which prevents water on the slabs or the conveyor from freezing in low ambient temperature conditions. |
| US08413663B2 |
Push-in type of earplug with improved insertion stem
A hearing protective earplug for insertion into the human ear canal of a user where the human ear canal has sidewalls and a typical curved portion. A soft resilient body has a main body element with a front end for insertion in the human ear canal. An elongated stem has two ends with one end attached to the main body element. The stem extends outward from the main body element and away from the front end. The other end of the stem forms a handle portion of the stem. The stem is sufficiently stiff as to allow manipulation of the main body element into the ear canal of the user. The stem member has a crooked or wavy configuration within the ear canal as it extends outward from the main body to the handle portion of the stem. As the front end of the main body element is inserted into the ear canal, the stem member is rotated during insertion with the handle portion to fit around the typical curved portion in the human ear canal. This seats the main body to acoustically block the ear canal while at the same time spaces the stem member within the typical curved portion of the ear canal to minimize contact with the sidewalls of the ear canal. |
| US08413655B2 |
Adsorbents and inhalation devices
An adsorbent is described. The adsorbent may include a membrane and an adsorbent material encapsulated within the membrane. An inhalation device is also described. The inhalation device may include a housing and a membrane within the housing. The membrane may encapsulate an adsorbent material. The membrane may be positioned such that airflow through the housing passes across but not through the membrane. |
| US08413654B2 |
Method and apparatus for resolving upper airway obstruction, resistance or instability
A CPAP apparatus has a variable rise time (iii) from a base level of positive air pressure during expiration (EPAP) to a higher level during inspiration (IPAP). The rise time is adjusted in order to reduce obstruction, resistance or instability in the upper airway. |
| US08413651B2 |
Disposable spacer for inhalation delivery of aerosolized drugs and vaccines
A device, system and method is provided for dispersing an aerosol formulation comprising a medicament. The device may be useful in administering inhaleable vaccines and the like. The device designed for low cost and applicability to a multitude of patient populations. The device has a spacer (10) is suitable for use with a wide range of aerosolized formulations, particularly powders. The spacer (10) may be an expandable volume spacer (10). The spacer (10) may also be used with other inhalation aids (80). The spacer (10) may include a multi-purpose outlet (40) for use with different groups within the target patient population. |
| US08413649B2 |
Cooking oven door with a door frame and a door panel
The present invention relates to a cooking oven door including at least one door frame and at least one door panel. The door frame includes a U-shaped part with a center portion and two legs. The U-shaped part is formed as a one-piece plastic part. The door panel is inserted within the U-shaped part. The U-shaped part encloses three circumferential sides of the door panel. The U-shaped part comprises support elements on its inner side in order to hold the door panel in a predetermined position. At least one fixing element is attached or attachable on at least one free end portion of the leg in order to secure the door panel within the U-shaped part. |
| US08413647B2 |
Cooker
Provided is a cooker. A carbon heater used as a convection heater is supported by a heater bracket and heater supporters, and light and heat generated from the carbon heater are transferred to the inside of a cooking chamber through convection, conduction, and radiation. |
| US08413645B2 |
Cutting or sawing machine
A cutting or sawing machine (1) comprising a machine body (3), at least one disc shaped, rotatable tool (16a, 16b), an elongated tool carrier (14) having the substantial shape of a flat bar having a front end and a rear end, two opposite broad sides and two opposite edge sides, said rear end being connected to the machine body. The tool carrier comprises at least two elongated side walls (24, 25), a first elongated side wall (24) on one broad side of the tool carrier, a second elongated side wall (25) on the opposite broad side, said first and second side walls being essentially parallel with each other, and the front part of either one of the side walls or of a possible central elongated member (25) between the first and second side walls is provided with a bearing hole (28a) intended to carry a bearing of sliding contact type or of rolling contact type, i.e. a rolling bearing, and the two side walls and the possible central member being connected to each other at a plurality of sites, and each side wall (24, 25) has a length adapted to essentially cover at least the gap between the machine body (3) and the perimeter of its associated disc shaped tool (16a, 16b), i.e. the tool located on the same side of the tool carrier, so that from each broad side the side wall (24, 25) and the associated disc shaped tool together cover the power transmission to increase safety and reliability. |
| US08413641B2 |
Intake manifold with integrated canister circuit for a supercharged internal combustion engine
An intake manifold with integrated canister circuit for a supercharged internal combustion engine provided with: a tubular body in which a plenum is defined; a sorting chamber obtained in a wall of the tubular body; a canister solenoid valve arranged in the sorting chamber and is adapted to adjust the introduction of gasoline vapours into the sorting chamber; a first pipe, which is obtained in the wall of the tubular body, puts the sorting chamber into communication with the plenum, and defines a first branch of a recovery pipe; a second pipe, which is obtained in the wall of the tubular body and defines an initial portion of a second branch of the recovery pipe; a first one-way valve which allows, through the first pipe, only a flow towards the plenum; a second one-way valve which allows, through the second pipe, only a flow through the intake pipe. |
| US08413638B2 |
Directly actuated valve with a strain-type actuator and a method of operating same
A method is provided for operating a directly actuated valve that comprises a strain-type actuator to actuate a valve member to travel between a closed position and an open position, the method comprising transmitting displacements from the strain-type actuator to the valve member, maintaining a compressive stress on the actuator that is greater than a predetermined minimum stress by applying a pre-load compressive stress and limiting to less than predetermined limits at least one of: (a) acceleration and deceleration of the valve member when moving between open positions and the closed position; and (b) velocity of said valve member immediately before contacting the valve seat. |
| US08413636B2 |
Fuel injection apparatus for internal combustion engine
The temperature of the fuel is raised without consuming the fuel in a fuel injection apparatus for an internal combustion engine. The fuel injection apparatus for the internal combustion engine comprises judging means which judges whether or not a fuel cut state, in which supply of fuel to the internal combustion engine is temporarily stopped during deceleration of a vehicle, is given; and discharge means which discharges the fuel by means of a motive power applied from a rotary shaft of the internal combustion engine; the fuel injection apparatus for the internal combustion engine further comprising increasing means which increases work of the discharge means when it is judged by the judging means that the fuel cut state is given as compared with when it is not judged by the judging means that the fuel cut state is given. |
| US08413635B2 |
Vehicle control device and idling system
A vehicle control device, including a vehicle control unit that controls engagement between an engine and a starter motor for starting the engine, wherein the vehicle control unit, along with cutting off fuel supply to the engine and causing the engine to rotate inertially, also, in a state in which fuel supply to the engine is cut off and the starter motor is not engaged with the engine, rotates the starter motor, and thereafter controls supply of electrical power to the starter motor so as to causes the starter motor to rotate inertially, and engages the starter motor to the engine while both the engine and the starter motor are performing inertial rotation. |
| US08413634B2 |
Integrated fuel injector igniters with conductive cable assemblies
The present disclosure is directed to a fuel injector assembly including a valve and a cable assembly for actuating the valve. The cable can include a plurality of strands, and each strand can be an optical fiber, an electrical conductor, or a tensile member capable of withstanding a tensile stress caused when the valve actuator actuates the valve, or any combination thereof. The cable can also include a brush bearing with bristles extending from the cable to maintain the cable at least generally centered within a channel as the cable moves in the channel. The bristles can be electrically conductive and can convey a voltage to an electrode pair near the valve to ionize at least a portion of the fuel to urge the fuel from the injector through the valve. |
| US08413632B2 |
Zero ridge cylinder bore
A cylinder block for an internal combustion engine includes a cylinder bore with an inner wall for containing a piston. The piston carries an upper piston ring spaced below a top surface of the piston. A removed area is formed in the inner cylinder wall having a lower edge spaced from a top surface of the cylinder wall and partially defining a void space having a greater diameter than the diameter of the inner cylinder wall. The void space is arranged to receive engine combustion particles scrapped from the inner cylinder wall by the upper piston ring to prevent build up of the particles on the inner cylinder wall in the line of movement of an upper outer edge of the upper piston ring. |
| US08413631B2 |
Balancing shaft
The invention relates to a balancing shaft for a multi-cylinder engine having at least one unbalanced weight portion (21, 22; 23, 24) and at least one bearing (16, 17), the at least one unbalanced weight portion (21, 22; 23, 24) being associated with the bearing (16, 17) and the bearing (16, 17) has a radial running face (18) which extends only partially over a periphery of the bearing (16, 17) and a centrifugal force which results during rotation of the balancing shaft (11) is situated within a region of the bearing (16, 17) that is formed by the running face (18) which extends partially over the periphery of the bearing (16, 17), wherein a running ring segment (51) is associated with the partially formed running face (18), said running ring segment adjoining the partially formed running face (18) of the bearing (16, 17) and forming, together with said partially formed running face (18), a completely closed running face (20) of the bearing (16, 17) and having at least one lateral edge (54) which delimits the width of the running ring segment (51) and which spans the partially formed running face (18) and is provided in an unsupported manner. |
| US08413628B2 |
Ring gear, internal combustion engine-starting torque-transmission mechanism, and method of manufacturing ring gear
A ring gear is formed by joining a race side-region formed body, a gear side-region formed body and an intermediate region formed body. Accordingly, it is possible to perform processing of an inner race portion of the race side-region formed body with none of the gear side-region formed body and the intermediate region formed body present. By causing the gear side-region formed body and the intermediate region formed body to absorb changes in design depending on the type of internal combustion engine, it is possible to standardize the size and the shape of the race side-region formed body for various engine types. Because the inner race portion, as well as a disposition surface and a contact surface for the seal rings are formed on the same race side-region formed body, it is possible to finish the surfaces with precise positional relationship. |
| US08413625B2 |
Transmission device between two camshafts of an internal combustion engine
An internal combustion engine includes a driving shaft, a pair of camshafts for driving engine valves, a transmission connecting the driving shaft to a first of said camshafts and a transmission connecting the first camshaft to the second camshaft. The transmission connecting the two camshafts to each other includes a pair of articulated parallelogram mechanisms each having two crank members rotatable with end portions of the camshafts and connected to each by means of a connecting rod. The crank members are made up of circular discs eccentrically mounted on the camshafts and rotatably received in circular openings formed at the ends of the respective connecting rod. The two crank members rotatable with the same camshaft are spaced from each other by a determined angle. |
| US08413619B2 |
Variable compression ratio systems for opposed-piston and other internal combustion engines, and related methods of manufacture and use
Various embodiments of methods and systems for varying the compression ratio in opposed-piston engines are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, an opposed-piston engine can include a first phaser operably coupled to a first crankshaft and a second phaser operably coupled to a corresponding second crankshaft. The phase angle between the crankshafts can be changed to reduce or increase the compression ratio in the corresponding combustion chamber to optimize or at least improve engine performance under a given set of operating conditions. |
| US08413618B2 |
Spark ignition type internal combustion engine
An internal combustion engine comprises a variable compression ratio mechanism capable of varying the mechanical compression ratio and a variable valve timing mechanism capable of controlling the closing timing of an intake valve. In an engine low-load operation, the mechanical compression ratio is maintained at a maximum mechanical compression ratio. In an engine high-load operation, the mechanical compression ratio is gradually decreased as the engine load increases. In the engine high-load operation, a load at which a predetermined mechanical compression ratio lower than the maximum mechanical compression ratio is obtained is preset, and a throttle valve is closed in the range of loads lower than the preset load. |
| US08413617B2 |
High-efficiency two-piston linear combustion engine
Various embodiments of the present invention are directed toward a two-piston linear combustion engine, comprising: a cylinder having a cylinder wall and a pair of ends, the cylinder including a combustion section disposed in a center portion of the cylinder; a pair of opposed piston assemblies adapted to move linearly within the cylinder, each piston assembly disposed on one side of the combustion section opposite the other piston assembly; a pair of driver sections, each driver section comprising a compression mechanism that directly provides at least some compression work during a compression stroke of the engine; and a pair of linear electromagnetic machines adapted to directly convert kinetic energy of the piston assembly into electrical energy, and adapted to directly convert electrical energy into kinetic energy of the piston assembly for providing compression work during the compression stroke, wherein each linear electromagnetic machine is located distal to an end of the cylinder; wherein the engine includes a variable expansion ratio greater than 50:1. |
| US08413616B2 |
Arrangement related to a motor-driven tool
An arrangement for cleaning of intake air for an air-cooled internal combustion engine of a motor-driven tool, such as a chain saw. The arrangement includes an air conductor surrounding a fan wheel arranged to propel intake air around an axis of the fan wheel. An inner wall of the air conductor is arranged for guiding air propelled by the fan wheel. An air nozzle for cleaning of intake air is arranged on the inner wall of the air conductor radially close to said fan wheel. The air nozzle serves as a passage way for providing cleaned intake air from the fan wheel to the engine of the motor-driven tool, wherein the air nozzle and the air conductor are manufactured in one piece. |
| US08413612B2 |
Big dog ball log
A dog toy comprised of a plurality of resilient balls, relatively snugly joined in a linear configuration via an interior connecting member. The connecting member protected from wear by the pressure holding two adjacent balls together resisting the penetration of the teeth of an animal playing with the toy. The toy appearance describable as a ball log. |
| US08413609B2 |
Device for colonizing and harvesting marine hardground animals
A device for colonizing and harvesting marine hardground animals in an underwater region of a ground-based offshore edifice includes at least one rail device configured to extend vertically on the offshore edifice along a height of the underwater region to above a waterline. The device also includes a netting array including a habitat carriage having a habitat and trapping basket that is adapted to contain the hardground animals. A lifting device is configured to move the netting array along the at least one rail device. Additionally, the device includes a scavenging carriage including a basic unit and a running unit that is configured to detachably couple the scavenging carriage with the at least one rail device so as to be movable thereon. The scavenging carriage is configured to detachably couple with the habitat carriage and the lifting device. |
| US08413601B2 |
Coating device
A coating device includes a table, a number of coating housings, a carrier, a number of conveyors, and a number of turntables. The coating housings are separately mounted on the table, and each including a hatch formed thereon. The hatches of all the coating housings face towards a same direction. The carrier are used for carrying one or more products to be coated. The conveyors are distributed on the table around each of the coating housing, and respectively extend into the inside of the coating housing through the hatch for delivering the carrier into the coating housings in turn. The turntables are installed between every two adjacent conveyors for transporting the carrier from a preceding conveyor to a succeeding conveyor according to a predefined route, respectively. |
| US08413599B2 |
Low profile tethering device for securing a boat
A tethering device for a boat may be mounted to a dock so that the top surface of the tethering device is flush with the top of the dock. Inside the housing is a retraction reel storing a sufficient length of line to provide tethering of the boat to the dock while retracting excess line back for out-of-sight storage but leaving the pre-selected length of line extending from the tethering device. The housing also has a line locking mechanism to hold the line at the pre-selected length so as to prevent the boat from drifting away taking line with it. |
| US08413597B1 |
Apparatus and method for a funnel assembly
An apparatus for a funnel assembly on a tufting machine comprising an exchanger bar, one or more exchanger blocks, a funnel bar or one or more funnel blocks, one or more needle assemblies including a needle having a distal end, one or more means for conveying fluid in a direction toward the distal end of the needle and a means for moving the needle assembly in a direction substantially transverse to the backing of a tufted surface covering. The exchanger bar and the exchanger block are stationary when the needle assembly moves between a retracted position and an extended position. A method comprising providing such a funnel assembly, conveying a strand of yarn in a direction toward the distal end of the needle and moving the needle assembly and funnel bar between a retracted position and an extended position. |
| US08413596B2 |
Oxyfuel boiler and a method of controlling the same
An oxyfuel boiler 1 is equipped with an oxygen separation apparatus 23 to produce oxygen by separating oxygen from the air, a recirculation fan 26 to supply a portion of combustion flue gas branched from the combustion flue gas discharged from the boiler to the oxyfuel boiler 1, a temperature sensor 14a to detect gas temperature at a boiler outlet 1d in the oxyfuel boiler 1, and a control apparatus 150 to calculate gas temperature at a furnace outlet 1c in the boiler from the gas temperature at the boiler outlet 1d detected by the temperature sensor 14a and control the operating condition of the recirculation fan 26 so that the calculated gas temperature at the furnace outlet 1c becomes a desired preset gas temperature. |
| US08413594B2 |
Folding leg latch assembly
Presented is an improved latching mechanism for table legs. While maintaining the benefits of standard folding mechanisms, the mechanism also achieves many benefits including improved table rigidity, an intuitively operable release mechanism, an easily constructed mechanism with as little as three molded pieces and a spring, a single release action to release the mechanism from both a “use” and “folded” configuration, and four spatially separated latching points for each of the “use” and “folded” configurations. Additionally the mechanism meets or exceeds government and industry standards while having a refined appearance. |
| US08413591B2 |
Passenger rail car sliding door with high platform threshold
An improved door assembly has a single movable door and may have a separate movable high platform threshold. The door assembly is formed of an upper door section and a lower door section which is fixed to the upper door section. A support member may be integral with or slidably engaged with the door assembly, disposed as an angle iron fixed to the door assembly, or disposed on the side of a stairwell of a rail passenger car. |
| US08413590B2 |
Center bowl liner with spring washer conductor
A center bowl liner provided for use between a center plate of a railroad car and a center bowl surface on a truck bolster. The center bowl liner includes a disc-shaped element having top and bottom surfaces and a central opening for receiving a center pin. A conductive washer is attached to the disc-shaped element, the conductive washer having a profile wherein portions of the conductive washer are exposed at the top and bottom surfaces of the disc-shaped element and create an electrical connection between the railroad car center plate and the center bowl on the truck bolster. The disc-shaped element acts as a load-bearing element supporting the railroad car center plate. The conductive washer, since it may have spring-like properties, will also undertake to bear a limited amount of the load of the railroad car center plate in addition to providing electrical connection between the car and truck. |
| US08413588B2 |
Railway service vehicle having wheelchair restraint
A railway service vehicle for transporting material into or wheelchair-bound or injured persons away from train accident sites or tunnels includes a body having a platform. Wheels rotatably connected to the body support the body on first and second rails of a railroad track system for non-self propelled movement of the body. At least one mounting device is connected to the platform. A hold-down member releasably connected to the mounting device restrains a wheelchair supported by the platform. A storage/tool container is supported by the platform. At least one passenger seat is connected to the storage/tool container. Opposed first and second containment members are connected to the platform outboard of the mounting device. |
| US08413585B2 |
Projectile
The invention relates to a projectile (1) having a projectile casing (3) in which an explosive charge (8), surrounded by a fragmentation casing, (9) is disposed, wherein the fragmentation casing (9) is fixed to the projectile casing (3), and the projectile (1) comprises a first ignition unit (11) adjacent to the explosive charge (8) disposed to the rear for igniting the explosive charge (8). The projectile (1) may be selectively used as a fragmentation projectile or as a projectile whose effect is due to pressure waves resulting from explosion of the explosive charge (8) due to an ejection charge (15), and the explosive charge (8) is axially displaceable relative to the fragmentation casing (9), which allows the explosive charge (8) to slide out of the projectile casing (3) at least far enough so that the explosive charge cannot act on the fragmentation casing (9) to fragment it. |
| US08413583B2 |
Hole covering and locator
A covering that has a means for support, a means for abutment to a wall, and a means for retaining a sensing element. The covering includes a body portion and a perimeter portion with a plurality of radially extending fins. Fins with or without boss are useful for abutment to a wall or surface. One or more means for retaining positioned in the interior of the body, are useful for fixedly positioning or holding a sensing element. The covering may be position on or into a hole and optionally includes additional elements for function and use, such as reinforcing members on the radially extending fins, a central hub, and a spool position around the hub. |
| US08413579B2 |
Stencil kit
The stencil kit comprises: a first stencil (1a) including a first support (2a) on which a first outer template (4a) is provided, the first outer template (4a) being formed by a plurality of cut out sections (6a) defining a cut out broken line which extends throughout the outer contour of the final decoration; and a second stencil (1b) including a second support (2b) on which a second outer template (4b) is provided, the second outer template (4b) being formed by a plurality of cut out sections (6b) defining a cut out broken line which extends throughout the outer contour of the final decoration. The broken line of the second stencil (1b) is complementary to that of the first stencil (1a). |
| US08413578B2 |
Modular printing system having vertically separated pass through conveyor system
Disclosed herein is a modular printing system for printing viscous material on electronic substrates. The modular printing system comprises a first stencil printer including a substrate support assembly including a support configured to support and secure the electronic substrate in a print position, and a first system configured to shuttle electronic substrates to and from the first support of the first substrate support assembly, the first system including an upper track and a lower track disposed below the upper track, and at least one second stencil printer including a second substrate support assembly including a support configured to support and secure the electronic substrate in a print position, and a system configured to shuttle electronic substrates to and from the support of the second substrate support assembly, the system including a at least one upper track and a lower track disposed below the upper track. |
| US08413573B2 |
Helical spline actuators
Helical spline actuators can be employed to actuate ball valves. In certain embodiments, an actuator can include a remote operated vehicle shaft, an internally splined shaft, and an externally splined shaft that can be used in combination to actuate a ball valve. In certain embodiments, an actuator can include a piston that is displaced axially and not rotated, an externally splined shaft, and an internally splined shaft that can be used in combination to actuate a ball valve. In certain embodiments, an actuator can include a piston, a spring, a spring cap, and a joint member wherein the spring cap and joint member translate axial force from the spring to the piston. In certain embodiments, an actuator can include a bearing that insulates a piston from rotational forces exerted by an externally splined shaft. |
| US08413569B1 |
Parallel actuator gun mount
A gun mount is provided that includes a first linear actuator, a second linear actuator, and a gimbal. Each of the first linear actuator and second linear actuator is terminated by a ball joint at either end thereof. One ball joint associated with each linear actuator is coupled to a location on a gun where the two locations are proximate to one another. The remaining ball joint associated with each linear actuator is coupled to a support base. An angular relationship is defined between the two linear actuators. The gimbal is one that provides two-degree-of-freedom movement, and is coupled to the gun forward of the ball joint attachment locations. The gimbal further is coupled to the support base so that the gun is supported by the gimbal and the linear actuators. |
| US08413564B1 |
Portable vented suppressive shield for protective tactical emplacement over suspected explosive devices
A portable protective shield for an IED or other suspected explosive devices includes a plurality of toroidal rings clamped between a lid and a base of the shield. The device is capable of withstanding high-pressure blast waves, thermal release and/or high-velocity fragments. |
| US08413561B2 |
Multiple punch and die assembly
A multiple punch and die assembly adapted to a punch press for carrying out a punching or forming operation comprises a punch assembly for holding a plurality of selectively operable punches that selectively engage a workpiece. The punch assembly has a punch carrier for reciprocal motion within a punch guide and a striker body engaging the punch carrier, said striker body being selectively, toollessly connectable to the punch carrier while permitting relative rotation of the striker body and punch carrier to select a punch for engagement by the striker. A detent means releasably positions the striker body in one of a plurality of operating positions, at which a punch is positioned for being struck selectively by the ram via the striker body such that one punch is driven to an operating position when at least one other punch is inactive, the inactive punches engageable by a lock plate. |
| US08413560B2 |
Quick-release apparatus for knife plate of saw grinding machine
A quick-release apparatus which is adapted for a knife board of a saw grinding machine comprises a fixture plate forming with a first projection; wherein the knife board includes a coupled portion having a slot to hook the first projection; a fastening member mounted onto and not pivot with respect to the first projection of the fixture plate and including an exterior side having at least one concaved portion; and a control member pivotably connected to the fastening member and including an abutted side and at least one protruding portion formed on the abutted side, with the abutted side and the at least one protruding portion both corresponding to the at least one concaved portion, with the abutted side facing the fastening member, and with the at least one protruding portion selectively pressing the exterior side of the fastening member to tightingly attach to the knife plate. |
| US08413557B2 |
Method and apparatus for machining roll surface
There is provided a roll surface machining method and apparatus for using a cutting tool to carry out ultra-precision machining in the surface of a roll with a reduced amount of data. The apparatus and method for roll surface machining includes setting a machining start position of a cutting tool with respect to the surface of the roll by C-axis indexing of the roll and positioning of the roll in the axial direction (Z-axis direction) both with respect to the cutting tool. Also the cutting tool and the roll are moved relative to each other in the axial direction of the roll by position control using C-Z axis interpolation, thereby forming a three-dimensional pattern in the surface of the roll. |
| US08413554B2 |
Unidirectional ratchet wrench
A unidirectional ratchet wrench has a head and a ratcheting assembly. The head has a stationary jaw and a ratchet jaw. The stationary jaw is formed on and protrudes from the head and has an undulating surface. The ratchet jaw is formed on and protrudes from the head and has an arced slot formed in an inner surface of the ratchet jaw. The ratcheting assembly has an engaging tab being movably mounted in the arced slot and selectively engaging and disengaging a tool head with the inner surface of the stationary jaw when the wrench is respectively rotated in drive and non-drive directions. |
| US08413552B2 |
Fastener socket holder
A socket assembly is provided for receiving and retaining a head of a fastener. The socket assembly includes a socket body having a longitudinal interior chamber defined by interior walls. The interior chamber extends axially within the socket body to a receiving end of the socket body. The interior walls of the interior chamber are configured to a shape of the head of a fastener for receiving the head of the fastener at the receiving end. A magnet is disposed within the interior of the socket body. The magnet is selectively movable in an axial direction within the interior chamber of the of the socket body. A fastening member is radially engaged to the socket body. The fastening member is configured to releasably secure the magnet within the socket body at a selected axial position in relation to the head of the fastener inserted within the receiving end. |
| US08413550B2 |
Dustproof device for ratchet wrench
A ratchet wrench (10) includes a head (12) having a compartment (121) rotatably receiving a drive member (12). An annular groove (126) is formed in an inner periphery of the compartment (121) and in communication with a recess (13) formed in a side (F2) of the head (12). A flange (2121) is formed on an outer periphery of the drive member (21) and intermediate a toothed portion (213) of the drive member (21) and an annular groove (214) formed in the outer periphery of the drive member (21). A flange (2121) is formed on the outer periphery of the drive member (21) and includes an inner end face (2122) facing a bottom face (133) of the recess (13). A C-clip (24) is received in the annular grooves (126, 214) and has two clamping portions (241) received in the recess (13). A dustproof cap (30) engaged in the recess (13) and located intermediate a bottom face (133) and the recess (13) and the inner end face (2122) of the flange (2121). The dustproof cap (30) covers the clamping portions (241) of the C-clip (24) and covers and seals the recess (13). |
| US08413547B2 |
Retrograde torque limit gear train with bidirectional input and one-way output
The retrograde torque limit gear train with bidirectional input and one-way output relates to a gear train, wherein the input rotary direction of the input shaft is bidirectional and the output direction is constant, and it is characterized by that the gear train with bidirectional input implements reverse transmission when the output side implements retrograde driving in reverse direction with that of the output, through clutch operation conducted by the clutch device installed at the gear train with bidirectional input and one-way output. |
| US08413546B2 |
Power transmitting apparatuses
A power transmitting apparatus, such as an automotive transmission, can be configured to reduce the size of a torque converter as well as improve the flexibility of the torque converter's layout. A power transmitting apparatus configured to transmit power from a driving source of a vehicle to its wheels and can be configured selectively transmit or cutting-off the driving force to the wheels can comprise a torque converter having a torque amplifying function. A clutch mechanism can include a first clutch device to transmit the driving force to the wheels through a power transmitting system of the torque converter and a second clutch to transmit the driving force without the power transmitting system of the torque converter. A selecting device can control the first clutch device or the second clutch device in accordance with conditions of the vehicle including start of a vehicle from a stop. A damping mechanism for damping torque variation can be configured to transmit power between the driving source and the torque converter. |
| US08413544B2 |
Multi-spindle gearbox system
A multi-spindle gearbox system includes a gearbox, a gear assembly, an output sleeve spindle, and a cable receiving barrel. The gearbox includes a base and a sealing cover covering the base. The sealing cover forms a hollow box space together with the base receiving the gear assembly therein. The base defines an assembly hole therethrough. The sealing cover defines a guiding hole corresponding to the assembly hole of the base. The output sleeve spindle is hollow and cylindrical with one end thereof assembled to the assembly hole of the base corresponding to the gear assembly. The cable receiving barrel is assembled within the gearbox. One end of the cable receiving barrel connects with the assembly hole and the other end of the cable receiving barrel passes through the guiding hole and is exposed to an outer side of the sealing cover. |
| US08413540B2 |
Robot arm assembly and industrial robot using the same
A robot arm assembly includes a middle joint, an upper arm rotatably connected to the middle joint, a driver rotating the upper arm mounted on the middle joint, and a transmission mechanism transferring the power of the driver to the upper arm. The driver includes an output shaft. The transmission mechanism includes a first gear coupled to the output shaft of the driver, a second gear mounted on the outer circumference of the arm, a third gear meshed with the first gear, and a fourth gear coinciding with the third gear and meshed with the second gear. |
| US08413536B2 |
Actuating device for selecting fixed gear ratios of a gear changing transmission
An actuating device for selection on shift steps of a gear changing transmission. The actuating device comprises a flexible gear selection device (1) with at least two drive step positions, a park lock position and an additional park lock-actuating device (4) for activation of the park lock. When the gear selector device (1) moves out of the park lock position, the gear selector device (1) becomes disengaged while movement of the gear selector device (1) from one of the drive step positions into the park lock position, or beyond the previous park lock position, does not engage the park lock. Engagement of the park lock is only achieved by actuating the additional park lock-actuating device (4). This improves the safety and provides intuitive shifting between the different drive step positions without the need to view the gear selector device. The unintended engagement of the park lock is precluded. |
| US08413535B2 |
Manual transmission shifter adjustment tool
A tool adapted to prevent a shifter shaft from moving relative to a shifter housing includes an elongated member having a first side, a second side substantially opposite the first side, and a third side disposed between the first and second sides, wherein the elongated member is disposed at least partially parallel to the shifter shaft and is adapted to be secured to the shifter housing. A first side member is disposed on the first side of the elongated member, a second side member is disposed on the second side of the elongated member, and a collar is disposed on the third side of the elongated member, wherein the collar is adapted to secure to the shifter shaft. The first side member and second side member prevent the shifter shaft from moving in a first direction and the elongated member prevents the shifter shaft from moving in a second direction. |
| US08413533B2 |
Operating device having force feedback
An operating device for a gear-changing transmission operated by shift-by-wire is disclosed. The operating device includes an operating element, rotatably or pivotally supported in a bearing position having a position sensor device, and a device for producing force-feedback. The force-feedback device includes an adjustable counterforce element acting on the operating element, wherein the counterforce element comprises a fluid having controllably variable viscosity. The operating device including the counterforce element is produced by a bearing gap of the bearing position of the operating element, with the bearing gap being filled with the fluid. A space-saving integration of the counterforce element of a force-feedback device is enabled into the joint of an operating lever. Thus, the cost, structural complexity, and installation space required for an operating device having force-feedback is significantly reduced. The haptics of a mechanical operating lever can be realistically emulated. |
| US08413528B2 |
Device and method for separation of proteins and other biomolecules
The present invention relates to a device and method for separation of proteins and other biomolecules. A preferred use is for sample preparation of crude as well as pre-fractionated samples. In a preferred embodiment, the device of the present invention is a pipette tip having dual channels, one for inlet of sample and one for outlet. The outlet, but not the inlet, channel is provided with sample separation media for separation of a desired biomolecule from a sample. The flow through the sample separation media is unidirectional. |
| US08413523B2 |
Oscillation circuit
An oscillation circuit has an oscillator having a resonant frequency, an amplifier connected to the oscillator, an energizing pulse generator for generating a energizing pulse within a certain range including the resonant frequency, a switching unit for switching between connection and disconnection of the energizing pulse generator and the oscillator, and the amplifier, and a motion command unit for sending a command signal to the energizing pulse generator for starting operation, in which the switching unit connects the oscillator and the energizing pulse generator during a cycle, a half cycle, or several cycles of the energizing pulse generated by the energizing pulse generator starting at a time when the motion command unit sends the motion signal. |
| US08413521B2 |
Apparatus and method for over-peak loading for creep-rupture testing
A method and testing apparatus including first and second load adjusting mechanisms for cyclically applying and reducing first and second tensile loads on a specimen and first and second controllers connected to the first and second load adjusting mechanisms for independently cycling the loads which are additive. Cycling the first and second loads for peak loading and over-peak loading the specimen respectively and controlling first and second loading rates and first and second dwell periods of first and second cycles for peak loading and over-peak loading respectively. The second load adjusting mechanism may include an inflatable over-peak device resting on a plate mounted to a frame of the apparatus. The device includes a hollow housing for supporting the second load, an inflatable bladder within the housing, and a bladder lower portion extending out of an opening at a bottom of the housing when the bladder is inflated. |
| US08413515B2 |
Ultrasonic inspection apparatus
There is provided an ultrasonic inspection apparatus which detects various deviations with respect to an ideal scanning position and achieves, with high accuracy, an ultrasound flaw inspection by autonomously adjusting the deviations. The ultrasonic inspection apparatus according to the present invention is provided with an integrated type ultrasound transducer including an ultrasonic transducer, an integral type ultrasound transducer control unit, an actuator for distance adjustment, an actuator for tilt control, and a distance measuring sensor. The integrated type ultrasound transducer calculates a deviation between a scanning position based on a preliminarily generated scanning path information and an ideal scanning position, and performs a deviation correction processing by autonomously controlling a distance and a tilt between an opening surface of the ultrasound transducer and an inspection region of an object to be inspected in accordance with this deviation. |
| US08413511B2 |
Accelerometer
A accelerometer includes a substrate define a stationary electrode thereon, a first moveable mass defining a conductive-layer thereon facing the stationary electrode, a plurality of first elastic elements coupled with a peripheral side of the first moveable mass, a first fixed element surrounding the first moveable mass and fixedly attached to the substrate, a plurality of first fixed electrodes extending outwardly from the first fixed element, a second moveable mass surrounding the first fixed electrodes, a plurality of first moveable electrodes extending inwardly from the second moveable mass toward the first fixed element and parallel to the first fixed electrodes, respectively, a plurality of second elastic elements coupled with a peripheral side of the second moveable mass, and a second fixed element surrounding the second moveable mass and fixedly attached to the substrate. |
| US08413499B2 |
Partial stroke testing
Partial Stroke Testing (PST) equipment and methodologies provide PST data for an electromechanical valve, wherein power is withheld from the valve to trigger the vale to move away from a fully open position and power is subsequently applied to reinstate the fully open position immediately following detecting that the test valve has moved away from the fully open position. These operations are performed and monitored to determine whether they are completed within a prescribed period of time and associated data is generated that indicates a health of the valve subjected to the PST. |
| US08413498B2 |
Tire test system
A tire test system for tire tests under the most realistic conditions possible, however, including the possibility of widely-varied, simple and precisely reproducible parameters includes a track (6) contactable by at least one tire, as well as a positive guide (5) following this track, for example, in the form of at least one rail. In addition, a test trolley (2) is provided that is guided by a positive guide (5) and is autonomously driven and/or brakable independently of the tire(s), on which trolley at least one tire (1) is mountable, and which has equipment for driving and/or braking autonomously and independently of the test trolley (2). |
| US08413496B2 |
Pressure compensation unit
A pressure-compensation unit, particularly for a tank-pressure sensor in a tank of a motor vehicle. The pressure-compensation unit includes a housing lid and a gas-permeable filter diaphragm, which covers an air hole. The pressure-compensation unit includes a cap-shaped cover element, which covers the filter diaphragm. |
| US08413494B1 |
Burner pressure transducer
A sensor for measuring gas pressure in a gas turbine engine. The sensor is positioned to receive pressurized gas and measure the pressure. A thermally insulating material mounts the sensor spaced from conductive portions of the engine. A heater is mounted on a plurality of sides of the sensor to provide heat thereto. A thermal blanket covers the heater to prevent loss of sensor heat. |
| US08413493B1 |
Method for detecting a defect on an operating turbine rotor blade
A method for identifying a defect such as a crack on a turbine rotor blade while the blade is in operation within a gas turbine engine, the method includes scanning the blade using an IR camera, identifying a leading edge or other line on the blade for a reference point, identifying a potential defect candidate on the blade by comparing the potential defect to a surrounding neighborhood in order to determine if the potential defect is an anomaly, and if the potential defect is an anomaly determine the structure of the anomaly in order to determine if the defect is a crack or a hole or a TBC spallation. The method computes a probability density for sub-regions in an image of the blade, conditioned upon the areas surrounding the sub-regions. |
| US08413490B2 |
Modular underwater sampling apparatus
The present invention relates generally to an apparatus for obtaining a sample underwater. In one embodiment, the apparatus includes a syringe pump comprising a plurality of syringes, a sampling probe coupled to the syringe pump for collecting the sample underwater and an analyzer module coupled to the syringe pump. |
| US08413489B2 |
Column tip processing device and column tip processing method
The present invention relates to a column tip processing device and a column tip processing method, and its objective is to enhance the contact between a packing and a fluid as a subject to be processed whereby accomplishing a highly efficient reaction as well as an accurate processing, which has a nozzle head having a single or multiple-channeled nozzle, a suction and discharge mechanism, one or more types of column tips in which a packing is enclosed, a stage provided with a fluid housing part group including a plurality of fluid housing parts in which various solutions are or can be housed, and moving means for moving the nozzle head relatively to the fluid housing part group, and also has a controlling part which controls the suction and discharge mechanism and the moving means with regard to quantities, pressure, flow rate, the number of cycles, time or position of the suction or discharge by the nozzle based on a structural requirement relating to the structure of the one or more types of column tips to be fitted to the nozzle and a processing requirement relating to the processing contents involving one or more types of subject fluids subjected to the suction or discharge of the column tips. |
| US08413487B2 |
Compressor pressure measuring device
A compressor pressure measuring device drives a compressor to operate for measuring its pressure. A positive pressure pipeline and a negative pressure pipeline are connected to the entry end and the exit end of the compressor, respectively. The positive pressure pipeline and the negative pressure pipeline are provided with an electromagnetic valve, respectively. A control module controls the operation of the compressor and the on/off of the electromagnetic valves in the positive pressure pipeline and the negative pressure pipeline. This automatically detects positive pressure and negative pressure of the compressor. |
| US08413481B2 |
Methods for assessing mouthfeel attributes of foods using a tribology device
The invention relates to a method for differentiating foods with respect to mouthfeel, a method for identifying a composition having the ability to improve the mouthfeel of a food, and a method for predicting mouthfeel attributes of a food using a novel tribology device. |
| US08413480B2 |
Method and apparatus for bending a metal member
A bending apparatus for bending a metal member includes at least one die, a punch disposed on an opposite side of the die through the metal member for pressurizing the metal member by relatively moving with respect to the die to perform bending, and a knock out die for supporting the metal member when the bending is performed. Friction generated on a surface of the knock out die for receiving the metal member becomes smaller continuously or gradually from a center portion toward side portions thereof in a bending ridge line direction. |
| US08413475B2 |
Rolling fluids
The disclosure relates to a cold rolling fluid, including: (a) a hydrocarbon base including at least 50 wt % of isoparaffins; (b) one or more frictional modifiers selected from among fatty alcohols, fatty acids, fatty amines, fatty acid esters, or polymer esters resulting from the esterification of alpha-olefin copolymers and dicarboxylic acids using alcohols; and (c) one or more phosphorous anti-wear and/or extreme pressure additives. The disclosure also relates to an emulsion containing the rolling fluid and to the use of the rolling fluid for cold-rolling steel. |
| US08413473B2 |
Mechanical key code verification system
A key system including a mechanical key and a lock apparatus into which the mechanical key is insertable. The mechanical key includes a key code pattern having recessed portions and non-recessed portions. The mechanical key is operated in key manipulation directions. The lock apparatus includes tumblers, each of which is associated with one of the recessed and non-recessed portions. The lock apparatus mechanically verifies the key code pattern when the mechanical key is inserted therein based on whether the tumblers are aligned with the associated recessed and non-recessed portions. The recessed and non-recessed portions in the key code pattern are deviated from the key manipulation directions. |
| US08413471B2 |
Cloth treating apparatus
A cloth treating apparatus is disclose. The cloth treating apparatus comprises an auxiliary treating apparatus which includes a main body washing or drying clothes; a cabinet provided at one side of the main body; and a drawer slidably provided in the cabinet to form an accommodating space, having a hot air supply device provided in the accommodating space. |
| US08413469B2 |
Cut protection glove
A cut protection glove, made of a textile material having a cut resistant fibre, characterized in that the textile material has a bamboo fibre. |
| US08413467B2 |
Device and method for cambering a glass sheet
The invention relates to a device for cambering a glass sheet, said device comprising a pressing station provided with a male press and a female press which are arranged opposite each other in a complementary manner. The male press is formed from at least two distinct resilient parts, a base and at least one forming complement, which are adapted in such a way as to be fixed to each other. Said forming complement is detachable and interchangeable according to the form to be applied to the glass sheet, and comprises a fixing surface which is adapted in such a way as to be fixed to a fixing surface of the base, and a forming surface which is adapted in such a way as to be pressed against the glass sheet in order to apply the desired form thereto. The invention also relates to an industrial installation comprising one such device, and to a method for implementing said device. |
| US08413466B2 |
Method for producing glass for display substrate
A glass for a display substrate composed of 50 to 70% SiO2, 10 to 25% Al2O3, 8.4 to 20% B2O3, 0 to 10% MgO, 6 to 15% CaO, 0 to 10% BaO, 0 to 10% SrO, 0 to 10% ZnO, 0 to 5% TiO2, 0 to 5% P2O5, 0.01 to 0.2% alkali metal, and from 0.01% to less than 0.4% ZrO2, as expressed in % by mass. The glass can have a β-OH value of 0.20/mm or more and an area of 0.1 m2 or more. The glass is produced by mixing raw materials to provide the SiO2, Al2O3, B2O3, MgO, CaO, BaO, SrO, ZnO, TiO2, P2O5 and alkali metal contents, electrically melting the raw materials in a melting furnace constructed of a high zirconia refractory; and refining, homogenizing and forming the glass melt. |
| US08413465B2 |
Fixing device and glass manufacturing device
A glass manufacturing device includes a main body defining a working space, a fixing device and a grit blower in communication with the working space. The fixing device includes a first fixing assembly, a second fixing assembly, and a locking assembly. The first and second fixing assemblies are rotatably connected with each other and used for clamping a glass substrate. The first fixing assembly includes a number of shielding elements spaced from each other. The locking assembly is used for locking the first and second fixing assemblies. The grit blower is disposed opposite to the first fixing assembly and used for blasting grit on the glass substrate, and thus the portions of the glass substrate which are not shielded by the shielding elements are cut off during the process of grit-blasting. Remaining portions of the glass substrate shielded by the shielding elements are the desired product. |
| US08413462B2 |
Systems, materials, and processes for isolating nanoparticles
Processes for isolating nanoparticles from an aqueous solution are disclosed. The processes can include, for example, providing an aqueous mixture having a plurality of nanoparticles and at least one thermal hysteresis molecule; adjusting the aqueous mixture to a temperature effective to form ice crystals within the aqueous mixture; and isolating the ice crystals from the aqueous mixture. Also disclosed are compositions and systems for isolating nanoparticles. |
| US08413460B2 |
Lever for dispenser and refrigerator having the same
A refrigerator having an operation lever for a dispenser includes first and second levers interconnected to perform respectively different functions. At least one of the first and second levers is moved relative to the other one. Accordingly, the operability and the aesthetic appearance of the refrigerator may be improved. |
| US08413458B2 |
Device for retaining beverage cooling means within a vessel
A device (10) for retaining beverage cooling means (11) within a vessel (12) is disclosed. The device comprises a vessel engaging portion (14) and means (16) for engaging the beverage cooling means (11), wherein the means (16) for engaging the beverage cooling means (11) permits the beverage cooling means to move in sliding relation with respect to the vessel (14) engaging portion. |
| US08413456B2 |
Refrigeration apparatus
There is provided a refrigeration apparatus in which a refrigerant accumulating in non-operating outdoor units is supplied to an outdoor unit being operated in which a shortage of refrigerant occurs without starting the compressors of the non-operating outdoor units. In the control method for the refrigeration apparatus in which to refrigerant piping 10 installed between the indoor side and the outdoor side, a plurality of outdoor units 30A, 30B each including a compressor 31, a directional control valve 34, an outdoor heat exchanger 35, an outdoor expansion valve 36, and an accumulator 37 are connected in parallel on the outdoor side, and each of the outdoor units is provided with a hot gas bypass circuit 38 that includes a solenoid valve 38a and an expansion mechanism 38b arranged in series, and is connected between high-pressure side piping 33a on the discharge side of the compressor and low-pressure side piping 33b on the accumulator side, if a shortage of refrigerant occurs when air cooling operation is performed in a state in which only the outdoor unit 30A is operated and other outdoor units 30B are not operated, the solenoid valves 38a of the non-operating outdoor units 30B are opened so that the refrigerant accumulating in the non-operating outdoor units 30B is supplied to the outdoor unit 30A via the hot gas bypass circuit 38 and the low-pressure piping 33b. |
| US08413454B2 |
Interactive control system for an HVAC system
An interactive system for controlling the operation of an HVAC system is provided that comprises a thermostat for initiating the operation of the HVAC system in either a full capacity mode of operation or at least one reduced capacity mode of operation, and a controller for an outside condenser unit having a condenser fan motor and a compressor motor, the controller being capable of operating the compressor in a full capacity mode and at least one reduced capacity mode. The system also comprises a controller for an indoor blower unit having a blower fan motor, the controller being capable of operating the blower fan motor in a full capacity mode and at least one reduced capacity mode. The system further includes a communication means for transmitting information between the outside condenser unit controller and at least the indoor blower controller, where the information relates to the operation of the indoor blower and the outdoor condenser unit. The indoor blower controller responsively controls the operation of the blower fan motor in a full capacity mode or a reduced capacity mode based on the information received from the outdoor unit controller, and the outdoor unit controller responsively controls the operation of the compressor in a full capacity mode or a reduced capacity mode based on the information received from the indoor blower controller. |
| US08413452B2 |
Linear drive cryogenic refrigerator
A cryogenic refrigerator has a refrigeration cylinder and at least two displacers. Each displacer reciprocates in the refrigeration cylinder and moves refrigeration gas through the refrigeration cylinder. A regenerator cools the refrigeration gas, and gas control valves admit high pressure gas into the refrigeration cylinder and exhaust gas from the refrigeration cylinder. The refrigerator also has linear motors operatively connected to displacers, and the linear motors drive the displacers in reciprocating movement. A position sensor is provided to determine a parameter of the displacers during reciprocation. A controller is operatively connected to the linear motors to control the linear motors. The controller controls a parameter of the two displacers during reciprocation. The parameter can be stroke length, stroke speed, stroke phase or another parameter of the displacer for temperature control of the cryogenic refrigerator. The cryogenic refrigerator may also include a device to remove vibration. |
| US08413451B2 |
Turbine with fluidically-controlled valve and swirler with a bleed hole
A fluidically-controlled valve is provided. The fluidically-controlled valve includes a main flow channel with a main flow entrance, a flow exit and a constricted channel section located between the main flow entrance and the flow exit. The fluidically-controlled valve also includes a control flow channel including a jet forming control entrance, a first branch channel, a second branch channel, a common channel section, and a convex channel wall. The common channel section follows the control entrance, the first branch channel emerges from the common channel section and leads to the main flow entrance, the second branch channel emerges from the common channel section and leads to the constricted channel section, and the convex channel wall extends from the common channel section into the first branch channel. The fluidically-controlled valve can be used in bypasses present in turbines or in swirlers of gas turbine combustors. |
| US08413449B2 |
Gas turbine having an improved cooling architecture
A thermal machine includes a hot gas channel; a shell bounding the hot gas channel; a cooling shirt surrounding the shell; and a cooling channel disposed between the shell and the cooling shirt and configured to convection cool the hot gas channel with a cooling medium, wherein the cooling shirt includes at least one local divergence in the guidance of the cooling medium so as to compensate for non-uniformities in at least one of a thermal load on the shell and a flow of the cooling medium in the cooling channel. |
| US08413445B2 |
Method and system for porous flame holder for hydrogen and syngas combustion
A fuel nozzle assembly for a combustor in a gas turbine including: a gaseous fuel passage and a fuel nozzle at a distal end of the passage; an air tube concentric with the fuel nozzle and defining an air passage between the air tube and the fuel nozzle, wherein the air tube includes a distal section extending axially beyond the fuel injection nozzle; a first fuel-air mixing zone inside the distal section of the air tube, wherein the first fuel-air mixing zone is downstream of the fuel injection nozzle; a flame holder including a porous structure with thermal barrier coating and micro swirlers and defining a downstream end of the first fuel-air mixing zone, wherein fuel and air from the first fuel-air mixing zone pass through the porous structure of the flame holder and into a combustion zone of the combustor. |
| US08413443B2 |
Flow control through a resonator system of gas turbine combustor
A resonator system for a turbine engine can improve acoustic performance and cooling effectiveness. During engine operation, a combustor liner exhibits alternating hot and cold regions in the circumferential direction corresponding to the non-uniform temperature distribution of the combustion flame. Accordingly, high flow resonators are formed with the liner in substantial alignment with the hot regions of the fluid flow within the liner, and low flow resonators are formed with the liner in substantial alignment with cold regions of the fluid flow within the liner. As a result, appropriate amounts of cooling can be provided to the liner so that cooling air usage is optimized. Alternatively or in addition, the liner can include two or more rows of resonators, which can provide an enhanced acoustic damping response. The resonators in the first row can be aligned with or offset from the resonators in the second row. |
| US08413442B2 |
System for sustaining and storing green solar energy
An economical, highly efficient, and complete system for harnessing the sun's energy, storing, and/or converting this energy into a usable energy product on a sustainable cycle. The system includes an enclosed volume chamber having a mirrored inner surface and an opening for receiving a condensed high-temperature solar energy beam and trapping thermal energy. A fluid source is injected into the chamber for converting this energy into a high pressure source which can be fed to an energy converting device. The enclosed volume chamber can include a thermal absorbing member to store thermal energy for use during sunless hours. A sustainable system including a plurality of interconnected chambers can be provided to form an additive system of thermal energy for use during the day and during sunless hours. The thermal energy can be converted to provide a clean energy source at zero carbon emission for use in numerous and diverse applications. |
| US08413439B2 |
Power supply for onboard equipment of an automobile
A power supply of equipment onboard a motor vehicle equipped with a micro-hybrid system that can operate in a regenerative braking mode during which the energy recovered by a reversible rotary machine (1) of the micro-hybrid system is stored in an auxiliary energy storage unit (4). The micro-hybrid system provides a dual-voltage network including, on the one hand, a low voltage (Vb) for supplying a battery (3) of the vehicle and, on the other hand and at the terminals of said auxiliary energy-storage unit, a floating voltage (Vb+X) higher than the low voltage. The floating voltage (Vb+X) is used for powering the onboard equipment of the vehicle that may require high currents during short periods of time for the dynamic operation thereof. The power supply is particularly useful for powering an electric-assistance turbocharger. |
| US08413433B2 |
Hydrocarbon retaining and purging system
Methods and systems are provided for reducing hydrocarbon emissions from an engine having a hydrocarbon retaining system. One example method comprises flowing exhaust gas over a hydrocarbon trap, the trap having a plurality of layers with different porosity and/or a different adsorptive affinity to hydrocarbon chains, and flowing hydrocarbons from a fuel tank over the hydrocarbon trap. |
| US08413430B2 |
Metering module with improved acoustic properties
The invention relates to a device for metering a liquid reducing agent into an exhaust gas system for the reduction of pollutants in the exhaust gas. The device comprises a metering valve and an adapter to be mounted on an exhaust gas pipe. The metering valve is connected to the adapter by a connector element, which has at least one metal sound absorber. |
| US08413428B2 |
Exhaust component of gas exhaust line
The invention relates to an exhaust component in a gas exhaust line for gases produced by the combustion of a fuel in a heat engine. In the gas flow direction, there is a first connection to an upstream pipe carrying gases from the engine. There is also a first exhaust tube and a second exhaust tube, these two tubes being parallel and being connected to the first connection. There is a second connection to a downstream gas discharge pipe, connected to the parallel exhaust tubes. The component is characterized in that, firstly the first tube has a depolluting component, and the second tube has a silencer. The second connection is a three-way valve. |
| US08413422B2 |
Oxidation catalyst fault diagnosis unit and oxidation catalyst fault diagnosis method and internal combustion engine exhaust purification apparatus
An oxidation catalyst fault diagnosis unit and fault diagnosis method. An oxidation catalyst fault diagnosis unit which performs fault diagnosis of an oxidation catalyst placed on the downstream side of the reduction catalyst, the oxidation catalyst fault diagnosis being equipped with a reducing agent dosage calculating portion that sets a dosage of the reducing agent such that a predetermined quantity of the ammonia flows out to the downstream side of the reduction catalyst, an oxidation efficiency calculating portion that obtains the efficiency with which the predetermined quantity of ammonia flowing out to the downstream side of the reduction catalyst is oxidized by the oxidation catalyst when the predetermined quantity of ammonia passes through the oxidation catalyst, and a fault determining portion that performs determination of whether or not the oxidation catalyst is faulty by comparing the oxidation efficiency with a predetermined reference value. |
| US08413413B2 |
Pivoting gathering auger for corn header
A pivoting gathering auger for a row unit of a harvesting header. The gathering auger cooperates with a striper plate to remove useable parts from crop stalks gathered in a crop passage and to convey the stripped useable parts rearward into the cross auger of the header. The gathering auger pivots in a vertical plane between a first position for harvesting and a second position for maintenance. While in the maintenance position, a distal end of the gathering auger does not communicate with the cross auger. The useable parts are conveyed rearward free of obstruction to the cross auger. |
| US08413410B2 |
Devices for capping vials useful in system and method for dispensing prescriptions
An apparatus for securing a cap onto a cylindrical container includes a main stage and three clamps. Each of the clamps is pivotally attached to the main stage and rotatable about a respective axis of rotation. The axes of rotation of the clamps define an outer circle having a center. Each of the clamps comprises a generally planar body and an arcuate edge and can be used to both center a cap and grip and rotate a vial for attachment of the cap. |
| US08413407B2 |
Automated system for producing and managing rolls of web material
A system to produce rolls of web material includes: a production machine (1) to produce the web material; a winder (3) to form reels (B) of web material coming from the production machine; an unwinder (20) to unwind single reels of web material produced by the winder; a group of tools for longitudinal cutting of the web material to divide the web material into strips, including members to position the tools in a transverse direction with respect to the direction of feed of the web material; a rewinder (22) to rewind the single strips into rolls; a line for packaging (9) the rolls (R); at least one shuttle (11) to transfer groups of rolls formed by the rewinder towards the packaging line; and an information system for integrated management of the system. |
| US08413403B2 |
Curtainwall system
A modular curtainwall system and a method for forming a curtainwall unit are provided. The modular curtainwall system comprises a unit frame and a cassette. The cassette comprises a subframe and an interior portion. The stick unit frame and cassette may be assembled into a curtainwall unit at an offsite facility. |
| US08413401B2 |
Modular door case for bathing enclosure
A modular door case for bathing enclosure includes two jambs, two frame members, and four fasten components. Each frame member has an accommodating portion at ends thereof, and at least one pair clasp holes respectively formed on upper and lower walls of the accommodating portion. Each fasten component has a base, at least one pair of clasp members, and at least one compelling bolt. A clasp protrusion is disposed at opposite distal end of each clasp member, so that space between the pair of clasp members, in normal state, shrinks from the joint ends to the distal ones. Each clasp protrusion of the clasp member contacts each clasp hole of the frame member, while the base inserts into each accommodating portion. The compelling bolt is between the pair of the clasp members, and further capable of moving towards the distal ends of the clasp members. |
| US08413398B1 |
Ball pivot assemblies and systems and methods incorporating the same
Ball pivot assemblies for mounting panels to a cable regardless of panel geometry or orientation include a ball pivot. The ball pivot includes geometry configured to enable a panel to pivot about the ball pivot in a plurality of orientations in a plurality of planes with respect to the cable. One or more implementations of the present invention can include a ball socket configured to receive the ball pivot, and provide a secure interface between the ball pivot assembly and the panel. Also, systems of at least one implementation of the present invention include a plurality of panels mounted to one or more cables using one or more ball pivot assemblies. In addition, one or more implementations of the present invention include methods of mounting panels using one or more ball pivot assemblies. |
| US08413397B2 |
Artificial stone
An artificial stone is disclosed for use in creating a covering for a supporting surface. The artificial stone includes a body for placement on the supporting surface, which is shaped for mating engagement with like stones with intermediate perimeter joints to produce a continuous surface covering. The stone has a facing surface on the body, which facing surface has a contour defining a surface area and is subdivided by at least one simulated joint into a major surface portion and at least one minor surface portion. The major surface portion is free of simulated joints and extends over at least about 60% of the total surface of the facing surface. The stone further includes at least one perimeter recess in the body for generating a gap between the stone and another like stone in mating engagement therewith, which gap is wider than adjacent the adjoining perimeter joint. Stones of this construction can easily be arranged in a regular, repeated pattern to generate a continuous covering for the supporting surface with the surface of the resulting covering having an irregular, natural appearance. The irregular top contours of the stones, the uneven division of the facing surface and the perimeter recesses and the resulting gaps between mating stones simulate the appearance of a natural stone surface covering for walkways, roadways, pavements or walls. |
| US08413392B2 |
Stable floor element
Prefabricated stable floor element comprising a supporting element made of concrete, with a service face situated at the top when in use and a bottom face situated on the bottom side, whereby the service face has one or several recesses or openings, characterized in that in at least one of these recesses or openings has been provided an insert element made of rubber or an elastic synthetic material, which insert element reaches as of the inner space in the recess or the opening in which it has been provided in order to fix the insert element, to right underneath, in line with or above the service face, i.e. seen in the position of use of the stable floor element. |
| US08413391B2 |
Solar array mounting system with universal clamp
A mounting system for photovoltaic solar panels providing support for different sized panels, and/or panels having mounting holes located in different locations. A universal panel clamp includes at least one elongated hole or slot to attach to a mounting hole on a solar panel frame. A clamp is attached to an upper hole, and a second clamp is attached to a lower mounting hole. The upper clamps are attached to an upper lateral support member, and the lower clamps are attached to a lower lateral support member. This assembly may be supported by A-shaped support members having adjustable tilt arms, or posts with specially configured brackets. |
| US08413388B2 |
Roofing system and method
A roof mounting system can include a roof substrate and flashing supportable on the substrate and including an outwardly extending projection having a concave interior side and an aperture extending through the projection between top and bottom surfaces of the flashing. A seal can extend through the aperture and contact at least a portion of the top surface and at least a portion of the bottom surface. The seal can be conformable with the concave interior side and can define a seal aperture substantially aligned with the flashing aperture. A mounting bracket can be supportable on the flashing and can define an aperture sized to receive at least a portion of each of the seal and the projection. A fastener can extend through the mounting bracket aperture, seal aperture, and flashing aperture to inhibit fluid flow through the flashing aperture. |
| US08413387B2 |
Composition, method of use, and structural barrier system
An environmental barrier composition and method of use for forming a structural barrier system to seal structural openings such as doors and windows is provided. The composition includes a liquid rosin that is silyl-terminated polyether, a filler material, and a curing catalyst. The method includes applying the composition to a prepared through-hole in combination with flashing material at least along a bottom surface of the through-hole and installation of a window or door into the prepared through-hole to form a barrier system in which a continuous film can be easily inspected, is waterproof, meet air barrier requirements of ASTM E2178, has elastomeric properties, allows substrate expansion, contraction, and movement, does not shrink or lose volume as it cures, and cures rapidly with sufficient adhesion to transition flashing to incorporate into a designed drainage plane and allow integration of a continuous air barrier system where the barrier is at least semi-vapor-permeable. |
| US08413385B2 |
Server shield
An electrical equipment rack, such as a computer server rack, with a protective shield to protect the electrical equipment rack and equipment thereon from water damage is described. In general, the shield is constructed of a curved polycarbonate shell fastened to an aluminum frame having arc-shaped end sections attached to spaced elongated side rails. The aluminum frame is attachable to threaded rod hangers of the type that are used in most server rack rooms. Multiple shields may be fastened together end-to-end to increase the length of the overall shield, to extend over the entire length of the server racks or cabinets needed to be protected. Gaskets such as neoprene seals are compressed between shield sections to prevent water from penetrating between the fastened sections. Deployable curtains are fastened to the elongated side rails to further protect the electrical equipment rack from water damage. |
| US08413384B2 |
Mobile folding choral riser with high-speed cylinder lift-assist mechanism and partially independent back railing linkage
The present invention provides a mobile folding choral riser having lift-assist and stability mechanisms. In particular, the choral riser includes a gas cylinder that provides a force tending to extend the cylinder to assist in folding the riser into a storage position, the cylinder providing substantially no force to resist rapid extension thereof. In addition, the choral riser preferably includes a back railing linkage that permits independent raising and lowering of a back railing member when the choral riser is in a use or partially folded position but constrains the back railing member to a raised position when the choral riser is in an at least substantially fully folded position. |
| US08413375B2 |
Compressed packaged articles and methods of making, transporting, shipping and using same
The present inventive concept(s) relates, in general, to articles that are packaged in a compressed state relative to an uncompressed fully articulated state and methods of making and using same. In a specific embodiment, but not to be considered as limiting, the articles so packaged in a compressed state are plant covers that are either substantially rigid and/or substantially flexible. |
| US08413370B2 |
Bedbug trap
A bedbug trap having at least a first plane panel of fibrous material and a second panel of fibrous material, the first panel having a zone covered in an adhesive for fastening to the second panel, the second panel including a strip of adhesive on at least one face, which adhesive strip is of a width that is less than the width of the first panel, and the first panel including a zone that is covered in an adhesive that is located at a distance from and facing the adhesive strip, wherein the second panel is plane, and the first and second panels are made of respective first and second portions of a single initial plane panel of fibrous material that is previously coated in adhesive and then folded in half so that the first portion and the second portion face each other, the adhesive strip extending over the second portion of the initial panel, being prolonged over the first portion of the initial panel, the fastening zone between the first and second portions of the initial panel being implemented by adhesive spots placed on the initial panel and of thickness greater than the thickness of the prolonged adhesive strip, thereby forming channels. |
| US08413369B1 |
Method and device for halting mole tunneling activity
This invention is directed to a device that blocks a mole tunnel and to a method of halting mole tunneling activity and preventing or interfering with further such activity by blocking the tunnel at point(s) along the tunnel. |
| US08413367B1 |
Trolling dodger
A dodger type type trolling attractor which imparts a start and stop motion to a lure or bait attached thereto during trolling. The dodger has a starboard side edge, a port side edge, a blunt leading edge, a rounded trailing edge, and a longitudinal centerline. A concave portion is located adjacent the trailing edge. A plurality of leading attachment openings are located adjacent the leading edge on the starboard side and port side of said longitudinal centerline, the leading attachment openings adapted to be attached to the outer end of a fishing line. A trailing attachment opening is located adjacent the trailing edge and is adapted to be attached to the outer end of a trailing leader line attached to a lure or bated hook. A mechanism to generate periodic noise during trolling is located adjacent the trailing edge. |
| US08413363B1 |
Firing pin stop disengagement mechanism and method of removing firing pin using the firing pin stop disengagement mechanism
A firing pin stop disengagement mechanism is provided to aid in removal of the firing pin stop for a pistol. The mechanism includes a firing pin mechanism having a plunger having a groove and a rear end, and a pivoting lever having a first end having a pawl to engage the radial groove and rear end and a second end. The second end has an exposed surface to receive a force to raise the pawl from away from the plunger. When the disengagement mechanism is in a locked position, the pawl is engaged in the radial groove and the plunger is seated in an aperture in the stop. When the disengagement mechanism is in an unlocked position, the pawl is engaged on the rear end of the plunger, and the plunger is displaced toward the firing pin such that the plunger is disengaged from the aperture in the stop. |
| US08413360B2 |
Combined bollard covering and advertising assembly
A bollard covering and advertisement assembly constructed to protect a bollard structure from damage incurred from various surface and structural degrading phenomena, and further include one or more advertising indicia to increase the visibility of the bollard structure and convey messages. |
| US08413357B1 |
Pet tags
Implementations of pet tags and related protective and alignment features. A pet tag may comprise a raised edge of a concave design, a recessed design or a bordered design. Single or multiple piece implementations may be used to protect an image to be marked on one or both sides of a pet tag. Implementations may comprise multiple pet tags pre-assembled or assembled after marking to further protect one or more images marked on the tags. Other implementations may comprise removable brackets to adapt the pet tags to particular marking kiosks. Still other implementations may comprise crystals embedded in the marking substrate with an additional substrate coupled to a rear side of the marking substrate. |
| US08413355B2 |
Solid state image pick-up device having lower well regions for device separation with higher implantation energy
P type semiconductor well regions 8 and 9 for device separation are provided in an upper and lower two layer structure in conformity with the position of a high sensitivity type photodiode PD, and the first P type semiconductor well region 8 at the upper layer is provided in the state of being closer to the pixel side than an end portion of a LOCOS layer 1A, for limiting a dark current generated at the end portion of the LOCOS layer 1A. In addition, the second P type semiconductor well region 9 at the lower layer is formed in a narrow region receding from the photodiode PD, so that the depletion layer of the photodiode PD is prevented from being obstructed, and the depletion is secured in a sufficiently broad region, whereby enhancement of the sensitivity of the photodiode PD can be achieved. |
| US08413351B1 |
Shoe system with removable covers
A shoe system featuring a base shoe in any size, style, or, shape, and a skin for wrapping around the base shoe. The skin may be constructed in a variety of styles, colors, materials, and designs for versatility. The skin attaches via a magnet system an in some embodiments, a notch is disposed on the tip of the skin. In some embodiments, tabs are disposed on the skin for inserting into seam notches in the back of the base shoe. |
| US08413348B2 |
Displacement measuring instrument
A displacement measuring instrument includes a spindle screwed to a stationary sleeve, a thimble, an operation sleeve, and a constant pressure mechanism. The constant pressure mechanism includes: a rotary driving element rotatable together with the operation sleeve; a rotary driven element coupled to the rotary driving element in such a manner as to be rotatable together with the rotary driving element but not to be rotatable when a predetermined or more load is applied to the spindle; and a rotation transmitting mechanism transmitting a rotation of the rotary driven element to the spindle. A male thread portion with the same pitch as that of a male thread portion of the spindle is formed on the outer circumference of the stationary sleeve. A female thread portion is formed on the inner circumference of the thimble and screwed to the male thread portion of the stationary sleeve. |
| US08413346B2 |
Device for centering an air inlet structure on a central structure of a nacelle
The invention relates to a device (50) for centering a movable structure (4) on a stationary structure (5) of a nacelle, comprising: a centering pin (52) mounted on a pin holder (54) attached onto the movable structure (4) or onto the stationary structure (5), the centering pin (52) having a central axis (56) and a receiving bore (60) mounted onto a bore holder (62) attached onto the stationary structure (5) or onto the movable structure (4), said receiving bore (60) being capable of receiving at least the centering pin (52), characterized in that the centering device (50) also comprises a movable interface system, capable of overlapping the central axis (56) of the centering pin (52) and the central axis of said interface system or of the receiving bore (60) and capable of receiving said centering pin (52) in a central opening, and a locking means capable of locking said interface system. The invention also relates to a nacelle including such a device (50). |
| US08413340B2 |
Safety guard for power saw
A safety guard assembly for use on a handheld power saw is disclosed. The assembly includes a safety guard, a locking mechanism, and a weight. The safety guard is swingably mounted on the hood of the saw. The locking mechanism allows the guard to be swung to an open position and locked in position. In a kick-back situation, the locking mechanism quickly releases. The weight forces the guard to swing rapidly down over the guard, thereby providing protection from the saw blade. |
| US08413338B2 |
Folding knife with safety and wedge lock
A folding knife includes a handle, an axle coupled to a first end of the handle, and a blade rotatably coupled to the axle. The blade includes a working portion and a tang, the blade having an open position in which the working portion extends from the handle and a closed position in which the working portion is substantially received within the handle. The folding knife further includes a lock having a locked position in which the lock prevents rotation of the blade and an unlocked position in which the lock permits rotation of the blade. The knife further includes a spring arm in the handle and a safety coupled to the handle, the safety having a first position in which the safety deflects the spring arm into the path of the lock to maintain the lock in the locked position and a second position in which the safety permits the lock to move from the locked position to the unlocked position. |
| US08413337B2 |
Dual front utility knife with interlock
A utility knife includes a handle, a first blade holder assembly, a second blade holder assembly, and an interlock assembly. The handle includes an opening at a front end. The first blade holder assembly is constructed and arranged to hold a first blade at a position of use wherein the first blade projects through the opening at the front end of the handle, and to retract the first blade into the handle. The second blade holder assembly is constructed and arranged to hold a second blade at a position of use wherein the second blade projects through the opening at the front end of the handle, and to retract the second blade into the handle. The interlock assembly constructed and arranged to allow only one of the first blade and the second blade to project through the opening at the front end of the handle. |
| US08413336B2 |
Structure of a cutting tool
An improved structure of a cutting tool includes a body, a moving base, and a roller base. The body has a track groove whose one side is extended upward with a stopping wall. The moving base is disposed to slide in the track groove and mounted with a cutting wheel. The moving base is connected with a transmission element so as to move along the track groove. The roller base is disposed between the moving base and the stopping wall. More than one elastic element is disposed between the roller base and the stopping wall. The elastic elements generate a deviation when the roller base is under a force. The roller base has at least two rollers corresponding to the cutting wheel. |
| US08413331B2 |
Earbud and method of manufacture
An earbud (10) for carrying sound from a source (16) to a person's ear canal, includes a soft foam body (20) and a sleeve (26) of stiffer material lying within the body. The body is molded around the sleeve and is chemically bonded to the sleeve without an adhesive between them. The earbud is molded around the sleeve by placing the sleeve on a mandrel pin (42) within a mold cavity (32) placing foamable material in the mold and closing the mold. The mold has shoulders with one mold shoulder (52) that abuts one end (46) of the sleeve and another mold shoulder (60) that lies within 0.1 millimeter of the other sleeve end (62), to prevent foaming material from leaking into the space (64) between the mandrel pin and the sleeve passage. |
| US08413330B2 |
Longitudinally ground file having increased resistance to torsional and cyclic fatigue failure
A method of producing an endodontic file that involves grinding in a plane substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of a rotating dental instrument blank. By grinding the dental instrument blank in this manner, the torsional strength of the resulting endodontic file is not eroded during its production, thereby providing a file that is less susceptible to breakage during its use. |
| US08413329B2 |
Compressed gas cartridge lance housing
The present invention minimizes the assembly time of a dispenser head by inserting a rigid seal retaining element. The seal retaining element comes in different configurations thus allowing a variety of compressed gas cartridge dispensing options. Additional features are integrated into a molded dispenser head thus requiring fewer components to accomplish a useable dispenser thus reducing manufacturing costs. Reliance on conformable plastic allows for relaxed dimensional tolerances. This method of making a dispenser head can equally apply to threaded or non-threaded lance housings. |
| US08413328B2 |
Method of manufacturing flow channel substrate for liquid ejection head
A method of manufacturing a flow channel substrate, includes the steps of: forming two uneven shapes on a substrate in such a manner that the two uneven shapes follow a liquid flow channel at perimeters of a location where the liquid flow channel is to be formed and the two uneven shapes are configured to prevent a dissolvable resin forming a sacrificial layer from spreading during a heat treatment; forming, between the two uneven shapes on the substrate, the sacrificial layer which is made of the dissolvable resin and has a shape of the liquid flow channel; applying, by the heat treatment, a rounded shape to a corner section of the sacrificial layer on a side which is not in contact with the substrate; forming a coating resin layer on the substrate and the sacrificial layer; patterning the coating resin layer; and dissolving the dissolvable resin forming the sacrificial layer. |
| US08413327B2 |
Method of manufacturing print head and print head
A checker array print head is able to output an image with possible white or black stripes made unnoticeable even when the conveyance direction of a print medium with respect to the ink jet print head is skewed. A first chip located on an upstream side in a conveyance direction (X direction) and a second chip located on a downstream side in the conveyance direction are arranged such that a dot printed via the first chip and a dot printed via the second chip are printed at intervals shorter than a print resolution in an ejection port arrangement direction (Y direction). Thus, even if the conveyance direction of the print medium is skewed by meandering thereof or the like, possible white stripes, which are particularly noticeable, can be inhibited. |
| US08413326B2 |
Assembling method for timing system of engine
Disclosed is an assembling method for a timing system of an engine to wind a timing chain (30) around a sprocket (20) attached to a crankshaft (18) and a sprocket (24, 28) attached to a camshaft (22, 26). The assembling method comprises the steps of: winding the timing chain (30) around the respective sprockets (20, 24, 28) while aligning a reference mark provided on a respective one of the sprockets (20, 24, 28), with a corresponding one of alignment marks provided on the timing chain (30) in associated relation with respective ones of the reference marks; preliminarily assembling, to an engine body (12), a chain guide (32) adapted to be brought into contact with a tight side (30a) of the timing chain (30); positioning the crankshaft (18) and the camshaft (22, 26) at corresponding reference phase positions; and finally assembling the preliminarily-assembled chain guide (32) to the engine body (12), while bringing the chain guide (32) into contact with the tight side (30a) of the timing chain (30) with a given pushing force. |
| US08413325B2 |
Method of forming connector with isolated conductive paths
A method of forming a connector with isolated conductive paths can include using a flexible member. An example of a method of forming a connector with isolated conductive paths can include forming a bulkhead assembly including two-or-more isolated bulkhead conductive paths. A non-bulkhead assembly can be formed including two-or-more isolated non-bulkhead conductive paths. A flexible coupling can be formed between each of the two-or-more isolated bulkhead conductive paths and each of the two-or-more isolated non-bulkhead conductive paths to form a flexible connector. Another example method can include assembling, at least partially, a connector having a groove, securing a flexible member in the groove, and flowing solder into the flexible member in the groove. Additional methods and associated apparatus and systems are disclosed. |
| US08413319B2 |
Apparatus for forming elongated composite tubular
A method and apparatus for forming an elongate tubular from a composite material. The composite material includes fibers and epoxy resin that are disposed around an elongated mandrel. The fibers are wound around the outer circumference of the mandrel and the epoxy resin may be applied to the fibers, before, during, or after, being wound onto the mandrel. A trough is provided that supports the mandrel between ends of the mandrel. An example trough includes a flexible membrane supported on its lateral ends to resemble a catenary. |
| US08413318B2 |
Method for manufacturing armature core
A method for manufacturing an armature core is provided, in which a plurality of split cores, which are formed by laminating core pieces produced through punching by punching dies, are coupled together to form an annular shape as a whole, so as to manufacture one armature core. The method includes: preparing a plurality of sets of the split cores, each set having three split cores, so as to form one armature core; and arranging the three split cores in each set at intervals of 120° in the circumferential direction. The three split cores in each set are formed by core pieces that have been punched by the same part of the same punching die. |
| US08413317B1 |
Method for fabricating a structure for a microelectric device
A method and system for fabricating a microelectric device are described. A write pole of an energy assisted magnetic recording head or a capacitor might be fabricated. The method includes depositing a resist film and curing the resist film at a temperature of at least 180 degrees centigrade. A cured resist film capable of supporting a line having an aspect ratio of at least ten is thus provided. A portion of the cured resist film is removed. A remaining portion of the resist film forms the line. An insulating or nonmagnetic layer is deposited after formation of the line. The line is removed to provide a trench in the insulating or nonmagnetic layer. The trench has a height and a width. The height divided by the width corresponds to the aspect ratio. At least part of the structure is provided in the trench. |
| US08413315B2 |
Method of manufacturing rotor of a rotating electrical machine
A rotor of a rotating electrical machine is provided in which neither deterioration nor fluctuation in the cogging torque is caused and that causes neither physical enlargement nor cost increase. The rotor of a rotating electrical machine, provided with a plurality of magnetic poles 3 that are fixed on a rotor iron core 2 and arranged spaced apart from one another in the circumferential direction of the rotor iron core 2, is characterized by including a tube-shaped non-magnetic ring 4 mounted on the outer circumferential surfaces of the plurality of magnetic poles 3, and characterized in that the non-magnetic ring has a plurality of inner-diameter bulging portions 41 that abut on the corresponding outer circumferential surfaces of the plurality of magnetic poles. |
| US08413310B2 |
Method of assembling pushbuttons by positioning the bodies in the conveying path
A method of assembling pushbuttons for a liquid dispensing system, in which each pushbutton comprises an actuation body and at least one other component assembled with said body in a given position, said method making provision for using bodies on which a positioning cavity is formed, and continuously supplying a station for assembling the bodies and the other components by means of a path for conveying said bodies, said path having a complementary profile intended to cooperate with the cavities in order to carry out the positioning of said bodies in said conveying path, so as to carry out the assembly of the other components on the bodies thus positioned during their conveying to the assembly station. The invention also concerns an installation for implementing this method, and a pushbutton assembled by implementing said method. |
| US08413309B2 |
Fluid filtration system
A fluid filtration device includes a tubular external shell assembled with first and second end plates. A cartridge plate is secured to the shell between the first and second end plates, such that the first end plate and the cartridge plate define a filtration chamber, and the second end plate and the cartridge plate define an outlet chamber. The cartridge plate includes a plurality of apertures configured to receive a plurality of filter elements assembled thereto. An inlet port intersects the filtration chamber, and an outlet port intersects the outlet chamber. The cartridge plate is secured to the shell by a laterally split, outwardly resilient retaining band received in interlocking engagement with a corresponding inner circumferential groove in the shell, the inner circumferential groove being positioned adjacent to the cartridge plate, such that the installed retaining band prevents longitudinal movement of the cartridge plate toward the second end plate. |
| US08413306B2 |
Fastener products
A fastener product includes an elongate strap, projections molded of resin extending from a first region of the strap, and a head element molded of resin extending from a second region of the strap. The head element includes a hole sized to receive an end of the strap. |
| US08413305B2 |
Circular comb
Circular comb for a combing machine for combing textile fibers, comprising a base body with a center longitudinal axis, a peripheral surface and two end faces, a plurality of bar tacks, which are arranged on the peripheral surface of the base body and define a combing region of the circular comb, a plurality of fastening devices attached to the base body for the non-positive connection of one of the bar tacks in each case to the base body and unlocking units to release the non-positive connections, each unlocking unit having an unlocking device and an unlocking means to actuate the unlocking device, wherein the unlocking units are accessible from outside the combing region, in particular from at least one of the end faces, and an additional positive securing connection to secure the bar tacks is provided on the base body. |
| US08413301B2 |
Universal box lid lifter
A universal box lid lifter has an upper mounting plate, an upper connection piece, a pivoting arm, a spring housing, a spring assembly, a lower connection piece and a lower mounting plate. The upper connection piece has two ends oriented in two directions and is pivotally mounted between the upper mounting plate, with the pivoting arm respectively pivotable in two directions. The spring assembly is mounted in the spring housing and abuts against the pivoting arm and alternately positions the pivoting arm. The lower connection piece has two ends oriented in two directions and is pivotally mounted between the lower mounting plate, with the spring housing respectively pivotable in two directions. Given the bidirectionally pivotable mechanism at both ends of the universal box lid lifter, the universal box lid lifters of a single type can be flexibly mounted to a box as requested to lift the lid of the box. |
| US08413300B1 |
Gate hinge
A gate hinge to facilitate wide angular rotation between a gate and the fence post to which it is attached can be fabricated from a vertically oriented hinge pin having a transverse hole near the top of the pin and a threaded attachment pin affixed to the bottom of the hinge pin for secure attachment to the fence post. A hinge round adjustably attached to a vertical member of the gate and positioned to encircle the hinge pin provides support for the gate and permits the gate to swing and rotate about the hinge pin in a hinge-like fashion. The hinge pin and hinge round are securely mated by inserting a security pin, sized to fit, through the hole in the top of the hinge pin. |
| US08413299B2 |
Hinge for door or window
A hinge for mounting a door-panel or window sash to a fixed jamb element has two leaves pivoted together about an axis. One of the leaves is adapted for attachment directly to an edge of one of the elements. A housing is recessed in the other of the elements and has a pair of generally parallel and vertical side walls with inner faces defining a horizontally open cavity. A bar is shiftable in the cavity horizontally perpendicular to the side walls and vertically. At least one fastener releasably securing the other of the leaves to the bar. A pair of spindles extending perpendicular to the side walls in the cavity are threaded into the bar and have opposite ends bearing on the inner faces of the side walls so that rotation of the spindles shifts the bar perpendicular to the side walls. |
| US08413292B2 |
Windshield wiper assembling structure for preventing loose attachment of driven wiper arm
A windshield wiper assembling structure for preventing loose attachment of a driven wiper arm assembles the driven wiper arm having a hook arm on a windshield wiper fixing stage. The windshield wiper assembling structure includes an assembling stage and a positioning stage. The assembling stage has a through groove, an elastic blocking slice, and a first fastening groove which is formed at one side edge of the elastic blocking slice. The first fastening groove fastens on the windshield wiper fixing stage. The assembling stage has a containing groove on a top surface thereof to accommodate the hook arm. The positioning stage has a cover cap and a positioning arm which is extended from the cover cap. The positioning arm has a second fastening groove corresponding to the first fastening groove. The second fastening groove fastens on the windshield wiper fixing stage and corresponding to the first fastening groove. |
| US08413290B1 |
Trowel with removable texture skin
One embodiment of a thin, flat texture skin for attachment to the blade of a trowel and of the type having at one edge a slot (3) which communicates with a gripping aperture (4). The opening has a notch (5) to allow handle support attached to inserted blade to pass beyond the edge of the tool. The corners (6) of the bottom (8) and edges (9) are rounded and tapered toward the top (7). The bottom (8) and edges (9) are imparted a texture transferable to surfaces. Other embodiments are described as shown. |
| US08413289B1 |
Multiple paint roller holder
The multiple paint roller holder includes a roller frame and a handle connected to the roller frame. The handle is preferably connected to the frame by a bent or angled neck to place the handle in a raised position. The roller frame includes an upper cross member having corresponding upper roller holding pins, a lower cross member having corresponding lower roller holding pins, and an center beam interconnecting the upper and lower cross members. Each pair of upper roller holding pin and lower roller holding pin rotatably holds a paint roller therebetween. The upper cross member includes members pivotally joined end-to-end in a U-shaped saddle at the upper end of the center beam by a setscrew. |
| US08413288B2 |
Paint roller cover supports with friction rings
Paint roller cover supports include axially spaced substantially rigid portions for supporting roller covers thereon and elastomeric material interposed between the substantially rigid portions that is compressed during axial movement of the substantially rigid portions toward one another to cause the elastomeric material to expand radially outward into frictional engagement with the inner diameter of a surrounding roller cover. In one form of the invention, the substantially rigid portions are comprised of a plurality of substantially rigid plastic rings and the elastomeric material comprises elastomeric rings interposed between the substantially rigid rings. In another form of the invention, the substantially rigid portions are formed by a helix of substantially rigid plastic material having a helical groove along the length of the helix containing the elastomeric material. |
| US08413287B2 |
Golf equipment cleaning method and device
A method and device for cleaning golf equipment while on the golf course, the device being mounted to, and rotating in conjunction with, a golf cart wheel. |
| US08413286B2 |
Illuminated flashing toothbrush and method of use
A toothbrush can include a handle and a head. At least one bristle can be attached to the head. The toothbrush can also have an illumination member, an illumination circuit and an activation device. The activation device can include two contact members fixed in a non-contact position on an outside of the handle. A method can include causing conduction between the contact members to activate the illumination circuit. The toothbrush can be an electric toothbrush. The electric toothbrush can have an illumination member positioned such that light from the illumination member can be seen by a user in a mirror facing the user. |
| US08413285B2 |
Electronic toothbrush
The electronic toothbrush (10) includes a brush head (20) having an implantation area where bristles (22) for brushing of teeth are fixed and a handle (21) configured to carry the brush head (20). The brush head (20) includes a brush electrode exposed on its surface. The brush electrode includes a first electrode (23) located in the implantation area where the bristles (22) are fixed and a second electrode (242) located in a non-implantation area where no bristles (22) are fixed. The handle (30) includes a handle electrode (32) exposed on its surface. The handle (30) is configured to house a power source (35) for applying a voltage between the handle electrode (32) and each of the first electrode (23) and the second electrode (242). The bristles (22) are fixed directly to the first electrode (24). |
| US08413280B2 |
Ramp assemblies, connection devices for ramps, support structures for ramps and methods for loading and unloading a vehicle
This invention includes a connection device for securing a ramp to a vehicle. The connection device has a bracket with an upper surface opposite a lower surface. The bracket is configured to be releasably secured to the ramp. A pivot pin extends from the lower surface of the bracket has an end spaced from the bracket. The end of the pivot pin is configured to be received in an opening of a cargo bed in the vehicle. The bracket is capable of being pivoted about the pivot pin along a pivot axis defined by the pivot pin. |
| US08413275B1 |
Back relaxing device
An easy back relaxing device. The device has three contour sections along the vertical axis and three contour sections long the horizontal axis. Along the vertical axis, one section is shaped to match and support a human lumbar spine, one section is shaped to match and support a human thoracic spine, and one section is shaped to match and support a human cervical spine. Along the horizontal axis, two side sections are for back aliment, and the middle section is lightly protruding for exerting pressure on spine hot points. |
| US08413265B1 |
Glove with retractable ice pick
A glove comprising integrated features specifically designed for use while ice fishing is herein disclosed. An outer covering comprises a durable material of construction, such as leather, that stands up to the rigors of ice fishing and is also coated with a flexible plastic coating to help keep a user's hands dry. The glove is lined for warmth. A finger tip region of the glove is left open to allow the passage of a user's digits, thereby allowing dexterity when tying lures or handling fishing line. A palm region comprises an integral and retractable ice pick, which extends outward from the side of the palm, opposite the thumb, and is automatically gripped when the user closes their hand and makes a fist. The pick is extended by a spring-loaded mechanism that the user locks in place for safety. As such, the ice pick can be used to safely pick through any ice at a fishing hole or be used for similar ice-related tasks. |
| US08418259B2 |
TPM-based license activation and validation
A Trusted Activation License (TAL) can be comprised of a key unique to a Trusted Platform Module (TPM) and identifying information of the software applications bundled with the computing device having that TPM. To activate the software applications, the identifying information in the TAL can be compared against that of the software applications being activated, and the unique TPM key in the TAL can be compared against that of the TPM on the computing device on which the activation is taking place. Subsequent validations can be based on a protected association between the TAL and an Attestation Identity Key (AIK) that can be generated by the TPM as part of the activation step. Optionally, Platform Configuration Registers (PCRs) of the TPM can be periodically changed during validation to protect against useage of one TPM for validations on multiple computing devices. |
| US08418253B2 |
Application data usage management system for an electronic device
An IP server sends e-mail to a mobile device MS. This e-mail includes an application specifier that specifies startup of a Java application stored in mobile device MS and a data specifier that includes data used in operations executed by mobile device MS in accordance with a Java application. On the other hand, the ADF for the Java application stored in mobile device MS includes trusted source data containing a plurality of e-mail addresses that indicate trusted origins. Mobile device MS compares the e-mail transmission origin address with the trusted source data. Mobile device MS, only in the case where the transmission origin address of the received e-mail is included in the trusted source data, starts up a Java application based on an application specifier included in said e-mail, and uses data included in said data specifier in operations executed by that Java application. |
| US08418250B2 |
Methods and apparatus for dealing with malware
In one aspect, a method of classifying a computer object as malware includes receiving at a base computer data about a computer object from each of plural remote computers on which the object or similar objects are stored. The data about the computer object received from the plural computers is compared in the base computer. The computer object is classified as malware on the basis of said comparison. In one embodiment, the data about the computer object includes one or more of: executable instructions contained within or constituted by the object; the size of the object; the name of the object; the logical storage location or path of the object on the respective remote computers; the vendor of the object; the software product and version associated with the object; and, events initiated by or involving the object when the object is created, configured or runs on the respective remote computers. |
| US08418249B1 |
Class discovery for automated discovery, attribution, analysis, and risk assessment of security threats
A method for profiling network traffic of a network. The method includes obtaining a signature library comprising a plurality of signatures corresponding to a plurality of behavioral models, generating, based on a first pre-determined criterion, a group behavioral model associated with the signature library, wherein the group behavioral model represents a common behavior of a plurality of historical flows identified from the network traffic, wherein each of the plurality of signatures correlates to a subset of the plurality of historical flows, selecting a flow in the network traffic for including in a target flow set, wherein the flow matches the group behavioral model without matching any of the plurality of behavioral models, analyzing the target flow set to generate a new signature, and adding the new signature to the signature library. Further, each behavioral model is generated from a kernel constructed using boosting of decision tree learning methods. |
| US08418246B2 |
Geographical threat response prioritization mapping system and methods of use
Systems and methods for mapping threats (or vulnerabilities to attacks) based on a correlation of location data, such as wireless location data or a physical location, with an network address associated with a threat are provided. In one aspect, methods and systems include receiving threat data, retrieving location data, correlating the threat data with the location data to create map data, and generating a map, based on the map data, displaying a geographical location of the threat. Threat locations may be determined for wired and wireless telecommunications systems. |
| US08418245B2 |
Method and system for detecting obfuscatory pestware in a computer memory
A method and system for detecting obfuscatory pestware in a computer memory is described. One illustrative embodiment identifies, within an executable object, a reference to a known procedure, the known procedure having a fixed address in the computer memory; and searches for a predetermined check value at a known offset relative to an address, in the computer memory, of the reference to the known procedure. |
| US08418242B2 |
Method, system, and device for negotiating SA on IPv6 network
A method, system, and device for negotiating a security association (SA) on an Internet Protocol version 6 (IPv6) network are disclosed. In this method, the initiator and the responder generate an SA through the interaction of two messages. Compared with the conventional procedure for setting up an SA based on the Internet Key Exchange Protocol (IKE), the interaction procedure in the present invention is simplified significantly. Therefore, the negotiation is faster and more convenient. In addition, with the present invention, cryptographically generated address parameters (CGA Params) are carried in the message and the CGA may be verified so that the invader cannot spoof the address. |
| US08418241B2 |
Method and system for traffic engineering in secured networks
Aspects of a method and system for traffic engineering in an IPSec secured network are provided. In this regard, a node in a network may be authenticated as a trusted third party and that trusted third party may be enabled to acquire security information shared between or among a plurality of network entities. In this manner, the trusted third party may parse, access and operate on IPSec encrypted traffic communicated between or among the plurality of network entities. Shared security information may comprise one or more session keys utilized for encrypting and/or decrypting the IPSec secured traffic. The node may parse IPSec traffic and identify a flow associated with the IPsec traffic. In this manner, the node may generate and/or communicate statistics pertaining to said IPSec secured traffic based on the flow with which the traffic is associated. |
| US08418239B2 |
Authentication method, authentication device and information processor
Authentication processing is easily performed on a device used as a node in a network. Upon the authentication of a terminal used as the node in the network, when the terminal can communicate with another terminal, the terminal sends an electronic certificate of the terminal per se to the other terminal and requests the other terminal to perform an authentication process of the terminal per se. Conversely, when the terminal cannot communicate with any other terminal, the terminal outputs the electronic certificate of the terminal per se to an authentication device and requests the authentication device to perform authentication of the terminal per se. The authentication device performs authentication of the terminal based on the outputted electronic certificate. |
| US08418236B1 |
System and method for streaming application isolation
A system, method, computer program and/or computer readable medium for providing streaming of one or more applications from streaming servers onto one or more clients. The computer readable medium includes computer-executable instructions for execution by a processing system. The one or more applications are contained within one or move isolated environments, and the isolated environments are streamed from the servers onto clients. The system may include authentication of the streaming servers and authentication of clients and credentialing of the isolated environments and applications the clients are configured to run. The system may further include encrypted communication between the streaming servers and the clients. The system may further include a management interface where administrators may add, remove and configure isolated environments, configure client policies and credentials, and force upgrades. The streamed isolated environments may be isolated from other applications and the host operating system on the clients and applications within the isolated environments may run without performing an application-installation on the client. |
| US08418233B1 |
Rule based extensible authentication
A system, apparatus, and method are directed to managing access to a resource using rule-based deep packet extractions of a credential. A network device, such as a traffic management device, is situated between a client device and a server device. When the client device sends a request for a resource, the request is intercepted by the network device. The network device may employ a multi-layer deep packet extraction of the credential from the request. The network device may then use the credential to determine whether the request enabled to access the resource. Based, in part, on a variety of rules, the network device may deny access, enable access, route the request to a different server, or the like. In one embodiment, the network device may receive a rule from another device that directs the network device to request a different credential. |
| US08418231B2 |
Methods, systems, and computer program products for managing media content by capturing media content at a client device and storing the media content at a network accessible media repository
Media content is managed by defining a list of authorized recipients in a network accessible security information repository, recording media content at a client device, obtaining the list of authorized recipients at the client device, associating at least one of the authorized recipients with the media content, and transmitting the media content along with information identifying the at least one of the authorized recipients associated therewith from the client device to a network accessible media repository for storage therein. The media content includes audio, video, and/or image content. |
| US08418230B1 |
Apparatus and method for mobile communications and computing
A wireless computing and communications device comprises a baseband processor configured to implement operations providing access to a wireless communications network, and an application processor configured to execute user applications. A communications management processor communicates with the baseband processor and the application processor by respective first and second communications channels. The communications management processor is configured to operate in a separate security domain from the application processor, and to mediate all access to the wireless communications network by the user applications. |
| US08418216B2 |
Forecasting and cable television network—planning of narrowcast services
A method and a non-transitory computer readable medium for evaluating a configuration change of a cable television network, the method may include: receiving, a model of a cable television network, the cable television network comprises multiple service groups, multiple transmitters and at least one session management unit; wherein each service group comprises multiple user devices; receiving or generating, viewers' activity information about viewing patterns of viewers that belong to the multiple service groups; receiving a request to perform a requested change in a current configuration of the cable television network; simulating, by a simulator, based on the model, the viewers' activity information and the requested change, a provision of services to the multiple service groups given the requested change to provide simulation results that represent an effect of the requested change, prior to a deployment of the change in the cable television network. |
| US08418210B2 |
Satellite television system ground station having wideband multi-channel LNB converter/transmitter architecture with controlled uplink transmission
A satellite television ground system, particularly for a make or break satellite television signal system, includes an outdoor unit and an indoor unit that are in communication with each other via a single coaxial cable and an optional separate single conductor for power. The satellite television ground system is operative to measure and reverse frequency conversion errors utilizing DSP techniques, allowing for more precise generation and transmission of uplink signals from the satellite television ground system. Control data for the system is sent via a low data rate connection on a power cable thereof, or by a narrowband signaling channel via a coax cable. The system also utilizes a single reference oscillator to drive the various frequency synthesizers and the like. The satellite television ground system utilizes related oscillators for the uplink and downlink sections. Carrier frequency offset in the downlink is measured in a carrier tracking loop part of a television signal demodulator. The carrier frequency offset of the downlink is utilized to synthesize various frequency signals for the uplink and downlink sections to correct frequency errors. For the uplink section, the carrier frequency offset of the downlink is reversed in the uplink. If the uplink is on a different frequency, the measured offset of the system master oscillator can be scaled by different synthesizer ratios. |
| US08418208B2 |
Electronic television program guide schedule system and method with remote product ordering
An electronic program schedule system with product ordering capability which includes a data processor for receiving program schedule information for a plurality of programs, and a user control apparatus, such as a remote controller, for generating user control commands and transmitting signals to the data processor in response thereto. The program schedule information indicates the availability of a product or service for certain of the programs included in the program information. The viewer utilizes the remote control apparatus for placing an order for the product or service. The data processor receives the user control commands and generates an order for the product or service. |
| US08418202B2 |
Method and system for providing on-demand viewing
A method and system relating to an on-demand listings guide which is easy to use and that provides true on-demand viewing capabilities. One aspect of the method and system relates to electronically displaying an on-demand listings guide which includes information relating to at least one series and information relating to a plurality of episodes available on-demand from the series. |
| US08418200B2 |
Method of acquiring program guide information, program guide method appropriate for the same, and program guide apparatus
A method and apparatus of acquiring program guide information for a digital television receiver. There is provided a digital television signal receiver, including: a tuner to receive a digital television transport stream (TS) which includes audio, video, and program information; an extractor to extract the program information from the received TS; a storage to store the extracted program information; a processor to access the storage to generate a channel list based on the stored program information stored in the storage, where the channel list comprises at least one channel number and the at least one channel number comprises at least one main channel number; and a user interface to allow a user to navigate the channel list to search a channel number, wherein if the at least one main channel number has a corresponding sub-channel number, the sub-channel number can be listed after the at least one main channel number. |
| US08418198B2 |
System and method for sending advertising data based on data associated with video data
A computer readable medium is disclosed containing computer executable instructions that when executed by a computer perform a method, the method including but not limited to monitoring video data for advertising data keys; correlating the advertising data keys with penetration data for an end user; and selecting advertising data for the end user based on the correlation. A system is disclosed that is useful in performing the method. A data structure embedded in a computer readable medium is disclosed that contains data used by the system and method. |
| US08418197B2 |
Method and apparatus for browser based advertisement insertion
Content is downloaded to a mobile handheld device (MHD) and buffered on the MHD prior to, and during, viewing. Normal wireless bandwidth varies with atmospheric conditions, distance, obstructions in the path, etc. and hence the speed at which a content-buffer (CB) on the MHD is replenished changes. Because this can result in very low quality viewing experience for the user, the capability for alternate content scheduling provided a micro-splicer is used to enable stored alternate-content or advertisement insertion during periods of low viewing quality, when the CB does not hold sufficient content during the viewing period. This alternate content insertion allows the CB to be refilled before the user resumes content viewing. |
| US08418196B2 |
Interactive content with enhanced network operator control
A method and apparatus are described that provide enhanced network operator control. According to one aspect of the present invention, a method comprises determining at a head-end and data center whether to inform one or more users of an interactive television service of available content, the one or more users connected with head-end and data center via a network. Responsive to determining to inform the one or more users of the available content, generating a hot key signal indicating availability and a location of the alternate content. The hot key signal is inserted into a content signal transmitted to the one or more users from the head-end and data center via the network. |
| US08418191B2 |
Application flow control apparatus
An apparatus receives a first message based on a transmission trigger when receiving the transmission trigger indicating a transmission of the first message containing flow definition information for specifying an execution sequence of a plurality of applications performing a cooperative processing; calls an application to be executed according to the flow definition information contained in the first message; and transmits the second message containing the flow definition information and a result of execution by the called application to the transmission addressee executing the next application. |
| US08418190B2 |
Responsive user interface with background application logic for working on an object
A user interface can be maintained in a responsive state on a user interface thread while synchronous application logic is running on a background thread. The application logic can access an object on the background thread, and the user interface can access the same object on the user interface thread. Additionally, a request for work to be done on an object can be received. If the request is to be dispatched to a background thread, then the work can be dispatched to the background thread without blocking the user interface thread. However, if the request is to be dispatched to the user interface thread, then the work can be dispatched to the user interface thread, and the background thread can be blocked. |
| US08418183B2 |
Resource information collection and delivery method and system
A resource use device that sends a resource information evaluation expression, which is a criterion for selecting resources, to a resource providing device. The resource providing device evaluates resource information on a resource using the resource information evaluation expression, adds a resource information value, which is the result of evaluation, to resource information and delivers the resource information to the resource use device. |
| US08418179B2 |
Multi-thread runtime system
A runtime system implemented in accordance with the present invention provides an application platform for parallel-processing computer systems. Such a runtime system enables users to leverage the computational power of parallel-processing computer systems to accelerate/optimize numeric and array-intensive computations in their application programs. This enables greatly increased performance of high-performance computing (HPC) applications. |
| US08418177B2 |
Virtual machine and/or multi-level scheduling support on systems with asymmetric processor cores
Different processor cores in a computing device can support different features. In one or more embodiments, the features supported by each of multiple physical processor cores of a computing device are identified. A set of one or more features of the multiple physical processor cores to make available to virtual processor cores of the virtual machine are determined based at least in part on both the one or more features supported by each of the multiple physical processor cores and a number of virtual processor cores of the virtual machine. In additional embodiments, a multi-level scheduling model is used. An operating system level scheduler of an operating system schedules multiple applications for execution on multiple processor cores, and a user level scheduler of an application schedules application threads of that application for execution on one or more of the multiple processor cores. |
| US08418149B2 |
Differential comparison system and method
A method and computer program product for monitoring the chronological order in which one or more portions of a first instance of a computer program are executed, thus generating a first data file. The chronological order in which one or more portions of a second instance of the computer program are executed is monitored, thus generating a second data file. The first and second data files are compared. |
| US08418146B2 |
Sampling techniques for dynamic data-race detection
This document describes a dynamic data race detector that utilizes adaptive sampling techniques. The adaptive sampling techniques include locating threads during execution of a multi-threaded program and identifying thread-specific hot paths, thread-specific cold paths and lockset paths during execution of the program. Once these paths are identified, they are sampled, potentially at different rates. Any information gained during the sampling may be stored in a data race log, which a developer may use to correct any identified program bugs. |
| US08418137B2 |
Adaptive evolutionary computer software products
The invention concerns a method for automatically adapting a computer program product to an environment, the computer program product comprising executable parts and data parts, the method comprising the steps of configuring the computer program product for the environment and executing the software in the environment. Furthermore the method comprises the steps of observing effects of the execution, i.e. metering the behavior, of the executable parts, analyzing the inter-relation of the observed effects with the software, and modifying executable parts based on rules in order to reduce undesirable observed effects like in-efficiency or failure. The present invention relates also to the automatically adapting computer program product, and a method for manufacturing the automatically adapting computer program product. |
| US08418135B2 |
Method and apparatus to abstract away rule languages
Some embodiments of a method and an apparatus to abstract away rule languages from a rule engine have been presented. In one embodiment, rules written in a first rule language are parsed into descriptor classes, which are used to model concepts that can be expressed in a rule engine. An intermediate structure is generated from the parsed rules. The intermediate structure is input to a core of the rule engine, which is operable to execute the rules. |
| US08418133B2 |
Method and apparatus for executing software applications
Consumer electronic devices, such as e.g. high-definition movie players for removable storage media such as optical discs, may provide possibilities for advanced interactivity for the user, implemented as software applications. A question arising generally with such software applications is what the life cycle of such an application is, and who may control it. The invention provides a method for executing software applications within a playback device for audio-video data, wherein data from a first removable storage medium are read for a software application to be executed within said playback device, and the data comprise an indication defining a termination condition for the application. Based on said termination code and depending on how the medium holding the application is ejected, the application is terminated or may survive. |
| US08418130B2 |
Managing comments associated with computer code
Methods and arrangements to manage comment data that is associated with computer executable code are provided. Comment data associated with a line or lines of executable code can be stored, and a tag can be assigned to the comment, data or the line(s) of code. When it is desired to locate, information about lines of code, tags allow for an improved way to search for the desired lines of code. Thus, in response to a user query for information, a search engine can locate a specific tag or groups of tags and display code and comments associated with the located tag(s). |
| US08418126B2 |
Software factory semantic reconciliation of data models for work packets
A method, system, and computer-readable medium is presented for maintaining and supporting a semantic reconciliation of canonical data model exchange formats in support of software factory workflow management, state determination governing model transformations, and tool enabled processes across software development roles and methodologies used by a software factory. |
| US08418124B2 |
Method and apparatus for software policy management
A system and method for software policy management are provided. A compiled policy-enabled software application includes a policy enforcement point to export an information element to a policy manager. The policy manager includes a policy interpreter having a policy decision point to perform policy decision making based on the received information element from the policy enforcement point. Through a plurality of policy decision points, the policy manager can execute a wide range of policies for different compiled software applications. Policies can be modified centrally in the policy interpreter and changes can affect either one or more of the policy-enabled software applications. A policy manager browser can create and manage the policy decision making performed by the policy interpreter. |
| US08418123B2 |
Software development production management system, computer program, and recording medium
A software development production management system having a processor, which is enhanced in reliability by reducing a different between an evaluation of an actual development and a formed plan. A management database holds both development process component data necessary to model a development process of software and estimation parameter data used to estimate a development plan of the software. The software development production management device compares and evaluates, upon completion of the software development, an actually performed development process and the previously created software development plan, and makes a correction to the estimation parameter data as needed to feed details of the actually conducted software development back to the next development plan. |
| US08418117B2 |
Chip-level ECO shrink
In a method of forming an integrated circuit, a layout of a chip representation including a first intellectual property (IP) is provided. Cut lines that overlap, and extend out from, edges of the first IP, are generated. The cut lines divide the chip representation into a plurality of circuit regions. The plurality of circuit regions are shifted outward with relative to a position of the first IP to generate a space. The first IP is blown out into the space to generate a blown IP. A direct shrink is then performed. |
| US08418113B1 |
Consideration of local routing and pin access during VLSI global routing
Global routing and congestion evaluation is enhanced by including consideration of local routing and pin access. Pin information is computed for each global edge based on adjacent tiles, and the wiring track capacity for an edge is reduced based on the pin information. After global routing, the wiring track capacities are increased by previous reduction amounts for detailed routing. The pin information can include pin count for an associated tile, the Steiner tree length for the pins, or relative locations of the pins. Wiring track capacities are preferably reduced by creating blockages in tracks of a particular metal layer of the circuit design used for logic gates of the pins. The blockage tracks can be spread evenly across the wiring tracks of a given edge. |
| US08418110B2 |
Using port obscurity factors to improve routing
An integrated circuit characterized by a netlist may be routed using a routing priority list that may be created using port obscurity factors. A port obscurity factor may indicate how difficult it may be to route to that port and may be calculated as being inversely proportional to the number of routing tracks that may be connectable to that port. Routing priorities for the nets of the netlist may then be created using the port obscurity factors of the ports in the net. Routing may then be done in the order determined by the routing priority list and the generated layout information stored in a computer useable medium. In some cases, routing may be performed using multiple routing passes where a new routing priority list may be calculated for each routing pass. |
| US08418107B2 |
Performing statistical timing analysis with non-separable statistical and deterministic variations
In one embodiment, the invention is a method and apparatus for performing statistical timing analysis with non-separable statistical and deterministic variations. One embodiment of a method for performing timing analysis of an integrated circuit chip includes computing delays and slews of chip gates and wires, wherein the delays and slews depend on at least a first process parameter that is deterministic and corner-based and a second process parameter that is statistical and non-separable with the first process parameter, and performing a single timing run using the timing quantity, wherein the single timing run produces arrival times, required arrival times, and timing slacks at outputs, latches, and circuit nodes of the integrated circuit chip. The computed arrival times, required arrival times, and timing slacks can be projected to a corner value of deterministic variations in order to obtain a statistical model of the delays and stews at the corresponding corner. |
| US08418104B2 |
Automated synthesis of multi-channel circuits
Methods and apparatuses to time-share resources having internal states are described. A first design of a system having a plurality of instances of a logical block to perform logical operations is received. The instances may have internal states. The system is automatically transformed to generate a second design having a fewer quantity of time-shared instances of the logical block. The plurality of the instances in the first design is replaced with the fewer time-shared instances in the second design. The time-shared instances in the second design have elements to time multiplex the internal states. |
| US08418103B2 |
Nonlinear approach to scaling circuit behaviors for electronic design automation
Circuit behaviors are scaled to different operating conditions by using a generalized nonlinear model. Nonlinear transforms are applied to the operating conditions and/or to the circuit behaviors contained in a library set. The transformed quantities have a more linear relationship between them. Parameters for the linear relationship are estimated based on the data and operating conditions in the library set. These parameters and nonlinear transforms can then be used to scale circuit behaviors to operating points not contained in the library set. |
| US08418098B2 |
Advisory system for verifying sensitive circuits in chip-design
A verification system for verifying an integrated circuit design is provided. The verification system includes a functional block finding module configured to identify potential sensitive circuits in the integrated circuit design; and a search module. The search module is configured to find sensitive circuits from the potential sensitive circuits; and verify the sensitive circuits. |
| US08418097B2 |
Multi-rate hierarchical state diagrams
Systems and methods are provided for a scheme and mechanism for performing static analysis of a sample time aware state diagram model to compute and propagate multiple samples rates associated with the state diagram model. A graphical intermediate representation of the state diagram model, such as a directed graph or control flow graph, is used to determine how the multiple sample rates are propagated via elements of the state diagram model. The graph provides a static representation of the control of flow, including alternative and/or conditional flow paths, of the state diagram model. The present invention determines the propagation of sample rates via analysis and traversal of the intermediate representation. By using the techniques of the present invention, a state diagram model may provide multiple sample rate outputs, such as by function calls and output signals to a graphical model, such as a model representing a dynamic system. |
| US08418095B1 |
Compilation and simulation of a circuit design
One or more embodiments provide a method of HDL simulation that determines characteristics of nets, such as shorting of nets, non-blocking assignments, etc., for the entire circuit design during compilation. Simulation code and data structures are generated for each net, individually, based on the determined characteristics of the respective net. As a result, rather than implementing code for simulation of each net capable of handling every possible combination of the characteristics, less complex code and data structures may be generated for simulation of the nets. |
| US08418093B2 |
Method and system for design simplification through implication-based analysis
Methods and systems are provided for reducing an original circuit design into a simplified circuit design by merging gates that may not be equivalent but can be demonstrated to preserve target assertability with respect to the original circuitry design. A composite netlist is created from the simplified netlist and the original netlist. The composite netlist includes a number of targets that imply the existence of a target in the simplified netlist and a corresponding target in the original netlist. The implications are verified and then validated to ensure the simplified circuit design is a suitable replacement for the original circuit design. |
| US08418092B2 |
Source-synchronous data link for system-on-chip design
A method of producing an integrated circuit (700) using a system-on-chip (SoC) architecture includes providing a first circuit (710) in a first island of synchronicity (IoS); and providing a source-synchronous data link (755/757, 765/767) between the first circuit (710) in the first IoS and a hard core (720) in a second IoS for communicating n-bit data elements between the first circuit (710) and the hard core (720). The source-synchronous data link (755/757, 765/767) includes a set of n data lines (755, 765) for transporting the n-bit data elements between the first circuit (710) and the hard core (720), and a source-synchronous clock line (757, 767) for transporting a source clock between the first circuit (710) and the hard core (720) for clocking the n-bit data elements. The hard core (720) does not include a bus interface adaptor for interfacing with the source-synchronous data link (755/757, 765/767). |
| US08418089B2 |
Computer readable non-transitory medium storing design aiding program, design aiding apparatus, and design aiding method for determining performance index of an integrated circuit in worst case operation conditions
A computer readable non-transitory medium storing a design aiding program causes a computer to execute a process of determining worst-case corner candidates for each of a plurality of condition sets. The design aiding program causes the computer to execute a process of mapping the worst-case corner candidates that are within an allowable range. The design aiding program causes a computer to execute a process of determining the worst-case corner candidates that minimize the number of the worst-case corner candidates mapped to the condition sets by handling the worst-case corner candidates thus mapped as a single worst-case corner candidate to be worst-case corners. |
| US08418086B2 |
Isolating received information on a locked device
Quarantining data received while a computing device is locked. While the computing device is locked, content items such as images, notifications, voice memos, telephone numbers, and the like are stored in a first memory area. The content items are transferred to a second memory area, separate from the first memory area, based on transfer criteria associated with the content items. For example, images may be automatically uploaded to a web page after the computing device is unlocked, while a mail program executes to display any messages received while the display has been locked. In some embodiments, the user inputs the content items into a locked mobile computing device and further provides the transfer criteria for the content items. |
| US08418085B2 |
Gesture coach
A capture device may capture a user's motion and a display device may display a model that maps to the user's motion, including gestures that are applicable for control. A user may be unfamiliar with a system that maps the user's motions or not know what gestures are applicable for an executing application. A user may not understand or know how to perform gestures that are applicable for the executing application. User motion data and/or outputs of filters corresponding to gestures may be analyzed to determine those cases where assistance to the user on performing the gesture is appropriate. |
| US08418082B2 |
Cross-track edit indicators and edit selections
A method of defining a media editing application for creating media presentations. The method provides a composite display area for displaying a set of clip shapes that represent media clips. It also provides a consolidated editing tool for (1) identifying clip-shape edit points that are near a cursor's location as the cursor moves from track to track in the composite display area and (2) collectively selecting the identified clip-shape edit points along multiple track in order to receive an edit operation to collectively perform on said the clip-shapes of the identified edit points. |
| US08418080B2 |
Computer system with enhanced user interface for images
A computer system and method are presented that enhance a user experience when viewing images displayed on the computer. The system includes a user interface for the computer that displays a number of thumbnail images that are small representations of image files existing on the computer. The thumbnail images are arranged in alignment with one another, such as at the bottom of a viewing window. An enlarged preview image is positioned adjacent the thumbnail images. The enlarged preview image corresponds to a selected thumbnail image and is a larger representation of an image file corresponding with the selected thumbnail image. A control is displayed in the window that enables the user to iterate through the thumbnail images in at least one direction. As the user iterates through the thumbnail images, the enlarged preview image changes correspondingly. |
| US08418076B2 |
Managing inputs from a plurality of user input device actuators
A computing device and method for managing inputs from a plurality of user input device actuators are provided. The computing device may include code stored in memory for implementing, via a processor, an actuator input module configured to receive a first actuator input from a first user input device actuator, and a second actuator input from a second user input device actuator. The computing device may further execute code to implement a window selection module configured to select a first selected window to which the first actuator input is sent according to predetermined selection rules, to select a second selected window to which the second actuator input is sent according to the predetermined selection rules, and to send the first actuator input to the first selected window and to send the second actuator input to the second selected window. |
| US08418073B2 |
User interfaces for electrosurgical tools in robotic surgical systems
A method for a minimally invasive surgical system is disclosed including capturing camera images of a surgical site; generating a graphical user interface (GUI) including a first colored border portion in a first side and a second colored border in a second side opposite the first side; and overlaying the GUI onto the captured camera images of the surgical site for display on a display device of a surgeon console. The GUI provides information to a user regarding the first electrosurgical tool and the second tool in the surgical site that is concurrently displayed by the captured camera images. The first colored border portion in the GUI indicates that the first electrosurgical tool is controlled by a first master grip of the surgeon console and the second colored border portion indicates the tool type of the second tool controlled by a second master grip of the surgeon console. |
| US08418069B2 |
Spinning off chat threads
A solution for providing an instant messaging (IM) space, such as for a chat session, is provided, which includes provisions for spinning off of chat threads. An embodiment of the invention provides a method of providing an IM space, the method comprising: providing a first graphical user interface (GUI) space for an IM conversation; obtaining a selected portion of the IM conversation represented on the first GUI; and creating a second GUI space for a second IM conversation based on the portion selected. |
| US08418068B1 |
System, software application, and method for customizing a high-resolution image via the internet
The present invention provides a system, method, and software program for enabling a user to create a customized, high-resolution version of an image (such as artwork) via the Internet. An artist/developer creates an image set comprising one or more base images, as well as any optional image objects that can be added to the base image. The artist/developer uses a script-creation tool to generate a computer-readable script that specifies how to generate an image based on the image set. The script, as well as multiple resolutions of the image set, are stored on a server. When an end user customer desires to customize the image, the server sends the script file and a lower-resolution version of the image set to the user's computer. The user's browser runs the script to create a graphical user interface through which the user can edit the image data in the script file. After the user customizes the image, the modified script file is stored on the server-side. High quality prints can be created from the modified script file and a high-resolution version of the image set. |
| US08418063B2 |
Aiding device in creation of content involving image display according to scenario and aiding method therein
A request acknowledging unit in a scenario creation unit of a content creation aiding device acknowledges a user request related to scenario configuration. A displayed image processing unit displays an image on a display device to assist the user to set up a key frame. A key frame interpolation unit inserts a key frame that triggers switching of the display to a link destination image when the display area reaches an area in which a link is set up. A coordinate converting unit represents the key frame using frame parameters in a coordinate system of a post-switching image. A correction unit corrects the key frame by applying, to the key frame set up, correction that is opposite to the correction applied to a frame when the frame is displayed. A scenario file output unit creates an ultimate scenario file and stores the file in a storage device. |
| US08418059B2 |
Editing apparatus and editing method
An editing apparatus includes a designating unit configured to designate a color for use in an image including a plurality of objects, according to an instruction by a user, a determining unit configured to determine a combination of colors corresponding to the color designated by the designating unit, and a specifying unit configured to specify colors of the plurality of objects included in the image, by using the combination of colors determined by the determining unit. |
| US08418055B2 |
Identifying a document by performing spectral analysis on the contents of the document
A system and method for identifying a document based on a spectral analysis of the text of the document is described. In some examples, the system generates a document identifier for a rendered document based on assigning values to words in the rendered document, such as values associated with the frequency of use of the word by the rendered document, the absolute or relative position of the word in the rendered document, and so on. The system may use the document identifier to generate a group of documents having similar document identifiers, and choose a likely match from the group of documents based on predictive analysis. |
| US08418051B1 |
Reviewing and editing word processing documents
Methods and systems, including computer program products, implementing techniques for reviewing and editing word processing documents. The techniques include receiving from a reviewer a first comment about a word processing document receiving from the reviewer a second comment about the word processing document, sending the first comment to one or more editors and independently sending the second comment to one or more editors. The first comment can be sent before the second comment is received. |
| US08418045B2 |
Network intermediate device and method thereof
A network intermediate device and method are provided. The network intermediate device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention comprises a data transmitting/receiving part which receives frames which have header error check information, and a control part which controls the data transmitting/receiving part to start forwarding the frame before the entire frame is received by determining whether there are errors in the header using the header error check information. In this case, the frame may comprise a first field in which header error check flag information is recorded to notify whether to perform the forwarding after checking for errors in the header, and a second field in which the header error check information is recorded. If it is confirmed that the check and forward method is applied by the header error check flag information, the control part may verify the header error check information to determine whether errors occur in the header. Therefore, the relay of the frame can be stably performed within the minimum time. |
| US08418043B2 |
Error detection
A method of error detection for a data packet, the method comprising the steps of: i) identifying a set of non-compliances (N), the non-compliances being illegal bit sequences according to a coding standard; ii) identifying a first subset (N+) of non-compliances that are to be treated as errors; iii) identifying a second subset (N.) of non-acceptable near-compliances; iv) decoding the data packet according to the coding standard; and v) adaptively deciding based on the first and second subsets whether to treat a detected non-compliance within the decoded data packet as an error or as an acceptable near-compliance. |
| US08418041B2 |
MPE-FEC RS decoder and decoding method thereof
A decoding method of an MPE-FEC (MultiProtocol Encapsulation-Forward Error Correction) RS (Reed-Solomon) decoder, includes: substituting a value corresponding to an erasure error position with 0 in a reception signal; calculating a syndrome by using the reception signal; calculating an erasure position polynomial by using erasure information; calculating a modified syndrome by using the syndrome and the erasure position polynomial; calculating an erasure error size polynomial by using the modified syndrome; calculating an error position by using the erasure position polynomial; calculating an error size by using a modified Forney's algorithm; and correcting an error through the error position and the error size. |
| US08418038B2 |
Error correcting method and device
The invention concerns a method of correcting errors in a data stream of at least one image, implemented in a data reception device, said at least one image being cut up into image portions, said stream being coded by image portion and divided into data packets, the method comprising a step of detecting at least one lost data packet and being characterized in that it comprises the following steps: determining a strategy for cutting up said at least one image into image portions, determining, according to the determined cutting-up strategy, an item of information representing the reconstruction quality of data included in said at least one lost packet by an error correcting method, adapting said error correcting method according to the determined item of information representing the reconstruction quality, and applying the adapted error correcting method to the adapting step to reconstruct the data included in said at least one lost packet. |
| US08418032B2 |
Processing of bit errors in a digital audio bit frame
The invention relates to a method of processing bit errors in a bit frame emanating from a digital audio coder, comprising a step of receiving a current bit frame liable to comprise bit errors. According to the invention, the bit frame comprises sensitive bits to be protected which are catalogued in at least one category according to the type of parameter that they code and the method furthermore comprises the steps of receiving protection bits, of reading the sensitive bits received in the current bit frame, the number of sensitive bits being lower than the number of bits of the bit frame, of detecting bit errors as a function of said protection bits received and of said sensitive bits received and in the event of detecting at least one erroneous bit in said bit frame, of modifying the current bit frame before decoding, as a function of the category in which the erroneous bit is catalogued. The invention also pertains to a device implementing the method according to the invention as well as to a decoder and a coding/decoding system comprising such a device. |
| US08418030B2 |
Storage system with data recovery function and method thereof
A storage system with a data recovery function and its method reduce errors in a storage medium to a recoverable range of a general ECC function by repeating a testing and recovery procedure for one or more times to assure the accuracy of reading data and enhance the data reliability effectively. The data recovery procedure includes the steps of providing test data by a test data generator of the storage system, writing the test data into a memory block where error data is found, finding an error bit by reading the test data, reducing the error to a recoverable range of the ECC technique by the recovery procedure. If the error bit cannot be found or reduced to a recoverable range of the ECC technique within an upper limit of the number of tests, the memory block is marked as bad. |
| US08418028B2 |
Chien search device and Chien search method
To provide a Chien search device and a Chien search method capable of performing a Chien search process at a high speed. The Chien search device calculates an error position at the time of correcting an error included in data read from a nonvolatile memory, and includes a first processing unit that performs a search process of an error position in at least one-bit unit to an error-correction area of input data, and a second processing unit that processes at one time plural bits in an non-error-correction-target area of the input data. |
| US08418027B2 |
Device enabling the use of a programmable component in a natural radiative environment
A device for using a programmable component carrying out at least one logical function in a radiative environment includes: a mechanism for error detection in a data-storing working memory space actually serving to carry out each logical function of the device through use of data stored in at least one reference memory space storing a data copy implemented by at least one logical function; a mechanism blocking at least one output of at least one logical function of the component for which an error in the data implemented by the logical function is detected by the mechanism for detection; and a mechanism correcting each error detected in the working space. |
| US08418026B2 |
Hybrid error correction coding to address uncorrectable errors
A method in a memory device includes receiving data including a data block and main error correction coding (ECC) data for the data block. The data block includes a first sub-block of data and first ECC data corresponding to the first sub-block. An ECC operation is initiated to process the data block using the main ECC data. In response to the ECC operation indicating uncorrectable errors in the data, a first sub-block ECC operation is initiated to process the first sub-block of data using the first ECC data. |
| US08418024B2 |
Error detection code generating method and error detection code generator
In a mobile communication system, an error detection code or a quality frame indicator (e.g., CRC) is generated using selectively frame information, and at least one of a WCA identifier of another terminal, and a corresponding terminal identifier. And the terminal identifier can be implicitly transmitted to the receiver. |
| US08418020B2 |
LDPC selective decoding scheduling using a cost function
A cost function is obtained. For each of a plurality of groups of check nodes associated with low-density parity-check (LDPC) encoded data, the cost function is evaluated using information associated with a variable node and/or information associated with a check node. One of the groups of check nodes is selecting based at least in part on the evaluated cost functions. Error correction decoding related processing is performed on the selected group of check nodes. |
| US08418017B2 |
Adaptive acknowledgment mechanism for network communication
The present disclosure is directed to network communication between a sender and a receiver. Network communication is established between the sender and the receiver using a first acknowledgment mechanism for signifying receipt of data by the receiver. The first acknowledgment mechanism is selected from one of a receiver positive acknowledgment mechanism (RPA) and a receiver negative acknowledgment mechanism (RNA). Communication information is monitored, wherein the communication information indicates at least a current state of performance for network communication. Based on the communication information, a message is exchanged between the sender and the receiver to negotiate a switchover to a second acknowledgment mechanism for signifying receipt of data by the receiver. The second acknowledgment mechanism is selected from the other of the receiver positive acknowledgment mechanism (RPA) and the receiver negative acknowledgment mechanism (RNA). Network communication is then established between the sender and the receiver using the second acknowledgment mechanism. |
| US08418015B2 |
Method, apparatus and system for coding and decoding of LDPC codes
The present invention discloses a method, an apparatus and a system for low-density parity-check (LDPC) coding and decoding. The coding method includes the following steps: constructing each layer of a check matrix of a layered LDPC code used as an error correcting code; when data is initially sent by a data transmitting terminal, performing first-layer-coding of the data to be sent by using the first layer of a check matrix of the LDPC code, sending the first-layer-coded data; when data for (n−1)th retransmission is sent by the data transmitting terminal, performing nth-layer-coding of the data by using the nth layer of a check matrix of the LDPC code, sending the nth-layer-coded data, wherein n is an integer no less than 2. It is possible to reduce the system overhead, decrease the decoding delay, and improve the decoding performance by using the technical solution of the present invention which is also adapted to high-speed data services. |
| US08418014B2 |
Multiple device apparatus, systems, and methods
Data digits and correction digits are received in each of a number of integrated circuit (IC) devices. Apparatus, systems, and methods are disclosed that operate to check the data digits for error in each IC device according to an algorithm associated with the IC device, the algorithm being different for each IC device. Each IC device will act in response to the data digits if no error is detected in the data digits. Additional apparatus, systems, and methods are disclosed. |
| US08418011B2 |
Test module and test method
There is provided a test module comprising a random number generator that generates a pseudo random pattern and includes a controller that generates a register selection signal based on a control instruction stored on an instruction memory, a plurality of polynomial configuration registers one of which is selected by the register selection signal, each polynomial configuration register having polynomial data stored therein, a plurality of initial value configuration registers one of which is selected by the register selection signal, each initial value configuration register having an initial value stored therein, and a random number generation shift register that loads the initial value from the selected one of the plurality of initial value configuration registers and sequentially generates the pseudo random pattern based on the polynomial data stored in the selected one of the plurality of polynomial configuration registers. |
| US08418004B2 |
Back channel communication
Various embodiments are described for back channel communication. One embodiment is a method that comprises receiving data at customer premises equipment (CPE), determining at least one error in the received data, formatting the determined error for communication to a central office (CO), and sending the formatted error to the CO via a back channel, wherein the formatted error is sent between sync frames of a discrete multitone (DMT) superframe. |
| US08418002B2 |
Service modeling impact analysis
A computer system includes a plurality of computer processor dependent nodes and a plurality of computer processor antecedent nodes. Each node includes a severity value relating to an operational state of the node. A dependent node and an antecedent node pair include a significance value relating to a criticality that the antecedent node has to its paired dependent node. The antecedent node comprises a relevance value, wherein the relevance value is a function of the severity value of the antecedent node and the significance value for the antecedent node and the dependent node. The relevance value is used to determine an impact that the antecedent node has on the paired dependent node. |
| US08418000B1 |
System and methods for automated testing of functionally complex systems
A system for automated testing of functionally complex systems, comprising a test manager module operating on a server computer, a test data storage subsystem coupled to the test manager module and adapted to store at least test results, a test execution module operating on a server computer, and a test analysis module operating on a server computer and adapted to receive test data from the test data storage subsystem. The test manager module causes tests to be executed by the test execution engine, and on detection of an anomalous test result, the test manager module at least causes additional testing to be performed and causes the test analysis module to analyze the results of at least some of the additional testing in order to isolate at least one component exhibiting anomalous behavior. |
| US08417998B2 |
Targeted black box fuzzing of input data
Technologies are described herein for performing targeted, black-box fuzzing of input data for application testing. A dataflow tracing module traces an application while it reads and processes a set of template data to produce operation mapping data that maps data locations in the template data to operations performed by the application in processing the data at the location. The tracing is performed without requiring the application source code, knowledge of the syntactical structure of the input data, or specially instrumented binaries for the application. A fuzzing module is then utilized to target a specific operation or operations in the application by fuzzing data locations within the template data according to the operation mapping data until the desired outcome is achieved. |
| US08417997B2 |
Governance in work flow software
The disclosure presents categorization of users into groups comprising expert users and novice users. A system and method analyzes the users' inputted data in helpdesk troubleshooting software to determine the deviation of novice users from expert users, or the deviation of novice users to a preconfigured behavior as determined by management policy. Other embodiments are also disclosed. |
| US08417989B2 |
Method and system for extra redundancy in a raid system
A system and method of creating an extra redundancy in a RAID system is disclosed. In one embodiment, one or more RAID arrays are created. Each RAID array comprises a plurality of disk drives. Further, a respective dedicated hot spare is created for each RAID array. Furthermore, data is copied from each RAID array to the respective dedicated hot spare using a copyback process based on a predetermined controller usage threshold value. |
| US08417985B2 |
Adjusting system clock to faster speed upon receiving mass storage command and back to lower speed upon completion of all commands
In a first embodiment of the present invention, a method for dynamically adjusting a system clock of a plurality of system clock-controlled components in a system is provided, the method comprising: detecting the receipt of a command at a non-system clock-controlled component of the system; and adjusting the system clock to a fast speed based on the detecting. This embodiment may also include: determining that the command has been completed; determining that there are no outstanding commands in the plurality of system clock-controlled components; and adjusting the system clock to a slow speed based on the determination that there are no outstanding commands in the plurality of system clock-controlled components. |
| US08417983B2 |
Adjusting a device clock source to reduce wireless communication interference
Adjusting a clock source of a device clock to reduce wireless communication (e.g., radio frequency (RF)) interference within a device. The device clock may be derived from an input clock to a serial interface, e.g., coupled to a display, and may be initially driven by a first clock. Later, it may be determined that the serial interface clock is or will interfere with wireless communication. Accordingly, temporary clock signals may be provided to the device clock while the first clock is modified. Once modified, the modified clock signals may be provided to the device clock to reduce wireless communication interference. |
| US08417981B2 |
Time format conversion method, device and system
A method and device for converting between different time domains at a local unit utilizing an processor is disclosed. Time counters to count time in at least two different formats are located locally at each unit. Once a time conversion is initiated, a time stamp is received by the processor and the time counter in the new time domain commences calculating an adjustment count. Once the converted time is received from the processor, the received time plus the adjustment count are summed to provide a time base for the new time domain. The time counters continue counting in their respective time domains after conversion. |
| US08417980B1 |
Dual-mode power supply
A power supply connected to an electrical load that supplies an output voltage to the electrical load. The power supply includes a first portion having a fast transient response topology that supplies a first part of an output current, and a second portion having a slow transient response topology that supplies a second part of the output current, such that the second part of the output current does not increase or decrease as fast as the first part of the output current. Advantageously, embodiments of the invention provide a more efficient power supply design that converts part of the total power supply output current using a fast transient response portion and part using a slow transient response portion of the power supply. Additionally, embodiments of the invention provide an alternate current path for transporting large amounts of current to a GPU, while maintaining the efficiency of the overall current path. |
| US08417976B2 |
Image processing apparatus, communication system, control method thereof, and storage medium
An apparatus connected to a network via a network interface device and capable of executing encrypted communication with an external device on the network requests that a first algorithm to be used in the encrypted communication with the external device is changed to a second algorithm included in the network interface device when the apparatus detects that a condition for shifting to a power saving mode, in which power consumption is smaller than that in a normal power mode, is satisfied while the apparatus is operated in the normal power mode. |
| US08417974B2 |
Power efficient stack of multicore microprocessors
A computing system has a stack of microprocessor chips that are designed to work together in a multiprocessor system. The chips are interconnected with 3D through vias, or alternatively by compatible package carriers having the interconnections, while logically the chips in the stack are interconnected via specialized cache coherent interconnections. All of the chips in the stack use the same logical chip design, even though they can be easily personalized by setting specialized latches on the chips. One or more of the individual microprocessor chips utilized in the stack are implemented in a silicon process that is optimized for high performance while others are implemented in a silicon process that is optimized for power consumption i.e. for the best performance per Watt of electrical power consumed. The hypervisor or operating system controls the utilization of individual chips of a stack. |
| US08417973B2 |
Using a control policy to implement power saving features
Managing power-consumption, for use in a storage system comprising first data stored on one or more storage devices is provided. A receiver receives a policy comprising a power-management parameter, a first parameter and a rule associated with the policy. An analyser, responsive to receipt of a policy, analyzes second data associated with the rule. A determiner, responsive to the analysis, determines third data in accordance with the second data. The third data is associated with migration of the first data. |
| US08417968B2 |
Secure repository with layers of tamper resistance and system and method for providing same
A secure repository individualized for a hardware environment and a method and system for providing the same. The secure repository includes a hidden cryptographic key and code that applies the key without requiring access to a copy of the key. The code that implements the secure repository is generated in a manner that is at least partly based on a hardware ID associated with the hardware environment in which the secure repository is to be installed, and may also be based on a random number. Cryptographic functions implemented by the secure repository include decryption of encrypted information and validation of cryptographically signed information. The secure repository may be coupled to an application program, which uses cryptographic services provided by the secure repository, by way of a decoupling interface that provides a common communication and authentication interface for diverse types of secure repositories. The decoupling interface may take the form of a single application programmer interface (API) usable with multiple dynamically linkable libraries. |
| US08417966B1 |
System and method for measuring and reporting consumption of rights-protected media content
Various embodiments of a system and method for reporting and measuring consumption of media content are described. Embodiments may include computing a set of registration hash values for an encrypted content file representing each of one or more content items. To distribute a content item to a consumer, an encrypted content file representing the content item is delivered to a content viewer system. At the content viewer system, a set of playback sums is computed that corresponds to segments of the content item actually played on the content viewer system. The playback hash values can be matched with registration hash values to establish that one or more segments of a content item associated with the matched hash values have been played. |
| US08417965B1 |
Method and circuit for secure definition and integration of cores
An embodiment of the present invention provides a method and circuit for secure definition and integration of a core into a circuit design without exposing the core. In one embodiment, a core development package is obtained. The core development package includes an encrypted core and a decryption key of the encrypted core. The decryption key is encrypted with an asymmetric cipher. The encrypted core is transmitted from the design tool to a trusted platform module. The decryption key is decrypted with a private key of the asymmetric cipher. The encrypted core is decrypted within the trusted platform module. One or more design tool operations are performed using the decrypted core. |
| US08417963B2 |
Secure read-write storage device
A method is described for securing a read write storage (RWS) device, the method comprising, providing the RWS device, the RWS device comprising a controller comprising a processor and a bit bucket and employing, in response to a decision making process, a sanction in the RWS device. Related apparatus and methods are also described. |
| US08417962B2 |
Device booting with an initial protection component
Booting a computing device includes executing one or more firmware components followed by a boot loader component. A protection component for the computing device, such as an anti-malware program, is identified and executed as an initial component after executing the boot loader component. One or more boot components are also executed, these one or more boot components including only boot components that have been approved by the protection component. A list of boot components that have been previously approved by the protection component can also be maintained in a tamper-proof manner. |
| US08417959B2 |
Biometric device based on luminescence
The present disclosure relates to an apparatus and/or method of identifying a user comprising illuminating a user with electromagnetic energy to induce luminescence and producing an output data signal. A reference data signal corresponding to the luminescence of a selected user may be identified and compared to the output data signal. In such a manner, an identification may be made as to whether a selected user is present. |
| US08417958B2 |
Systems and methods for electronic postmarking of data including location data
Systems and methods for electronic postmarking of location data are provided. Electronic postmarking of location data (S.20) includes generating a hash value corresponding to merged data (S.30). Electronic postmarking further includes generating an electronic postmark data structure (S.40) comprising the hash value and a date/time stamp. The electronic postmarking data structure (S.40) may further include a digital signature. |
| US08417956B2 |
Encryption and authentication systems and methods
Methods, apparatus, and systems are disclosed for, among other things, providing an electronic record (e.g., MICROSOFT WORD document, AUTOCAD drawing, etc.) that can be signed by “printing” that record to a special “virtual signature printer,” which provides the user with an intuitive, simple way of authenticating an electronic record. The “virtual signature printer” system can produce an output file (or multiple files) that can be sent to a recipient for viewing, printing, and validation. The recipient can view or print the file and, with special software, can validate the signature on the file. |
| US08417955B2 |
Entity bidirectional authentication method and system
An entity bidirectional authentication method and system, the method involves: the first entity sends the first message; the second entity sends the second message to the credible third party after receiving the said first message; the said credible third party returns the third message after receiving the second message; the said second entity sends the fourth message after receiving the third message and verifying it; the said first entity receives the said fourth message and verifies it, completes the authentication. Compared with the conventional authentication mechanism, the invention defines an on-line retrieval and authentication mechanism of a public key, realizes the centralized management for it, simplifies the operating condition of the protocol, and facilitates the application and implement. |
| US08417953B2 |
Method and system for restricted service access
A method and system for restricted service access is described. To access adult content, the user has to enter an administrator personal identification number into a mobile device. Upon receipt of the administrator personal identification number, an access code is generated, which is provided to a content provider. The content provider can calculate a valid time window and/or request an acknowledge message from a central server. If the current usage is within the valid time window or otherwise verified, access to the content is allowed. Thus, children are prevented from accessing adult content, while adult access is permitted. |
| US08417947B2 |
Electronic authorization system and method
An electronic authorization system comprising a data source system configured to transmit transaction data. A secure data system is coupled to the data source system over an open network, the secure data system is configured to receive the transaction data from the data source system, generate a unique encrypted identifier for the transaction data and to transmit the unique encrypted identifier to the data source system. The data source system is configured to receive the unique encrypted identifier and replace payment card data associated with the transaction data in a database with the unique encrypted identifier. |
| US08417943B2 |
Method and apparatus for performing an authentication after cipher operation in a network processor
A method and apparatus is described for processing of network data packets by a network processor having cipher processing cores and authentication processing cores which operate on data within the network data packets, in order to provide a one-pass ciphering and authentication processing of the network data packets. |
| US08417941B2 |
Apparatus and method to prevent man in the middle attack
A system, peripheral device, and method for authenticating an encryption key before transmitting encrypted messages containing sensitive information are provided. Authentication of a client device during the coordination of data transfer among multiple computer devices is possible by providing a peripheral device that does not have a direct connection to a network, but rather, any message to be transmitted over the network must be relayed through a client device. Any sensitive information to be transferred to a remote device is inserted into a message, then the message is encrypted in the peripheral device. This prevents any process running on the client device from fooling the client device into communicating confidential information to a third party rather than the desired remote computer, because the client device never sees the sensitive information in an unencrypted form; only the peripheral device has access to the sensitive information in an unencrypted form. |
| US08417939B2 |
Method and apparatus for file sharing between a group of user devices with encryption-decryption information sent via satellite and the content sent separately
A communication system 100 includes a group of user devices 110, a first satellite 106 and a content delivery network 120 in communication with the group of user devices 110. The content delivery network 120 communicates encryption-decryption information to the plurality of user devices using the first satellite 106 and encrypts the content in response to the encryption-decryption information. The content delivery network 120 communicates the content to the plurality of user devices separately from the encryption-decryption information. The plurality of user devices 110 decrypts the content in response to the encryption-decryption information. A control word packet may also be used to convey security information to the user devices so that decryption may be performed. |
| US08417937B2 |
System and method for securely transfering content from set-top box to personal media player
A media player is provided for receiving session data from a security socket layer. The session data includes encrypted content data, a content key and digital rights data, wherein the content key and the digital rights data have been encrypted with a SSL session key. The said media player includes a first processor portion and a second processor portion. The first processor portion is arranged to receive the session data, has a second key. The first processor portion and can generate the SSL session key and can decrypt the session data with the SSL session key. The first processor portion can further re-encrypt the decrypted content key with the second key and can output the re-encrypted content key and digital rights data. The second processor portion is arranged to receive the re-encrypted content key and digital rights data. The first processor portion can further decrypt the content, and is externally inaccessible. |
| US08417932B2 |
Information processing apparatus and control method thereof
An information processing apparatus including an apparatus body and a system control apparatus. The apparatus body includes a first processing unit that executes an arithmetic operation; a first storage unit that stores configuration information of the first processing unit; and a first control unit that controls a readout of the configuration information. The system control apparatus includes a second storage unit that stores a program for controlling the system control apparatus and diagnosis procedures of the information processing apparatus; a second processing unit that reads the program and executes the program; and a second control unit that detects the first processing unit by reading the configuration information via the first control unit on the basis of the diagnosis procedures stored in the second storage unit simultaneously with the execution of the program by the second processing unit. |
| US08417931B2 |
Method and system for NAND flash support in an autonomously loaded secure reprogrammable system
A boot code may be segmented to allow separate and independent storage of the code segments in a manner that may enable secure system boot by autonomous fetching and assembling of the boot code by a security sub-system. The code fetching may need to be done without the main CPU running on the chip for security reasons. Because the boot code may be stored in memory devices that require special software application to account for non-contiguous storage of data and/or code, for example a NAND flash memory which would require such an application as Bad Block Management, code segments stored in areas guaranteed to be usable may enable loading remaining segment separately and independently. Each of the code segments may be validated, wherein validation of the code segments may comprise use of hardware-based signatures. |
| US08417929B2 |
System for selecting a server from a plurality of server groups to provide a service to a user terminal based on a boot mode indicated in a boot information from the user terminal
A cloud computing system is provided in order to meet the requirement for efficiently processing a large amount of information, and to meet the requirement for stable performance. This is achieved by a computer system including a user terminal, a plurality of servers connected to the user terminal through a network to provide services to the user terminal, and a management device for managing a server for providing a service to the user terminal. In the computer system, the user terminal transmits the boot information indicating one boot mode among fix boot, first boot, and not-first boot, to the management device. The management device selects a server for providing a service to the user terminal based on the boot information. Then, the selected server provides the service to the user terminal. |
| US08417925B2 |
Processor register recovery after flush operation
An information handling system includes a processor that may perform general purpose register recovery operations after an instruction flush operation that an exception, such as a branch misprediction causes. The processor receives an instruction stream that may include multiple instructions that operate on a particular target register that stores instruction result information. The general purpose register may temporarily store instruction opcode and register bits information for use during dispatch, execution and other operations. The processor includes a recovery buffer unit for use during flush recovery operations. The processor may use recovery valid and recovery pending bits that correspond with each instruction during the register recovery from flush operation. |
| US08417924B2 |
Data processing device and method of halting exception processing
A processor begins exception processing in response to an exception event. Exception processing by the processor is halted during exception processing to facilitate debugging. The exception event can be a reset exception event or an interrupt exception event. Normal exception processing by the data processor can be resumed after debugging, or exception processing by the data processor can be aborted to allow the normal execution of instructions by the data processor to resume. An exception event can be selectively treated as an interrupt or a reset. |
| US08417923B2 |
Data processing apparatus having trace and prediction logic
A data processing apparatus is disclosed including trace logic for monitoring behavior of a portion of said data processing apparatus and prediction logic for providing at least one prediction as to at least one step of the behavior of the portion of the data processing apparatus. The trace logic monitors behavior of the portion of the data processing apparatus, determines from the monitored behavior whether the at least one prediction is correct, and outputs a prediction indicator indicating whether the at least one prediction is correct. |
| US08417918B2 |
Reconfigurable processor with designated processing elements and reserved portion of register file for interrupt processing
An interrupt handling technology and a reconfigurable processor are provided. The reconfigurable processor includes a plurality of processing elements, and some of the processing elements are designated for interrupt handling. When an interrupt request occurs while the reconfigurable processor is executing a loop operation, the designated processing elements may process the interrupt request. The interrupt handling technology allows the interrupt request and the loop operation to be processed in parallel. |
| US08417914B2 |
Memory address translation
The present disclosure includes devices, systems, and methods for memory address translation. One or more embodiments include a memory array and a controller coupled to the array. The array includes a first table having a number of records, wherein each record includes a number of entries, wherein each entry includes a physical address corresponding to a data segment stored in the array and a logical address. The controller includes a second table having a number of records, wherein each record includes a number of entries, wherein each entry includes a physical address corresponding to a record in the first table and a logical address. The controller also includes a third table having a number of records, wherein each record includes a number of entries, wherein each entry includes a physical address corresponding to a record in the second table and a logical address. |
| US08417912B2 |
Management of low-paging space conditions in an operating system
A virtual memory management unit can implement various techniques for managing paging space. The virtual memory management unit can monitor a number of unallocated large sized pages and can determine when the number of unallocated large sized pages drops below a page threshold. Unallocated contiguous smaller-sized pages can be aggregated to obtain unallocated larger-sized pages, which can then be allocated to processes as required to improve efficiency of disk I/O operations. Allocated smaller-sized pages can also be reorganized to obtain the unallocated contiguous smaller-sized pages that can then be aggregated to yield the larger-sized pages. If allocated smaller-sized pages belonging to a second process cannot be de-allocated by reorganizing, the second process can be terminated to de-allocate the pages. Furthermore, content can also be compressed before being written to the paging space to reduce the number of pages that are to be allocated to processes. |
| US08417911B2 |
Associating input/output device requests with memory associated with a logical partition
An address controller includes a bit selector that receives a first portion of a requester id and selects a bit from a vector that identifies whether a requesting function is an SR-IOV device or a standard PCIe device. The controller also includes a selector coupled to the bit selector that forms an output comprised of either a second portion of the RID or a first portion of the address portion based on an input received from the selector and an address control unit that receives the first portion of the RID and the output and determines the LPAR that owns the requesting function based thereon, the address control unit providing the corrected memory request to the memory. |
| US08417909B2 |
Block management and data writing method, and flash memory storage system and controller using the same
A block management method for managing a plurality of physical blocks is provided. The method includes grouping the physical blocks into a plurality of physical units, grouping a portion of the physical units into a data area and a spare area, configuring a plurality of logical units, and grouping the logical units into a plurality of logical unit groups and configuring another portion of the physical units as a plurality of global random physical units corresponding to the logical unit groups, wherein each of the global random physical units corresponds to one of the logical unit groups. The method further includes getting the physical units from the spare area as global random substitute physical units of the global random physical units. Accordingly, the method can store data in the global random physical units or the global random substitute physical units, thereby reducing the time for executing a host write command. |
| US08417906B2 |
Method and system to locate a storage device
A request is received from a client machine via a web interface for content presented on a web page. A globally unique identifier (GUID) that is associated with the user is accessed and a number is generated based on the GUID. The generated number is utilized as an index to locate the storage device from the number of storage devices. Here, the storage device stores a user profile associated with the user. The user profile is read from the located storage device and the web page is personalized based on this user profile. The personalized web page is then communicated to the client machine. Other techniques for locating a storage device are also described. |
| US08417900B1 |
Power save module for storage controllers
A storage controller includes a memory controller that interfaces with memory that stores data. A first receive logic interface provides an interface to a host. A second receive logic interface provides an interface to a storage device. A power save module has a power save mode in which at least a clock of the memory controller is turned off while a clock for operating the first receive logic interface and the second receive logic interface is kept on. |
| US08417897B2 |
System and method for providing locale-based optimizations in a transactional memory
The system and methods described herein may reduce read/write fence latencies and cache pressure related to STM metadata accesses. These techniques may leverage locality information (as reflected by the value of a respective locale guard) associated with each of a plurality of data partitions (locales) in a shared memory to elide various operations in transactional read/write fences when transactions access data in locales owned by their threads. The locale state may be disabled, free, exclusive, or shared. For a given memory access operation of an atomic transaction targeting an object in the shared memory, the system may implement the memory access operation using a contention mediation mechanism selected based on the value of the locale guard associated with the locale in which the target object resides. For example, a traditional read/write fence may be employed in some memory access operations, while other access operations may employ an optimized read/write fence. |
| US08417894B2 |
Data processing circuit with cache and interface for a detachable device
A processor (10) of processes data using a cache circuit (12). The processor (20) is coupled to a functionally detachable device (19) via the cache circuit (12). When a cache line is loaded into cache memory (120), it is tested whether the cache line has an address within a detachable device address range allocated to the detachable device (19). If so, identification of the cache line, or a range of addresses that includes the address of the cache line is stored. When a flush command is received that requires write back cached data to the detachable device, the identification is used to select the cache line for selective write back to the detachable device. Thus less cache data needs to be invalidated when a device is functionally detached from the circuit. |
| US08417891B2 |
Shared cache memories for multi-core processors
Embodiments of shared cache memories for multi-core processors are presented. In one embodiment, a cache memory comprises a group of sampling cache sets and a controller to determine a number of misses that occur in the group of sampling cache sets. The controller is operable to determine a victim cache line for a cache set based at least in part on the number of misses. |
| US08417889B2 |
Two partition accelerator and application of tiered flash to cache hierarchy in partition acceleration
An approach is provided to identify a disabled processing core and an active processing core from a set of processing cores included in a processing node. Each of the processing cores is assigned a cache memory. The approach extends a memory map of the cache memory assigned to the active processing core to include the cache memory assigned to the disabled processing core. A first amount of data that is used by a first process is stored by the active processing core to the cache memory assigned to the active processing core. A second amount of data is stored by the active processing core to the cache memory assigned to the inactive processing core using the extended memory map. |
| US08417886B2 |
Storage system
The storage system includes a disk controller for receiving write commands from a computer, and a plurality of disk devices in which data is written in accordance with the control of the disk controller. The size of the first block which constitutes the data unit handled in the execution of the input/output processing of the data in accordance with the write command by the disk controller is different from the size of the second block which constitutes the data unit handled in the execution of the input/output processing of data by the plurality of disk devices. The disk controller issues an instruction for the writing of data to the disk devices using a third block unit of a size corresponding to a common multiple of the size of the first block and the size of the second block. |
| US08417880B2 |
System for NAND flash parameter auto-detection
A system comprising a NAND flash memory device having a multiplicity of parameters; a flash controller configured to perform a NAND flash memory parameter automatic detection process including reading a device identifier of the NAND flash memory device and proceeding if a valid device identifier value is returned, detecting an address cycle and a block type of the NAND flash memory device, detecting a page size of the NAND flash memory device, detecting a spare size of the NAND flash memory device, detecting a memory size of the NAND flash memory device, and detecting a block size of the NAND flash memory device. |
| US08417879B2 |
Method for suppressing errors, and associated memory device and controller thereof
A method for suppressing errors is provided. The method is applied to a controller of a Flash memory, where the Flash memory includes a plurality of blocks. The method includes: according to an address of data to be written into or read from the Flash memory, determining whether to utilize an original seed as an input seed of a randomizer/derandomizer, where the randomizer/derandomizer is arranged to generate a random function according to the input seed, with the random function being utilized for adjusting a plurality of bits of the data bit by bit, and with regard to at least each block of the blocks, a value of the original seed remains unvaried; and when it is determined that the original seed should not be utilized as the input seed, generating the random function according to a new seed to adjust the data. |
| US08417875B2 |
Non-volatile memory controller processing new request before completing current operation, system including same, and method
A non-volatile memory controller, system and method capable of processing a next request as an interrupt before completing a current operation are disclosed. The non-volatile memory system includes a first memory storing meta data loaded from a flash memory; a second memory storing the meta data copied from the first memory; and a flash memory controller copying the meta data from the first memory to the second memory, changing the meta data in the second memory, and then re-copying the changed meta data from the second memory to the first memory during a first-type operation that requires changes in the meta data. |
| US08417871B1 |
System for increasing storage media performance
A storage access system provides consistent memory access times for storage media with inconsistent access latency and reduces bottlenecks caused by the variable time delays during memory write operations. Data is written iteratively into multiple different media devices to prevent write operations from blocking all other memory access operations. The multiple copies of the same data then allow subsequent read operations to avoid the media devices currently servicing the write operations. Write operations can be aggregated together to improve the overall write performance to a storage media. A performance index determines how many media devices store the same data. The number of possible concurrent reads varies according to the number of media devices storing the data. Therefore, the performance index provides different selectable Quality of Service (QoS) for data in the storage media. |
| US08417866B2 |
Media card command pass through methods
Methods for transmitting application specific or extended commands between a host and a memory card are disclosed. Commands for an extended card protocol are embedded in messages, along with a marker, in the data or command portion of a base card transmission protocol that is used to communicate between the host and the memory card. This allows for the transmission of application specific commands that lack a corresponding command in the base card protocol. The method can be implemented on the host side at the device driver level or the file level. In order to implement a read command in the extended card protocol, a write command in the base card protocol with an encapsulated read command in the extended protocol is first sent to a logical address, followed by a read command to the same logical address. Message set identifiers associate embedded commands and data received in separate transmissions. |
| US08417864B2 |
Cascade-able serial bus device with clock and management and cascade methods using the same
A cascade-able serial bus device for coupling between a host device and another serial bus device is disclosed. The host device includes a serial bus interface. The serial bus device includes a first connection interface, a second connection interface and a bypassing module. The first connection interface is coupled to the serial bus interface of the host device. The second connection interface is coupled to the second serial bus device. The bypassing module is coupled to a chip select (CS) signal line of the serial bus interface and the second connection interface for selectively bypassing or non-bypassing the CS signal to the second serial bus device. |
| US08417861B2 |
Wireless bus for intra-chip and inter-chip communication, including data center/server embodiments
Embodiments of the present invention are directed to a wire-free data center/server. The data center/server is wire-free in the sense that communication within a data unit of the data center/server (i.e., intra-data unit), between data units of the data center/server (inter-data unit), and between the data units and the backplane of the data center/server is performed wirelessly. |
| US08417853B2 |
Universal serial bus host control methods and universal serial bus host controllers
A USB host control method is provided for a USB host controller. The USB host controller includes a USB device and a buffer, the USB device includes one or more endpoints. The USB host control method includes the steps of: storing first output data to be sent to a first endpoint into one or more buffer units used for the first endpoint; sending the first output data to the first endpoint; and when a first predetermined response from the first endpoint is received, configuring fake releasing labels and information tags corresponding to the first endpoint in the one or more buffer units, and not releasing the one or more buffer units. |
| US08417850B2 |
Information processing device and method for processing signal of information processing device
An information processing device is provided with plural HDMI connectors through which an audio signal is supplied to the other information processing device. The device allows selection of an audio signal supply destination. The audio signal supply is requested, and the audio signal is supplied to the specified information processing device in the requested arriving order. The information processing device of a specific type is determined as a priority device which is preferentially selected to receive the audio signal. If the information processing device of specific type is determined as the priority device, and supply of the audio signal therefrom is requested, the audio signal is supplied to the priority device by terminating the audio signal supply to the other information processing device. The audio signal may be supplied to plural supply destinations. |
| US08417848B2 |
Method and apparatus for implementing multiple service processing functions
A multi-service processing method, including: configuring different cores of a multi-core processor to process different services; and sending received packets to the cores in the pre-defined service processing sequence. The multi-core processor apparatus, includes the configuration management unit, the packet distributing unit, and the multi-core processor. The method and apparatus can save investments in devices while implementing multiple service processing functions. |
| US08417847B2 |
Devices, systems, and methods regarding a PLC
Certain exemplary embodiments can comprise a system, which can comprise a module communicatively coupled to a programmable logic controller (PLC). The module can comprise a transmission circuit and/or a receiving circuit. The module can be adapted to communicate with the PLC via 8B/10B encoded frames. A frame of the 8B/10B encoded frames can comprise a plurality of ordered fields. |
| US08417842B2 |
Virtual direct memory access (DMA) channel technique with multiple engines for DMA controller
A virtual DMA channel technique in which a generally larger number of DMA channels are mapped to a generally smaller number of DMA engines can provide a configuration in which switches amongst DMA engines (and therefore amongst a current working set of DMA channels currently mapped thereto) can be accomplished without context switch latency. Accordingly, as long as contents of the current working set can be appropriately managed, many changes (whether or nor priority based) between a current active DMA channel and a next runnable DMA channel can be accomplished without incurring a context switch latency such as normally associated with loading/restoring and/or saving DMA context information. In some embodiments, a working set or replacement strategy that seeks to cache a most frequently (or most recently) used subset of virtual DMA channels is employed. In some embodiments, a set- or frame-oriented variants of such strategies may be employed. |
| US08417841B2 |
Communication system, host device, and terminal device
Provided is a host device (10), which can establish a communication connection with a terminal device (20) and can be connected to a peripheral device (30), including a first communication section and a second communication section, via the first communication section. The host device (10) transmits information for identifying the terminal device (20) acquired from the terminal device (20) to the peripheral device (30) as communication destination identification information that allows the peripheral device (30) to identify a communication partner in a case of performing communications via the second communication section, when the host device (10) is connected to the terminal device (20) and connected to the peripheral device (30) via the first communication section. |
| US08417839B1 |
Concurrent actions for data storage
The disclosure is related to systems and methods of concurrent actions for data storage. A controller may be configured to initialize a first data storage medium and a second data storage medium. The controller may receive a command when the first data storage medium is initialized but before the second data storage medium is initialized. The controller may service the command when the command utilizes the first data storage medium and the initialization for the second data storage medium is not complete. A controller may also be configured to send an indicator to a host that the system is ready to receive commands when a first data storage device is initialized, but a second data storage device is still in an initialization process. |
| US08417838B2 |
System and method for configurable digital communication
The present invention pertains to a configurable PCI-Express switch. The configurable PCI-Express switch includes a differential I/O interface capable of being configured in a first configuration or a second configuration. In the first configuration, the differential I/O interface implements a PCI-Express interface with a coupled device. In the second configuration, the differential I/O interface implements a differential interface other than PCI-Express with the coupled device. The configurable PCI-Express switch also includes a switching unit capable of configuring the differential I/O interface in the first configuration or the second configuration. |
| US08417837B2 |
Set sampling controls instruction
A measurement sampling facility takes snapshots of the central processing unit (CPU) on which it is executing at specified sampling intervals to collect data relating to tasks executing on the CPU. The collected data is stored in a buffer, and at selected times, an interrupt is provided to remove data from the buffer to enable reuse thereof. The interrupt is not taken after each sample, but in sufficient time to remove the data and minimize data loss. |
| US08417835B2 |
Information processing apparatus, and information processing method
There is provided an apparatus including a plurality of modules. Each module includes a storage unit configured to store a waiting ID and a specific ID of the module, a communication unit configured to transmit and receive packets to and from a bus, and a processing unit configured to process data of a packet which includes a valid flag indicating that the packet is valid, wherein the communication unit takes in data held by a packet which has an ID that coincides with the waiting ID, and stores the processed data in a packet which includes the valid flag indicating invalid and an ID coincident with the specific ID, and transmits the packet. |
| US08417832B2 |
Routing a session initiation protocol (SIP) message in a communication system
An approach that provides routing a SIP message to a proxy server of a called party in a communication network is provided. In one embodiment, there is a routing tool that assists in routing a session initiation protocol (SIP) message to a called party. The routing tool, including a receiving component, receives a SIP message of a user making a call in the network. The routing tool further includes a parsing component configured to parse the message to determine the domain of the called party and performs a table lookup using the domain of the called party in order to: retrieve a destination code; embed the destination code into the message; and route the message based on the destination code. |
| US08417831B2 |
Method for IPv4 application transition over IPv6 networks
A network system adopting a first IP protocol is provided. The network system includes an address allocating server and a communication terminal supporting both the first IP protocol and a second IP protocol, wherein the address allocating server dynamically allocates an address of the second IP protocol to the communication terminal. The communication terminal includes a dynamic address manager for acquiring the dynamically allocated address of the second IP protocol of the communication terminal from the address allocating server and a second IP protocol address of the destination of a second IP protocol packet from a second IP protocol application, and an address adapter for encapsulating the second IP protocol packet from the second IP protocol application into a first IP protocol packet, wherein the second IP protocol address of the communication terminal in the header of the second IP protocol packet and the second IP protocol address of the destination are encapsulated into the first IP protocol packet. |
| US08417821B2 |
System and method of enabling TCP splice with a content-based charging proxy
A system and method of enabling transmission control protocol (TCP) splice between a client application and a server, while maintaining control of the connections by a contest-based charging proxy. The system framework includes a TCP splicing module for splicing connections between a client application and a server, an application proxy (e.g., content-based charging proxy) for redirecting a request of the client application, and a content-based charging engine for determining the classification of the data flow between the client application and the server. If the data flow has a predetermined classification or a triggering event has been detected, the content-based charging engine transfers control of the connections to the application proxy. The application proxy, for example, can redirect the client application to a predetermined service or source based on the classification of the data flow. |
| US08417820B2 |
Methods and systems for selecting media content based on technical environment information
The present disclosure includes methods and systems for selecting media content based on technical environment information. A connection over a network between a server and a client is established. The e connection is associated with the technical environment information and the technical environment information is associated with an the ability of the client to playback media content locally. The method includes selecting, at the server, a version of media content appropriate for playback at the client locally based on the ability of the client. |
| US08417817B1 |
Preventing server overload
Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for preventing server overload. In one aspect, a method includes placing each request of a plurality of requests into a queue. Requests are popped from the queue, and for each popped request, in response to popping the request: a counter value is incremented; computing resources are allocated for the request; a determination is made that a condition for which computing resources allocated for the request can be de-allocated has occurred; and the counter value is decremented after the condition occurs. In response to determining that the counter value does not exceed a threshold number, requests continue to be popped from the queue. In response to determining that the counter value exceeds the threshold number, requests are not popped from the queue until the counter value is decremented to or below the threshold number. |
| US08417816B2 |
Topology aware cache cooperation
A content distribution network (CDN) comprising a hierarchy of content storage nodes (CSNs) or caches having storage space that is allocated between local space for storing locally popular content objects and federated space for storing a portion of the less popular content objects. Local space and federated space based upon changes in content object popularity and/or other utility factors. Optionally, parent/child (upstream/downstream) communication paths are used to migrate content between CSNs or caches of the same or different hierarchical levels to avoid utilizing higher price top hierarchical level communications channels. |
| US08417809B1 |
Event supression method and system
A method and system for managing and dynamically suppressing event notification is provided. The method and system receives an indication of an event from a storage environment to be processed by a support system according to a set of default delivery parameters. Next, the method and system determines if one or more event specific delivery parameters have been associated with the event. If this is the case, then the method and system modifies the default delivery parameters for the information associated with the event according to the one or more event specific delivery parameters. These event specific delivery parameters are also used to determine when to transmit a notification of the event to the support system. The dynamic suppression of events combines events gathered into an event log together into a set of one or more recurring events. From these events, the method and system then identifies a high frequency subset as one or more recurring events considered to occur at a higher frequency compared with a low frequency subset having one or more recurring events that occur at a lower frequency. Based on this information gathered, the method and system then eliminates a portion of the events in the high frequency subset until the frequency of events in the high frequency subset approximates the frequency of events in the low frequency subset. |
| US08417808B2 |
Device linkage control apparatus
A device linkage control system is provided that includes a life data recording apparatus for accumulating usage information on the use of devices by a user, as life data, and a life pattern extraction apparatus including an episode creation unit that takes, as element data, details related to an identified episode from among life data and creates episode data which is a combination of the element data. Moreover, the system includes an episode analysis unit that analyzes relationships between the element data included in the episode data, and a life pattern interpretation unit that identifies, from the relationships between the element data, the life pattern which is characteristic of the user, and records this pattern, as life pattern information, and a control apparatus for linkage controlling of the devices by using the life pattern information of the user stored in the life pattern storage unit. |
| US08417807B2 |
Assessment of click or traffic quality
Systems and methods enable displaying an indication of traffic quality. The system retrieves keyword or other traffic data for at least one keyword associated with at least one search engine. The system compares the traffic data for a first time period to the traffic data for a second time period, according to one or more date ranges and other parameters selected by a user for each time period. As a result of the comparison, an indication of the traffic quality associated with a disparity between the first time period data and the second time period data, if any, is displayed. |
| US08417804B2 |
System for presenting media programs
A system for presenting media programs is disclosed. A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a multimedia system having a controller element to receive a request from a set-top box (STB) for an emulator that emulates a user interface of a media player, wherein the request identifies the media player, retrieve the emulator according to the identification of the media player, and transmit to the STB the emulator for emulating the user interface of the media player by way of the STB. Additional embodiments are disclosed. |
| US08417802B2 |
System and method for configuring a client electronic device
A method and computer program product for obtaining a main configuration file from a client electronic device upon the client electronic device being coupled to at least a portion of a media distribution system. The main configuration file defines one or more enhanced functionalities of the client electronic device. The client electronic device is coupled to the at least a portion of the media distribution system using a binary transfer protocol configured to transfer media data from the at least a portion of a media distribution system to a client electronic device. |
| US08417801B2 |
Managing remote computer training labs
An educational and training system allows organization and management of computers and course material used in teaching and administering classes of computer based information. Remote users access computers in laboratories or virtual classrooms as if they were actually using the computers within the laboratory or classroom. The system also allows management and tracking of the remote users and of other various course details. |
| US08417796B2 |
System and method for transferring a computing environment between computers of dissimilar configurations
A system and method for migrating a computer to another computer having dissimilar hardware, wherein a preparation stage for the transfer of a disk image between the origin and target computer comprise analyzing the origin computer and modifying certain parameters therein while operating under its native operating system. After the modification an image of the origin computer is taken and sent to the second computer. The second computer can then boot the image as the necessary changes for booting the target machine were made at the origin computer. The invention is particularly useful for transferring physical computer to a virtual machine environment, where it minimizes the time the origin computer is out of service, where the transfer may occur remotely to the origin computer or the target computer. Most importantly, the invention provides a very high rate of success in migrating a physical system to a virtual system. |
| US08417788B1 |
File system for virtual local area network
A file system that utilizes Virtual Local Area Network (VLAN) addressing and routing schemes to permit implementing multiple networked file system applications in a single data processing system. In particular, a networked file server or data mover has associated with it a mass storage device such as one or more disk drives, as well as one or more Network Interface Cards (NICs). A network interface to the data mover is associated with VLAN identifiers (IDs) such that a VLAN ID can be assigned to each file system. At the physical layer of the data mover, VLAN information is encapsulated and passed up to various higher protocol layers, such as a network layer and/or a transport layer, eventually to a selected file system as dictated by the VLAN ID. The file system application in effect becomes an addressable element of the VLAN. A single data mover can thus be deployed to service multiple groups of end users, as long as the members of each group have different VLAN identifiers for the multiple file systems. The result provides security, access restrictions, and all the other benefits of VLAN protocols that would be obtained by deploying separate data movers for each VLAN, without incurring the acquisition expense and administrative overhead associated with having to purchase and maintain multiple data mover systems. |
| US08417782B2 |
Universal calendar event handling
System and method for handling calendar events among a plurality of user devices in a communication network are disclosed. The system includes a device manager for interfacing with the plurality of user devices, where the plurality of user devices use different calendar applications and have calendar events in different data formats, and the plurality of user devices include at least a meeting organizer device and one or more attendee devices. The system further includes a calendar gateway for processing the calendar events to form a corresponding connected calendar-data-set for each connected user, where the connected calendar-data-set is stored in a calendar backend server and is shared among one or more devices of each connected user, and an email gateway for communicating the calendar events between the calendar gateway and the plurality of user devices. |
| US08417778B2 |
Collective acceleration unit tree flow control and retransmit
A mechanism is provided for collective acceleration unit tree flow control forms a logical tree (sub-network) among those processors and transfers “collective” packets on this tree. The system supports many collective trees, and each collective acceleration unit (CAU) includes resources to support a subset of the trees. Each CAU has limited buffer space, and the connection between two CAUs is not completely reliable. Therefore, to address the challenge of collective packets traversing on the tree without colliding with each other for buffer space and guaranteeing the end-to-end packet delivery, each CAU in the system effectively flow controls the packets, detects packet loss, and retransmits lost packets. |
| US08417776B2 |
Online evidence collection
Collecting and preserving evidence developed during an on-line investigation. Evidence gathered on-line is hashed with a time stamp from an external time source and stored. Other data pertinent to an investigation is also stored and may also be hashed. The evidence may be presented later in a report that demonstrates the authenticity of the evidence. A computer system for on-line investigations includes a CPU, memory, input/output facilities, a communication element, and a security element such as a dongle. Communication software enables the investigator to communicate over the Internet and gather evidence. Investigation software enables the computer system to store and hash the evidence; this may be done automatically. A database structure includes tables for investigator and suspect data, cases, evidence, and provision for storing a time stamp indicating when the evidence was collected. |
| US08417774B2 |
Apparatus, system, and method for a reconfigurable baseboard management controller
An apparatus, system, and method are disclosed for a baseboard management controller (BMC) which includes an FPGA with a monitor module for monitoring the operations parameters of a host computer device. In addition, the BMC has a host connector that connects the BMC to the system bus of the host computing device, allowing the BMC access to the computing elements on the host. The host connector has reconfigurable pins with connection configuration controlled by the FPGA. In addition, the BMC has a server with a processor and associated non-volatile memory on board. The operating system provides services to the host computing device and its constituent components, as well as allowing advanced networking and interconnectivity with other BMCs in a management network. |
| US08417770B2 |
Data redirection system and method therefor
A data redirection system and method comprises a first and second redirector in one or more embodiments. The first redirector may receive and respond to requests for a network service by redirecting a client's request to the second redirector. The second redirector may receive and respond to the redirected request by sending a network address of a gateway. The gateway may provide an enhanced communication link with a network resource providing the network service. In this manner, communications used to provide the network service may be redirected to the enhanced communication link. The requests for a network service and responses to the requests will typically be communicated over a standard communication link. |
| US08417762B2 |
Mechanism for execution of multi-site jobs in a data stream processing system
A cooperative data stream processing system utilizing a plurality of independent, autonomous and heterogeneous sites in a cooperative arrangement process user-defined job requests over dynamic, continuous streams of data. A distributed plan is created that identifies the processing elements that constitute a job that is derived from user-defined inquiries. These processing elements are arranged into subjobs that are mapped to various sites within the system for execution. The jobs are executed across the plurality of distributed sites in accordance with the distributed plan. The distributed plan also includes requirements for monitoring and back-up of the execution sites in the event of a failure on one of those sites. Execution of the jobs in accordance with the distributed plan is facilitated by the identification of an owner site to which the distributed plan is communicated and which is responsible for driving the execution of the distributed plan. |
| US08417761B2 |
Direct decimal number tripling in binary coded adders
The digital propagate, digit generate, sum+0, and sum+1 terms used in typical carry-propagate adders are generated directly off the multiplicand. During the direct generation, the logic takes into account that each digit will be tripled and if each digit's next less significant digit is greater than 4. Using this technique, the generation of the multiplicand is significantly faster and uses less circuitry. |
| US08417756B2 |
Method and apparatus for efficient modulo multiplication
A method of a hardware based Montgomery reduction contemplates preparing a table comprising a plurality of sets of values of 2K+i (mod n), 2K+i+1 (mod n) and (2K+i+2K+i+1)(mod n), where i=0 to M−2, n is a modulo number, K is an integer, and M is a number of significant bits in a binary Y; selecting one of the values within one of the plurality of sets of the table in dependence upon a value of two neighboring bits Yi+1,i of the binary Y; adding two neighboring selected values and calculating the modulo value of the sum value with the modulo number n; repeatedly adding two neighboring calculated modulo values and calculating the modulo value of the intermediate sum of the two neighboring calculated modulo values until only a single calculated module value is obtained; and setting the single value as the Montgomery representation. |
| US08417755B1 |
Systems and methods for reducing memory traffic and power consumption in a processing environment by solving a system of linear equations
A system and methods for reducing memory traffic and power consumption when solving systems of linear equations. Certain embodiments provide several aspects for improved performance in solving a consistent system of linear equations and in computing a generalized inverse. One aspect involves performing row transformations on AX=B, so that the transformed A contains row vectors that are either zero or are part of an orthonormal set. Another aspect involves performing column transformations on A, so that A contains column vectors that are either zero or are part of an orthonormal set. Another aspect involves performing row eliminations differently so that a variation of an LU factorization is obtained that is in a more directly useful form. |
| US08417744B2 |
Techniques to manage a collection of objects in heterogeneous environments
Techniques to perform garbage collection in an environment where more than one software programming language is in use are described. A technique may include creating a managed proxy object in one language that creates an unmanaged object in memory in a different language. A collection of nodes is generated and maintained, where a node comprises: a reference to the managed proxy object, and a reference to the unmanaged object. A count of the nodes in the collection is maintained. When the count exceeds a threshold, the collection is traversed, and garbage collection is performed on any unmanaged object in a node when the managed proxy object in the same node has been collected. Other embodiments are described and claimed. |
| US08417743B2 |
Data management apparatus, data management program and data management system
In an apparatus for managing data processed in a vehicle, from outside the vehicle, acquired is a management rule including at least one of information indicating types of data to be acquired by an external device placed outside the vehicle and information indicating an acquisition cycle at which the data should be acquired. At least one of the type of data and the acquisition cycle is set by making reference to the management rule in response to acquisition of the management rule. Data is acquired, which is according to at least of one of the type of data and the acquisition cycle. The acquired data is stored in a data recorder. |
| US08417739B2 |
Systems and methods for object-based modeling using hierarchical model objects
Embodiments relate to systems and methods for object-based modeling using hierarchical model objects. A modeling client can host modeling logic and an application programming interface (API) to create, access, manipulate, and import/export modeling objects used in modeling applications, such as engineering, medical, financial, and other modeling platforms. In aspects, the source data accepted into the modeling client can include consumer or business-level applications, whose spreadsheet, database or other content can be extracted and encapsulated in extensible markup language (XML) or other object-oriented format. Various model objects can be extracted from source data, and aggregated into a hierarchical model object encapsulating and preserving the underlying object layers. In aspects, one or more of the model object layers can functionally combine at least two other layers, to relate levels of data in hierarchical fashion. The modeling client can exchange composite or other modeling objects with external platforms on a programmatic basis. |
| US08417733B2 |
Dynamic atomic bitsets
Embodiments of the present invention provide techniques, including systems, methods, and computer readable medium, for dynamic atomic bitsets. A dynamic atomic bitset is a data structure that provides a bitset that can grow or shrink in size as required. The dynamic atomic bitset is non-blocking, wait-free, and thread-safe. |
| US08417726B2 |
Guided structure synchronization
Method and apparatus for enabling the user to guide the synchronization of a source data structure with a target data structure. The guided synchronization stores the operations defined by the user and reapplies them to future synchronizations. |
| US08417725B2 |
Consolidating related task data in process management solutions
A computer implemented method, apparatus, and computer program product for managing task data. A task advisor identifies a set of queries and a set of data sources mapped to a task type in a mapping entry. The task type is associated with a selected task. The mapping entry maps the task type to the set of queries. The set of queries is mapped to the set of data sources. The task advisor sends each query in the set of queries to a corresponding data source in the set of data sources. The task advisor aggregates the data received from the set of data sources in response to the set of queries. A user may utilize the aggregated data to complete the selected task. |
| US08417724B2 |
File server for extracting and displaying file list on client, method of providing display on client, and computer program executable on file server
A file server for displaying, on a client, files to be retrieved, a method of providing a display on the client, and a computer program product with program instructions executable on the file server. The number of files to be displayed and start point information related to the start point of a file list to be extracted is acquired from a client, and a file list is extracted from files stored as a partitioned data set in a storage device based on the number of files and start point information acquired. The numbers of preceding and succeeding files stored before and behind the extracted file list are calculated, the calculated numbers of the preceding and succeeding files and the extracted file list are sent to the client. The client displays the file list and the received numbers of remaining files before and behind the received file list, respectively. |
| US08417722B2 |
Profiling method and system
The invention relates to a method and system for profiling recipients into recipient categories on the basis of responses to content items provided to users. The profiling is based on rankings that are assigned to the content items, recipient categories, links between the content items and links between the content items and recipient categories. In one embodiment the ranking of a given content item is calculated on the basis of rankings of other content items having a link to the given content item, together with the ranking of the link between the content items, while the ranking of a given respondent in respect of a given recipient category is calculated on the basis of rankings of content items and/or categories that have a link to that recipient category. The links between content items and to the recipient categories indicate a particular response, by the respondent, in respect of content items. The recipients are profiled with respect to the recipient categories on the basis of the rankings assigned to the recipient categories. |
| US08417713B1 |
Sentiment detection as a ranking signal for reviewable entities
A method, a system and a computer program product for ranking reviewable entities based on sentiment expressed about the entities. A plurality of review texts are identified wherein each review text references an entity. A plurality of sentiment scores associated with the plurality of review texts are generated, wherein each sentiment score for a review text indicates a sentiment directed to the entity referenced by the review text. A plurality of ranking scores for the plurality of entities are generated wherein each ranking score is based at least in part on one or more sentiment scores associated with one or more review texts referencing the entity. A plurality of search results associated with the plurality of entities are displayed based at least in part on the ranking scores. |
| US08417711B2 |
Data analysis based on data linking elements
A computer controlled method for automatically segmenting an ensemble of data. The method starts by acquiring an ensemble of data and data is segmented by identifying a first subset of sequences of Linking Data Elements based on a repository of Linking Data Elements. A second subset of sequences of Information Carrying Data Elements is identified, wherein the sequences are linked by the Linking Data Elements. The subsets are provided in a structured format. |
| US08417710B2 |
Public relations and reputation mining via semantic analytics
A method, information processing system, and computer readable storage medium manage public relations queries using semantic analysis. A public relations query expressed in natural language is received from a user. A set of relevant topics and subjects associated with the query are identified. A set of information sources are identified that comprise data associated with the set of topics and subjects based on the set of topics and subjects. A set of data from the set of information sources is identified that satisfies the query. A set of weights are assigned to the set of data that has been identified. A set of data elements within the set of data that comprises a set of weights above a given threshold are identified. A response to the query is generated using the set of data elements that has been identified. |
| US08417705B2 |
Graphically displaying a file system
The contents of a computer file system are displayed on a graphical user interface. File system metadata descriptive of the computer file system and file metadata descriptive of each of a plurality of files are gathered. A file selection is received indicating a file accessed by the user. A user context is determined by the file metadata. The files are clustered using the file system metadata, a set of file metadata, and the user context. The set of file clusters are mapped onto a visualization model and graphically displayed on the graphical user interface using the visualization model. |
| US08417698B2 |
Systems and methods to provide search based on social graphs and affinity groups
Business, recommendation, and social relationship graph information for businesses may be received from a data source social networking website, where each business is recommended by users. The recommendation information may indicate users that recommend certain businesses. The social relationship graph information may indicate user-specific networks of social relationships on the social networking website. For a user query including business and affinity group selection criteria, business, recommendation, and social relationship graph information may be searched to select businesses that: match the business selection criteria; and are recommended by users having social relationships within a maximum degree of closeness with the querying user and being in an affinity group matching the affinity group selection criteria. The selected businesses may be ranked based on numbers of recommending users and social relationship graph information. A search result, with businesses indicated in a rank order and with business and recommendation information, may be provided. |
| US08417694B2 |
System and method for constructing targeted ranking from multiple information sources
Embodiments of the invention provide a system and method for determining preferences from information mashups and, in particular, a system and method for constructing a ranked list from multiple sources. In an exemplary embodiment, the system and method tunably combines multiple ranked lists by computing a score for each item within the list, wherein the score is a function of the associated rank of the item within the list. In one exemplary embodiment, the function is equal to 1/(n^(1/p)), where p is a tuning parameter that enables selection between responsiveness in the combined ranking to one candidate ranked highly in one source versus responsiveness in the combined ranking to a candidate with lower but broader support among the various sources ranking the candidates. |
| US08417690B2 |
Automatically avoiding unconstrained cartesian product joins
Database queries for retrieving data from database tables, that do not impose any constraints on the data to be retrieved, result in Cartesian product joins. Such unconstrained database queries when executed impose a significant load on resources, take a long time to execute, and may produce inaccurate and misleading results. Functionality can be implemented to reduce the amount of data retrieved by constraining database queries resulting in Cartesian product joins before they are executed. This can be done by leveraging referential constraints that depict relationships between the tables to be joined to limit the results produced by executing the Cartesian product join. Automatically detecting and preventing execution of Cartesian product joins by leveraging the referential constraints can reduce the processing load on the machine, reduce the time spent in executing the database query, minimize the number of query results, and prevent inaccurate results from being displayed. |
| US08417686B2 |
Web crawler scheduler that utilizes sitemaps from websites
Methods and systems for a web crawler scheduler that utilizes sitemaps from websites are described. A web crawler scheduling system receives a notification from a website or web server. In response to the notification, the system accesses one or more sitemap(s) for documents associated with the website or web server. The system schedules crawls of the documents based on information identified from the sitemaps. The system crawls at least a subset of the documents scheduled for crawling. |
| US08417683B2 |
System and method for presenting geolocated relevance-based content
The present invention provides for a computerized method and system for presenting geolocated relevance-based content including determining a geographic location of a mobile processing device and identifying a plurality of search queries associated with the geographic location of the mobile processing device. The computerized method and system further includes generating at least one search result responsive to at least one of the plurality of queries associated with the geographic location of the mobile processing device. Therefore, in the method and system, the mobile processing device is presented with one or more search results based on the geographic location of the mobile processing device. |
| US08417682B2 |
Visualization of attributes of workflow weblogs
Described is a method for visualization of attributes of workflow weblogs. A group of workflow weblogs is searched to find weblogs that have an attribute that satisfies a search condition. The group of workflow weblogs can include instantiations of a single workflow. Attributes are displayed for each of the weblogs found by the search. An attribute is displayed using a modified graphical parameter if the attribute satisfies a predefined condition for the attribute type. The modified graphical parameter can include modified text or a modified graphical structure. |
| US08417680B2 |
System for improving access efficiency in database and method thereof
A system and method for improving access efficiency in a database. The database stores values of a plurality of keys associated with the respective keys. The system of the invention executes a plurality of transactions on the database, and acquires and records a referenced value which is a value of a key referenced in a corresponding transaction from the database according to the execution of each of the transactions. Then, according to commit requests of the plurality of transactions, the system requests a reply of a resultant table including an arrangement of judgment results obtained by judging whether the value of the key stored in the database is maintained as the referenced value without change made by another transaction for the respective transactions. The system further judges whether each transaction is successful, based on the resultant table sent back and commits only transactions judged to be successful. |
| US08417676B2 |
Automated method for detecting and repairing configuration conflicts in a content management system
Embodiments of the invention provide for detecting and (in at least some cases) repairing XML configuration conflicts in a content management system (CMS). One method allows a CMS to evaluate various configuration components and determine when those components may conflict with one another. If a conflict is detected, the CMS may be configured to notify an administrator of the problem, and in some cases, correct the problem. As a result, administrators may not have to carefully evaluate each configuration file associated with a document type definition for a given document type before creating or modifying a content processing rule. |
| US08417674B2 |
System and method for creating deduplicated copies of data by sending difference data between near-neighbor temporal states
Systems and methods are disclosed for using a first deduplicating store to update a second deduplicating store with information representing how data objects change over time, said method comprising: at a first and a second deduplicating store, for each data object, maintaining an organized arrangement of temporal structures to represent a corresponding data object over time, wherein each structure is associated with a temporal state of the data object and wherein the logical arrangement of structures is indicative of the changing temporal states of the data object; finding a temporal state that is common to and in temporal proximity to the current state of the first and second deduplicating stores; and compiling and sending a set of hash signatures for the content that has changed from the common state to the current temporal state of the first deduplicating store. |
| US08417672B2 |
Item level recovery
A backup and restore system may present recovered backup data as local resources and in a read and write manner so that the recovered backup data may be accessed using an application that created the data. In some embodiments, the recovered data may be read only data, but a differencing virtual hard disk (VHD), Common Internet File System protocol, or differencing driver may be used to present a read/write version of the data. Additionally, the data may be presented using iSCSI or other technologies to present the data as local data, even though the data may be remotely located. The backup and restore system may additionally use VHD differencing technologies to create multiple backups. |
| US08417666B2 |
Structured coauthoring
A system is presented for structured coauthoring of a document, the system comprising a server. The server includes one or more documents organized into sections, a document permissions module that stores user access permissions for each section of a document, a document update processing module that processes requests from a user to share document updates with other users and that processes requests from a user to receive document updates from other users and a document rendering module that renders a document for display on a client so that sections of the document are updated with shared document updates made by users. The user access permissions determine the extent to which a user can modify each section of the document. |
| US08417658B2 |
Deployment pattern realization with models of computing environments
Deployment pattern matching is implemented by accessing a target computing environment model that captures environment modeling parameters relating to resources and resource-resource relationships of a corresponding computing environment and expressing the target computing environment model as a model graph defined by target resource elements and resource-to-resource relationship links. Deployment pattern matching is further implemented by accessing a realization pattern that captures deployment parameters relating to resources and resource-resource relationships of a deployment of interest and expressing the realization pattern as a pattern graph defined by conceptual resource elements and constraints arranged by resource-to-resource relationship links and constraint links. The realization pattern is then evaluated against the target computing environment model by executing at least one pattern matching algorithm that attempts to match the pattern graph to the model graph and information corresponding to results of the evaluation are conveyed. |
| US08417657B2 |
Methods and apparatus for computing graph similarity via sequence similarity
This disclosure describes systems and methods for identifying and correcting anomalies in web graphs. A web graph is transformed into a sequence of tokens via a walk algorithm. The sequence is fingerprinted to form a set of shingles. The singles are compared to shingles for other web graphs in order to determine similarity between web graphs. Actions are then carried out to remove anomalous web graphs and modify parameters governing web mapping in order to decrease the likelihood of future anomalous web graphs being built. |
| US08417656B2 |
Techniques for building an aggregate model for performing diagnostics
Techniques for building a model for performing diagnostics. In one embodiment, a set of models is determined based upon a topological relationship created upon receiving an alert or a request for which diagnostics are to be performed. An aggregate model is then generated based upon the set of models and the topological relationship. The aggregate model is then used for performing the diagnostics. |
| US08417651B2 |
Matching offers to known products
A method and apparatus for electronically matching an electronic offer to structured data for a product offering is disclosed. The structure data is reviewed and a dictionary of terms for each attribute from the structure data is created. Attributes in unstructured text may be determined. Each pair of the attributes (name and value) from the unstructured data and the structured data are obtained, the attribute pairs of the structured data and the unstructured data and compared and a similarity level is calculated for the matching the attribute pairs. The structured data pair that has the highest similarity score to the unstructured data pair is selected and returned. |
| US08417650B2 |
Event prediction in dynamic environments
Event prediction in dynamic environments is described. In an embodiment a prediction engine may use the learnt information to predict events in order to control a system such as for internet advertising, email filtering, fraud detection or other applications. In an example one or more variables exists for pre-specified features describing or associated with events and each variable is considered to have an associated weight and time stamp. For example, belief about each weight is represented using a probability distribution and a dynamics process is used to modify the probability distribution in a manner dependent on the time stamp for that weight. For example, the uncertainty about the associated variable's influence on prediction of future events is increased. Examples of different schedules for applying the dynamics process are given. |
| US08417639B1 |
Automatic check reordering
Systems and methods for automatically reordering checks for a plurality of accounts utilizing checks. For each of the plurality of accounts, a number of checks written may be determined from a most recent check order. The number of checks written may comprise a number of checks cleared and a number of stop payment orders made. Also, for each of the plurality of accounts, a check usage rate for the account may be determined. The check usage rate may be proportional to a number of checks written per unit time. Additionally, for each of the plurality of accounts a time-to-exhaustion for the account may be determined considering the number of checks written and the check usage rate for the account. Also, for each of the plurality of accounts, when the time-to-exhaustion drops below a threshold, an order of new checks directed to a customer associated with the account may be initiated. |
| US08417636B2 |
Approving ACH operator processing of ACH payments based on an originating depository financial institution's approved originator list
Approving automated clearing house (“ACH”) payments for processing by an ACH operator is based on an approved originator list identifying originators authorized by an originating depository financial institution (“ODFI”) to originate ACH payments and to send those ACH payments to the ACH operator on behalf of the ODFI. The ACH operator receives an ACH payment originated by a first originator and sent to the ACH operator on behalf of the ODFI. The ACH operator determines whether the first originator is on the approved originator list and processes the ACH payment if the first originator is on the approved originator list. The ACH operator can reject the ACH payment if the first originator is not on the approved originator list or can seek approval from the ODFI to process the ACH payment even if the first originator is not on the approved originator list. |
| US08417630B2 |
Systems and methods for deposit predictions based upon template matching
Systems and methods may be provided for deposit prediction based upon template matching. The system and methods may include receiving deposit information associated with a plurality of deposits for a deposit account of a financial institution customer, where the deposit information includes a plurality of deposit amounts, and a respective date associated with each of the plurality deposit amounts; identifying, based upon the received deposit information, one or more deposit patterns by applying one or more template patterns to the deposit information and determining that one or more of the applied template patterns match at least a portion of the deposit information; and generating an indication of the identified one or more deposit patterns. |
| US08417626B2 |
System and method for sports betting
A method of providing an account is provided. The method includes receiving identification information associated with a user during a communication session. The method further includes communicating a request for credit information. The request includes at least a portion of the identification information. The method further includes receiving the requested credit information, and for each of a plurality of different types of accounts, determining whether to approve that type of account based at least in part on the received credit information. The method further includes communicating an indication of at least a portion of the approved types of accounts, and receiving a selection of at least one of the approved types of accounts. The method further includes opening at least one of the selected types of accounts and providing access to at least one of the opened accounts during the communication session. |
| US08417623B2 |
System and method for implementing an investment company that issues a class of conventional shares and a class of exchange-traded shares in the same fund
A system is provided for administering a single investment company that issues one or more classes of shares that are bought from and redeemed with the single investment company at a net asset value and issues one or more classes of shares that are listed for trading on a securities exchange and that are bought and sold at negotiated market prices. One or more computers maintain account data of the outstanding shares. An owner of any share of any share class has an undivided interest in the single investment company. |
| US08417622B2 |
Systems and methods of conducting financial transactions
Systems and methods of conducting financial transactions are disclosed. For example, one disclosed method includes receiving a first price on a computer from a provider, the first price associated with an available volume of a financial instrument; associating the price with the provider in a computerized database of a plurality of providers; identifying a plurality of user-preferred providers in the computerized database associated with the first price; aggregating the available volume of the financial instrument offered for sale or required for purchase by the plurality of user-preferred providers on the computer; and causing the aggregated volume of the financial instrument to be displayed on a display in communication with the computer. |
| US08417612B2 |
Using commercial share of wallet to rate business prospects
Commercial size of spending wallet (“CSoSW”) is the total business spend of a business including cash but excluding bartered items. Commercial share of wallet (“CSoW”) is the portion of the spending wallet that is captured by a particular financial company. A modeling approach utilizes various data sources to provide outputs that describe a company's spend capacity. Research analysts can use CSoW/CSoSW to provide a comprehensive and robust indication of the business prospects of a rated company. |
| US08417611B2 |
System and method for legal document authoring and electronic court filing
A system for legal document authoring for a legal action and electronic court filing of such legal documents provides an online network for subscribers. The system provides a direct mechanism (and a web portal mechanism) for submitting a claim file containing party and claim information necessary for automatic legal document generation based on an auto-selected destination court (in some embodiments) and further based on at least certain party and claim information. The automatically-generated legal documents are compliant with the requirements of the destination court, providing end-to-end automation for improved efficiency in judicial debt collection. The system also provides an online network for facilitating communications between subscribers (litigants) and the court systems. |
| US08417606B2 |
Method, software program, and system for structuring risk in a financial transaction
A computer-implemented method, system, apparatus, and media is directed to minimizing a risk associated with an anticipated value of an investment. An insurer establishes a capital structure within a computer memory of a computer system, the capital structure designed to minimize risk and structured with regulatory capital and a cash stream that is pledged to fund a default associated with the investment. Establishing the capital structure can include allocating regulatory capital based on a coverage factor multiplied by an average annual depression scenario default percentage for the investment and determining a portion of the capital structure for a pledged insuring investment that produces at least a portion of the cash stream. A determination of whether the established capital structure is sufficient to obtain a minimal target credit rating for the insurer is generated. The desired target rating is electronically provided based on the determination. |
| US08417602B2 |
Method for using environmental classification to assist in financial management and services
Managing risks of crop production can be performed by understanding the relative performance of different agricultural inputs under the same or similar environmental conditions. In addition, managing of crop production risks can be performed by understanding variations in the performance of the same agricultural inputs over a range of environmental conditions. By being able to describe and understand these variations in performance, decisions can be made which are consistent with overall business and/or production objectives and limit risk associated with variations in environmental conditions. In addition to producers there are other stakeholders in the crop production process, such as financial institutions, insurance providers, users of crops produced, and input suppliers. These and other stakeholders can provide financial incentives to producers for managing crop production risks through use of environmental classification and/or genotype-by-environment information. |
| US08417592B1 |
Inventory of libraries
Determining efficiently whether it is necessary to re-inventory a storage media library, such as a tape library, is disclosed. It is determined whether a first number computed based at least in part on at least a portion of a new inventory data is the same as a second number computed based at least in part on a corresponding stored inventory data. An update of the stored inventory data is initiated if it is determined that the first number is not the same as the second number. |
| US08417591B2 |
Stock flow management system and method
A computer program product tangibly embodied in an information carrier includes instructions that, when executed, perform operations that modify stock levels of a storage location in a logistic environment system. The operations include receiving information indicating a stock level change at storage location database objects that each represent a storage location for stock in a logistic environment. A storage location database object has associated with it a rule, a stock amount value specifying an amount of stock for the storage location, and a threshold that indicates a stock level to be maintained for the storage location. The operations also include determining, using the rule, if the stock level change would cause the stock amount value to cross the threshold, and if so, generating a request to modify the amount of stock at the storage location so that the stock amount value does not cross the threshold. |
| US08417589B2 |
Method of conducting business for making and selling articles of apparel having interchangeable parts
A method of conducting business for selling to a purchaser an article of apparel having interchangeable parts comprising the steps of offering for sale to a purchaser a multiplicity of base units of an article of apparel and a multiplicity of interchangeable components; providing a location for the purchaser to update the base unit with a purchase of a multiplicity of interchangeable components; creating an electronic purchaser user account to allow a purchaser to place an order of base units for the article of apparel and the interchangeable components; delivering the selected components to the purchaser; and updating the purchaser's user account to reflect the delivered components. |
| US08417581B2 |
Method, system, and medium for enabling a user to access learning content via a single-window learner interface
Methods and systems are disclosed for providing learning as a service in a learning network. At least certain embodiments connect users with providers of learning content using an online learning marketplace in a web-based user interface that allows users to control content and pace of learning. The learning can be self-directed, through self-paced online courses, as well as live online courses. The platform is configured to fulfill user requests for learning content without regard to location of the content or time of access. The learning content can be decomposed into monetized components, which can be accessed by users on a per-use or per-session basis. |
| US08417579B2 |
Method of managing parts
A method of managing a plurality of parts of an apparatus includes creating a part database of part information including at least the weights, part numbers, and shapes of individual parts, measuring the weight of a part to be ordered, entering the measured weight through input means of an information terminal and accessing the part database, extracting part information of all parts having weights which fall in a predetermined allowable range similar to the entered weight, from the part database, and displaying the extracted part information on display means of the information terminal, identifying the part number of the part to be ordered based on shapes of the parts represented by the displayed part information, and ordering the part with the identified part number. |
| US08417578B1 |
Customizing component configurations for utility computing
Disclosed are various embodiments for customizing component configurations used in utility computing. A listing of multiple computing components that may be selected to define a component configuration is generated. A selection by a customer of a subset of the computing components is stored as a component configuration. A deployment is initiated for one or more customized computing devices that conform to the component configuration in a networked plurality of computing devices in response to a request by the customer. |
| US08417577B2 |
Viewing shopping information on a network based social platform
A system for viewing shopping information on a social networking platform is disclosed. At the social networking platform, the system receives a request from a user device corresponding to a first user of the social networking platform to view a list of a second user of the social networking platform. The list may include items offered for transaction on a network-based commerce server. In response to receiving the request from the user device, the system forwards the request to the network-based commerce server, and then receives updated information for at least one item on the list from the network-based corner server. Then, the system communicates the updated information received from the network-based commerce server to the user device. |
| US08417576B2 |
Information transmitting apparatus, information transmitting method, information transmitting and processing program, and information transmitting system
There are provided an information transmitting apparatus, an information transmitting method, an information transmitting and processing program, and an information transmitting system capable of transmitting information such as a web page displaying stock quantity or the like while realizing the decreased number of times of obtaining stock quantity and lessening a process burden. In the case where a request for a hypertext generating page information is received, a hypertext including tag information having location information defining location of image data corresponding to stock quantity is transmitted to a terminal device, and the tag information displays the image data. In the case where a request including the location information is received from the terminal device which received the hypertext, stock-quantity information defining the stock quantity corresponding to the location information is obtained from a database. Image data indicating the stock quantity shown by the obtained stock quantity information in characters is generated. The generated image data is transmitted to the terminal device. |
| US08417570B2 |
System for automated media delivery to mobile devices and mobile device lockscreens
A method and system for automated media delivery to mobile devices and mobile device lockscreens. The method includes receiving a first media request associated with a first target device, obtaining a first user account associated with the first media request, wherein the first user account comprises first user category criteria; selecting a first user-submitted media item based on the first user category criteria, and sending, to the first target device, the first user-submitted media object, wherein the first user-submitted media object is presented on a lock screen of the first target device. The method further includes receiving a second media request associated with the first target device, selecting a first advertiser-submitted media object based on the first user category criteria, and sending, to the first target device, the first advertiser-submitted media object, wherein the first advertiser-submitted media object is presented on the lock screen of the first target device. |
| US08417569B2 |
System and method of evaluating content based advertising
A system and method searches, identifies, tests and/or evaluates websites and content related ads for suitability. The results can be used to identify and promote services to prospective advertising affiliates as part of an advertising campaign. |
| US08417568B2 |
Generation of contextual image-containing advertisements
According to embodiments of the invention, an advertisement-generation system generates image-containing advertisements. The advertisement-generation system includes: at least one feature-selection guideline that specifies at least one recommended feature for image-containing advertisements based on advertiser inputs that specify at least one of advertisement-target-audience information, cost information, and advertiser-industry information; an image-clip library from which images are selected for inclusion in the image-containing advertisements; and at least one advertisement template that is based on the at least one feature-selection guideline; wherein the system automatically generates image-containing advertisements that contain one or more suggested colors that are automatically suggested based on one or more colors present on a web page that will host the image-containing advertisement. |
| US08417564B2 |
Method for allocating advertising resources
A method of allocating advertising resources uses a database that includes a number of business unit characteristics, one being an average allocation of advertising costs over time. A regression coefficient is produced based on the characteristics, wherein a non-linear specification is used for the average allocation of advertising cost characteristic. An impact indicator is assigned based on the how positive the regression coefficient is so that the effect of each characteristic on sales/profits and quantity sold can be determined. |
| US08417560B2 |
Systems, methods, and apparatus for analyzing the influence of marketing assets
In various embodiments, the influence of marketing assets upon an individual are analyzed. In particular, a record of the individual's interactions with a first marketing asset of a first marketing campaign may be stored in a database. Thereafter, the database may be queried to determine whether the individual interacted with the first marketing asset in accordance with defined criteria. If so, the individual may be associated with the first marketing campaign. |
| US08417558B2 |
Systems and methods for identifying offered incentives that will achieve an objective
A computer implemented method of improving the performance of a viral marketing program comprises exposing, via a computer network, a first offered incentive to a first plurality of users. A first consumer viral marketing action is to be completed to receive the first incentive. First data indicative of the first plurality of users' progress toward achieving the first action is collected thereby providing a likelihood of the first incentive obtaining an objective. A second incentive is exposed to a second plurality of users. A second consumer viral marketing action is to be completed to receive the second incentive. Second data indicative of the second plurality of users' progress toward achieving the second marketing action is collected thereby providing a likelihood of the second incentive obtaining the objective. The first and second data is compared using a metric to identify which incentive is more likely to obtain the objective. |
| US08417548B2 |
Medical service support apparatus
A recording unit holds a plurality of examination data including the examination date of a performed examination. A search unit extracts examination data matching a set condition, of the plurality of examination data held in the recording unit. An output unit outputs a search result by the search unit. A first narrowing unit extracts examination data in which the examination date is included within a designated first period. A reference data determination unit classifies the examination data extracted by the first narrowing unit by an examinee and determines, for every examinee, one piece of the examination data to be a reference in accordance with a predetermined rule. A second narrowing unit sets, for every examinee, a second period designated in at least one of the past direction and the future direction starting from a reference date that is the examination date of the examination data determined by the reference data determination unit and extracts examination data in which the examination date is included within the second period. |
| US08417546B2 |
Verification technique for patient diagnosis and treatment
Exemplary embodiments provide a verification technique that facilitates administration of a health-related procedure to an intended recipient patient or group of patients. An interface template may be configured to establish verifiable matching engagement between the patient and various types of objects used to administer the health-related procedure. |
| US08417545B2 |
Device and method for automatic data acquisition and/or detection
Methods and devices for providing diabetes management including automatic time acquisition protocol is provided. |
| US08417538B2 |
System and method for performing object association based on interaction time using a location tracking system
A system is provided for associating an object with a locale or a second object based on interaction time. The system includes and object identifier linked with an object for providing data identifying the object and a location determining module for determining the location of the object. The location determining modules includes an object location module for determining the location of the object based at least in part on the data and an object association module for associating the object with a second object or locale. The object association module is configured to determine whether the object is in proximity to the second object or the locale for a time period greater than or equal to a threshold time and create an associating between the object and the second object or the locale. |
| US08417537B2 |
Extensible and localizable health-related dictionary
A system that uses a health-related dictionary component to establish responses to requests from devices and applications is provided. The innovation discloses uses of a health-related dictionary to enable retrieval of standardized lists and taxonomies in the healthcare space as well as localization of health-related data. Examples of these taxonomies include codes from medical coding vocabularies such as CPT (Current Procedural Terminology), layouts, templates, as well as references to units of measurements such as feet, inches, meters, liters, etc. |
| US08417536B2 |
Ultrasound laboratory information management system and method
A multifunctional information management system that integrates a plurality of modules, each of the modules being interfaced via a relational database. The integrated system manages a large volume of business, data, and image information and is capable of being accessed/organized via the Internet. One embodiment of the multifunctional information management system is an ultrasound laboratory information management system (ULIMS) for a medical ultrasound imaging and hemodynamic laboratory, e.g., an echocardiographic or comparable medical laboratory environment, incorporating a multifunctional management system. The ULIMS includes: 1) Scheduling and Workflow Modules; 2) Patient Information and Demographics Modules; 3) Billing Modules; 4) Procedure Information and Referral Diagnosis Modules; and 5) Measurement, Templates and Calculations Modules; 6) Final Impressions and Interpretation Modules; 7) Procedure Report Modules; 8) Serial Studies Module; 9) Research Protocols Module; 10) User Interface and Services Modules; 11) Web Based Modules; 12) Unique Reports Modules; 13) Database Modules; 14) Systems Administration Modules; 15) Security, Privacy and User Configuration Modules; 16) Image Modules; 17) Systems and Technical Support Modules; and 18) Knowledge Base Modules. |
| US08417526B2 |
Speech recognition learning system and method
One or more embodiments include a speech recognition learning system for improved speech recognition. The learning system may include a speech optimizing system. The optimizing system may receive a first stimulus data package including spoken utterances having at least one phoneme, and contextual information. A number of result data packages may be retrieved which include stored spoken utterances and contextual information. A determination may be made as to whether the first stimulus data package requires improvement. A second stimulus data package may be generated based on the determination. A number of speech recognition implementation rules for implementing the second stimulus data package may be received. The rules may be associated with the contextual information. A determination may be made as to whether the second stimulus data package requires further improvement. Based on the determination, one or more additional speech recognition implementation rules for improved speech recognition may be generated. |
| US08417522B2 |
Speech recognition method
A speech recognition method includes receiving a speech input signal in a first noise environment which includes a sequence of observations, determining the likelihood of a sequence of words arising from the sequence of observations using an acoustic model, adapting the model trained in a second noise environment to that of the first environment, wherein adapting the model trained in the second environment to that of the first environment includes using second order or higher order Taylor expansion coefficients derived for a group of probability distributions and the same expansion coefficient is used for the whole group. |
| US08417521B2 |
Method, device and system for implementing speech recognition function
The present disclosure discloses a method, a device and a system for implementing a speech recognition function, in which a media resource control device controls a media resource processing device to recognize a speech input by a user via H.248 protocol. The method includes receiving, by the media resource processing device, an H.248 message carrying a speech recognition instruction and a related parameter sent by the media resource control device; performing speech recognition according to the speech recognition instruction and the parameter; and reporting a recognition result to the media resource control device. A corresponding device and system for implementing the speech recognition function is further provided. |
| US08417519B2 |
Synthesis of lost blocks of a digital audio signal, with pitch period correction
The present invention relates to signal modification before pitch period repetition for the synthesis of blocks lost on decoding digital audio signals. The effects of repetition of transitories, such as the plosives of a speech signal, are avoided by comparing the samples of a pitch period with those of the previous pitch period. The signal is modified preferentially by taking the minimum between a current sample (e(3)) of the last pitch period (Tj) and at least one sample (e(2−T0) of approximately the same position in the previous pitch period (Tj−1). |
| US08417518B2 |
Voice recognition system, method, and program
A voice recognition system comprises: a voice input unit that receives an input signal from a voice input element and output it; a voice detection unit that detects an utterance segment in the input signal; a voice recognition unit that performs voice recognition for the utterance segment; and a control unit that outputs a control signal to at least one of the voice input unit and the voice detection unit and suppresses a detection frequency if the detection frequency satisfies a predetermined condition. |
| US08417517B2 |
Beamforming codebook generation system and associated methods
A codebook generation system and associated methods are generally described herein. For instance, a codebook generation agent (CGA) may implement techniques for generating one or more matrix codebooks from vector codebooks. The CGA may be implemented in mobile devices (e.g., stations, subscriber units, handsets, laptops, etc.). In this regard, the dynamic generation of matrix codebooks rather than having them stored on the mobile device enables the mobile device to utilize the memory normally consumed by the matrix codebooks in support of other features and/or services. |
| US08417513B2 |
Representation of objects and relationships in databases, directories, web services, and applications as sentences as a method to represent context in structured data
Systems and methods are disclosed for tagging and translating database objects and relationships into sentences. The successive composition of these sentences form hierarchies which encode contextual information about the objects. A virtual directory/context server functions using a common abstraction layer to access data from databases, applications, directories, Web Services, and other data sources within the enterprise. The virtual directory/context server includes a sentence/context builder module that enables the translation or relationships between data and from the plurality of data sources into a human-readable form, for example, an English language sentence. Thus, applications can view, access, and/or modify the data from the data sources of the enterprise through the virtual directory/context server, for example, using the sentences representative of the relationships between the data. The sentences are indexed, which allows for searches that bring information not only about objects, but also about the context in which those objects appear. |
| US08417510B2 |
Vocabulary generating apparatus and method, speech recognition system using the same
A vocabulary generating method and apparatus and a speech recognition system using the same are disclosed. In the vocabulary generating method, a new system vocabulary can be generated to increase the flexibility of the speech recognition system, so a user, when unsure of a system command, can use a specially defined “unknown code word” (UCW) for the undetermined part in the command. |
| US08417509B2 |
Natural language interface customization
A predefined interface is presented to a remote user. A natural language inquiry from the remote user is received via the predefined interface. The natural language inquiry is configured for use in an analysis. A customized interface is presented to the remote user based on the analysis of the natural language inquiry. The customized interface includes a customized set of communications options for the remote user to route communications. |
| US08417504B2 |
Conversion of circuit description to a transaction model
A system and method are described for converting a circuit description into transaction-based description at a higher level of abstraction. Thus, a designer can readily view a series of transactions that occurred in the simulation of a circuit. In one aspect, the simulated signals are analyzed and converted into messages of a protocol used by the design. A combination of the messages represents a transaction. Thus, the simulated signals are then converted into a series of protocol transactions. In another aspect, a message recognition module performs the analysis of the simulated signals and converts the simulated signals into messages (e.g., request for bus, bus acknowledge, etc.). A transaction recognition module analyzes the messages and converts the messages into transactions (e.g., Read, Write, etc.). Using both the system and method the circuit description is converted into a higher level of abstraction that allows more comprehensive system-level analysis. |
| US08417501B2 |
Configuring a simulator for testing wireless devices
A simulator for testing a wireless device is configured by using an indication of connected devices and channel model to be applied to an identified link received as input to calculate settings for function elements which modify signals to implement simulated effects defined by the channel model. The calculations are performed while a test is running, thereby avoiding delays associated with playback tests. Allocation of simulator paths and function elements are automated, and an indication of how the wireless devices are to be connected to the simulator is provided to the user. |
| US08417500B2 |
Sensor simulation system
The invention concerns a sensor simulation system. The simulation system (1) comprises a generator (3) that generates a digital signal by direct digital frequency synthesis, based on the following parameters: a frequency, an amplitude, a phase and amplitude shift; a digital/analog converter (4), and a means (6) that modulates the signal received from said converter (4). |
| US08417491B2 |
3D tool path planning, simulation and control system
A system, apparatus, and method are provided for control of a catheter (including an ablation catheter), bronchoscope/endoscope and beveled needle. Control of a bronchoscope (100) is calculated for a 3D environment based on capabilities of the bronchoscope and the patient morphology. This can be used to plan and simulate an optimal motion, train or compare surgical techniques or automate the procedure. A particular bronchoscope may be recommended based on its form and flexibility as well as based on the personal morphology of the patient rather than relying on statistical norms. For all tools, a 6 dimensional configuration space problem is solved using 3 storage dimensions and a ‘6D neighborhood’ for path planning. The present invention finds the kinematically feasible path from a ‘start’ to a goal, while avoiding obstacles and dangerous regions. |
| US08417488B2 |
Computer code and method for designing a multi-family dwelling
A collection of dwelling unit module designs is created from which multi-family dwelling buildings or the multi-family portion of a mixed-use building may be designed. The module designs each fit onto uniform grid intervals defining a structural support system which may fit a parking layout below the units. A module design may include an individual unit or a stack of units. A graphical user interface to a computer system accommodates defining a site specific outline for the building and filling the outline with dwelling unit modules from the collection. The dwelling unit module designs may be designed and perfected in a manner independent of and in advance of any specific project and project schedule. |
| US08417486B2 |
System, method, and program product for synthesizing heat exchanger networks and identifying optimal topology for future retrofit
Systems, methods, and program product to synthesize a grass-roots heat exchanger network for hot process streams to be cooled and cold process streams to be heated and to identify optimal topology for future retrofit, are provided. An exemplary system includes a heat exchange network synthesizing computer and heat exchange network synthesizing program product configured to analyze the waste heat recovery problem, without decomposition, to produce a result having a better number of heat exchanger units and/or better waste heat recovery through application of advanced process-to-process matching schemes for both non-constrained and non-thermodynamically constrained problems. The heat exchange network synthesizing program product is also configured to produce alternative optimal heat exchanger network designs which account for variations in energy and capital costs to allow for construction of a physical heat exchanger network configured during its initial construction or deployment to be “easily-retrofitable” in future times according to a continuum of possible energy-capital cost scenarios. |
| US08417485B2 |
Constructing computer aided design models from procedurally defined curve and surface lofts
The advantageous embodiments provide a computer implemented method, apparatus, and computer program product for constructing a computer aided design model. User input is received that contains a callback function and a required accuracy. The callback function prescribes a procedurally defined geometry and the required accuracy specifies the degree of accuracy needed for the computer aided design model. The callback function is sampled at a number of points to form sampled points and a candidate curve is constructed that approaches the sampled points. A determination is made as to whether the candidate curve meets the required accuracy. |
| US08417483B2 |
Determination and control of wellbore fluid level, output flow, and desired pump operating speed, using a control system for a centrifugal pump disposed within the wellbore
A method and apparatus for determining a fluid level and/or output flow during operation of a centrifugal pump, are provided, which may be used for production of gas and/or oil from a well, and include a vector feedback model to derive values of torque and speed from signals indicative of instantaneous current and voltage drawn by the pump motor, a pump model which derives values of the fluid flow rate and the head pressure for the pump from torque and speed inputs, a pumping system model that derives, from the estimated values of the pump operating parameters, an estimated value of fluid level and other pumping system parameters. Controllers responsive to the estimated values of the pumping system parameters control the pump to maintain fluid level at the pump input, near an optimum level, or within a safe operating range and/or output flow from the pump. |
| US08417480B2 |
Control asset comparative performance analysis system and methodology
A system and method is provided for determining the variability induced on a process output. The method includes the analysis of input variable values to determine the total variability. A series of processes may be analyzed and ranked so that a process owner may gain an understanding of how a target process performs relative to the processes of other process owners. The method includes the generation of graphical process comparisons and advice regarding asset performance. The method also includes the estimation of cost impacts due to changes in induced variability. |
| US08417476B2 |
Dynamic randomized controlled testing with consumer electronics devices
One embodiment of the present invention sets forth a technique for performing dynamic randomized controlled testing to evaluate design choices for a consumer electronics (CE) device. A plurality of CE devices may communicate with a server system over a data communications network to be assigned a variant of the design choice. The variant may correspond to a variant of a user interface component of the CE device or a functional component of the CE device. Once assigned, feedback may be collected from the plurality of CE devices specifying one or more performance metrics associated with the design variant assigned to a respective CE device. |
| US08417474B2 |
Methods of use of substrate having properties of keratinous tissue
Method of product evaluation comprising the steps of applying at least one substance to a surface of an artificial substrate to form a substance-coated surface, wherein the substrate surface demonstrates at least one physical property selected from the group consisting of a total surface energy of from about 15 mJ/m2 to about 50 mJ/m2, a polar component of the total surface energy of from about 0 mJ/m2 to about 15 mJ/m2, a zeta-potential at a pH of about 5.0 of from about −30 mV to about 30 mV, and combinations thereof, and performing at least one analysis of the substance-coated surface. |
| US08417469B1 |
Force measurement
The different advantageous embodiments provide a method and an apparatus for measuring forces. In one advantageous embodiment, an apparatus comprising a probe, a force sensor, an angle measurement system, and an output device is provided. The probe is configured to apply a load to a surface of an object. The force sensor is configured to measure a force along an axis through an end of the probe that contacts the surface when the load is applied to the surface by the probe. The angle measurement system is configured to identify an angle of the axis relative to the surface of the object. The output device is configured to display the force and the angle. |
| US08417460B2 |
Method of detecting coliform bacteria and Escherichia coli bacteria from reflected light
The present invention relates to a method of detecting coliform bacteria in water from reflected light and a method of detecting Eschericha Coli bacteria in water from reflected light, and also includes devices for the measurement, calculation and transmission of data relating to that method. |
| US08417453B2 |
Map information guidance device, map information guidance method, and computer program
Devices, methods, and programs update map information stored in a storage medium based on map update information distributed from a map distribution center. The devices, methods, and programs search for a vehicle route based on the stored map information, perform first guidance along the route, and identify a target area on the route that will be updated when the map information is updated. The devices, methods and programs determine whether the update of the target area will be complete when the vehicle reaches the target area. If the update of the target area will not be complete when the vehicle reaches the target area, the devices, methods, and programs request second guidance for the target area from the map distribution center, switch from proving the first guidance to providing the second guidance through the target area, and return to performing the first guidance when the vehicle exits the target area. |
| US08417452B2 |
System for providing information to an operator of a vehicle
Methods and apparatus are provided for a system that provides information to an operator of a vehicle. The system includes, but is not limited to a call center that configured to provide the operator with route guidance to a location. The system also includes a plurality of internet websites. Each internet website relates to a vehicle lifecycle event and is configured to permit the operator to electronically transmit a location associated with the vehicle lifecycle event to the call center. |
| US08417449B1 |
Electronic navigation related technology
Techniques are described for monitoring whether a user is following directions to a destination during electronic navigation to the destination provided by an electronic navigation device. When the electronic navigation device determines that the user is not following directions to the destination (e.g., the user has missed several turns suggested by the electronic navigation device), the electronic navigation device determines that the user appears to be avoiding the route (or a primary component thereof) to the destination. In response to a determination that the user appears to be avoiding the route (or a primary component thereof) to the destination, the electronic navigation device may automatically, without human intervention, perform an operation directed to using an alternative route (or alternative primary component) to the destination despite the current route remaining preferred according to current routing settings. |
| US08417447B2 |
Method and system for visualizing shared route information
A method and system for visualizing shared route information are provided. The method includes receiving a route query from a user and retrieving multiple route results for the query for display as an overlay on a map. The method further includes processing the route results for display by dividing each route result into sub-routes, wherein a sub-route is a portion of a route between intersections with other routes and aggregating the sub-routes across the route results. Each sub-route in the route results is scored according to a defined scoring basis and represented in the display according to the relative score to other sub-routes. A user can select a displayed sub-route and the method filters the route results to remove any routes not including the selected sub-route and displays the narrowed results. |
| US08417442B2 |
Collection, monitoring, analyzing and reporting of traffic data via vehicle sensor devices placed at multiple remote locations
Traffic management reports are created by providing vehicle sensor devices at different location in a region. Each device captures data of vehicles that pass the device. The vehicle data is communicated to a central computer database. At the central computer database, a user interface selects one or more criteria from a plurality of criteria for filtering the vehicle data. Traffic management reports are then automatically created from the filtered vehicle data using the selected criteria. |
| US08417435B2 |
Eco-run system, computer readable medium and eco-run state informing apparatus
The present invention is an eco-run system having an eco-run function that stops and restarts an internal combustion engine depending on a state of a vehicle. The eco-run system includes: table information that prescribes a relationship between a plurality of eco-run prohibition reasons and priorities in which a user is informed of the eco-run prohibition reasons; an eco-run ECU 10 that judges whether an eco-run prohibition reason occurs to the vehicle; and an eco-lamp 41 or a navigation apparatus that, when it is judged by the eco-run ECU 10 that the eco-run prohibition reason occurs to the vehicle, informs the user of the eco-run prohibition reason depending on the priorities prescribed by the table information. |
| US08417431B2 |
Method for reducing gear rattle in a hybrid electric vehicle powertrain
A method for controlling a powertrain for a hybrid electric vehicle having an engine and a motor and gearing for establishing power flow paths from the engine and the motor with common gear elements to vehicle traction wheels. An engine power bias is applied to an engine power command and a bias to a motor torque command to avoid an operating mode in which motor torque is at or near zero, whereby gear rattle due to torque disturbances is avoided. |
| US08417423B2 |
Robotic platform for collecting data to emulate material handling vehicle mast angles
A defined vehicle path emulator system is described, which system can be used for measuring the F-min values and profiles for a path on a concrete floor traversed by a vehicle with a specific wheelbase. The defined vehicle path emulator is an autonomous robot that guides itself down the selected path.The F-min values are used to calculate the deviations away from zero planar infinity while traversing the path for a tall mast carried by an emulated vehicle. This invention's systems are distinct from the (FF/FL) floor flatness and floor levelness measuring systems in the literature as prior art.The floor can be marked for deviations from flatness by means of a laser etching system activated by the emulator's software system. The emulator can also signal an operator when it detects itself veering off of the defined path. |
| US08417421B2 |
Electronic system to induce the occupants of a vehicle to fasten seat belts
An electronic system to induce the occupants of a vehicle to fasten seat belts is described. The electronic system is configured to determine an alert condition indicating that a seat belt of at least one occupant of the vehicle is not fastened or is not properly fastened. The electronic system is also configured to allow the car radio to operate even when said alert condition is present, and to control the volume of the car radio for as long as said alert condition persists, preventing it from exceeding a low volume level. |
| US08417417B2 |
Architecture and methodology for holistic vehicle control
A method to control a vehicle includes monitoring desired vehicle force and moment, monitoring real-time corner constraints upon vehicle dynamics which includes monitoring corner states of health for the vehicle, and monitoring corner capacities for the vehicle. The method further includes determining a desired corner force and moment distribution based upon the desired vehicle force and moment and the real-time corner constraints, and controlling the vehicle based upon the desired corner force and moment distribution. |
| US08417415B2 |
Driver authentication system and method for monitoring and controlling vehicle usage
A driver authentication and safety system and method for monitoring and controlling vehicle usage by high-risk drivers. A centralized database comprising a software application can be accessed by an authorized user via a data communications network utilizing a remote computer in order to configure a desired operating profile that matches requirements of the high-risk driver. The operating profile can be loaded to a driver identification and data logging device in conjunction with the remote computer. A master control unit receives a unique identification code from the data logging device to authenticate the high-risk driver and to operate the vehicle within the desired operating profile. A slave control unit receives commands from the master control unit and generates a real time alarm signal if the driver violates the preprogrammed operating profile unique to the driver. |
| US08417399B2 |
Systems and methods for orienting a marine vessel to minimize pitch or roll
Systems and methods for orienting a marine vessel minimize at least one of pitch and roll in a station keeping mode. A control device having a memory and a programmable circuit is programmed to control operation of the plurality of marine propulsion devices to maintain orientation of a marine vessel in a selected global position and heading. The control device receives at least one of actual pitch and actual roll of the marine vessel in the global position and controls operation of the plurality of marine propulsion units to change the heading of the marine vessel to minimize at least one of the actual pitch and the actual roll while maintaining the marine vessel in the selected global position. |
| US08417396B2 |
Air traffic control method
A method of operating an air traffic control system may include receiving, by a control system, an instruction from a control system user. The method may further include providing, by the control system, the instruction to an airplane via a data link between the control system and a system of the airplane. In addition, the method may include adjusting, by the airplane system, at least one airplane control to correspond to the instruction. |
| US08417393B2 |
Demand response appliance module
The present disclosure provides a method of controlling an appliance comprising: profiling at least one appliance including one or more power consuming functions connected with a home energy management system (HEM); defining an energy event corresponding to each of the one or more power consuming functions; developing a home energy profile in the HEM of all the energy events including a calendar of energy events; manipulating the home energy profile by a user wherein the user cancels, delays, reschedules, or enables processing of the calendar of energy events; and, communicating through a translator board wireless communication between the HEM and the at least one appliance. |
| US08417391B1 |
Automated demand response energy management system
The power flexibility of energy loads is maximized using a value function for each load and outputting optimal control parameters. Loads are aggregated into a virtual load by maximizing a global value function. The solution yields a dispatch function providing: a percentage of energy for each individual load, a time-varying power level for each load, and control parameters and values. An economic term represents the value of the power flexibility to different players. A user interface includes for each time interval upper and lower bounds representing respectively the maximum power that may be reduced to the virtual load and the maximum power that may be consumed. A trader modifies an energy level in a time interval relative to the reference curve for the virtual load. Automatically, energy compensation for other intervals and recalculation of upper and lower boundaries occurs. The energy schedule for the virtual load is distributed to the actual loads. |
| US08417390B2 |
Code replacement for irrigation controllers
Described herein are several embodiments relating to modular irrigation controllers. In many implementations, methods of implementing irrigation control are provided that detect a presence of a first module coupled with a control unit of an irrigation controller, the control unit operating in accordance with a bootloader set of code and a first set of code to implement irrigation control, identify that the first module stores a second set of code, and activate the bootloader set of code to replace the first set of code with the second set of code. Also described are various different types of modular controllers, expansion modules that may be coupled to the modular controller, having as variety of functions and features, as well as related methods of use and configuration of the controller and these modules in the controller. |
| US08417386B2 |
System and method for defrost of an HVAC system
A system and a method are provided for monitoring a condition and selectively executing a certification defrost algorithm for a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system in response to the status of the monitored condition. A system and a method are provided for selectively operating a certification defrost algorithm in parallel to a field defrost algorithm. A system and a method are also provided for causing a controller to execute a first algorithm and for causing the controller to selectively execute a second algorithm while also executing the first algorithm where each of the first algorithm and the second algorithm are configured to selectively cause the HVAC system to operate in a defrost mode. |
| US08417385B2 |
Home appliance control device
There is provided a home appliance control device for obtaining various parameters of each active object according to a variation between a plurality of current images acquired by an image sensor or according to a relation of a current image acquired by the image sensor with respect to a reference image or a reference data thereby determining an operation state of a home appliance. |
| US08417383B2 |
Detecting robot stasis
A coverage robot includes a drive configured to maneuver the robot as directed by a controller, a stasis indication wheel rotatable about a first axis perpendicular to a direction of forward travel, and a suspension supporting the wheel. The stasis indication wheel defines a first reflective portion and a second reflective portion. The second reflective portion is substantially less reflective than the first reflective portion. The suspension permits movement of the wheel in a direction other than rotation about the first axis. A signal emitter is disposed remotely from the wheel and positioned to direct a signal that sequentially is intercepted by the first and second reflective portions of the wheel. A signal receiver is positioned to receive the reflected signal by the rotating wheel. Communication between the emitter and the receiver is affected by rolling transitions between the first and second reflective portions during permitted movement of the wheel. |
| US08417382B2 |
Control device for legged mobile body
A desired motion determiner of a control unit of a legged mobile robot determines a leg motion parameter specifying the motion trajectory of a distal end of a leg of the robot on the basis of the information on a floor geometry of an environment in which the robot travels and a requirement related to a travel route of the robot, thereby sequentially determining the desired motion of the robot. A floor geometry information output unit which outputs floor geometry information to the desired motion determiner outputs floor geometry information in which a rising surface of a stepped portion of a predetermined type, the contact thereof with a leg of the robot should be avoided, has been shaped into a surface having a gentler slope than an actual rising surface. The desired motion determiner determines the leg motion parameter such that the leg will not come in contact with the stepped portion having the shaped rising surface. |
| US08417380B2 |
System and method for communicating vending information
A system and method for communicating vending information for a digital video disc is provided. A plurality of vending transaction data is received, wherein each of the plurality of data comprises a transaction timestamp and corresponds to a rental transaction for a digital video disc. The plurality of vending transaction data is stored in a memory of a vending apparatus, and is encrypted. It is determined whether a predetermined period of time has elapsed since a first transmission of transaction data from the vending apparatus, and a communication request is transmitted upon such determination to a remote control center. A signal is received at the vending apparatus from a control center in response to the communications request, and a plurality of vending transaction data is transmitted to the remote control center in response to receiving the signal. |
| US08417379B2 |
Pharmacy dispensing system and method
A system for filling a prescription order for a patient includes a plurality of trays each having an RFID tag for storing a unique identifier corresponding to the prescription order, and a plurality of workstations operatively linked to one another, each workstation having an antenna for detecting the unique identifier in one of the plurality of trays, where the detecting is operative to trigger displaying of a profile of at least one prescription item for the corresponding prescription order. |
| US08417374B2 |
Method and apparatus for changing speed or direction of an article
A method of reversing direction of an article, or of speeding up or slowing down an article is disclosed by engaging an article with a first belt to move the article in a first direction; disengaging the article from the first belt; and then engaging the article with a second belt to move the article at a different speed. An apparatus to change speed of an article is also disclosed by a first belt rotating in a first direction; a second belt rotating in the direction at a second speed; the first belt engaging an article at a first time while the second belt is disengaged with the article, the first belt disengaging the article at a second time, and the second belt engaging the article at a third time while the first belt is disengaged with the article. |
| US08417372B2 |
Method for optimizing value of wood products dried in a drying process
The present disclosure includes a method for optimizing value of current wood products dried in one or more current drying processes and associated computer software. The method comprises the steps of obtaining prior wood product data for prior wood products dried in one or more prior drying processes and generating a value function based on the prior wood product data. The method further includes identifying one or more sources of variability in the prior wood product data and quantifying a contribution to overall variability from each of the sources. The value function and the contributions to overall variability may be used to quantify one or more value opportunities associated with each the one or more sources, each value opportunity being associated with one or more executable steps for improving the one or more current drying processes. |
| US08417366B2 |
Compensation orthodontic archwire design
Method and workstation automatically designing an arch-wire including compensations for auxiliary appliances or biological constraints exerting unknown forces to achieve a pre-planned treatment goal are disclosed. The adjusted customized arch-wire is designed after an initial customized arch-wire has been used to treat a patient and is at or near equilibrium. The initial custom arch-wire is first designed by producing a 3D computer-based, geometrical model of a patient's dentition, locating brackets on the digital tooth model, moving the digital tooth models to planned final positions and orientations, and then calculating a wire which fits in the slots of the brackets while the teeth are in their planned final positions and exerts no forces on the brackets. After a period of time the teeth will move under the force of the wire and will eventually move into positions such that the forces from all appliances and biological systems are in equilibrium. If the teeth are not in the final planned positions at that point in time, the adjusted custom arch-wire is designed and applied. |
| US08417365B2 |
Systems and methods for encoding and decoding computer-aided design files
A system includes an encoding module and a decoding module. The encoding module generates a three-dimensional (3D) model of a part, modifies the 3D model to include a 3D structure, and generates a computer-aided design (CAD) file based on the modified 3D model. The decoding module determines whether the CAD file includes the 3D structure, authorizes operation of analysis software on the CAD file when the CAD file includes the 3D structure, and prohibits operation of the analysis software when the CAD file does not include the 3D structure. |
| US08417361B2 |
Model predictive control system and method for integrated gasification combined cycle power generation
Control system and method for controlling an integrated gasification combined cycle (IGCC) plant are provided. The system may include a controller coupled to a dynamic model of the plant to process a prediction of plant performance and determine a control strategy for the IGCC plant over a time horizon subject to plant constraints. The control strategy may include control functionality to meet a tracking objective and control functionality to meet an optimization objective. The control strategy may be configured to prioritize the tracking objective over the optimization objective based on a coordinate transformation, such as an orthogonal or quasi-orthogonal projection. A plurality of plant control knobs may be set in accordance with the control strategy to generate a sequence of coordinated multivariable control inputs to meet the tracking objective and the optimization objective subject to the prioritization resulting from the coordinate transformation. |
| US08417360B2 |
System and method for dynamic multi-objective optimization of machine selection, integration and utilization
Systems and methodologies are provided for controlling a process having computer-controlled equipment, which provide for optimized process performance according to one or more performance criteria, such as efficiency, component life expectancy, safety, emissions, noise, vibration, operational cost, or the like. The systems and methods provide for employing machine diagnostic and/or prognostic information in connection with optimizing an overall business operation over a time horizon. |
| US08417356B2 |
Fibrous electrode material
A biomimetic electrode material including a fibrous matrix including a conductive polymer and an ion conducting polymeric material is described. The biomimetic electrode material may be used in a number of body-implantable applications including cardiac and neuro-stimulation applications. The biomimetic electrode material can be formed using electrospinning and other related processes. The biomimetic electrode may facilitate efficient charge transport from ionically conductive tissue to the electronically conductive electrode, and may induce surrounding tissue to attach or interface directly to the implanted device, increasing the biocompatibility of the device. |
| US08417354B2 |
Methods for using a pulmonary artery electrode
According to some method embodiments, a left pulmonary artery electrode is positioned in a left pulmonary artery, and the left pulmonary artery electrode is used to sense atrial activity, or capture cardiac tissue, or deliver neural stimulation. According to some method embodiments, a right pulmonary artery electrode is positioned in a right pulmonary artery and a left pulmonary artery electrode is positioned in a left pulmonary artery, the right pulmonary artery electrode is used to sense atrial activity, or capture cardiac tissue, or deliver neural stimulation, and the left pulmonary artery electrode is used to sense atrial activity, or capture cardiac tissue, or deliver neural stimulation. |
| US08417352B2 |
System and method for stimulating sensory nerves
An electrotherapy system for stimulating sensory nerves within skin tissue includes a electrode carrier, a pulse generator, an array of skin-penetrating electrodes and surface skin electrodes, a pulse conditioning circuit, and a power source. The system administers biphasic pulsed current at the surface skin electrodes and monophasic pulsed current at each skin-penetrating electrode. The skin-penetrating surfaces and skin contact surfaces of the electrotherapy system may be sterilized or may be replaceable for outpatient reusability. |
| US08417348B2 |
Pulsatile cochlear implant stimulation strategy
An implantable device includes a multi-channel electrode array in which each channel is associated with an electrode in the array. An audio processing stage processes an input audio signal to produce output channel signals representing associated bands of audio frequencies. A timing and envelope detector processes the output channel signals in a sequence of sampling intervals, including, for each sampling interval, determining for each output channel signal a set of pulse timing requests. A pulse selection amplitude definition stage determines for each set of requested pulse timings a set of output pulses at specified times and amplitudes selected from the set of requested pulse timings based on a pulse selection inhibition function. |
| US08417347B2 |
Method for achieving facial toning using selectively applied galvanic current
A method of toning the facial muscles and tissues in selected target areas involves applying predetermined galvanic currents, frequencies, and polarities to the target areas in specific patters and with particular repetitions and movements selected to provide enhanced cosmetic effects, such as reduced lines and wrinkles, reduced depth of folds, and improved circulation to promote health and vitality. |
| US08417345B2 |
Corpus callosum neuromodulation assembly
Neuromodulation assemblies with lead bodies having curvatures that mimic the curvatures of the splenium, trunk, genu, or rostrum of the corpus callosum. Methods of stimulating the corpus callosum and methods of securing an electrical lead in the brain are also provided. |
| US08417342B1 |
Gastrointestinal electrical stimulation device and method for treating gastrointestinal disorders
A device and method is provided for treating treat gastrointestinal disorders using electrical stimulation. In one advantageous form, the method uses mucosal EGG (mEGG) to analyze a patient's natural gastric electrical activity. The mEGG can be measured anywhere in the gastrointestinal tract. From the mEGG, one can determine whether a patient is a good candidate for gastrointestinal electrical stimulation. For example, analysis of the frequency, amplitude and a ratio of frequency to amplitude can be used to determine who should receive gastrointestinal electrical stimulation, and at what the various stimulation parameters should be. The present method can be used to treat various disorders relating to gastrointestinal electrical activity. Ideally, the gastric electrical stimulation is delivered at a desired frequency and amplitude to effectuate normalization of gastric electrical current/activity, thereby treating disorders associated with gastric electrical activity. Advantageously, gastrointestinal electrical stimulation is effectuated by endoscopically delivering the electrostimulating device. |
| US08417340B2 |
Implant with antenna array
Implant devices described herein may be adapted to communicate with other devices via an antenna array. The antenna array may be configured to minimize radiation to surrounding tissue and/or maximize signal power in a direction of device(s) with which the implant device communicates. |
| US08417339B2 |
System for the remote programming of a personal medical device
The invention comprises a system and a method for secure remote programming of an implant. For this purpose, a TAN list is generated on the part of the programming device and both stored in the implant (10) and also provided to a physician. The TAN list is preferably indexed and the implant predefines the index of a TAN in each case, which a physician must input to have a programming instruction executed by the implant. |
| US08417336B2 |
System and method for pacing rate control utilizing patient hemodynamic status information
A system and method for pacing rate control in a cardiac rhythm management (CRM) system. The method includes acquiring a pressure signal representative of coronary venous pressure (CVP) from a pressure sensor implanted within a coronary vein of the patient and generating a CVP waveform from the pressure signal. A pacing stimulus is applied to the patient's heart, and the pacing rate is increased in response to increases in patient's metabolic demand. The CVP index is monitored during the pacing rate increase, and the CRM system detects a reduction in the patient's hemodynamic performance based on the CVP index and establishes a maximum rate setting based on the pacing rate corresponding to the reduction in the patient's hemodynamic performance. |
| US08417332B2 |
Endocardial stimulation/defibrillation system of the left ventricle
A system for the endocardial stimulation/defibrillation of the left ventricle. This system includes a generator (60) and an endocardial lead. The lead includes a lead body (26) whose distal end (30) extends into the right ventricle (14) and is provided with a mechanism to anchor (32) the distal end to the interventricular septum (20). The lead body carries on it a stimulating and/or defibrillation electrode (38) (64, 66). A microcable (42) extends into the lead body and beyond, with an intermediate portion (56) crossing from one side of the interventricular septum (20) to the other, and an active free portion (58) that emerges in the left ventricle (16). The microcable is coupled to the generator, to produce an electric field (62) between, on one hand, the stimulation electrode (38) or defibrillation electrode (64, 66) of the lead body and, on the other hand, a bare region of the active free portion (58) of microcable (42). |
| US08417330B2 |
Corrosion resistant electrodes for iontophoretic transdermal delivery devices and methods of use
Embodiments of the invention provide electrode assemblies and associated methods for the iontophoretic transdermal delivery of therapeutic agents. Many embodiments provide a corrosion resistant electrode for the iontophoretic transdermal delivery of various therapeutic agents. Such embodiments allow for the iontophoretic transdermal delivery of therapeutic agents such as iron compounds for prolonged periods without any substantial corrosion of the electrode, impedance increases or discoloration or irritation of the skin. Embodiments of the invention are particularly useful for the long term treatment of various chronic medical conditions such as iron deficient anemia. |
| US08417327B2 |
Variable frequency impedance measurement
When a defibrillator selects a dosage of energy or current to be delivered to a patient, the defibrillator selects an excitation current frequency and applies the excitation current at the selected frequency to the patient. The frequency of the excitation current is selected as a function of the dosage to be delivered. The patient's response to the excitation current at the selected frequency will accurately reflect the impedance that the defibrillator will “see” when delivering the selected dosage of energy or current. |
| US08417326B2 |
RR interval monitoring method and blood pressure cuff utilizing same
Disclosed is an apparatus and method for ambulatory, real-time detection of Atrial Fibrillation (AF) providing an overall accuracy that refers to detection of AF, irrespective of the duration of AF and beat-to-beat classification. |
| US08417325B2 |
Differentiating decompensation detection based on co-morbidities in heart failure
This document discusses, among other things, a system comprising a sensor signal processor configured to receive a plurality of electrical sensor signals produced by a plurality of sensors and at least one sensor signal produced by an implantable sensor, a memory that includes information indicating a co-morbidity of a subject, a sensor signal selection circuit that selects a sensor signal to monitor from among the plurality of sensor signals, according to an indicated co-morbidity, a threshold adjustment circuit that adjusts a detection threshold of the selected sensor signal according to the indicated co-morbidity, and a decision circuit that applies the adjusted detection threshold to the selected sensor signal to determine whether an event associated with worsening heart failure (HF) occurred in the subject and outputs an indication of whether the event associated with worsening HF occurred to a user or process. |
| US08417324B2 |
Fluorescence lifetime spectrometer (FLS) and methods of detecting diseased tissue
This invention relates to method and apparatus for collection of the complete fluorescence emission spectrum and the transient decay of a selected spectral band simultaneously with data acquisition times of less that one second. This invention is useful for studying human tissues and cells in vivo. |
| US08417321B2 |
Flow reduction hood systems
Flow reduction hood systems are described which facilitate the visualization of tissue regions through a clear fluid. Such a system may include an imaging hood having one or more layers covering the distal opening and defines one or more apertures which control the infusion and controlled retention of the clearing fluid into the hood. In this manner, the amount of clearing fluid may be limited and the clarity of the imaging of the underlying tissue through the fluid within the hood may be maintained for relatively longer periods of time by inhibiting, delaying, or preventing the infusion of surrounding blood into the viewing field. The aperture size may be controlled to decrease or increase through selective inflation of the membrane or other mechanisms. |
| US08417318B2 |
Calibrating tracking systems to remove position-dependent bias
A method for removing position-dependent bias from tracking systems computes invertible transformations between a tracking system and a reference system, and applies an inverse of the transformation to measurements in the tracking system to estimate the locations of reference points in the reference system and to determine relative bias at the measured points. |
| US08417316B2 |
MRI imaging and contrast method
A novel MRI contrast technique enables to observe tissue properties not observable by previously known MRI methods. A difference between two disclosed pulse sequences is used to measure magnetization exchange time between water molecules and macromolecules such as proteins, thereby producing a measure highly sensitive to tissue changes resulting from coagulation, yet relatively insensitive to temperature fluctuations. This result is applied to an imaging method and provides direct visualization of the effects of surgical thermal ablation procedures. |
| US08417314B2 |
Ruthenium purple biosensor
The invention relates to a biosensor comprising an electrically conductive substrate, with a first layer comprising Ruthenium Purple formed on the substrate, a second layer comprising polyaniline or a derivative thereof comprising one or more non-polar substituents formed on the first layer, and a third layer comprising one or more enzymes trapped within a matrix formed on the second layer. The biosensor is for use in the detection of analytes such as purines and derivatives thereof, particularly in the detection of hypoxanthine. |
| US08417313B2 |
Method and device for determining and presenting surface charge and dipole densities on cardiac walls
The invention discloses a method, a system, a computer program and a device for determining the surface charge and/or dipole densities on heart walls. Using the foregoing, a table of dipole densities ν(P′, t) and/or a table of surface charge densities ρ(P′, t) of a given heart chamber can be generated. |
| US08417311B2 |
Fluid component analysis system and method for glucose monitoring and control
Disclosed are methods and apparatuses for determining analyte concentration in a sample such as bodily fluid. Systems and methods disclosed herein can also include a treatment dosing system to infuse or inject a treatment dose (e.g. insulin, dextrose, etc.) and provide glycemic control. The dose of the treatment drug may be based on the patient's calculated sensitivity to treatment dosing, for example. The dose of the treatment drug may be based on the concentration of the analyte or the average value for the concentration of the analyte and/or the rate of change of the value of the concentration of the analyte. Delivery of the treatment drug can be cut off if the determined analyte concentration indicates that continued delivery would be harmful to the patient. |
| US08417306B2 |
Method and device for measuring parameters of cardiac function
A device for non-invasively measuring at least one parameter of a cardiac blood vessel in a patient is provided. The device comprises at least one light source that emits light in the 400 nm to 1000 nm wavelength range; at least one photodetector adapted to receive light emitted by the light source and generate an output based on the received light, wherein said light is reflected from or transmitted through tissue of the patient, the output of said photodetector being correlated with a parameter of the blood vessel; and at least one probe for facilitating delivery of light from the light source to an external tissue site on the patient in the proximity of the cardiac blood vessel and receipt of light by the photodetector. A system and methods of monitoring/measuring cardiac parameters utilizing the device and/or system are also provided. |
| US08417303B2 |
Mobile device case
A removable case for a mobile device is provided, the mobile device having a front face and a side edge, and an input button located on the side edge. The case includes a main body defining a region in which the mobile device can be removably received, and an actuator on the main body having a user interface and a button interface, wherein the actuator translates an input force received on the user interface into a button activating force applied by the button interface in a different direction than the input force. |
| US08417301B2 |
Portable electronic device having at least one of resonator and shield
In some aspects, a portable electronic device, having a rear housing, an upper housing coupled to the rear housing and slideable relative thereto between a closed position and an open position, an antenna, and at least one element coupled to the antenna and configured to perform at least one of inhibiting low frequency shift and increasing high frequency sensitivity of the antenna. |
| US08417300B2 |
Mobile wireless communications device having frequency selective grounding and related method
A mobile wireless communications device includes a portable housing having a metallic front housing forming a peripheral sidewall as a metallic ring. A circuit board is carried by the portable housing and forms a chassis ground plane. A wireless communications circuit is carried by a circuit board. An antenna circuit is carried by a circuit board and connected to the wireless communications circuit. A frequency selective grounding circuit is positioned at a selected grounding location at the chassis ground plane and metallic front housing and forms a harmonic trap that responds to a specific range of frequencies. |
| US08417296B2 |
Electronic device with proximity-based radio power control
An electronic device such as a portable electronic device may have an antenna and associated wireless communications circuitry. A sensor such as a proximity sensor may be used to detect when the electronic device is in close proximity to a user's head. Control circuitry within the electronic device may be used to adjust radio-frequency signal transmit power levels. When it is determined that the electronic device is within a given distance from the user's head, the radio-frequency signal transmit power level may be reduced. When it is determined that the electronic device is not within the given distance from the user's head, proximity-based limits on the radio-frequency signal transmit power level may be removed. Data may be gathered from a touch sensor, accelerometer, ambient light sensor and other sources for use in determining how to adjust the transmit power level. |
| US08417294B2 |
Method and system for providing data services in a hybrid network
A method and system is disclosed for providing data services to a wireless mobile in a hybrid network. |