| Document | Document Title |
|---|---|
| US08414154B2 |
Solid state bidirectional light sheet having vertical orientation
An array of LEDs (e.g., 500 LEDs) is sandwiched between at least two transparent substrates having conductors bonded to the electrodes without wires, forming light sheets to emit light from opposite surfaces of the light sheet to create a bidirectional light sheet. The light sheet may be suspended from a ceiling to be perpendicular to the ceiling, or the angles of the light sheet may be adjusted. The suspended light sheet may form a cylinder for uniform illumination of the floor and ceiling. Lenses may be formed in the light sheet. |
| US08414150B1 |
LED light frame system including change-out system for LED removal and replacement
An illumination system for creating a field of light with which the density, photometric angular distribution, of the projected light can be changed, including a series of light modules including at least one LED, a structural frame of structural rails having electrically insulating elements, within which electrical conductors pass. The structural rails are at least partially composed of a heat conductive material. There is a circuit board which has a heat conductive substrate having slots disposed about the circuit board, and including at least two electrical contact surfaces located along the slots on the circuit board. The LED is mounted to the circuit board which includes at least two electrical contact surfaces located along the slots. There are electrically conductive screws for electrically connecting the LED on the circuit board to the electrical conductors and constructed and arranged to simultaneously provide a thermal transfer from the heat conductive substrate to the structural rails. The screws have a threaded portion of such diameter that they fit within the slots of the circuit board and the heads of the screws have a larger diameter than the slots and make contact with the contact surfaces when the screws are tightened. |
| US08414149B2 |
Light element seal module and method for same
An LED panel assembly includes a circuit board having a plurality of LEDs. An LED seal louver is coupled over the circuit board. The LED seal louver includes a substrate and a pliable seal membrane. The substrate includes one or more substrate cavities. The pliable seal membrane is coupled with the substrate, and the pliable seal membrane includes a pliable material partially extending across the one or more substrate cavities. One or more LED passages extends through the pliable material adjacent to the substrate cavities. Each of the LED passages is sized and shaped to receive a single LED. Bulbs for one or more of the plurality of LEDs are correspondingly received within the LED passages, and the pliable material seals around each bulb with an interference fit. The bulbs are directly visible through the LED seal louver while the pliable seal membrane is sealed around the bulbs, and the circuit board is concealed by the LED seal louver and isolated from an environment exterior to the LED panel assembly. |
| US08414142B2 |
Portable light
A portable light is disclosed including a housing having an upper end, a lower end and a cavity for receiving a power source therein. The housing further includes at the upper end a channel having channel walls and a plurality of LED lights in the channel. The channel walls have a height greater than the height of the LED lights. |
| US08414141B2 |
Luminaire for illuminating a space underneath a ceiling or a canopy, and method of illuminating such a space
A luminaire for illuminating a space underneath a ceiling or a canopy (1) to which the luminaire (2,3) is attached. The luminaire (2,3) comprises a plurality of LEDs (31) positioned in a straight array, and an elongated convergent lens (30) which extends parallel to the array of LEDs (30). The array of LEDs (30) is located at a distance (D) from the plane of symmetry (33) of the elongated lens (30). |
| US08414140B2 |
Writing instrument providing illumination
A writing instrument providing illumination includes a penholder, a pen core, a solid state lighting source module, and a rotating plate. The rotating plate connects to one end of the penholder. The solid state lighting source module is embedded in the rotating plate which can rotate to a specific angle. A battery providing electrical energy to the solid state lighting source module is arranged inside the penholder. When the rotating plate is turned to a position perpendicular to the penholder the solid state lighting source module is turned on and when the rotating plate is turned to a position adjacent to the penholder the solid state lighting source module is turned off. |
| US08414138B2 |
Illumination device
The invention relates to an illumination device (1), comprising: at least one LED (3) having an emission maximum in a first wavelength range; at least one LED (2) having an emission maximum in a second wavelength range; and a wavelength converting material (5) arranged to receive light of at least said first light wavelength range and having an emission maximum in a third wavelength range which is between said first wavelength range and said second wavelength range. The illumination device according to the invention may provide white light of acceptable overall color rendering while producing particularly high saturation of selected colors. |
| US08414133B2 |
Projection display device having an operation section for displacing a lens
A projection display device comprises a projection lens section to which light modulated by a light modulating element is entered, a mirror section for reflecting the light emitted from the projection lens section to reflect to the projection lens section side and directing the light to a projection plane, and an operation section for displacing a lens in the projection lens section. The operation section is disposed in a region in which the operation section does not hinder an optical path of the light that has been passed through a projection port provided in a main body cabinet. |
| US08414129B2 |
Optical system
An optical system is provided. The optical system includes a luminous system which comprises a plurality of light source devices and an image unit; and a projection system which receives light having an image through the luminous system, and enlarges and projects the light, wherein the plurality of light source devices comprise a reflection member which reflects light beam emitted from the light source devices, and are disposed so that the light beam emitted from the light source devices is reflected by the reflection member one time and enters to the image unit. |
| US08414128B2 |
Optical projection device and projecting method thereof with movable wave plate
An optical projection device includes a laser engine, a first wave plate and a lens. The laser engine provides light. The first wave plate changes a light phase. The lens focuses light. A projecting method of an optical projection device includes providing a light including a first P polarized light, a first S polarized light, and a second S polarized light, and projecting light through a wave plate on a screen, wherein the wave plate moves in a direction perpendicular to light. A projecting method of an optical projection device includes providing light including a first P polarized light, a first S polarized light, and a second S polarized light, and projecting light through a wave plate on a screen, wherein the wave plate rotates around an axis parallel to a projecting direction of light. |
| US08414127B2 |
Method of making and prescribing tinted lenses
Methods of fabricating and prescribing lenses suitable for color blindness and dyslexia correction are disclosed. The corrective lens may be formed of an optically transparent base material, which is tinted to a desired color for correction by immersion in a colorant dye. The color tinted lens is then tinted by a neutral tint dye to render the lens observable as a regular corrective lens. Prescription of such lenses may be based on a dynamically balanced, or haploscopic, fashion of prescription that comprises selecting a first visual filter from a set of sixteen filters and a second visual filter from the remaining set of fifteen filters, the first for the dominant eye and the second for non-dominant eye. |
| US08414125B2 |
Apparatus for measuring distance between eye tissues
An eye distance measurement apparatus according to one aspect of the invention includes an interfering optical system that projects at least one piece of split light toward an examinee's eye, combines the split light, guides the combined light to a light receiving device and moves an optical member in order to adjust an optical path difference between the two pieces of split light, a mode switching unit that issues a mode switching signal for switching between a first measurement mode for moving the optical member at a first scanning rate and a second measurement mode for moving the optical member at a second scanning rate slower than the first scanning rate, and a calculation and control unit that measures an eye distance, based on an output signal of the light receiving device, obtained in the measurement mode corresponding to the mode switching signal. |
| US08414124B2 |
Device and method for measuring a cornea
In order to measure a cornea with the aid of a projection (S11) of a two-dimensional reference pattern onto the cornea and of a detection (S12) of the reflection pattern reflected by the cornea by virtue of the reference pattern, a plurality of different reflection images of one or more reflection patterns reflected by the cornea are stored (S13). For points on the cornea a phase value of the reflection pattern is respectively calculated on the basis of intensities respectively measured in the stored reflection images at a pixel corresponding to the relevant point. At least one measured geometrical value of the cornea is calculated (S2) on the basis of the calculated phase value. The measurement of the cornea on the basis of a plurality of different reflection images of one or more reflection patterns reflected by the cornea enables a continuous measurement of the cornea in which corresponding pixels are acquired and evaluated for each point on the cornea. |
| US08414121B2 |
Non-round fluid filled lens optic
An optical and mechanical design of a sealed, non-round fluid-filled lens capable of providing variation of optical power. The fluid lens includes at least three optical components: at least one mostly rigid optical disc, at least one mostly flexible optical membrane and a layer of a transparent fluid that is in communication via a fluid channel with a reservoir of excess fluid contained in a reservoir that can be accessed to augment the fluid volume inside the fluid lens to change the power of the fluid lens. The fluid lens is capable of providing correction of spherical and astigmatic errors, and utilizes contoured membranes to minimize image aberrations. |
| US08414120B2 |
Eyeglass frame, an eyeglass hinge, and a method of assembling a hinge for an eyeglass frame
An eyeglass frame is provided that includes a lens retaining part having an end piece, a temple piece, and a hinge connecting the end piece and the temple piece. The hinge includes a substantially cylindrical element having a slot, and a projection coupled to the temple piece and adapted to be received in the slot of the substantially cylindrical element. The hinge further includes a substantially cylindrical support member coupled to the end piece and adapted to accept the substantially cylindrical element and including retaining means adapted to maintain the projection in the slot of the substantially cylindrical element. A hinge for an eyeglass frame is provided. A method of assembling a hinge for an eyeglass frame is provided. |
| US08414118B2 |
Image forming method
The method forms an image using an inkjet recording apparatus, which includes: an image formation unit having a line head type inkjet head disposed opposite a circumferential surface of an image formation drum, the inkjet head depositing the aqueous ink onto the recording medium while the recording medium is held and conveyed in rotation on the circumferential surface of the image formation drum; and a drying unit arranged on a downstream side of the image formation unit, the drying unit having a drying device disposed opposite a circumferential surface of a drying drum, the drying device drying a solvent in the aqueous ink deposited on the recording medium, the drying unit drying the solvent by means of the drying device while the recording medium is held and conveyed in rotation on the circumferential surface of the drying drum; using, as the recording medium, a special paper which is a recording medium successively laminated from a base paper, a first layer containing a binder and a second layer containing a white pigment, the base paper with the first layer provided thereon having a Cobb water absorbency of not higher than 5.0 g/m2 with a contact time of 15 seconds based on a water absorbency test stipulated in JIS P8140, and the second layer having a water absorption amount of not lower than 2 ml/m2 and not higher than 8 ml/m2 with a contact time of 0.5 seconds according to Bristow's method, and having a layer surface pH of not higher than 5.5 after pH adjustment. |
| US08414111B2 |
Deflecting electrode, droplet ejection head, and droplet ejection apparatus
A droplet ejection apparatus is able to realize, with a simple electrode configuration, functions for both converging effects that cause charged particles to head towards a single axis as well as deflecting effects that change the orientation of the axis of convergence. This can improve droplet landing precision in a charge deflection continuous stream droplet ejection apparatus. |
| US08414110B2 |
Inkjet head
An inkjet head includes a channel substrate having multiple individual liquid chambers arranged in a shorter-side direction of the channel substrate, the individual liquid chambers being separated by multiple liquid chamber partition walls and communicating with ink supply openings; multiple diaphragms defining surfaces of the individual liquid chambers facing toward nozzle openings; multiple actuators formed on the diaphragms, each of the actuators being formed of a lower electrode, a piezoelectric element, and an upper electrode stacked in layers; and multiple individual electrode interconnects led out from the upper electrodes of the actuators, the individual electrode interconnects being connected to the corresponding upper electrodes on the nozzle opening side and on the ink supply opening side of the upper electrodes, the individual electrode interconnects being formed in regions where the liquid chamber partition walls are formed. |
| US08414105B2 |
Image forming apparatus
An image forming apparatus including a first carriage having a first recording head and a first lifting/lowering unit, a second carriage having a second recording head and a second lifting/lowering unit, a drive source, a drive coupling unit provided to the drive source, a first coupling unit, a second coupling unit, a docking/separation unit that docks and separates the first and second carriages, and an accommodation/coupling unit. A first end of the second coupling unit is coupled to the drive coupling unit, and the accommodation/coupling unit couples the first coupling unit to a second end of the second coupling unit and accommodates the first coupling unit within the first carriage to uncouple the first coupling unit from the second end of the second coupling unit. Accommodation and coupling of the first coupling unit are performed in conjunction with docking and separation of the first and second carriages. |
| US08414102B2 |
In situ calibration of multiple printheads to reference ink targets
A method for calibrating in situ a plurality of printheads in an imaging device has been developed. Firing signals operate a plurality of printheads to form ink test patterns on an image receiving member. Reflectance measurements of light reflected from the test patterns and optical density measurements for a portion of the patterns formed by only one printhead in the plurality of printheads are used to adjust the firing signals and enable the printheads to print within a predetermined range about an average reflectance value and a predetermined optical density. |
| US08414096B2 |
Scanner, image forming apparatus, and motor control method of scanner and image forming apparatus
A scanner, an image forming apparatus and a motor control method of the scanner and the image forming apparatus. The motor control method includes scanning a test image formed on a document, calculating an actual speed of a scan head moved by the motor using the scanned test image, calculating a matrix representing a relation between a driving signal to drive the motor and the calculated actual speed of the scan head, and renewing the driving signal using an inverse matrix to the calculated matrix to correct the actual speed of the scan head. |
| US08414095B2 |
Full extension refrigerator shelf and basket system
A shelf assembly (1020) in a refrigerator (1002) includes a refrigerator shelf (1022). Also included is a cantilever frame (1028) to slidably support the shelf (1022). The shelf assembly (1020) includes a left side hanger set (1042) extending rearwardly from the cantilever frame (1028). A right side rear bracket extension (1044) extends directly to the right from the right end and the rear portion of the cantilever frame (1028). The rear bracket extension (1044) provides for an offset of the refrigerator shelf (1022) from one side of the refrigerator (1002). The offset provides that when the shelf (1022) is extended forwardly, the front end of the shelf (1022) will not be interfered with by any portion of the refrigerator door when the door is in an open position. |
| US08414093B2 |
Motorized moveable shelf assembly for cabinet structures
A robust, motorized moveable shelf assembly having a shelf carriage, a stationary support structure, and a motorized drive assembly that can be retrofitted into an existing cabinet structure or be combined with a cabinet structure in which the shelf carriage can rotationally-move outside and either downward or upward of the stationary support structure and back again so that the shelf carriage is more readily accessible to a person of limited mobility. A linkage arm powered by a motor moves through an arcuate path to drive the shelf carriage from a first at rest position to a second extended position. In one embodiment, the shelf carriage has a bottom edge with a chamfered rear edge to provide clearance during movement. In another embodiment, the shelf carriage includes a moveable bottom flap, a rail, and a wheel attached to a lower portion of the shelf carriage where the wheel tracks the rail to eliminate the need for the chamfered rear edge. Other embodiments include barriers applied to the front of each horizontal shelf of the shelf carriage and cabinet doors attached to the front of the shelf carriage. |
| US08414092B2 |
Storage and organization system with stackable shells
A storage shell includes sidewalls and rails. The sidewalls each extend between two others of the sidewalls to collectively define a chamber therebetween. The sidewalls create a plurality of intersection lines each being defined along a boundary between two of the plurality of sidewalls. The plurality of are rails each coupled to and radially extends away from a different corresponding one of the plurality of intersection lines relative to a center of the storage shell. Each of the plurality of rails is formed with a Y-shaped cross-section. Related storage and organization systems, and methods are also disclosed and provide additional advantages. |
| US08414088B2 |
Compact combined cylinder comprising a manual release device
A brake cylinder for pneumatic vehicle brakes, especially for commercial vehicles, includes in addition to a pneumatic locking mechanism, a manual release mechanism for manually releasing the spring brake section, and a device designed to visually recognize the manual release condition of the spring brake section outside of the housing. |
| US08414086B2 |
Vehicle wheel balance weights
A vehicle wheel weight has a mass portion of nonlead material having a first side for juxtaposition against a wheel rim and an opposite second side defining a clip groove. The weight further includes a clip having an extended portion for engaging the wheel rim. The clip further has an attachment portion seated in the clip groove such that the clip is fixed to the mass portion. |
| US08414082B2 |
Work vehicle
A work vehicle includes a vehicle body frame extending in the fore/aft direction, the vehicle body frame including a front frame and a rear frame disposed rearwardly of the front frame, a passenger's section provided on the vehicle body frame, a driver's seat disposed on the front side of the passenger's section, and a drive unit including an engine, the drive unit being disposed downwardly of the rear frame. A rear portion of a rear seat disposing space provided rearwardly of the driver's seat is overlapped with an upper side of the rear frame. A rear seat disposed in the rear seat disposing space is selectable in its posture between a first posture where the upper side of the rear frame is opened up to allow visual inspection of the drive unit and a second posture where the rear seat is positioned on the upper side of the rear frame to cover the drive unit. |
| US08414080B2 |
Flexible bamboo chair
A flexible bamboo chair includes outer and inner bamboo strips of two different sizes in an inverted U-shape respectively arranged in parallel at outer and inner sides, a buffer space defined between the outer bamboo strips and the inner bamboo strips, and first and second reinforcing bars bilaterally fixedly mounted in between the outer and inner bamboo strips in the buffer space at different elevations. |
| US08414079B1 |
Adjustable stool
A support stool is provided. The support stool includes a pivotable top plate and a first support beam pivotably affixed to a bottom surface of the top plate. A first support block and a second support block are affixed to the bottom surface of the top plate. First and second footplates are coupled to corresponding ends of the first support beam and a second support beam, wherein the first and second support blocks are spaced apart from opposing side surfaces of the first and second support beams. The support stool includes a first holding member extending through the first footplate and the first holding member extends partially into a surface of the first support block. |
| US08414072B2 |
Collapsible hanging chair
Disclosed herein is a collapsible hanging chair which may be transported easily into remote areas and attached to any substantially vertical support, such as a tree or a telephone pole. The collapsible hanging chair of the present invention may be attached to a swivel for 360° rotation and visibility. A series of cords connected to the seat support springs provide for suspension of the collapsible hanging chair and combine with the springs to provide shock absorption and balancing as the user sits and rotates in the chair. |
| US08414071B2 |
Protective seat covers for upholstery and methods of use
Seat covers for protecting furniture such as upholstered chairs and methods of their use are disclosed in the present application. In some instances, the seat covers are designed to provide resistance to water and other liquids, while providing an attractive, binding, protective cover that is both aesthetically pleasing and comfortable. The seat covers can include a liquid-resistant, soft to the touch, fabric and straps oriented at corners with connectors for allowing the straps to connect with one another without the need to tie straps to one another or to a chair leg. The length of the straps and the shape of the fabric area can also be configured to provide additional functionalities which are advantageous relative to previous seat covers. Methods of using seat covers are also disclosed. |
| US08414069B1 |
Vehicle lamp mounting assembly
A vehicle lamp housing includes a main body, a first projection and a retaining structure. The main body has laterally spaced apart inboard and outboard ends. The first projection extends away from the outboard end, is received in a mounting aperture defined by a body panel and engages a peripheral edge of the mounting aperture. The retaining structure is formed at the inboard end and includes a mounting flange and a second projection that extends away from an underside of the mounting flange. The second projection contacts a mounting surface defined by a bumper fascia retainer that is laterally spaced apart from the body panel and the mounting surface faces away from the vehicle lamp housing such that the first and second projections maintain the vehicle lamp housing in a cantilevered self-supported position when the vehicle lamp housing is installed to the body panel and the bumper fascia retainer. |
| US08414064B2 |
Apparatus for reducing drag on a vehicle
The present invention is directed to a device for reducing drag on a vehicle. The device comprises a sheet of material and a plurality of depressions/elevations. The sheet of material having a base portion and an apex extending from the base portion. |
| US08414063B2 |
Vehicle body structure
A first seal installed on a first body structure has a first sealing surface extending in a vertical direction and a first sealing projection spaced apart from the first sealing surface. A second seal installed on a second body structure has a second sealing surface extending in the vertical direction and a second sealing projection spaced apart from the second sealing surface. With the second body structure in a closed position and adjacent the first body structure, the second sealing surface contacts the first sealing surface to form a first vertical sealing line between the first and second body structures and the second sealing projection contacts the first sealing projection to form a second vertical sealing line between the first and second body structures along at least upper portions of the first and second body structures by elastic deformation of at least one of the first and second sealing projections. |
| US08414061B1 |
Cover for a grain hopper
A cover for a grain hopper for shielding the opening of a hopper opening to shed rain, snow, and debris from entering the hopper opening. The cover generally includes a flexible and water-impervious sheet body adapted to be removably secured over an opening of a grain hopper leading to an auger, wherein the sheet body has a resilient cord extending within a peripheral cavity for wrapping around the outside peripheral edge of the hopper and including multiple bow members for forming an arcuate sheet body over the hopper, wherein the bow members are located along an interior surface of the sheet body and removably engage the inside peripheral edge of the hopper. A flap including fastening material may also be used to extend over the covering of the inlet of the auger. The flap extends from the forward end of the sheet body. |
| US08414060B2 |
Fastening of a fabric cover to surfaces of a vehicle
A fastening element features a female cap member and a unitary stud body defining a flexible base portion and a projecting portion integral therewith. A peripheral rim of the projecting portion stands upwardly from the base portion and is engageable into the female cap member as a snap fastener, and a bottom surface of the flexible base is deformable relative to the projecting portion. A layer of adhesive is sandwiched between the bottom surface of the flexible base portion and a removable covering layer for adhering to a surface on which stud is to be mounted. The one piece stud body can be produced efficiently while its flexible base is adaptable to mount on any of a variety of differently shaped surfaces, such as non-planar surfaces of a vehicle body to allow selective securing of a fabric cover on the vehicle via a corresponding female cap secured on the cover. |
| US08414058B2 |
Motor-driven modular trunk hinge
A vehicle hinge set for supporting and operating decklid closures on a vehicle include at least one primary unit, at least one secondary drive unit slidably receivable against a primary unit, and a mount for supporting the aligned primary and secondary units. The primary unit combines a decklid strap pivotably connected to the primary unit, and may include a biasing mechanism. The secondary unit is mechanically and electrically coupled for motorized displacement of the strap of the primary unit. |
| US08414057B2 |
Structure for front section of vehicle body
A structure for the front section of the vehicle body of a vehicle in which the windshield glass is curved to a large extent and the position of the front end of the hood is located below the position of the rear end thereof, the structure enabling a dust seal to be more easily applied to the areas about dashboard lower and upper sections and a windshield support. A structure for the front section of a vehicle body is provided with a joint section (62) at which a rear end flange (51) of a dashboard upper section (22) and a rear end flange (61) of a windshield support (31) are welded together by spot welding. Protrusion sections (63) which protrude rearward relative to a dashboard lower section (21) are provided to the left and right of the joint section (62). An air introduction space (64) is formed so as to open forward from the joined section (62) and so as to continuously continue in the widthwise direction of the vehicle. A brake pedal bracket (44) for supporting the brake pedal (45) is affixed to the lower surface (63a) of a protrusion section (63). |
| US08414052B2 |
Cargo bed insert for utility vehicle, front end mounting assembly, and optional accessories items for use therewith, along with utility vehicle incorporating the same
Various enhancements to the capabilities of vehicles in general, and particularly light-duty utility vehicles, which can advantageously enhance the cargo-carrying capabilities of such vehicles. The present invention provides a cargo bed insert, as well as an insert system, for removable attachment to a vehicle's existing cargo box. Improvement to a light-duty utility vehicle, where the improvement is in the form of a cargo box for the vehicle which includes one or more features of the described cargo bed insert and/or system is disclosed. The invention contemplates methods for enhancing the cargo-carrying capability of a light-duty utility vehicle. In particular, methods for enhancing the cargo-carrying capacity of such a vehicle beyond a manufacturers specified cargo weight capacity are provided. Lastly, the invention includes a mounting assembly for a removable attachment to a vehicle's frame. The mounting assembly may be employed as a stand-alone item, or in conjunction with the cargo bed insert, to create a system for enhancing a vehicle's cargo-carrying capability. |
| US08414045B2 |
Vacuum gripper
A vacuum gripper includes a suction plate for gripping an object. The suction plate has a lid and a suction bottom which define a suction chamber there between and engage formfittingly at least on one side within one another via a tongue and groove joint extending in parallel relation to a gripping plane. The tongue and groove joint includes a groove on one of the suction bottom and lid, and a tongue which is formed on the other one of the suction bottom and lid and fits into the groove. |
| US08414043B2 |
End effector for mobile remotely controlled robot
An end effector for a mobile, remotely controlled robot includes first and second fingers; each finger fixed to a gear segment for rotation therewith; and a drive subsystem driving the gear segments and the associated fingers between open and closed positions. |
| US08414042B2 |
Articulating package palletizing system
A package moving system has a jaw device movable between an open and a closed position. The jaw has a pair of opposite support structures that each support at least one support arm. The at least one support arm moves between a first and second position. In the first position, it receives a package. In the second, it supports the package. At least one retaining member is biased downward to engage the package when the jaws are in a closed position. The retaining element urges against an upper surface of the supported package to retain the package in the support arms. |
| US08414036B2 |
Anti-panic bar and door equipped therewith
An anti-panic bar comprises a fixed part (3) with a lock controlling element (5), and a support bar (4) mounted to pivot on the fixed part (3) about a longitudinal axis. In an inactive position, the support bar (4) takes up a position spaced apart from the fixed part (3), and in an active position, the support bar (4) takes up a position closer to the fixed part (3) and also activates the lock controlling element (5). The support bar (4) is an extruded profile binged about the longitudinal axis through a pivot point (40). |
| US08414033B2 |
Pipe joint and pipe equipped with pipe joint
A pipe joint includes: a joint main body with a receiving opening for a pipe; an axially-movable tube-shaped body mounted to the receiving opening; and a retaining ring closely arranged to an outer surface of the pipe for preventing the pipe from detaching, wherein the joint main body includes a receiving portion for receiving the retaining ring, and a tapered portion for radially shrinking the retaining ring, wherein the tube-shaped body is arranged to move between a first position where the retaining ring is allowed to move into the tapered portion, and a second position where the retaining ring is blocked from tapered portion, and wherein the pipe joint is configured such that the pipe can be inserted into the receiving opening when the tube-shaped body is either position, that in the first position the pipe is not detachable, and that in the second position the pipe is detachable. |
| US08414032B2 |
Automatic discharge connection for submersible pump installation
An automatic discharge connection device of a submersible pump is provided, which includes a coupling member coupled to a discharge port of the submersible pump and a feed pipe that feeds water discharged from the submersible pump. A sealing member is installed in an annular concave portion formed on an inner circumference of the coupling member in such a way as to move left and right. When the submersible pump is actuated, the sealing member moves toward the feed pipe and an end portion of the sealing member enters the feed pipe. Accordingly, a space between the coupling member and the feed pipe is sealed to thereby prevent water leakage between the coupling member and the feed pipe. |
| US08414026B1 |
Mobile crew restraint and seating system
Methods and apparatus are provided for a safety restraint system for use inside a vehicle compartment by a mobile occupant or crew member. In one preferred embodiment the safety restraint system comprises an upper trolley and track system connected to the ceiling of the vehicle compartment, a lower trolley and track system connected to the floor of the compartment, and a lockable inertia reel with an extensible strap pivotally attached to the upper trolley. The restraint system further comprises an upper tether connected at an upper end to the end of the inertia reel extensible strap, and at the other end to a harness worn by the occupant. The system may further include a lower tether connected at one end to the lower trolley, and connectable at the other end to the occupant's harness. |
| US08414018B2 |
Center airbag module for vehicle
A center airbag module for a vehicle, may include a center console provided between a pair of seats, and an airbag cushion provided in the center console to be deployed in the event of a side collision, and having a lower chamber configured to support a body of a passenger, and an upper chamber including a left chamber and a right chamber which fluid-branch from an upper end of the lower chamber and configured to protect a head of the passenger. |
| US08414014B2 |
Curtain airbag device for vehicle
A curtain airbag device for a vehicle having a lightweight, simplified, and inexpensive structure can prevent a curtain airbag from being caught by a pillar garnish when the airbag is deployed and inflated, and can restrict the deployment direction of the airbag. The curtain airbag may have sub-chambers formed therein that are folded together with the curtain airbag, and disposed adjacently thereto. The sub-chambers have a communication path formed therein that communicates with the curtain airbag. The curtain airbag is provided with tab cloth strips for supporting and fixing the curtain airbag. The tab cloth strips have an attachment section formed thereon and an annular binding section that binds together the curtain airbag and the sub-chambers. The binding section is provided with a tearing section to be torn when the curtain airbag is deployed and inflated and an anchoring section anchoring the airbag to the vehicle body side. |
| US08414013B2 |
Housing structure for in-vehicle electronic device
A housing structure for an in-vehicle electronic device is provided. A case body includes a top panel and a side wall continuously and integrally formed at a side edge of the top panel. The case body is configured to accommodate a control board therein. A plurality of brackets outwardly projects and extends from the side wall of the case body. The brackets are fixed to an attachment portion of a vehicle body. A plurality of reinforcement ribs are integrally formed between the brackets and the side wall of the case body at a position lower than the control board in a state where the case body is mounted on the vehicle body. |
| US08414010B2 |
System and method for drawbar support
A system and method to selectably control a position of a first end of a drawbar between a locked position and a suspended position with respect to a drawbar support. The drawbar is securable to a work vehicle distal from the first end, the method includes locking a position of the first end in response to a first predetermined condition and placing the first end in a suspended position in response to a second predetermined condition. Position control of the first end is continuously maintainable. |
| US08414009B2 |
Underbed hitch mounting system
An underbed hitch mounting system is described. The mounting system may be utilized for towing vehicles wherein the mounting system may selectively accommodate either a fifth wheel hitch or a gooseneck hitch. The mounting system may include at least one rail capable of being connected to a vehicle frame, wherein the rail includes at least one socket. The socket may be engaged with a receiving member, wherein the receiving member may be engaged with a leg of a fifth wheel hitch. A mid rail may be connected to the rails and may include a hitch ball socket that is capable of engagement with a hitch. |
| US08414005B2 |
Multi-cycle apparatus with center-based handlebars
Aspects for a multi-cycle apparatus are disclosed. In one aspect, an apparatus is provided, which includes a seat, a steering column below the seat, and a handle bar coupled to the steering column in which the handle bar extends behind the seat. In another aspect, an apparatus includes a rear bicycle frame, a steering column coupled to the rear bicycle frame, and a handle bar extending from the steering column. For this embodiment, the steering column is positioned under a seat attached to the rear bicycle frame, and the handle bar wraps around the rear of the seat. Another apparatus is provided, which includes a rear bicycle frame, a steering column coupled to the rear bicycle frame, and a handle bar coupled to the steering column. Here, the steering column is below a seat attached to the rear bicycle frame, and the handle bar extends behind the seat. |
| US08414003B2 |
Vehicular L-type suspension arm
A vehicular L-type suspension arm is provided in which a wheel support part is provided on one end part of an arm main body, and a first vehicle body side linking portion and a second vehicle body side linking portion are provided in an intermediate part and on the other end part thereof respectively, wherein an arm main body (A) includes an upper half body (AU) that is formed so as to have an inverted U-shaped cross-section and a lower half body (AL) that is formed by press forming a plate material in a shape that blocks the lower open end of the upper half body (AU) and is welded by welds (w1) to inner faces of a pair of side wall parts 2 of the upper half body (AU), at the other end part of the arm main body (A) the lower half body (AL) extends lengthwise further outward than the upper half body (AU), an upwardly facing cylindrical bush support part (P2) is formed by burring integrally with the extended part (Ale) so that it is the second vehicle body side connecting portion (AF2), and an outer peripheral face, close to the intermediate part of the arm main body (A), of the bush support part (P2) is butt-welded to an outer end face of the upper half body (AU). Thus, the second vehicle body side connecting portion can be formed by a simple structure in which an extended part of a lower half body of the arm main body is merely subjected to burring. |
| US08414002B2 |
Vehicular L-type suspension arm
A vehicular L-type suspension arm is provided in which a wheel support part is provided on one end part of an arm main body, and a first vehicle body side linking portion and a second vehicle body side linking portion are provided in an intermediate part and on the other end part thereof respectively, wherein an arm main body (A) includes an upper half body (AU) having an inverted U-shaped cross-section and a lower half body (AL) that blocks the lower open end of the upper half body (AU), a first vehicle body side linking portion (AF1) is formed from front and rear support plates (SF, SR) each formed by press forming a plate material, these front and rear support plates (SF, SR) have base parts (SFa, Sra) that are integrally joined to each other, the base ends thereof being welded to an outside part of the arm main body (A), extremity parts (SFb, SRb) of the front and rear support plates (SF, SR) are arranged so as to be spaced from each other in the vehicle body fore-and-aft direction, and cylindrical bush support parts (P1) are integrally formed with the extremity parts (SFb, SRb) by burring on the same axis. Thus, the first vehicle body side linking portion can be prepared at light weight and low cost while ensuring a sufficient cross-section with a joined two-piece structure. |
| US08413994B2 |
Sealing system with pressure relief elements and use of a sealing system for producing a pressure cascade in an intermediate space
In a sealing system (1) between two mutually moving components (2, 3) for sealing a high pressure side (H) with respect to a low pressure side (N), a sealing configuration (9) is provided in a first annular groove (4) at the high pressure side and with one or more pressure relief elements (10a, 10b) being disposed in second annular grooves (14a, 14b) each pressure relief element (10a, 10b) having a second sealing ring (15a, 15b) with a flat pressure gradient. The hydrodynamic leak rate for each pressure relief element (10a, 10b) is chosen in such a fashion that a certain hydraulic pressure obtains in each intermediate region (Za, Zb). The sealing system in accordance with the invention (1) has, in addition to the hydro dynamic transport capability of the sealing rings (5, 15a, 15b), a hydrostatic relief capability by means of connecting channels (17a, 17b) provided in the pressure relief elements (10a, 10b) which act as check valves for pressure relief of an intermediate region (Zb) in the event of a rise in the intermediate region pressure above intermediate region pressure at the high pressure side of the next intermediate pressure region plus a corresponding pressure increase quantity (FIG. 2). |
| US08413989B2 |
Three card blackjack
The invention relates to a modified blackjack game between a dealer and at least one player. After placing initial wagers, three cards are dealt to each player and two cards dealt to the dealer. The game design allows players to either retain their initial three cards for play as a game hand, or divide their cards into separate game hands. Dividing cards into separate hands requires additional wagers. Players may play their one or more game hands by standing or hitting to reach a hand that is higher than the dealers without exceeding twenty-one. Players may divide their initial three card hand in any fashion that will provide them with the best opportunity to obtain a game hand under the conventional rules of blackjack. |
| US08413981B2 |
Sheet bundle with storage tags, method of manufacturing the same, and sheet transport mechanism in image forming apparatus
A sheet bundle with storage tags, a method for producing the sheet bundle and a sheet transport mechanism in an image forming apparatus are provide. The sheet bundle includes a plurality of sheets stacked to one another, each sheet being attached with a storage tag at an attachment position and having a thickness larger at the attachment position than other positions thereof. The plurality of sheets includes a plurality of kinds of sheets which have different attachment positions when the sheet bundle is viewed from a direction orthogonal to a surface of the sheets. |
| US08413978B2 |
Sheet processing apparatus and image forming system
A sheet processing apparatus includes a punch portion punching a hole at an end part of a sheet, and a push-out member discharging the sheet by pushing the end part of the sheet where the punch process is performed by the punch portion. The push-out member discharges the sheet at a sheet discharging speed lower than a predetermined speed from the intermediate process tray in accordance with punch process information (i.e., combination of a size and a type of the sheet and number, a shape and a size of holes) that strength of a sheet end part is decreased by the punch process, and is lower than predetermined sheet strength capable of being discharged at the predetermined speed. |
| US08413977B2 |
Device and method for delivering printed products from a saddle-shaped support
A device for delivering a printed product from a saddle-shaped support includes at least two discs that are configured to pass through a gap that extends in a conveying direction and that is disposed, at least in a delivery region, between two support parts of the saddle-shaped support. The at least two discs are rotatable about respective fixed rotation axles that are mutually spaced from one another in the conveying direction. Each of the discs is configured to project intermittently, during the rotation about the respective fixed rotation axles, above a ridge line of the ridge in the delivery region of the saddle-shaped support so as to continuously lift the printed product from the saddle-shaped support in the delivery region. |
| US08413971B2 |
Device for removing particle from connecting rod
A device for removing particles from a connecting rod includes a clamp for fixing a rod of a connecting rod disposed on a base plate, a vibration cylinder disposed to the clamp and a driving unit connected to the vibration cylinder for reciprocating a cap of the connecting rod according to driving of the vibration cylinder. |
| US08413967B2 |
Wet scrubber tray
An improved wet scrubber tray provides increased resistance to vibration-induced cracking. The tray is self supporting to eliminate wastage of raw material, and additional internal stiffeners added to the tray make multiple intermediate stiffeners. The connection of the intermediate stiffeners to the perforated bottom plate is changed to eliminate the shop weld in the bottom plate. The holes in the perforated bottom plate are repositioned so that they are moved away from the boundaries of the tray to reduce their influence on boundary conditions. The thickness of the tray material may be increased to lower the vibratory stresses. The mechanism for holding the trays themselves within the spray absorber tower is changed so that the trays are now held down by plate material that is attached to the support grid, but not to the trays. Three field welds are applied to the sides of each tray to hold the trays in place relative to each other and are strategically placed to allow adjacent side stiffeners to act together as a composite section, thus increasing their strength. Elastomeric material such as neoprene is used at the tray-to-grid attachments to increase the damping of the system. Formed features in the trays such as single or multiple ribs, bosses, domes or dimples may also be provided to increase tray stiffness or influence wet scrubber performance. |
| US08413964B2 |
Fiber drop installation device
An optical fiber installation device may include a housing having a drop receiving channel extending therethrough. A drive wheel may be rotatably positioned in the housing and configured to rotatably engage a fiber optic drop provided in the drop receiving channel. The housing may include an air pathway for applying a first flow of pressurized air from an air source to the drive wheel. The first flow of pressurized air may cause the drive wheel to rotate and propel the fiber optic drop through the drop receiving channel. |
| US08413963B2 |
Dirtbike maintenance apparatus
A dirtbike maintenance apparatus (DMA) (10) having a dirtbike ramp (12); a dirtbike support assembly (42) with a lower horizontal member (44), a right vertical telescoping member (54), a left vertical telescoping member (78), an frame engagement plate (98); and an assembly attachment member (128); a front tire engagement assembly (134) with a hingedly attached tire plate (138); a right telescoping member (164) and a left telescoping member (194). The DMA (10) is placed on a level surface and a dirtbike (240) is directed onto and along the ramp (12). Once the dirtbike's front tire (242) contacts the tire plate (138), the engagement assembly (134) pivots forward, thereby pulling forward the right and left telescoping members (164,194). At the opposite end the telescoping members (164,194) are attached to the dirtbike support assembly (42). The support assembly (42) is pivotally attached so that as it is pulled forward, the frame engagement plate (98) is forced upwards and interfaces with the lower section of the dirtbike's frame (248), thereby elevating the middle and rear sections of the dirtbike (240). |
| US08413954B1 |
Control valve
There is disclosed a control valve suitable for particulate flow and/or for a liquid stream, comprising a spherical surface with cut-off top and bottom areas, a cylindrical extension depending from the cut-off top area of said spherical surface, a collar further extending from the cylindrical extension, a common internal diameter passage through said spherical surface, cylindrical extension and collar, and said valve further comprising opposing arcuate lids, having an interior spherical concave surface, hinged to the spherical surface to provide a close tolerance relationship with the spherical surface, and an overlapping band on one of the lids to create an arcuate, spherical, concave, recessed area for reception of the leading surface of the other lid, which lids open and close at fast rates by outside means to provide an intermittent seal to the flow of the particulate or of the liquid during the operation of the control valve. |
| US08413953B2 |
Polymer actuator, and valve and shaft-sealing structure each using the same
A polymer actuator is capable of being utilized for any of various drive sources, and the amount of deformation of the polymer actuator can particularly be used also for a valve or shaft-sealing device. The polymer actuator includes a power driver deformed upon receiving electro stimuli and electrodes disposed on the upper and lower surface sides of the power driver in an opposite manner for applying positive and negative electro stimuli to the power driver in a planar fashion. The electrodes have different stimuli application regions to have different electrical field distributions for causing distribution of stress generated in the power driver to be eccentrically located on one of positive and negative sides, thereby bending and deforming the power driver onto a side on which the opposite stimuli application regions do not exist. |
| US08413952B2 |
Method for controlling the water supply in a sanitary installation
A method and a computer program product controls the water supply in a sanitary installation having a cold water supply line and a hot water supply line, a valve battery, which is connected to a power supply, and a sensor unit connected to the power supply. At least one trigger means outputs an action signal to an electronic controller when activated by a user by tapping on the trigger means that is embodied as a switch or by at least partially penetrating into the detection area of a trigger means that is embodied as a proximity sensor. |
| US08413951B2 |
Valve device
A valve device includes a temperature sensor disposed to project from a housing to a tank inner space to detect the temperature in the tank inner space, and can detect the temperature without being influenced by the heat capacity of the housing. A coil generates a magnetic force to drive a valve with three terminals arranged at different positions in an axial direction, and a drive voltage is selectively applied between two of the terminals. A current value of the driving current which energizes the coil can be changed by selecting the terminals between which the drive voltage is applied. Without controlling the drive voltage, it is possible to suppress wasting power such that the driving current of the large current value is generated in the start-up time, and the current value of the driving current is decreased in the holding time. |
| US08413949B2 |
Climbing shoe in the building sector
A climbing shoe (10) comprises a sliding shoe section (16) and wall shoe section (18). The sliding shoe section (16) is designed so that it can guide and hold a climbing rail. The wall shoe section (18) is connected to the sliding shoe section (16) in an articulated manner. |
| US08413944B2 |
Mounting systems for solar panels
Mounting systems for mounting solar panels to a surface are disclosed and can include panel clamp assemblies and rail clamp assemblies. Panel clamp assemblies can comprise a panel clamp having a base and arms extending from edges of the base, the base having an aperture, a rail clamp having a central portion with an aperture and two flexible tabs extending from the central portion on opposing sides of the aperture and a fastener threaded through the apertures such that that flexible tabs contact a head of the fastener and the arms extend in an opposite direction from the flexible tabs. Rail clamp assemblies can comprise a base member having a bottom and two side walls, the bottom having at least one aperture and each side wall having an elongated aperture, two clamping members and a fastener, wherein the side walls of the base member are positioned such that the opening is of sufficient size to receive the rail. |
| US08413943B1 |
Securing device for table device
A securing device for a tablet device has a main seat, two positioning rods, two first resilient elements, two driving sliders, two sets of holding legs and a lock. The holding legs hold the tablet device. When the lock is locked, the lock is unable to detach from the main seat, and the positioning rods, the driving sliders and the holding legs are unable to move. Consequently, the securing device is unable to detach from the tablet device. Thus, as a cable of the lock is looped around a post, the tablet device is secured at a specific position and is not stolen easily. |
| US08413942B2 |
Adjustable suspension system for a seat
An adjustable vehicle seat suspension system comprising a support assembly, a regulating system, and a control system. In an exemplary embodiment, the control system, which can comprise a hardware control for setting-selection by a human operator, directs the regulating system to adjust the support assembly as needed. Based on the human operator's chosen settings, the regulating system, in conjunction with the support assembly, can emulate a passive, semi-active, or active suspension. Preferably, the regulating system comprises a rotary motor, which drives the support assembly. |
| US08413941B2 |
Stand for a surgical microscope with a parallelogram support and a displacement screw
A stand for a surgical microscope is suggested that is provided with vertical and horizontal supports, articulation units and a displacer for displacing the optics carrier in an X direction extending horizontally and transversely to an oblique pivot axis. The displacer has a pivot support provided with a pivotable parallelogram support and a holding arm that is attached to the pivotable parallelogram support and is configured such that it simultaneously serves as a displacer for displacing the optics carrier in the X direction. The pivot support is provided with an additional displacement unit that determines the position of the parallelogram support with reference to the second articulation unit and the additional displacement unit contains a displacement screw that protrudes through the parallelogram support and is connected in an articulated fashion at one of its ends to a displacement element mounted to the parallelogram support. |
| US08413940B2 |
Holding device for an add-on part of a motor vehicle
A holding device fastening a part (1) to a frame (3). The holding device has an upper bracket (5) fastened to the frame (3), a lower bracket (6) fastened to the frame (3) below the upper bracket (5), and a holder (7) fastened to the part (1). The holder (7) has a hook (13) and a fixing plate (14). The upper bracket (5) has a hook mount (15) shaped complementary to the hook (13). The hook (13) is hung in the hook mount (15). The lower bracket (6) has a plate mount (16), shaped complementary to the fixing plate (14). The fixing plate (14) is inserted into plate mount (16) the from the top. A positive-locking connection is formed between the plate mount (16) and the fixing plate (14), which secures the fixing plate (14) at right angles to an insertion direction. |
| US08413937B2 |
Side skirt mounting assembly for container chassis
A mounting assembly for securing a bracket, to which a side skirt may be attached to a frame of a wheeled container chassis semi-trailer. The assembly includes a support and at least one resilient securement member. A proximal end of the support may be mounted in a substantially outwardly transverse horizontal orientation to one side of the semi-trailer; a distal end secures the bracket in a position to maintain the side skirt in a substantially vertical configuration between the frame and a ground surface on which the semi-trailer is situated and substantially in line with the wheels on the one side of the semi-trailer. The securement members mount the support to the frame. The support may move relative to the frame in response to an applied force and is biased to return and maintain the support in the substantially outwardly transverse horizontal orientation when the force is removed. |
| US08413934B2 |
Pipe fixing structure for cylinder tube
A bracket (20) that is fixed to a band (10) mounted on an outer peripheral surface (2a) of a cylinder tube (2) supports a pipe (4). The band (10) includes a first tab (11a) projecting outward in a radial direction and a second tab (11b) projecting outward in the radial direction. The bracket (20) supporting the pipe (4) is formed with an inverted U-shaped cross-section constituted by a pair of leg plate portions (20a) and a top plate portion (20b) formed integrally with the leg plate portions (20a) to join the leg plate portions (20a). The pair of leg plate portions (20a) are fixed to the first tab (11a) and the second tab (11b) by a bolt, and a small and lightweight pipe fixing structure is thus realized. |
| US08413933B2 |
Pipe-suspension bracket
A bracket (10) includes a body (14) for receiving the pipe and a suspension part (16) connected to the body for suspending a pipe from a profile (12) in several different ways. The suspension part includes an overlie part (18) having a bridge part (22) and two leg-parts (20,21). The bridge part extends between the two leg-parts and includes at least one resting section (49) being constructed to rest on an upper surface of the profile. The leg parts are constructed to extend on either side of the profile. A projection (45) is formed on the bridge part and a hole (50) is formed in bridge part. |
| US08413930B2 |
Thermal anti-icing system
An air intake duct of an aircraft engine or other component is provided with a thermal anti-icing system. The front of the air intake duct comprises a toroidal outer skin (16) which forms, with a toroidal internal bulkhead (18), a toroidal plenum (8) about the center line (26). The bulkhead has an inner edge nearest the center line. Within the plenum there is a toroidal inner skin (9) defining with the outer skin a substantially continuous toroidal channel (19). Hot air is supplied via an inlet (7) to the plenum (8). The air flows into an inlet (14) at an end of channel (19) and out of an outlet (11) through the bulkhead (18). This provide more heat to the leading edge of the duct, and to the surface of the duct facing the center line, than to other parts of the duct to prevent build up of ice which may enter, and damage, the engine. This reduces the mass flow of hot air needed for de-icing. |
| US08413928B2 |
Structurally designed aerodynamic riblets
An array of aerodynamic riblets is formed with a surface layer for adhering to an aerodynamic surface and a plurality of riblet tips having a parabolic cross section extending from the surface layer. |
| US08413926B2 |
Aircraft auxiliary power unit suspension system for isolating an aircraft auxiliary power unit
The invention provides an aircraft with an auxiliary power unit isolated from the aircraft. An auxiliary power unit suspension system includes at least one suspension linkage. The suspension linkage terminates with a first low stiffness elastomeric rod end. The low stiffness elastomeric rod end has a low spring rate with the aircraft auxiliary power unit suspension system providing the aircraft auxiliary power unit with a suspended auxiliary power unit natural frequency, the suspended auxiliary power unit natural frequency below the aircraft auxiliary power unit operation frequency. |
| US08413923B2 |
Method of and device for actively damping vertical oscillations in a helicopter carrying a suspended external payload
For damping vertical oscillations in a helicopter having a rotor drive-unit and an airframe and carrying an external payload suspended via a lifting gear from a load attachment point on the airframe, oscillation sensors are arranged on the helicopter, and an actively operated linear actuator is provided between the load attachment point and the lifting gear. With the oscillation sensors excitations of a first mode of the vertical oscillations, in which the external load and the rotor drive-unit oscillate together relative to the load attachment point, and of a second mode of the vertical oscillations, in which the load attachment point oscillates relative to the external load and the rotor drive-unit, are sensed, and forces opposed to the vertical oscillations are applied with the actuator between the load attachment point and the lifting gear as a function of the phase and of the amplitude of the sensed excitations. |
| US08413918B2 |
Paper shredder overload buffering device
A buffering device of the invention includes a motor and a drive cutter shaft driven by the motor. Mounted on the drive cutter shaft are a drive cutter gear, a buffering disc, and a buffering gear. The buffering disc contains a cylindrical portion. A shifting block is extended from the cylindrical portion. A receiving hole is defined in the buffering gear. Plural recesses are extended from the circumferential inner wall. The cylindrical portion is inserted into the circumferential inner wall, while the shifting blocks are placed into recesses. A circumferential gap is defined between the shifting block and a recess. By this way, the gear components or motor are protected from being damaged due to overload, hence making it possible to protect the mechanical components and motor of the paper shredder. |
| US08413915B2 |
Fibrous materials and composites
Fibrous materials, compositions that include fibrous materials, and uses of the fibrous materials and compositions are disclosed. For example, the fibrous materials can be operated on by a microorganism to produce ethanol or a by-product, such as a protein or lignin. |
| US08413914B2 |
Electrostatic fast-set sprayable polymer system and process
A method and apparatus for electrostatically spraying a plural component fast set polymer is disclosed. The system comprises a spray gun and at least two hoses connected to the head of the spray gun. The system also includes a proportioner connected to an end of the at least two hoses and a high voltage generator electrically and pneumatically in communication with the spray gun. The electrostatic spray system will allow for a fast set polymer to be imparted with electrical charge after mixing of a first and second component in a spray head thereof prior to expulsion via a nozzle to a grounded target that is being coated with the electrostatic spray coating. |
| US08413913B2 |
Boundary edge filter of a unit fuel injector
A unit fuel injector (30) has a boundary edge filter. A first endless annular internal space (100) is open to a holes (92) forming a fuel inlet port, a second endless annular internal space (102) that is spaced axially of the first endless annular internal space and through which fuel is supplied to an injection mechanism, and a series of circumferentially spaced apart, axially extending channels (104) through which fuel can pass from the first endless annular internal space to the second endless annular internal space. |
| US08413911B2 |
Paint sprayer
A sprayer for spraying a fluid can include a sprayer body, a fluid reservoir, a trigger assembly, a flow adjustment mechanism and a flow rate indicator. The sprayer body can include a nozzle assembly that defines a fluid outlet and includes a needle arranged within a fluid conduit. The needle can be movable between a closed position and a fully opened position. The fluid reservoir can be coupled to the sprayer body and be in communication with the fluid outlet and fluid conduit. The trigger assembly can be coupled to the nozzle assembly and be configured to move the needle as the trigger assembly is depressed. The flow adjustment mechanism can be configured to adjust a flow rate of the sprayer by limiting movement of the trigger assembly and the needle. The flow rate indicator can provide an indication of the flow rate. |
| US08413906B2 |
Countermeasures to secure smart cards
The present disclosure introduces a new technique for hiding sensitive information in smart cards. A smartcard system relying on stegnography rather than cryptography may act as a countermeasure to prevent extraction of cryptographic information such as passwords. In one embodiment, the smart card system of the present disclosure may be used to authenticate a smart card user. A password may be stored within a hidden memory location of a smart card. A smart card may interface with an external device. Data representing the hidden memory location of the stored password may be transmitted to an external device. Access to the hidden memory location of the smart card by the external device may be allowed. The password stored within the smart card memory is compared to input data entered into the external device. If the input data matches the password stored within the smart card, a user may be authenticated. |
| US08413904B1 |
Keyboard layout for handheld electronic book reader device
A keyboard layout for a handheld electronic book device is described herein. The device includes a display screen adapted for displaying visible representations of textual or graphic content related to the electronic book. The device also includes a keyboard for controlling presentation of the content. The keyboard includes two sets of keys. A first set of keys is arranged in an arcuate configuration relative to a first point of reference on the device. A second set of keys is arranged in an arcuate configuration relative to a second point of reference on the device. The second point of reference is spaced from the first point of reference on the device. One or more of the first set of keys and one or more of the second set of keys are arranged in a horizontal row. |
| US08413892B2 |
Payment cards and devices with displays, chips, RFIDs, magnetic emulators, magnetic encoders, and other components
A payment card (e.g., credit and/or debit card) or other card or device (e.g., mobile telephone) is provided with a magnetic emulator operable to communicate data to a magnetic stripe read-head. User interfaces are provided in a number of different configurations in order to achieve a number of different functionalities. |
| US08413891B2 |
System and method for facilitating banking transactions
A computer-implemented system and method is used for facilitating a single instance banking transaction. The method includes the steps of receiving a banking transaction request from a banking account holder at a first banking computer system, the request including at least an account identification and transaction information, generating a single instance banking transaction indicia correlated to the banking transaction request, providing the single instance banking transaction indicia to the banking account holder, receiving the single instance banking transaction indicia at a second banking computer system, and performing the banking transaction request at the second banking computer system. |
| US08413888B2 |
Currency dispenser
A vertically arranged combination desktop currency denominating machine and currency dispenser comprising a currency denominating module adapted to receive a stack of currency bills to be denominated and to denominate the received currency bills, wherein a transport mechanism transports bills individually from an input receptacle adapted to receive the stack of currency bills to one or more output receptacles. The combination further comprising a dispenser retaining section adapted to store currency bills to be dispensed to the one or more output receptacles during a dispensing operation, the retaining section comprising one or more dispensing receptacles, each dispensing receptacle adapted to hold bills having a common denomination, wherein the dispenser retainer section is positioned above the currency denominating module. |
| US08413887B1 |
Portable computerized wireless information apparatus and methods
A mobile user apparatus and associated methods useful for transferring information wirelessly, such as for instance at points of departure or point-of-sale locations. In one embodiment, the mobile user apparatus is a cellular-enabled mobile device with a GPS receiver and a short-range radio frequency device that enables transfer of information to the device from a wireless-enabled entity such as a kiosk. |
| US08413881B2 |
System of receiving prerecorded media discs from users
A system of receiving prerecorded media discs from users is disclosed. The system may include a control system having a processor capable of accessing a library associating a native bar code with the content of a prerecorded media disc and receiving the identification of a native bar code of a media disc from an optical disc identification system. The system may also include a user interface system having a buy-back activator and being adapted to receive a media disc from a user, where the user interface is capable of communicating a buy-back price to the user. An optical disc identification system may include a disc holder, a light source, a sensor capable of capturing a digital image of the hub of a media disc including a native bar code, and an image processor capable of reading the native bar code from a digital image. |
| US08413874B2 |
Synchronous ultrasonic metal welding device with double-heads
A synchronous ultrasonic metal welding device with double-heads has two sets of ultrasonic welding mechanisms which are installed side by side on a middle frame (18). The middle frame (18) is composed of assembling flanges (19) and two sliding stop rods (11) which are in parallel each other. The ultrasonic welding mechanisms are located on the assembling flanges (19) which are connected with driving devices (3) respectively. The driving devices (3) drive the ultrasonic welding mechanisms moving toward each other and welding synchronously. By using the welding device of the invention, multi-layer metal pieces of the power battery can be double-sided welded simultaneously by way of spot welding or roll welding, so the work efficiency can be improved, and the welding layer can be strong in one time. |
| US08413870B2 |
Surgical stapling instrument
A surgical stapling instrument (1) comprises a staple fastening assembly (4) in the distal region of said instrument, the staple fastening assembly (4) including a cartridge device (8) which comprises at least one closed row (17, 18) of staples and defines a wavy distal end surface (14), and an anvil (9) which defines a wavy proximal staple forming surface (20) substantially matching the distal end surface (14) and which is adapted to cooperate with the cartridge device (8) for forming the ends of the staples exiting from the cartridge device (8), wherein the distal end surface (14) and the staple forming surface (20) have a globally wavy shape including two opposite peaks (21) and two opposite valleys (22) angularly spaced at about 90° from the adjacent peaks (21) and in that said two-peaks-two-valleys wavy shape is formed by a stepped configuration of said surfaces (14, 20). |
| US08413869B2 |
Surgical stapler and method
The present disclosure relates to surgical instruments including a staple anvil formed in a distal end of the surgical stapler and a staple cartridge selectively receivable in a distal end of the surgical stapler and in juxtaposition relative to the staple anvil, the staple cartridge including one or more laterally spaced apart rows of staple slots formed in an upper surface thereof, a plurality of surgical staples disposed, one each, within the staple slots, and a staple line reinforcing system configured and adapted to augment the strength of the staple line formed by the firing of the surgical staples into body tissue, wherein the surgical stapler concomitantly drives the plurality of surgical staples through the adjacent layers of body tissue to mechanically secure the body tissue and activates the reinforcing system to non-mechanically secure the adjacent layers of body tissue to one another. |
| US08413866B2 |
Device for dispensing plastic fasteners
A device for dispensing individual plastic fasteners from a continuous supply of 0.1875 inch pitch ladder stock includes a head assembly that is designed to receive the supply of ladder stock, sever an individual fastener from the supply ladder stock and eject the individual fastener during a single stroke of its actuation cycle. The device also includes a stepper motor for driving the head assembly through its actuation cycle, a DC power switching supply for regulating the power supplied to the stepper motor from an AC input power source, and a controller for collecting historical data relating to usage of the device and for regulating operation of the stepper motor. The controller is programmed to enable certain operational characteristics, such as stroke speed and mode, to be regulated through a user interface which includes a screen display and a plurality of control buttons. |
| US08413863B2 |
Attachment means and bag including same
The present invention provides an integrated attachment and carrying means for detachable attachment to a transport device comprising a carrying means for carrying by a user; and at least one attachment means comprising a means for attachment to a transport device, wherein the attachment means is attached to or integrated with the carrying means. The invention further provides a bag featuring such an integrated attachment and carrying means and a method of use of such an integrated attachment and carrying means. |
| US08413859B2 |
Nozzle assembly for a dispensing device
A nozzle assembly for use with a device for dispensing a flowable material, such as caulking material, is disclosed. The nozzle assembly includes a conduit having an inlet end adapted for connecting to the dispensing device, an outlet end, and a longitudinally extending passage therethrough. A head assembly is arranged to be rotatably mounted to the conduit outlet end. A nozzle is arranged to be affixed within the head assembly, the nozzle comprising a larger diameter inlet opening, a smaller diameter outlet opening, and a tapered wall comprising a notched portion which, together with the outlet opening forms a dispensing opening. The nozzle is arranged to rotate in response to rotation of the head assembly to any one of a plurality of positions for directing a bead of flowable material onto a surface. |
| US08413855B2 |
Piston with frangible piston stop
A piston pump assembly in which a piston-forming element to be received in a piston chamber of a piston chamber-forming member carries a removable stop flange member which may be secured to the piston chamber-forming member to provide a retention stop to prevent the piston-forming element from being removed from the piston chamber. |
| US08413854B2 |
Dispenser with variable-volume storage chamber, one-way valve, and manually-depressible actuator
A dispenser has a housing, and a variable-volume storage chamber formed within the housing and defining a substantially fluid-tight seal between the chamber and exterior of the housing for storing a substance to be dispensed. A piston is mounted within the housing, and a one-way valve is mounted within the housing and coupled in fluid communication with the variable-volume storage chamber. A compression chamber is coupled in fluid communication between the piston and one-way valve, and at least one of the piston and valve is manually depressible relative to the other between (i) a first position in which the piston is located at least partially outside of the compression chamber for permitting substance to flow from the variable-volume storage chamber into the compression chamber, and (ii) a second position in which the piston is located at least partially within the compression chamber for pressurizing substance within the compression chamber above a valve opening pressure and, in turn, dispensing substance through the one-way valve and out of the dispenser. |
| US08413852B2 |
Ramped actuator for engagement flange on removable dispenser cartridge
An improved arrangement for removably coupling a replaceable cartridge to a housing of a dispenser with the cartridge carrying a piston pump with a movable piston element to be coupled on insertion with an actuator plate of the housing. A ramp mechanism is provided on the actuator plate to engage the piston element and during insertion of the cartridge into the housing move the piston element to a position relative the actuator plate which facilitates proper coupling including a resilient member which prevents radial movement relative a catch member of the housing from a coupled orientation unless the resilient member is deflected from an unbiased inherent configuration. |
| US08413850B1 |
Pump device for bottles
A pump device with a base for inserting into a top of a bottle and a straw disposed on a second end of the base and extending into the bottle. The straw serves as a conduit for liquid in the bottle to travel to the base. A button is slidably disposed in the base for operating an electric pump disposed in the base and can move between a first position and a second position. Movement of the button to the second position causes activation of the electric pump. A pump extension component is disposed on the button and is fluidly connected to the base conduit to serve as a conduit for the liquid to travel out of the pump device. The pump extension component is adjustable in length. |
| US08413849B2 |
Secure dispensing system for multiple consumables
A security tab isolating varied dispensing apertures with a multi chamber consumable container is disclosed. In one embodiment the dispensing apertures are similar and have either a spray dispenser or a spot dispenser. In another embodiment they may have dissimilar apertures such as a spray dispenser and a spout dispenser. The dispensing aperture can be operated simultaneously or separately. The dispensing aperture may be sealed individually or together with a security tab. The sealing of the dispensing apertures with a security tab enables the user to select the consumable of choice, to prevent loss and accidental usage of the wrong consumable. |
| US08413847B2 |
Rotary nozzle recirculation systems
A fluid dispenser is disclosed for dispensing multiple fluids and that includes valve assemblies with rotary recirculation and dispense valves. A table controlled by a motor and a controller moves all of the valve assemblies to either a dispense position or a recirculation position together. The controller selectively operates the pump motors associated with individual canisters of fluid so that the system can dispense a single fluid or multiple fluids at a time. When in the recirculation position, the fluids can be continuously, intermittently or periodically recirculated to maintain the fluids in a homogenous state. |
| US08413843B2 |
Horizontal small packet dispenser
A dispenser for packets comprises a plurality of horizontal rows comprising a plurality of side by said dispenser compartments. Each compartment defines a channel for receiving a horizontal stack of packets and comprises a front edge. A movement imparting assembly is mounted within each compartment and comprises a pusher member for engaging the horizontal stack of packets. The movement imparting assembly provides for the pusher member to selectively push forward the horizontal stack of packets so as to push at least one of the packets in the compartment off the edge thereof for retrieval. Sensor are mounted to the dispenser so as to detect dispensing of packets and to communicate this information to a controller. |
| US08413837B2 |
Enhanced serving apparatus
A technique for allowing the convenient and orderly withdrawal of contents is disclosed. An apparatus according to the technique may include a container which includes an enhancement at the rim of the container. The enhancement provides the functionality to move edible and/or inedible substances onto objects. In one example, the enhancement may protrude inwardly as a smoothed surface that may push substances onto objects as the objects are removed from the container. |
| US08413836B2 |
Packaging system with cross brace for lateral reinforcement
A packaging system for providing lateral support for a packaged appliance is provided. The packaging system comprises a carton sized to fit around the appliance and having opposing side walls, each having an aperture extending there through; a cross brace having opposing ends and a hollow interior space at each end, the cross brace extending between the first pair of opposing sidewalls such that the cross brace hollow interior space at each end communicates with an aperture; and a pair of plugs, each plug having an elongated body and a flange extending laterally from an end of the elongated body, the flange located adjacent the exterior surface of one of the first pair of opposing side walls, the body of the plug extending through the corresponding aperture and within the hollow interior space of one end of the cross brace so that together the plugs position and secure the cross brace within the carton. |
| US08413833B1 |
Ruggedized composite rack mount transport case
A ruggedized case for transportation and protection of electronic equipment used in harsh commercial or military environments. The ruggedized case is 30-70% lighter than other similar competing cases through the use of lightweight, low-density, superior strength composite materials. The ruggedized case includes a multi-panel case body open at each end and two removable covers. A chassis which may be vibration and shock isolated, and a removable rack mount frame are also provided. Each component of this ruggedized case, including recessed cover latches, and handles, weather and airtight seals, adjustable rack mount frame lock mechanisms, and vibration isolators, have been significantly improved to provide more ergonomic form and functionality. |
| US08413831B2 |
Collapsible bin
A collapsible bin is provided. The bin includes a pair of opposing side panels. The bin further includes a pair of opposing end panels. At least one of the end panels has a first plurality of male interlocking members extending outward a first distance along an upper portion of a first side edge, and a second plurality of male interlocking members extending outward a second distance greater than the first distance along a lower portion of its first side edge. At least one of the side panels includes a plurality of female interlocking members along a first side edge for receiving the first and second pluralities of male interlocking members extending along the first side edge of the at least one side panel. |
| US08413828B2 |
Hoist attachment for skid steer
The hoist attachment for skid steer includes a base frame with a mounting bracket and ball joint brackets to securely mount the hoist attachment to the skid steer. A telescoping boom is pivotally mounted to the top of the base frame. A pipe rack may be disposed adjacent the top of the base frame to store pipes or additional equipment. Pairs of hydraulic and manual support legs are attached to the base frame to stabilize the hoist attachment during working conditions. The power source for the hoist attachment is directly supplied by the hydraulic system in the skid steers. The hoist attachment includes controls operating the primary winch, boom, and hydraulic support legs. The base frame also includes a plug to which a remote may be attached for remote operation, the plug being connected to an electrical power source. |
| US08413824B2 |
Vertically-oriented folding wire caddy
A folding wire caddy has a horizontal base member, a leg support member pivotally attached with a vertical axis at a point along the horizontal base member near a first end, such that the leg member may be folded to be parallel and adjacent to the base member, or to be at a right angle to the base member, a second leg support member pivotally attached with a vertical axis at a point along the horizontal base member near an end of the base member opposite the first end of the base member, such that the second leg member may be folded to be parallel and adjacent to the base member, or to be at a right angle to the base member, and one or more spindle members pivotally attached near one end of each spindle member with horizontal axes at points along the first length of the base member, such that each spindle member my fold to be parallel and adjacent to the base member, or at a right angle to the base member, extending vertically. |
| US08413820B2 |
Rack
A rack (10) intended in use to be supported from an upstanding support, the rack comprising a base (12) adapted to be fixed to the support, a support member (14) connected to the base to be pivotable about a first axis which is generally level, to be moveable between a first position, at which it is adjacent to the support and a second position at which it extends laterally from the support, the support member being adapted to receive and support an item when in its second position. |
| US08413807B2 |
Ball display case
A ball display case has base and a cover that is securable to the base. When the cover is secured to the base, the cover and base at least partially enclose a space for holding a ball. The case has a pedestal for supporting a ball in the enclosed space. The elevation of the pedestal relative to the base is optionally adjustable. An irreversible lock is adapted for selective application to at least one of the base and the cover such that the lock assumes a locking position that prevents non-destructive removal of the cover from the base. One suitable lock includes a plate having a plurality of recessed areas spaced radially about the plate and a plurality of posts extending away from the plate. Each post is in general radial alignment with one of the recessed areas of the plate and spaced radially inward from the recessed area. |
| US08413803B2 |
Storage and mixing bottle
A multi-functional bottle contains two separate compartments, a first compartment for water or liquid storage, and a second compartment or holding chamber, for storage of a powdered formula. The doubled-walled holding chamber is comprised of a flexible, food-grade polymer. The holding chamber has a closed bottom-end, forming the bottle's base, and an open, sealable top-end for addition of the powdered formula, and for release of the powdered formula for mixing when so desired. Sealable top-end forms an airtight seal with an agitator cap. The agitator cap can easily be released by firmly pressing (depressing) the bottom-end of the holding chamber (and bottle), allowing the user to now mix the powdered formula with the water with a single hand. |
| US08413802B2 |
Pressurization type cap assembly having storage chamber for secondary material
The present invention relates to a cap assembly mounted on a discharging portion of a container for containing an ingredient different from that in accommodated in a container, which comprise a cap body having a housing formed with a chamber for storage of a secondary ingredient, a closing element provided at a lower end opening of the housing for opening the lower end opening under pressure so as to open the lower end opening. |
| US08413801B2 |
Lidded container with a tear strip
An easy to carry lightweight carton for shipping and storing cut paper and for providing rapid and easy access to the paper when the carton is opened. The carton has a base portion and a lid pivotally attached to the base portion. The lid has a tear strip being defined by two parallel successive rows of inclined cut lines. Each of the inclined cut lines having a length (K) and further being spaced apart by a distance (D) wherein the ratio of D/K is from 1:2 to 4:1. A front wall of the carton may be pivoted down when the lid is pivoted up to facilitate access to the contents of the carton for ease of unloading of paper from the carton. A carry handle is built into the lid to facilitate carrying of the carton. The carton may be re-closed after it is opened. |
| US08413795B2 |
Variable phase step feeder
Embodiments of the present disclosure generally provide a variable phase step feeder including a fixed set of stairs and a moving set of stairs. The fixed set of stairs may include a first fixed step, a second fixed step, and a third fixed step. The moving set of stairs may be interposed between the fixed set of stairs, and include a first moving step adapted to transport a workpiece from the first fixed step to the second fixed step and a second moving step adapted to transport the workpiece from the second fixed step to the third fixed step. The variable phase step feeder may further include a control mechanism for adjusting a phase relationship of the first moving step relative to the second moving step. |
| US08413794B2 |
Variable vacuum belt and plenum for improved media sheet acquisition and transport
This invention provides a vacuum belt media transport system wherein the media is held on the belt via vacuum pressure. The vacuum force is higher at the media acquisition location and is lower at the subsequent media transport and delivery stage. The vacuum pressure is provided by vacuum plenums located in the system causing vacuum pressure through holes in the belt throughout its length. |
| US08413792B2 |
Method and device for producing stacks composed of printed products
A method and device are provided to produce stacks composed of printed products. Printed products are supplied substantially vertically and in an overlapping flow with the aid of a first conveying device continuously to an essentially horizontally extending stack support. A stack is formed at the stack support, where the printed products are at least approximately lined up in an upright position. The stack on the stack support is transported with a second conveying device moving at a forward-feed speed and in a forward-feed direction. The stack is supported along a leading stack end against a support device that also moves in the forward-feed direction. A third conveyor acts upon a region of a lower edge of at least one printed product, which impacts the stack support, to move the at least one printed product in the forward-feed direction of the stack with a speed that corresponds at least to the forward-feed speed of the stack. |
| US08413791B2 |
Board lumber positioning fence
Provided is a positioning fence for use in lumber sawmills and method of using the positioning fence that facilitates automated positioning of lumber for cutting and a method of positioning lumber for cutting. Also provided is a retrofit position fence table and a method of using the retrofit position fence table. A continuous moving track loop has a plurality of paddles laterally positionable across the width of the track. A track moving device is used to adjust the final locked position of the paddles if the paddles are not locked in the desired position. |
| US08413788B2 |
Turning mechanism for polarized electronic components
A turning mechanism includes a disc-shaped rotatable carriage comprising receptacles spaced around an edge, each receptacle being adapted to receive one of polarized electronic component and including an air channel; a turn channel projecting out of the edge of the carriage, the turn channel being arc and comprising an inlet communicating with one receptacle and including a first sensor, and an outlet communicating with another receptacle and including a second sensor; an auxiliary air passageway proximate to the first sensor and projecting inward out of the turn channel, the auxiliary air passageway communicating with the turn channel and comprising an air outlet; and a polarity detector disposed externally of the carriage and being proximate to the inlet, the polarity detector being adapted to detect polarity of the polarized electronic component proximate thereto. |
| US08413785B2 |
Banknote storage and banknote handling machine
A banknote storage includes a memory unit that stores therein number-of-sheets information for banknotes stored in the banknote storage by denomination being a kind of the banknotes and by category being a classification based on a feature amount of the banknotes. Categories represent classifications when the banknotes are classified by their features. In five classifications defined by ECB, the banknote is classified into two depending on whether the banknote is genuine or counterfeit, and the former is called a genuine note and the latter is called a rejected note. The genuine note is further classified into two depending on how the genuine note is damaged, and one of them without any trouble in its usage is called a fit note and the other one with any trouble assumed in its usage because of being largely damaged is called an unfit note. |
| US08413784B2 |
Operating device for a vehicle having an automatic transmission and an electrically actuated parking brake system
An operating device for a vehicle with an automated transmission and an electrically actuated parking brake system. The device includes a mechanical actuating element for inputting operating commands from the user and a control unit for converting the operating commands into control signals for the transmission and the parking brake system. The actuating element has at least first and second successive stable positions, a neutral position and a return position. In the first stable position, an operating command is generated for the parking brake system to actuate the parking brake device and, in the second stable position, an operating command is generated for the transmission to actuate the parking lock device. The actuating element combines two different actuating elements into an operating device which enables the driver to choose whether, besides activation of the parking brake system, he wishes to additionally engage the parking lock system associated with the transmission. |
| US08413783B2 |
Power transmission device and vehicle having the same
A power transmission device that includes a clutch that transmits power from a motor to an axle; a first pump that is driven by power from the motor to generate and output fluid pressure; a second pump that receives and is driven by a supply of electric power to generate and output fluid pressure; a line pressure generating valve that is operated by operation fluid input to an operation input port, and regulates fluid pressure output from the first pump to generate a line pressure for engaging the clutch; and a switching valve that switches between a first connection state and a second connection state. |
| US08413782B2 |
Multiple disc clutch apparatus
A clutch can comprise driving clutch plates spline-fitted on an input member, driven clutch plates arranged alternately with the driving clutch plates and spline-fitted on an output member, a clutch piston having one surface facing an oil pressure chamber and another surface facing the clutch plates and adapted to be displaced toward the plates by supplying oil to the oil pressure chamber and to be returned by discharging the oil from the chamber. A valve can pass through the clutch piston and be adapted to be closed for preventing oil from exiting the chamber to the other side of the clutch piston when the clutch is clutched-on and to be opened and allow airflow to the oil pressure chamber when the clutch is clutched-off. One or more weight reduction recesses can be formed on one surface of the clutch piston near the outer circumference further radially outward than the valve. |
| US08413778B2 |
One-way clutch of roller type
A one-way clutch comprising an outer race provided with a pocket and having a groove portion formed at an inner diameter side of an axial one end face of the outer race, an inner race arranged coaxially with the outer race, a roller disposed in the pocket and adapted to transmit torque between the outer race and the inner race, a cage having a cylindrical portion with a window and a flange portion extending from an axial one end face of the cylindrical portion in an outer diameter direction, a projection provided on the cylindrical portion, a spring disposed in the pocket between the outer race and the roller and adapted to bias the roller toward an engagement direction with respect to the cam surface, and a side plate secured to abut against the axial one end face of the outer race and provided at its inner diameter portion with spline grooves, and wherein the cage is prevented from being rotated relative to the outer race by fitting the projection in the groove portion. |
| US08413774B2 |
Shock absorber
The flow of hydraulic fluid induced by sliding movement of a piston in a cylinder is controlled by a pilot-type main valve and a pilot valve to generate damping force. The valve opening of the main valve is controlled by adjusting the pressure in a pilot chamber through the pilot valve. A volume compensating chamber is defined by a flexible disk member so as to face the pilot chamber. The volume compensating chamber is communicated with a reservoir through communicating passages. When the disk valve opens, the volumetric capacity of the pilot chamber reduces. At this time, the flexible disk member deflects toward the volume compensating chamber, thereby suppressing an excessive rise in pressure in the pilot chamber and preventing an unstable operation of the pilot valve and the main valve to obtain a stable damping force. |
| US08413771B2 |
Brake pad assembly
A disc brake system for a disc brake having a pair of brake pad backing plates adapted to be movably positioned on opposite sides of a brake disc. A brake pad is attached to each of the backing plates so that the brake pads face the brake disc on opposite sides of the brake disc. At least one of the brake pad backing plates is constructed of a thermally conductive material and includes a portion which extends outwardly from its attached brake pad and includes at least one elongated slot to improve brake cooling. |
| US08413769B2 |
Bicycle brake system using cam mechanism
A bicycle brake system includes a first arm unit having a first arm and an engaging slot. A second arm unit is located in the engaging slot and has a second arm. The first and second arms each have a brake pad and the two brake pads face the two sides of the wheel rim. A cam unit has a contact piece connected to the second arm unit and a cam member pivotably connected to the first arm unit. The cam member includes a cam portion having a curved surface which is in contact with the contact piece. An operation unit is connected to the second arm unit and includes a cable which is fixed to the guide portion of the cam member. The cam member indirectly contacts the second arm unit so that the second arm unit does not wear out. |
| US08413765B2 |
Electronic safety system for an elevator having a bus and safety circuit
An electronic safety system for an elevator with a controller, which is coupled to a motor for driving an elevator car, a safety controller and a bus by means of which the controller can communicate with bus nodes which receive data from at least one sensor. The controller can communicate with a safety circuit which can be put into an open state by the safety controller, as a result of which the motor is shut off, and the safety circuit has a means which notifies the controller of shut-off of the motor, or shut-off of the motor can be detected by the controller on the basis of the data transmitted from the bus nodes to the controller. |
| US08413758B2 |
Vehicle frame with detachable upper tension pipe
The vehicle body frame is configured in a manner that an upper tension pipe is removed from a first cross portion and a second cross portion. When mounting the engine in the vehicle body frame, the vehicle mounted component that is relatively heavy can be lowered into the vehicle body frame from above by removing the upper tension pipe. The vehicle body frame simplifies the removal and installation of the vehicle-mounted components. |
| US08413757B2 |
Motorcycle engine
A motorcycle is provided that includes intake system parts connected to a front side of a cylinder of an engine, and exhaust system parts connected to the rear side of the cylinder. The cylinder is inclined rearward, and the intake system parts are disposed forward and upward of the cylinder. A cylinder axial line C of the cylinder passes rearward of the motorcycle with respect to a lowermost portion of a seating face of a seat, as viewed in a side elevation of the motorcycle. |
| US08413753B2 |
Foldable seat mounting rack and foldable motorized vehicle having same
A foldable seat mounting rack of a foldable motorized vehicle includes a pair of symmetric foldable seat mounting support. Each symmetric foldable seat mounting supports comprises: an upper mounting base, a lower mounting base, a pinion, a locking lever, a main connecting plate, a first and a second auxiliary connecting plates. The main connecting plate is pivoted on both upper and lower mounting bases. The pinion is pivoted at a middle portion on an inner side of the main connecting plate. Side surfaces at one end of the both auxiliary connecting plates are formed with racks engaging with the pinion. The first auxiliary connecting plate is pivoted on the lower mounting base and the second auxiliary connecting plate is pivoted on the upper mounting base. One end of the locking lever is pivoted on the upper end of the main connecting plate, and the other end presses against the pinion. |
| US08413748B2 |
Motor-driven vehicle
A motor-driven vehicle capable of increasing the degree of freedom of wiring for a motor. A drive wheel having a motor with a stator and a rotor serving as a drive source disposed in a wheel hub is rotatably supported on a wheel shaft between right and left forks. The stator is provided in a body-side retainer member fixed to a vehicle body, the rotor is rotatably supported on the wheel shaft, and wiring for the motor is passed through the body-side retainer member. The brake mechanism is provided on the drive wheel. As seen from a front of a vehicle body, the wheel hub is rotatably supported on the wheel shaft on one lateral side alone from a body center and the brake mechanism is disposed on one lateral side from a body center and the motor is disposed on the other lateral side from the body center. |
| US08413737B2 |
Implement and assembly for carrying out operations on an agricultural land
An implement for soil preparation is moved in a direction of travel by a tractor with a three-point linkage. The implement includes an attaching mechanism, a coupling member with three coupling points, a first tool beam which is attached to the coupling member, at least one tool which is supported by the first tool beam, and three coupling elements which are each movably attached to the coupling member in the region of the respective coupling points to connect the coupling member to the attaching means. The first coupling element defines a path of movement for a guided movement of the first coupling point with respect to the attaching means. The second and the third coupling element each define a path of movement for a guided movement of their respective coupling point with respect to the attaching mechanism. |
| US08413736B2 |
Farming implement for separating ground elements
The machine of the invention includes a separator comprising rotary transport means and sorting means for sorting the soil and the stones collected when digging a trench and for re-depositing them in a desired manner in said trench. |
| US08413734B2 |
Clamp for sprinkler support assembly
A fire sprinkler support assembly includes a leg configured to extend transverse to each of a pair of adjacent parallel spaced beams. The leg includes levered clamp assemblies that are configured for connecting and supporting each end of the leg to a corresponding one of the beams. The levered clamp assemblies include a first plate and a second plate, each plate configured to straddle the beam. The levered clamp assemblies also include a lever assembly. The lever assembly includes a rod passing through corresponding rod openings in the first and second plates, and a lever pivotally connected to one end of the rod. The lever includes a cam surface disposed adjacent to the first plate. The lever assembly is configured to reduce spacing between the plates upon actuation of the lever, whereby the leg is secured to the beam. |
| US08413728B2 |
Break-out assembly for a drilling machine
A break-out assembly includes a slide wrench assembly, and a slide wrench rotator assembly which rotates the slide wrench assembly in response to actuating first and second rotator assembly cylinders. The first and second rotator assembly cylinders are actuated in opposed directions. The break-out assembly includes a clamp assembly having opposed arm assemblies which are rotatable about separate pivot points. |
| US08413725B2 |
Subsea fluid separator
The present application is directed to a subsea separator. The subsea separator suitably comprises (a) a housing having an inlet for receiving a fluid mixture, a non-gaseous fluid outlet located along the housing at a point lower than the inlet, and a gas outlet located along the housing at a point higher than the inlet; (b) a deflector means located within the housing for acting on fluid entering the housing; and (c) a sealing means in communication with the gas outlet for preventing non-gaseous fluid from exiting the housing through the gas outlet, the sealing means being operationally configured to open and seal the gas outlet based on the volume of non-gaseous fluid within the separator; wherein the separator is operationally configured to operate under a differential pressure including a greater external hydrostatic pressure than internal pressure and vice versa. |
| US08413724B2 |
Gas handler, riser assembly, and method
Method, riser assembly and gas handler for diverting gas from a riser. The riser assembly includes a riser having a first end and a second end and a conduit extending from the first end to the second end; a gas handler connected to the riser and provided between the first end and the second end, the gas handler having an external casing; plural pipes attached to an outside of the riser such that at least one pipe of the plural pipes enters through the external casing; and a gas vent pipe configured to start at the gas handler and extend towards the second end of the riser and the gas vent pipe is further configured to divert a gas from the gas handler through the outside of the riser. |
| US08413723B2 |
Methods of using enhanced wellbore electrical cables
An embodiment of a method of deploying a cable into a wellbore penetrating a subterranean formation comprises providing a cable, wherein the cable comprises at least one insulated conductor, at least one armor wire layer surrounding the insulated conductor, a polymeric material disposed in interstitial spaces formed between armor wires forming the at least one armor wire layer, and interstitial spaces formed between the at least one armor wire layer and insulated conductor, the polymeric material forming a continuously bonded layer which separates and encapsulates the armor wires forming the at least one armor wire layer, and whereby the polymeric material is extended to form a smooth polymeric jacket around the at least one armor wire layer, introducing the cable into a wellbore and performing at least one operation in the wellbore utilizing the cable. |
| US08413718B2 |
Oil recovery by sequential waterflooding with oil reinjection and oil relocation
A method for enhancing oil recovery from reservoirs is described. The method includes partially recharging zones of pore space in a reservoir that has been previously waterflooded to extract oil, in order to obtain increased ultimate oil recovery by re-waterflooding the recharged zones. The recharging may be achieved by either reinjection of oil or by change in injection scheme, such as changing an oil producing well to a water injection well. This procedure of recharging with oil followed by waterflooding may be repeated. Application of the present method to increase recovery from reservoirs producing dry (water-free) oil to mature reservoirs which produce at high water-to-oil ratios is anticipated. |
| US08413717B2 |
System and method for enhancing packer operation and longevity
A technique improves the formation of dependable seals along wellbores. A packer is constructed with a plurality of elastomeric layers and an internal mechanical layer that extend between mechanical extremities. One or more of a variety of features can be added to, or used in conjunction with, the packer to reduce wear and the potential for detrimental damage during use of the packer. |
| US08413713B2 |
Heat sink module with fins having Z shaped foot portions
A heat sink includes a base member having stepped channels spaced on the surface thereof in a parallel manner and first and second ribs protruding from the surface and respectively extending along two opposite lateral sides of each of the stepped channels, and radiation fins respectively mounted in the channels of the metal base member and supported on the second ribs vertically, each radiation fin having a Z-shaped foot portion that is inserted into one respective stepped channel of the base member and secured thereto by the associated first and second rib that are stamped to clamp on the Z-shaped foot portion of the associated radiation fin after its insertion into the respective stepped channel. |
| US08413712B2 |
Cooling device
A cooling device has a large number of closely spaced impinging jets, adjacent an impingement gap, with parallel return paths for supplying coolant flow for the impinging jets with the least possible pressure drop using an interdigitated, branched hierarchical manifold. Surface enhancement features spanning the impingement gap form U-shaped microchannels between single impinging jets and single outlets. |
| US08413711B2 |
Arrangement related to equipment for continuous or semi-continuous casting of metal
A device in connection with equipment for continuous or semi-continuous casting of metal, in particular direct mold (DC) casting of aluminum in the form of a billet or wire billet. The device includes a mold with a cavity or a mold (3) that is provided with an inlet connected, via supply channels (6, 18) and a distribution chamber (5), to a metal reservoir (13) and an outlet arranged in the mold with a support and devices for cooling the metal. In connection with the supply channels (6, 18) between the metal reservoir (13) and the molds (3), a metal lifting container (15) is arranged at an inlet (16) to the metal reservoir (13) via a channel (18) and to the distribution chamber (5) and the molds (3) via an outlet (17) via another channel (6). The metal lifting container is sealed from the surroundings and has a connection socket (19) for connection to a vacuum source so that, when a casting operation starts, metal is sucked into the metal lifting container and lifted to a level that is higher than the level of the distribution chamber (5) above the molds (3). |
| US08413708B2 |
Casting mold surface treatment method
A surface treatment method includes covering a surface of a casting mold with a carbon film containing at least one type of nanocarbon selected from the group including carbon nanocoils, carbon nanotubes and carbon nanofilaments, and further applying fullerenes to that surface. With this surface treatment method being performed on a surface (a cavity surface, etc. of a casting mold) making contact with a molten casting material such as aluminum, etc., sticking of the molten casting material to the mold is inhibited, release resistance of the product is reduced, and release effectiveness is improved. The release effectiveness lasts longer than in the case of a conventional carbon film. |
| US08413705B2 |
Orientable panel of a roofing device
An adjustable flap, designed for the production of a covering device, includes a section (12) that is made of translucent material with length L1 and longitudinal axis A1 around which the flap (10) is articulated to rotate, and at least one slat (14) that is made of opaque material with length L2, L2 that is at most equal to L1, and longitudinal axis A2, A2 that is parallel to A1, around which the slat (14) is articulated to rotate relative to the flap. |
| US08413701B2 |
Laser beam irradiation apparatus and substrate sealing apparatus including the same
A laser beam irradiation apparatus comprises: a laser oscillator; an optical fiber for transmitting a laser beam oscillated by the laser oscillator; an optical tube for accommodating an end of the optical fiber, and for performing a rectilinear motion on a plane perpendicular to a direction in which the laser beam is irradiated; and a pair of piezoelectric transducers disposed between the optical tube and the end of the optical fiber, and having first ends supporting the optical fiber. Each piezoelectric transducer performs a rectilinear reciprocating motion in a direction perpendicular to the other piezoelectric transducer on a plane perpendicular to the direction in which the laser beam is irradiated. |
| US08413698B2 |
Tire for heavy vehicles
A tire having a radial carcass reinforcement comprising a crown reinforcement formed of at least two working crown layers of inextensible reinforcement elements, which are crossed from one ply to the other, forming angles of between 10° and 45° with the circumferential direction, which itself is topped radially by a tread, said tread being joined to two beads by means of two sidewalls and the axially widest working crown layer being radially internal to the other working crown layers. The tire additionally comprises in each shoulder at least one layer of reinforcement elements which are parallel to each other in the layer and are oriented radially relative to the reinforcement elements of the working layer radially adjacent to said additional layer, the axially inner end of said additional layer being radially adjacent to the edge of the radially outer working crown layer, and at least part of said additional layer being radially and/or axially adjacent to the edge of the axially widest working crown layer, the ratio of the elasticity modulus of a layer P to the elasticity modulus of the calendering layer of the working layer adjacent to the additional layer being of between 0.5 and 1, said layer P being arranged between at least part of the working crown layers, the axially outer end of said layer P being axially between the ends of the axially least wide and widest working crown layers. |
| US08413695B2 |
Heavy duty tire with tread having closed end sipes and shallow axial grooves
A heavy duty tire comprises a tread portion provided with a center rib, shoulder ribs and middle ribs therebetween. The middle ribs are provided with closed-end sipes. The sipe comprises: an axially inner segment and axially outer segment inclined at an angle of from 30 to 60 degrees with respect to the tire circumferential direction; and a middle segment therebetween inclined in a direction crosswise to the axially inner and outer segments. The angle β1 between the axially inner segment and middle segment is from 90 to 110 degrees. The angle β2 between the axially outer segment and middle segment is from 90 to 110 degrees. The axial length SW of the closed-end sipe measured from the axially inner end to the axially outer end thereof is from 0.50 to 0.90 times the axial width LW of the middle rib. |
| US08413692B1 |
Sealant dispenser apparatus and method
A kit for sealant material that has a container with a piston is provided. The container has a piston with a piston seal and an outlet seal that prevent sealant material from leaking. In one aspect, a method for dispensing sealant is disclosed that uses the contained with a piston. |
| US08413690B2 |
Downhole recovery production tube system
A coiled tubing system may comprise a first continuous length of coiled tubing and a second continuous length of coiled tubing, the first continuous length of coiled tubing having a larger diameter than the second continuous length of coiled tubing, the second continuous length of coiled tubing being embedded within the inner diameter of the first continuous length of coiled tubing. |
| US08413683B2 |
Pneumatic control valve device for air-suspended vehicles, with mechanical return of the control element
A pneumatic control valve device for systems for arbitrarily lifting and lowering the vehicle body of air-suspended vehicles, with a control device having at least one mechanical control element for the positions lift, lower, drive and stop, and with a spring device for returning the control element after it has been released, in which the spring device returns the control element after it has been released into the drive position, a position securing device is provided, the position securing device mechanically locking the control element, the position securing device, in the locked state, preventing the control element from returning under the spring force of the spring device into the drive position, but permitting this in the unlocked state, however always permitting the control element to be manually adjusted, the position securing device can be changed from the locked state into the unlocked state by an electric signal. |
| US08413681B2 |
Swivel adapter for an irrigation valve
A swivel fitting is specifically configured for mounting a pressure regulator and a solenoid to a valve having a female threaded solenoid mounting port. The swivel fitting includes a generally cylindrical upper body having a first female threaded bore for having a male threaded neck of either a solenoid or a pressure regulator screwed into the first bore. A generally cylindrical lower body is mated to the upper body and has a male threaded segment for screwing into the female threaded solenoid mounting port of a valve. A swivel body surrounds and encloses the upper body and the lower body and has an extension with a second female threaded bore for having the male threaded neck of either the solenoid or the pressure regulator screwed into the same. The swivel body is freely rotatable relative to the cylindrical bodies. A pair of valve seats in the swivel body and communicating ports and chambers allow the solenoid to open and close flow through the valve and the pressure regulator to regulate flow through the valve when the solenoid and the pressure regulator are each screwed into one of the first and second bores. |
| US08413678B2 |
Mechatronic device
A mechatronic device comprising a housing that encompasses a mechanical part and an electronic part is provided. The mechanical part includes one or more solenoid valves and pressure-directing ducts. The electronic part includes a printed circuit board with electronic components. Sensor modules are incorporated in the pressure-directing ducts to measure physical parameters. In order to minimize electrical connections and separate seals for the sensor modules, the sensor modules wirelessly communicate with at least one reading station located on the circuit board by means of radio technology or light-emitting and light sensitive elements. |
| US08413677B1 |
System for accelerating relief valve opening
A pressure relief valve control system provides a method and apparatus for rapidly closing a relief valve in response to excess fluid pressure. The system uses a programmable controller to rapidly communicate pressure changes to a solenoid actuated valve and two control valves. The solenoid actuated valve has a dedicated accumulator and the two control valves have another dedicated accumulator. |
| US08413671B2 |
Intelligence outdoor shading arrangement
An intelligence outdoor shading arrangement includes an outdoor shading system, an environmental sensor device and a functional controller. The outdoor shading system includes at least an outdoor shading device including a supporting frame, a power source, an awning frame suspendedly and movably supported by the supporting frame, and a shelter mounted to the awning frame to define a shading area under the shelter. The environmental sensor device is electrically linked to the power source and is installed to the outdoor shading system for detecting an environmental change of the shading system in responsive to the shading area thereof. The functional controller is electrically linked to the environmental sensor device and is operatively controlled the awning frame of the outdoor shading system, wherein when the functional controller receives a command signal from the environmental sensor device, the awning frame is automatically adjusted to regulate the shading area thereof in responsive to the environmental change of the outdoor shading system. |
| US08413670B1 |
Animal umbrella
An animal umbrella that includes a thoracic vest having a releasably fastenable front seam, a neck hole, a first foreleg hole, a second foreleg hole, and a base unit centrally disposed atop a dorsal portion, with an umbrella unit having an elongated dome-shaped covering, the covering having a mount support centrally disposed in an arched top portion, wherein a hoop stand removably inserts through the mount support to releasably attach to the base unit and a lock member slidingly secures the canopy at a desired height above the base unit to shield a quadruped from inclement weather and, alternately, shade the quadruped from intense sunlight, as desired. |
| US08413668B2 |
Mascara applying device
To quickly apply a mascara to cilia without unevenness, a state capable of applying a mascara (L) is more quickly achieved in comparison with a conventional art by constructing a guide path (34d) guiding the mascara (L) extruded from an accommodating portion (1a) as a straight linear route, and by opening an opening (4c) flowing out the mascara (L) to the external on the linear route, and the mascara (L) is more evenly distributed between adjacent arch type applying portions (4e, 4e) in comparison with the conventional art by opening the opening (4c) on the linear route as mentioned above, and by structuring an applying body (4x) for applying the mascara (L) to cilia as a plurality of arch type applying portions (4e) which are arranged in line along the opening (4c) while straddling the opening (4c) from an outer side and have an arch shape. |
| US08413667B2 |
Hair comb and dual comb hair accessory having same
An improved hair comb for a dual comb hair accessory (11) or the like which has strand connections or terminations. The comb includes a spine (17) having a raised portion (19, 21, 23) that can advantageously be used to relocate or reorient strand connections to the comb or combs of the hair accessory relative to the plane of the comb, and that can provide a structure into or behind which strand connections, terminations and/or segments can be tucked. Preferably, the raised spine portions of the combs are constructed to form a raised cavity region (27) in the spine for receiving strand connections, terminations and/or segments. |
| US08413666B2 |
Enzymatic hair relaxing and straightening
A method to gently and permanently relax or straighten hair utilizes a protease enzyme, and preferably the enzyme kerA. The hair is optionally treated with a swelling agent, after which it is treated with the enzyme in an aqueous solution. The hair is then physically manipulated, such as by ironing, to remove unwanted curl, wave, and or kink. The enzyme has the ability to cleave inter-peptide bonds, allowing the hair fiber to be relaxed or straightened with less damage to the fiber than would have occurred using traditional or existing straightening methods. |
| US08413661B2 |
Methods and devices for treatment of obstructive sleep apnea
A pharyngeal retractor device and implantation methods are provided for use in the treatment of obstructive sleep apnea. The device includes a retracting element and a tissue engaging element that promotes tissue ingrowth around or onto the retracting element. The device is implanted in tissue space beneath the pharyngeal wall to alter the shape of the wall. The device may be implanted through the oral cavity alone or by using a trocar or a hand-held delivery system to deliver the device through the pharyngeal wall. Alternatively, the device may be implanted using an open, direct visualization approach from the side of a patient's neck. |
| US08413657B2 |
Mask brace and mask assembly
A patient mask assembly for positive pressure ventilation includes a brace which clips to the mask and provides attachment locations for headgear straps in alternative positions to those attachment locations which may be provided by the mask. The brace may also provide a mask stabilizing portion. |
| US08413652B2 |
Evaporation element for liquids
An evaporation element for liquids, in particular aqueous solutions, has a first reservoir for storing the liquid that is to be evaporated, a second reservoir, which is separated from the first reservoir by a sheet and contains a reagent that in contact with the liquid that is to be evaporated carries out an exothermic chemical reaction, and an opening element which, on actuation, perforates the sheet and in this way brings the reagent into contact with the liquid that is to be evaporated. |
| US08413650B2 |
Inhaler
A user inhales medicine ejected from the medicine ejecting section of an inhaler into the air flow duct of an air flow duct forming member through a hole. As the air flow duct forming member is taken off from the inhaler body, the medicine ejecting section is covered by a cap for protection. As the air flow duct forming member is fitted to the inhaler body, the cap is opened and a sensor recognizes the open state of the cap so that the air flow duct forming member is prohibited from being fitted to and taken off from the inhaler body by a claw that is secured to the air flow duct forming member. In this way, the medicine ejecting section is prevented from being damaged when the air flow duct is fitted to and taken away from the inhaler. |
| US08413646B2 |
Self-cleaning oven
A self-cleaning, gas-fired tunnel oven is provided. One embodiment of the oven provides a self-cleaning, gas-fired tunnel oven for cooking food products. The oven includes a control system that regulates oven temperature during a pyrolitic, self-cleaning procedure for incinerating contaminants that accumulate inside; a burner for cooking food products and incinerating contaminants; a modulating air and fuel control system arranged for proportionally delivering air and fuel to the burner; a plurality of convection air fingers for directing heated air toward the food products; a collapsible conveyor, capable of fitting into the oven when collapsed, for passing the food products through the oven; a plurality of blowers, each having a dedicated speed controller; a floating cooking chamber; and a vent system that maintains a negative pressure in the oven during the self-cleaning procedure. |
| US08413643B2 |
Multi-fuel engine control system and method
Various example approaches are described, one of which includes a method for adjusting relative delivery of liquid and gaseous fuel to a cylinder of the engine to effect rapid changes in cylinder air charge via changes in the displacement of fresh air by the gaseous fuel. In one particular approach, turbocharger lag is addressed by decreasing gaseous fuel injection while increasing liquid fuel injection to increase cylinder fresh air over and above any changes to fresh air via the throttle, wastegate, and/or turbocharger. |
| US08413640B2 |
Emissions cleaning system and method for reducing emissions of internal combustion engines when the engine is switched off
The invention relates to an emission cleaning system which is disposed on the intake tract of an internal combustion engine and has at least one device for taking in air and also at least one filter unit and a control/regulating device. |
| US08413639B2 |
Fuel supplying apparatus for internal combustion engine
A fuel supplying apparatus that opens a fuel supply path using a negative pressure in a crankcase of an internal combustion engine is disclosed. A negative pressure introducing inlet of an automatic cock is connected to the crankcase of the internal combustion engine through a negative pressure communication path. A negative pressure generated in the crankcase opens an automatic cock and, thereby, the fuel supply path is opened that is to supply fuel from a fuel tank to the internal combustion engine. The negative pressure communication path communicates with a communication opening of an air cleaner through a purge path that branches from the negative pressure communication path at a halfway point thereof. The communication opening is disposed on a cleaning chamber that is formed in an air cleaner such that air filtered by an air filter flows into the communication opening. An airflow resistance increasing unit is disposed only in the inside of the communication opening, for setting an airflow resistance of the purge path to be higher than an airflow resistance of the negative pressure communication path. |
| US08413629B2 |
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 a bearing (16, 17), the bearing (16, 17) having 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). |
| US08413624B2 |
Valve timing control apparatus
A valve timing control apparatus for a valve timing adjusting unit that adjusts valve timing of an engine. The control apparatus learns a reference position. The control apparatus computes an actual phase based on the learned reference position. The control apparatus computes a target phase based on an engine operational state. The control apparatus controls a hydraulic actuator to perform a phase control based on a difference between the target phase and the actual phase. The control apparatus determines whether the lock mechanism is under an abnormal state. When the control apparatus determines that the lock mechanism is under the abnormal state, the control apparatus is prohibited from performing the phase control that uses the reference position. |
| US08413613B1 |
Adjustable armband sport leash with a control grip handle
A pet leash which allows the user to remain connected to the pet such that the user can alternatively move between a hands-free connection and a hand-held connection. The hands-free connection can consist of an arm band fixture that can be connected to the user's arm and allows the pet owner to operate the leash hands free so that the user's hands are available for other tasks. The hand-held connection can consist of a grip handle that allows for a shorter hold on the leash and gives more control in situations in need of more restraint. The leash can be adjusted for different user arm lengths and for different dog heights. A pocket on the armband and a pouch on the grip handle can be provided for additional storage. |
| US08413610B1 |
Self-contained pet washing system
A self-contained pet washing system comprises a tub of a generally rectangular configuration. The tub has a plurality of legs, a front wall, a back wall, a first side, a second side, and a bottom. A track is also provided. The track runs along an entire lower extent of the front wall. Further provided is a basket. The basket is coupled to the track. The basket is adapted to store various cleaning devices and supplies. Lastly provided is an inclined ramp for entrance of a pet to a location between the walls. |
| US08413605B2 |
Squirrel guard for a bird feeder
A squirrel guard for use with a bird feeder which stores and dispenses bird seed. The feeder comprises an upstanding housing and a support for positioning the feeder in an elevated position. The squirrel guard comprises a generally round and planar tray mounted beneath the feeder. The tray acts to deny squirrel access to the bird seeds and also as a collection tray for spilled bird seed. A tilt connector is arranged beneath the lower side for supporting the tray in a generally horizontal position when carrying only a minimal weight such as bird seed and small birds. The connector is such that the tray tilts to a generally diagonal position when engaged with a relatively heavy weight such as a squirrel. When engaged by a squirrel the tray moves to the tilted position causing the squirrel to fall from the tray. |
| US08413603B2 |
Scanned source oriented nanofiber formation
Nanofibers are formed using electrospray deposition from microfluidic source. The source is brought close to a surface, and scanned in one embodiment to form oriented or patterned fibers. In one embodiment, the surface has features, such as trenches on a silicon wafer. In further embodiments, the surface is rotated to form patterned nanofibers, such as polymer nanofibers. The nanofibers may be used as a mask to create features, and as a sacrificial layer to create nanochannels. |
| US08413600B2 |
Collapsible boat with inflatable members
Collapsible/inflatable boats are disclosed. A collapsible/inflatable boat includes a collapsible hull formed from a plurality of panels that extend from a first end to a second end of the collapsible/inflatable boat. Each of the panels is connected with at least one the other panels. The collapsible hull is configurable between a collapsed configuration and an expanded configuration. A collapsible/inflatable boat can have one or more interior members that are inflatable to support the collapsible hull in the expanded configuration. A collapsible/inflatable boat can have one or more removable solid seats that when installed support the collapsible hull in the expanded configuration. A collapsible/inflatable boat can have an inflatable exterior member connected with the hull such that the exterior member, when inflated, extends around at least a portion of a perimeter of the hull when the hull is in the expanded configuration. |
| US08413598B2 |
Sailing ship
A sailing ship includes a sailing unit, which comprises a hard sail assembly comprising a plurality of hard sail sections of wing-shaped hollow cross section vertically stacked so each, except the lowermost, fits on the one immediately below; a mast assembly comprising a plurality of mast sections of hollow cross section vertically stacked so each, except the lowermost, fits in the one immediately below; connecting members for connecting upper ends of the hard sail sections to upper ends of the mast sections located at the same level; first means for moving each mast section, except the lowermost, toward and away from the one immediately below; and second means for rotating the mast assembly around its longitudinal axis. Overlapping lengths between vertically adjacent mast sections are variably controlled so as to variably control overlapping lengths between vertically adjacent hard sail sections. Thus, the hard sail assembly vertically expands and contracts. |
| US08413592B2 |
Rail road car truck
A rail road freight car truck has a truck bolster and a pair of side frames, the truck bolster being mounted transversely relative to the side frames. The mounting interface between the ends of the axles and the sideframe pedestals allows lateral rocking motion of the sideframes in the manner of a swing motion truck. The lateral swinging motion is combined with a longitudinal self steering capability. The self steering capability may be obtained by use of a longitudinally oriented rocker that may tend to permit resistance to self steering that is proportional to the weight carried across the interface. The trucks may have auxiliary centering elements mounted in the pedestal seats, and those auxiliary centering elements may be made of resilient elastomeric material. The truck may also have friction dampers that have a disinclination to stick-slip behavior. The friction dampers may be provided with brake linings, or similar features, on the face engaging the sideframe columns, on the slope face, or both. |
| US08413580B2 |
Compressible printing sleeve carrier and method of making
The present invention provides a compressible printing sleeve carrier for use in offset lithography which is formed from a composite fiber-reinforced compressible polymer. The printing sleeve carrier is formed by coating reinforcing filaments with a compressible polymer and winding the filaments around a mandrel to form a hollow cylindrical base, where the first portion of the base adjacent the inner surface contains the wound reinforcing filaments coated with the compressible polymer and the second portion of the base adjacent the outer surface contains the compressible polymer. |
| US08413577B2 |
Vertically separated pass through conveyor system and method in surface mount technology process equipment
Disclosed herein is an apparatus for depositing viscous material on an electronic substrate. The apparatus comprises a frame, an assembly material applicator coupled to the frame and configured to apply assembly material to the electronic substrate, a substrate support assembly, coupled to the frame, configured to support and secure the electronic substrate in a print position, and a transport system, coupled to the frame, to shuttle electronic substrates to and from the substrate support assembly, the transport system including a first track and a second track, the first track being mounted on a first displacement mechanism and the second track being mounted on a second displacement mechanism configured to laterally move the second track relative to the first track, the second displacement mechanism configured to raise the first track relative to the second track. |
| US08413572B1 |
Auto attachment coupler with abductor valve
A hydraulic system is disclosed that utilizes a switching block to selectively allow pressurized fluid to be stolen from a master or lift cylinder and directed to a single acting cylinder to perform a function, such as securing an implement to a vehicle. The system utilizes the highly pressurized hydraulic fluid from an extended lift cylinder to maintain a secondary cylinder in an extended position. To withdraw the secondary cylinder, a one-way valve directs fluid to the opposite chamber of the secondary cylinder. The secondary cylinder, however will only retract if the master cylinder is retracted and not under pressure, thus providing a significant safety benefit in certain applications. This system provides many cost efficiencies and may be utilized by work vehicles to perform secondary functions such as attaching and removing an implement from a vehicle such as, for example, a loader from a tractor. |
| US08413571B2 |
Weapons system construction and modification including improved gas management system
This invention is directed to a rifle barrel having a gas port for a gas operated weapon system comprising: an inner barrel; a gas redirection tube operably associated to the inner barrel so that expelled gas from a cartridge travels out of the gas port and into the gas redirection tube; a sleeve arranged around the inner rifle barrel defining a void between the rifle barrel and the sleeve surrounding the rifle barrel; and, filler material carried in the void defined between the inner barrel and the sleeve wherein the gas redirection tube is disposed within the filler material between the sleeve and the inner barrel. |
| US08413570B2 |
Disrupter ejection and recovery system and method therefor
An ejection and recovery system for a disrupter barrel has a parachute. A housing having a channel formed there through is provided wherein the disrupter barrel is positioned in the channel. A tube is coupled to the housing for storing the parachute. A lanyard is coupled to the parachute and to the disrupter barrel. |
| US08413563B2 |
Height adjustment device for band saw
A height adjustment device for a band saw includes a manual driving unit and an automatic driving unit. When one of the manual driving unit and the automatic driving unit is damaged, the user can operate the other to adjust the height where a saw blade guiding device is located, thereby ensuring a smooth running of the production line and improving the production efficiency. |
| US08413559B2 |
Apparatus and method for detecting dangerous conditions in power equipment
Woodworking machines are disclosed having electrically conductive cutting tools adapted to cut workpieces. The machines include a contact detection system capacitively coupled to the cutting tool, and adapted to detect contact between a person and the cutting tool. The machines also include a reaction system configured to cause one or more predetermined actions to take place upon detection of contact between a person and the cutting tool by the contact detection system. |
| US08413558B2 |
Tool holding system
Tool holding systems described herein include a tool holder configured to releasably retain a metal-processing tool and to define a tool holder passage extending along a stroke axis, an adjustment drive operable to rotate the tool holder about the stroke axis, and a stroke drive including a spindle operable independent of the adjustment drive to translate the tool holder along the stroke axis. The stroke drive defines a stroke drive passage cooperating with the tool holder passage to define a waste disposal passageway through the tool holding system. |
| US08413556B2 |
Combination of tire tool and tool set
A combination of a tire tool and a tool set includes its tire tool including two connecting lugs extending therefrom and with one connecting lug opposed to and spaced from the other, and a working section defined thereon. The two connecting lugs define a width extending in a direction transverse to a longitudinal direction of the tire tool. The combination includes its tool set including a housing member including two plates connected to each other in a spaced relationship and with one plate separated from the other in a first direction. The two plates include a space defined therebetween and define two openings and with one opening opposed from the other in a second direction transverse to the first direction. The tool set further includes a fixing device extending between and engaging with the two plates. |
| US08413551B2 |
Open-end wrench
An open-end wrench includes a jaw portion having two engaging portions and an opening between the engaging portions. Each engaging portion includes a driving face having a tip. A corner is formed between a bottom end of the opening and each driving face. A first length is defined between the bottom end in a direction perpendicular to an imaginary line passing through the tips. A spacing between the tips is larger than 0.95 times the first length and smaller than 1.05 times the first length. Two corners of a fastener received in the opening are located on the imaginary line and flush with the tips. Each engaging portion has a width at an associated corner in a direction perpendicular to an associated driving face. The width is the maximum distance from each driving face to an outer surface of the associated engaging portion. The width is larger than 0.2975 times a width between two parallel sides of the fastener and smaller than 0.4025 times the width of the fastener. |
| US08413548B2 |
Grasping device for drill
A grasping device comprising a grasping assembly coupled to a shaft adapted to fit into a drill chuck is described. Embodiments of the grasping device are capable of grasping objects such as a screw head, a bolt head, a hex nut, a wing nut, a hook, or other irregularly shaped objects, so that such objects can be turned by an electric drill, lathe, or similar machine tool. |
| US08413543B2 |
Bicycle operating unit connector
A bicycle operating unit connector is provided with a first attachment portion and a second attachment portion. The first attachment portion includes a curved mounting surface with an opening that is detachably attached to an outwardly facing surface of a band part of a clamp portion of a brake operating unit by an adjustable connection for changing a relative position of the connector with respect to the clamp portion of the brake operating unit. The second attachment portion extends from the first attachment portion. The second attachment portion includes a hole that is configured to be detachably attached to a shift operating unit. |
| US08413539B2 |
Compact manipulation robot
A parallel-type displacement device having at least three arms each pivoting about a pivot axis, the pivot axes defining a polygon as seen from a point above the device, wherein each of the arms is actuated by an actuator and each of the arms is further connected to a head defining a small base through linking members respectively articulated on the head and the arm, each said arm and its respective head forming a hinge having two degrees of freedom such that the head always maintains its position and orientation, and in which in a neutral position, each arm is arranged so that, if drawing from the geometrical center of the polygon a straight line that is parallel to the pivot axis of any one of the arms, the straight line intersects that arm. |
| US08413537B2 |
Motor vehicle gearbox
The gearbox comprises a case, a stationary rod supported by the case, a gear selector fork mounted slidably on the stationary rod and an end-of-travel bush mounted on the stationary rod so as to provide an axial abutment surface for the gear selector fork. The gear selector fork includes a sheet-metal body forming integrally a pair of support plates each having a respective guide through-hole. One of the guide through-holes is provided with a guide bush formed by means of overmoulding of low-friction plastic and is guided along the stationary rod. The other guide through-hole has no guide bush and is guided along a smaller-diameter portion of the end-of-travel bush. |
| US08413534B2 |
Shifting device for a vehicle transmission
A shifting device is provided for a vehicle transmission with a selector lever pivotable within a shifting device housing about at least one axis of rotation for selecting gears defined within the vehicle transmission. A shift position of the selector lever is assigned to at least one gear. A locking device for the individual shift positions of the selector lever can be released as a function of given general data of the state of motor vehicle components such as the pedal mechanism and the engine. The locking device has a locking element displaceable by the selector lever analogously to the individual shift positions of the selector lever. The locking element has a plurality of locking devices, which correspond to the individual shift positions and which can be brought into a locking position and an unlocking position by at least one actuating device. |
| US08413531B2 |
Small slider unit
For achievement of a reduction in size, a slider unit comprises a mounting base 1, a rail 2 fixed to a mounting face 1a of the mounting base 1, a slide table 3 moving along the rail, position detection means for detecting the position of the slide table 3, and a driving system for moving the slide table 3. The mounting face 1a of the mounting base 1 has a mounting recess 14 formed therein. A sensor board 16 on which a Hall element 16a is mounted is installed in the mounting recess 14. The slide table 3 has a permanent magnet 19 attached to the face thereof facing the mounting face 1a. The permanent magnet 19 and the Hall elements 16a form the position detection means. |
| US08413530B2 |
Use of buoyant gases for the simulation of real fire sources
A method and apparatus to simulate a flow of products from a real fire without reproducing a thermal environment associated with the real fire includes the release of a gas or a mixture of gases with an appropriate density less than air to simulate smoke movement from real fire sources. The buoyant inert gas may be helium. In some embodiments, the buoyant gas is combined with artificial smoke, such as a tracer gas or an inert dye (e.g., a particulate) to provide a visual representation of the location and flow characteristics of the surrogate smoke that is released from a release apparatus. In another embodiment, optical techniques that show differences in gas density are used to visualize the movement of the buoyant gas. The release apparatus includes a control system that follows a prescribed time-dependent flow rate to simulate different fire source configurations and growth rates. |
| US08413529B2 |
Reusable blood specimen transfer device
A blood transfer assembly comprises of a standard Luer lock style syringe that has a needle and a protective cap in place. The assembly further comprises a blood transfer guide housing that contains a first optional set of barbs that holds the cylindrical end of the syringe. A second set of barbs rigidly hold the needle and prevent the needle being withdrawn from the guide. As the syringe is inserted into the guide the protective cap will pass through the first and second set of barbs until the syringe and the guide come in mechanical contact with each other forming a single assembly. |
| US08413526B2 |
Impact detection structure, impact detection system and method, and occupant protection system and method
A side impact detection system includes a two-stage load transmitting structure that transmits to a floor tunnel, in which a side impact-detecting G sensor is provided, load caused by a side impact at a predetermined impact speed Vp in two stages having a predetermined time lag in such a manner that the load transmitted or the rate of change in the load differs between the first-stage load transmission and the second-stage load transmission. |
| US08413525B1 |
Portable torque measurement and notification system and method of using same
A portable torque measurement and notification system, including a torque applying device to apply torque to an object, the torque applying device having a handle and a gripping end, the torque applying device including one or more strain gages disposed on the handle to produce one or more strain measurements of the handle during the application of the torque; an electronic circuit disposed about the handle to receive the one or more strain measurements, to convert the strain measurements to one or more torque measurements, and to transmit the one or more torque measurements by a wireless communications standard; a power unit to power the strain gages and electronic circuit; and a wireless device operable to communicate with the torque applying device, the wireless device having a database to store a target torque value and to receive the transmitted one or more torque measurements, and to produce a notifier. |
| US08413519B2 |
Contact detector with piezoelectric sensor
Disclosed is an apparatus and methodology for detecting contact within a monitored area. A piezoelectric sensor (40) is attached to one end of detector (100), which is positioned, for contact by passing items or individuals. The detector may correspond to plurality of parallel, rubber calendared cable or strip (12, 14, 16, 18, 20) of polycarbonate resin. Body deformations induced into the detector upon contact travel to piezoelectric sensor and detect as strain coupled to the piezoelectric sensor. The apparatus and methodology may be employed to detect vehicular traffic along travel paths, human contact with walls or floors, manufactured product with delivery system or any physical contact by animate or inanimate objects or individuals. |
| US08413518B2 |
Sensor membrane
A pressure or force sensor has a sensor housing, a measuring element in the housing, and a sensor membrane. The membrane is delimited by an inner edge and an outer edge, which is connected in a pressure-resistant manner to the sensor housing. The inner edge transitions in a pressure-resistant manner into a movable plunger, the travel of which can be detected by the measuring element. The membrane has one or more elastic regions between the outer edge and the inner edge, each region having a thinnest point, wherein the material thickness inside the elastic region increases steadily on both sides of this thinnest point. The cross-section of the membrane has an arched shape in each elastic region, and the arched shape has a convex outer and concave inner contour relative to the arch orientation. |
| US08413512B2 |
Method for agitating liquefied material using quartz crystal oscillator
It is an object of the invention to provide an agitation method for sufficiently agitating a mixture of a solution such as a buffer solution and a material to be detected, with no need of any dedicated unit for agitation, for measurements using a quartz crystal oscillator. The method for agitating a liquefied material using a quartz crystal oscillator in vibrating the quartz crystal oscillator at a given frequency and measuring the variation of the frequency due to a substance in contact with the quartz crystal oscillator, is that the quartz crystal oscillator is vibrated at other frequency different from the given frequency and equal to or higher than the fundamental vibration frequency to agitate a liquid containing the substance. |
| US08413509B2 |
Spring member for use in a microelectromechanical systems sensor
A device (96) includes a microelectromechanical (MEMS) sensor (40). The sensor (40) includes a movable element (42) adapted for motion in a direction (44) and an anchor (46) coupled to a substrate (48). The MEMS sensor (40) further includes spring members (50) interconnected between the movable element (42) and the anchor (46). Each of the spring members (50) includes beams (56, 58, 60) arranged in substantially parallel alignment, with the beam (60) positioned between the other beams (56, 58). Each of the beams (56, 58) is coupled to the anchor (46) and the beam (60) is coupled to the movable element (42). Each of the spring members (50) further includes a support structure (64) joined with the beams (56, 58) to provide vertical stiffness to the beams (56, 58) of the spring member (50). |
| US08413504B2 |
High contrast capillary depth gauge and watch including the same
Capillary depth gauge (1) including at least one capillary tube (2) of triangular section arranged against a background (3) opposite an observation surface (5) and visible by transparency from the observation surface when the tubular section is substantially filled with water, at least one reflection surface (4), visible by reflection from said observation surface when the tubular section is substantially filled with air, said tube forming an isosceles triangle whose equal angles (α) have an angular value of between 48 and 60 degrees. |
| US08413503B2 |
Constant temperature anemometer
A constant temperature anemometer is disclosed. The anemometer includes electrically conductive pins including a first set of pins and a second set of pins. A conductor is coupled to the electrically coupled pins. A current source is configured to provide a current through the conductor between the first set of pins. A voltage sensor is configured to measure the voltage across the conductor between the second set of pins. The current source and voltage sensor are configured to maintain a constant resistance of the conductor between the first set of pins. |
| US08413500B2 |
Bernoulli wind prediction system
The invention is the use of a number of barometric pressure sensors roughly surrounding one or more target location or locations for which wind is being predicted. Based on a historical relationship between the observed pressures at the sensors and the observed wind at the target locations, the prediction of winds a few seconds into the future is possible. It is anticipated that these pressure observations used to train the prediction engine may be supplemented with some other local data such as area wind direction, temperature, and time of day. Further, in some applications the training of the prediction engine may be only prior to its use, while in other applications, the training may be updating the prediction engine while the instrument is operating. In the specification, a theoretical foundation for the pressure/wind relationship is explored for signal magnitudes. |
| US08413492B1 |
Cylinder sleeve surface measurement assembly
A cylinder sleeve surface measurement assembly for measuring a surface roughness of a cylinder sleeve, especially a cylinder sleeve formed in an engine block. The assembly includes a fixture that holds a surface profiling device. The surface profiling device is provided with a stylus that perpendicularly projects from a measuring arm, and the fixture holds the surface profiling device such that the stylus remains in perpendicular contact with the surface of the cylinder sleeve. To ensure perpendicular contact, the fixture is provided with an arcuate surface that defines an arc matching that of a portion of the cylinder sleeve. Accordingly, the arcuate surface allows the measuring arm to remain parallel to a surface of the cylinder sleeve, thereby ensuring that the stylus remains perpendicular thereto. |
| US08413488B2 |
Measuring procedure and measuring device for measuring physical quantities of non-compressible media
A method for measuring the dynamic viscosity and the density as physical quantities of an essentially non-compressible measuring medium may include introducing a non-compressible measuring medium in a vessel charged with a compressible medium, where the non-compressible measuring medium constitutes a fraction volume of a total volume of the vessel. The method further includes measuring an initial pressure of the compressible medium, modifying the total volume of the vessel by a predetermined modification volume, and measuring a modified internal pressure of the compressible medium in the vessel effected by the volume modification. Finally, the method may include causing liquid measuring medium to flow through an opening of the vessel through a capillary tube, where the modification internal pressure is measured at one measuring point and where the initial pressure of the compressible medium surrounding the liquid measuring medium is measured after discharge out of the capillary tube. |
| US08413486B1 |
Shut-off valve testing system
The shut-off valve testing system provides for the testing of the main shut-off valve of a combustible gas supply line in such facilities as refineries, factories, or other plants utilizing such gaseous fuel. The system includes a combination hydraulic-pneumatic cylinder receiving pneumatic pressure from a suitable source, the cylinder communicating hydraulically with a hydraulic actuator for the main shut-off valve. The system provides for testing of the shut-off valve by actuating the valve through a portion of its full travel, thus confirming that the valve is free. This is accomplished by shutting off the pneumatic pressure to one side of the hydraulic-pneumatic cylinder, and opening the hydraulic line between the cylinder and the actuator. Thus, hydraulic pressure from the actuator can bleed to the cylinder, allowing the actuator to move to the extent of the limiting spring and/or pneumatic pressure to the opposite side of the cylinder. |
| US08413485B2 |
Detection method and detection device for detecting core defects and delaminations in sandwich structures
The present invention relates to a method for detecting a defective sandwich component, particularly in aircraft construction, the method comprising the following steps: forming at least one measuring chamber in a core arrangement of a sandwich component, said at least one measuring chamber having an outwardly open end; subjecting the at least one measuring chamber to a predetermined pressure; and detecting and evaluating the pressure forming in the at least one measuring chamber. |
| US08413483B2 |
Gas sensor provided with inner and outer covers for gas sensing element
A gas sensor comprises a gas sensing element, a housing for the gas sensing element, and an element cover secured to an axial end of the housing and composed of an inner cover covering part of the gas sensing element and an outer cover disposed outside the inner cover. The outer cover comprise an approximately cylindrical side wall body, a bottom body integral with the side wall body, and a guide having first and second ends, the first end being secured to the side wall body and the second end being separated from the side wall body and located to provide a side opening between the second end and the side wall body. The side opening introduces a gas thereinto. A discharge opening is formed through the bottom body. The second end is recessed inward in the outer cover and is closer to the bottom body than the first end. |
| US08413482B2 |
Sensor
A sensor including: a sensor element; terminal metal fittings; a terminal surrounding member; and lead wires. The terminal surrounding member is divided into a front side surrounding member and a rear side surrounding member, and a rear end face of the front side surrounding member abuts a front end face of the rear side surrounding member. The sensor includes a fitting structure including a recess portion formed on one of the rear and front end faces and a protruding portion formed on the other, such that one of the front side surrounding member and the rear side surrounding member is prevented from rotating relative to the other about an axis of the sensor, and is prevented from deviating in a direction perpendicular to the axis of the sensor relative to the other. |
| US08413476B2 |
Rolling mill stand for the production of rolled strip or sheet metal
A rolling mill stand for production of rolled strip or sheet metal has working rolls which are supported on supporting rolls or on intermediate rolls and supporting rolls. The working rolls and/or intermediate rolls are arranged in the rolling mill stand so as to be displaceable axially with respect to one another. Each working and/or intermediate roll has a curved barrel contour which runs over the entire effective barrel length and can be described by a trigonometric function. The two barrel contours of adjacent rolls complete one another in a complementary way, in the unloaded state, solely in one specific relative axial position of the rolls of the pair of rolls, so that inhomogeneities in the load distribution along the contact line of two adjacent rolls are to be minimized. For this purpose, the supporting rolls have a complementary barrel contour, and a partial or full completion of the barrel contours of the supporting rolls and of the directly adjacent working rolls or intermediate rolls occurs in the unloaded state. |
| US08413470B2 |
Modular laundry system with vertical laundry module
A laundry system comprises a first laundry appliance, a second laundry appliance, and a vertical laundry module. The vertical laundry module can have a housing with a width less than the width of each of the first and second laundry appliances. The vertical laundry module can have a drawer that slidably opens from a face of the housing and/or a door that opens from the face of the housing. The vertical laundry module can further have a functional element that can be a laundry care function or a non-laundry care function. |
| US08413459B2 |
Refrigerator
Disclosed is a refrigerator including a main body cabinet forming a storage compartment with a front opening, a door opening and closing the front opening of the storage compartment, and an ice making tray mounted to the door and making ice. The refrigerator includes a water supplying pipe which receives water from a water supplying source; a discharging pipe guide which includes a hollow part and is mounted to a through part penetrating from an outside region of the door to an upper side of the ice making tray; and a discharging pipe which includes a first end detachably connected to the water supplying pipe, and a second end disposed above the ice making tray after passing through the hollow part and detachably coupled to the door. |
| US08413455B2 |
Air conditioning system
An air conditioning system is provided. The air conditioning system allows coolant to selectively flow through a series of bypass pipes and valves connecting an outlet of a compressor and an outlet of an expansion member. The series of bypass pipes and valves allow a defrosting function to be performed without performing a reverse cycle. |
| US08413453B2 |
Auxiliary control device for air conditioning system
An auxiliary control device is adapted to an air conditioning system. The air conditioning system includes a main machine and several vents. The auxiliary control device includes a vent unit and a sub-control unit. The vent unit has valves corresponding disposed on the vents, and a driver for actuating the valve to adjust an opening size of the vent through the valve. The sub-control unit includes a sub-memory for storing a control time table, a sub-timer for generating the time information, and a sub-controller for controlling the driver to adjust the opening size according to the control time table and the time information. Accordingly, the auxiliary control device is easily adapted to an air conditioning system existing in a user place and controls opening size of the vents in accordance with the control time table previously set by the user. |
| US08413448B2 |
Air blast fuel injector
An airblast fuel injector for the combustor of a gas turbine engine has, in order from radially inner to outer, a coaxial arrangement of an inner swirler passage, an annular fuel passage, an annular mid swirler passage, and an annular outer swirler passage. The fuel passage extends to a prefilming lip, and the inner and mid swirler passages swirl air past the prefilming lip so that fuel fed from the fuel passage to the prefilming lip is entrained by the swirling air into a fuel spray stream. The outer swirler passage has a convergent portion. The radially inward wall of said convergent portion is defined by a frustoconical separator element which separates the outer swirler passage from the mid swirler passage, the separator element converging in the direction of air flow to terminate in a lip at the mouths of the mid swirler passage and the outer swirler passage. |
| US08413444B2 |
Self-contained oil feed heat shield for a gas turbine engine
A gas turbine engine fuel heat shield configured to shield fuel from high temperatures of surrounding turbine components to prevent coking of the fuel is disclosed. The gas turbine engine fuel heat shield may be formed from a generally elongated member having a first collar at a first end and a second collar at a second end opposite to the first end. One or more recesses may be positioned in an outer surface of the generally elongated member between the first and second collars. A sleeve is positioned around the generally elongated member and radially outward of the recess to form one or more sealed chambers. The sleeve may be sealed to prevent fuel from entering the recess and coking. Such design, therefore, prevents the formation of carbon particles from the fuel that could clog the fuel injectors. |
| US08413441B2 |
Approach for identifying and responding to an unresponsive wastegate in a twin turbocharged engine
An engine system for a vehicle is provided, comprising an internal combustion engine including an exhaust system; a first turbine including a first wastegate and arranged along a first branch of the exhaust system, a second turbine including a second wastegate and arranged along a second branch of the exhaust system; a first exhaust gas sensor arranged along the first branch of the exhaust system downstream of the first turbine and first wastegate; a second exhaust gas sensor arranged along the second branch of the exhaust system downstream of the second turbine and the second wastegate; and a control system configured to command the first and second wastegates to a closed or open position and to indicate one of said wastegates as unresponsive to said command in response to a temperature difference between the first and second branches indicated by the first and second exhaust gas sensors. |
| US08413438B2 |
Intake air heating and exhaust cooling
Intake air heating and exhaust cooling is provided by a double wall exhaust system serving as an exhaust-to-air heat exchanger, sourcing hot air to the intake manifold for intake stroke pumping benefit and cooling the exhaust system during high load operation by routing excess boost air through an interstitial space of the double wall. |
| US08413437B2 |
Transmission hydraulic control system having independently controlled stator cooling flow
A hydraulic control system includes a source of pressurized hydraulic fluid for providing a pressurized hydraulic fluid, a main line circuit in fluid communication with the source of pressurized hydraulic fluid, a regulation valve in communication with the source of pressurized hydraulic fluid, the regulation valve moveable between a plurality of positions, and a lubrication valve in communication with the regulation valve, the lubrication valve moveable between a plurality of positions. A lubrication circuit and a cooling circuit are in communication with the lubrication valve. The regulation valve allows pressurized hydraulic fluid to communicate with the lubrication valve after the main line circuit is saturated, the lubrication valve allows fluid communication between the regulation valve and the lubrication circuit until the lubrication circuit is saturated, and the lubrication valve allows fluid communication between the regulation valve and the cooling circuit and the lubrication circuit after the lubrication circuit is saturated. |
| US08413434B2 |
Exhaust heat recovery for transmission warm-up
An exhaust heat recovery system (EHRS) for a vehicle is provided that is operable to direct coolant heated by exhaust heat to a vehicle transmission under certain operating conditions after the engine is adequately heated by the exhaust heat and without further heating the engine with the exhaust heat. Thus, recovery of exhaust heat is increased as the transmission is heated to a higher operating temperature than the engine using the heated coolant. The EHRS may also operate in a bypass mode during which exhaust heat is not directed to the engine or the transmission. A method of managing exhaust heat is also provided. |
| US08413427B2 |
Dosing control systems and methods
A dosing control system for a vehicle includes a pump control module and an enabling/disabling module. The pump control module controls a pump that provides dosing agent to a dosing agent injector located upstream of a selective catalytic reduction (SCR) catalyst in an exhaust system. The enabling/disabling module disables the pump for a predetermined melting period after engine startup when the dosing agent is frozen and selectively activates the pump during the predetermined melting period to cool the dosing agent injector when a tip temperature of the dosing agent injector is greater than a predetermined temperature. |
| US08413426B2 |
Method of exhaust cleaning for internal combustion engine and exhaust cleaner
An exhaust cleaning method and exhaust cleaning apparatus for an internal combustion engine (1) in which a fuel is fed and burned under periodical rich/lean combustion conditions. In a fuel reformer (18) disposed independently of an exhaust channel (11) in the engine (1), the fuel for the internal combustion engine (1) is reformed to produce a reformed gas containing carbon monoxide. The reformed gas is supplied to the exhaust to be introduced into an exhaust converter (17) having, disposed therein, a catalyst which adsorbs and reduces nitrogen oxides. The nitrogen oxides contained in the exhaust gas are adsorbed and reduced. Thus, the nitrogen oxides contained in the exhaust are removed at a high efficiency. |
| US08413425B2 |
Control device and control method for exhaust gas purification apparatus, and internal combustion engine exhaust gas purification apparatus
A control device and method for exhaust gas purification that can prevent the adsorption amount from becoming excessively lower than the saturated adsorption amount and can prevent the reduction efficiency of the reduction catalyst from degrading, including a device which can predict a transition of the temperature of the reduction catalyst and determine whether that temperature is decreasing; an apparatus which can control injection of the reducing agent according to a first amount that is smaller than a saturated amount corresponding to the temperature of the catalyst if it is determined that the temperature does not decrease continuously for a time; and a second apparatus which can control the injection of the reducing agent according to a second amount that is larger than the first amount and smaller than the saturated amount if it is determined that the temperature of the reduction catalyst continuously decreases for a time. |
| US08413423B2 |
Catalyst temperature control systems and methods for hybrid vehicles
A catalyst temperature control system of the present disclosure includes a vehicle start anticipation module and an electrically heated catalyst (EHC) control module. The vehicle start anticipation module determines whether a vehicle start is anticipated based on at least one of a plurality of vehicle conditions before an ignition switch is turned on. The EHC control module activates an EHC based on the determination. |
| US08413421B2 |
Deterioration diagnosing apparatus for exhaust gas purifying catalyst
Two different flows for air-fuel mixture are formed by two different variational amounts for changing the air-fuel ratio of the mixture. Response delay times for different exhaust gas flows are measured as time periods from a first time point at which the air-fuel ratio of the mixture is changed to a second time point at which an output of an oxygen sensor is changed. The oxygen sensor is provided in an exhaust pipe of an engine at a downstream side of an exhaust gas purifying catalyst. A difference between the two response delay times is compared with a predetermined threshold value to carry out the diagnosis for the catalyst deterioration. |
| US08413420B1 |
Apparatus and methods for carbon dioxide capture and conversion
To alleviate and possibly even reverse global warming while providing a liquid fuel to replace petroleum, apparatus and methods are disclosed for capturing CO2 from an air mixture and converting it to a useful substance, especially a methanol-containing fuel, utilizing preferably an MgO-loaded cartridge, which is converted partly into MgCO3 as it captures CO2 by a carbonation reaction and is reconverted into MgO by a calcination reaction while emitting a stream of substantially pure CO2. The emitted CO2 stream is reacted with hydrogen or water to yield a methanol-containing fuel or other useful chemical agent. The hydrogen is preferably derived from water electrolysis using inexpensive solar or wind driven electricity thereby also reducing the cost of such electricity by providing an economical energy storage means. Said air mixture may be the effluent from an internal combustion engine of a motor vehicle or from other fossil fuel burning sources or from the ambient atmosphere. The catalytic combination of hydrogen with CO2 to form methanol can provide a new global environmentally beneficial fuel whose burning will not contribute to any net increase in the atmospheric CO2 burden. |
| US08413419B2 |
Regeneratively cooled porous media jacket
The fluid and heat transfer theory for regenerative cooling of a rocket combustion chamber with a porous media coolant jacket is presented. This model is used to design a regeneratively cooled rocket or other high temperature engine cooling jacket. Cooling jackets comprising impermeable inner and outer walls, and porous media channels are disclosed. Also disclosed are porous media coolant jackets with additional structures designed to transfer heat directly from the inner wall to the outer wall, and structures designed to direct movement of the coolant fluid from the inner wall to the outer wall. Methods of making such jackets are also disclosed. |
| US08413414B2 |
Continuous round baler with accumulation conveyor
A continuous baler includes a round baler and an accumulation conveyor for providing crop to the round baler. The accumulation conveyor may include a conveyor belt. A controller may determine an operational mode of the baler and manipulate the accumulation conveyor in response to the operational mode. For example, the controller may be configured to operate the accumulation conveyor in a feed direction during a bale-forming mode of the baler and operate the conveyor from an initialized position at a coincident speed during a non-bale-forming mode. A pickup may provide crop material to the accumulation conveyor during both bale-forming and non-bale-forming modes. |
| US08413406B2 |
Foundation wall footing barrier
In a foundation assembly, a moisture barrier is placed on a footing and a foundation wall is on the moisture barrier. The moisture barrier thus isolates the foundation wall from the footing. The footing defines a keyway. The moisture barrier comprises a waterproof layer, a bottom layer attached to bottom side of the waterproof layer, and a top layer attached to the top side of the waterproof layer. The waterproof layer blocks passage of water therethrough. The bottom layer is for attaching the moisture barrier to the footing, and comprises a material that attracts water and binds to cement. The moisture barrier comprises a keyway portion sufficiently flexible and configured to fit the keyway in the footing. When the keyway portion fits to the keyway on the footing, it defines a secondary keyway for receiving a key portion of the foundation wall. |
| US08413405B2 |
Tower of a wind power plant
A method for erecting a tower of a wind power plant made of at least three tube-shaped tower segments. For this a tower segment is connected at its ends with another tower segment in each case: in which the tower segments are arranged in a predetermined sequence of the type tower segment A-tower segment B-tower segment C one upon the other, in which the first tower segment A is selected arbitrarily from a provided plurality i≧2 of first tower segments Ai which are constructed in the same way among themselves and exchangeable one for the other, in which the second tower segment B is selected arbitrarily from a provided plurality m≧2 of second tower segments Bm which are constructed in the same way among themselves and exchangeable one for the other, and in which the third tower segment C is selected arbitrarily from a provided plurality n≧2 of third tower segments Cn. |
| US08413400B2 |
Recess former for concrete panels
A recess former (30) is disclosed for use with anchors (35) which are to be cast into a concrete slab (61). The recess former (30) preferably includes a removable plug (36) and preferably rectangular lugs (57) which engage with corresponding apertures in the attachment head (34) of the lifting anchor and prevent the ingress of cement during casting of the slab (61). In addition, flaps (51) are preferably provided on the recess former to prevent the sides of the attachment head (34) from being encased in the concrete. Preferably the former is pivoted between open and closed positions and has a slightly V-shaped base which when abutted against a mold or formwork, urges the recess former into the closed position. Furthermore, a recess former (60-60I) is disclosed which stays behind after the casting and remains embedded in the concrete in order to provide a waterproof membrane between the recess (62) and adjacent reinforcing rods (58, 59, 71) thereby preventing corrosion of the reinforcing rods. |
| US08413386B2 |
Building protection structures and methods for making and using the protection structures
A structure and method for making a structure for use in building construction is provided. The structure is defined by a body having a top surface, a bottom surface, and side surfaces. A flashing liner is integrally formed with the body, and the flashing liner is defined at one or more of the side surfaces of the body. The body is capable of being attached to a building structure, and the flashing liner provides a weather interface with the building structure. |
| US08413382B2 |
Hinge and door unit
A second hinge plate supported pivotally on a first hinge plate using a shaft member so as to open and close. In the second hinge plate, a bracket is molded integrally at the upper edge of the end opposite the shaft member. A vertical shaft of a hold-stay rod is loosely fitted into a shaft hole of the bracket so as to move rotationally and slide in a vertical direction. A horizontal shaft of the hold-stay rod is inserted into a guide hole of a guide plate welded to the first hinge plate and slidable, and a stopper is folded and formed at the leading end of the hold-stay rod. The stopper is inserted into an engaging hole by movement from a guide to a receiving plate due to the opening movement of the second hinge plate and can be taken out from the engaging hole by a pushing-up operation. |
| US08413379B2 |
Step unit
A step unit includes: a step member which is provided with a pair of lower rails extending in an opening and closing direction of a slide door of the vehicle; and a rail plate member which is provided to a cutout formed in a part of either of the lower rails and which continuously connects the lower rails in the opening and closing direction. The step member is molded using a resin material and is provided with an insertion hole which vertically penetrates through the step member at a position corresponding to the cutout; and a support extension section which is extended from a side end of the cutout of the lower rail. The rail plate member is mounted to the step member by being inserted so as to penetrate through the insertion hole from above the step member. |
| US08413378B2 |
Louvre blade seal
A shutter with a frame having side members and top and bottom members, and louvres mounted between the side members, and a control for controlling and tilting the louvres, and louvre seals at the top and bottom of the frame, the louvre seals being loosely supported on the top and bottom of the frame, the top frame loosely supporting the top seal in a vertically dependent position, and the bottom frame loosely supporting the bottom seal in an upright standing position, and which render the two louvre seals swingable to allow sealing contact by the top and bottom louvres, when the louvres are tilted closed, and which seals swing back to vertical when released by the louvres. In a preferred form the blade seals are incorporated in frame extensions, with the frame extensions being swingable on the frames, and being biassed to hang vertical when out of contact with the louvres . |
| US08413377B2 |
Liquid ejection head and liquid ejection apparatus including the same
A liquid ejection head including: a channel member including: a ejection openings; a liquid channel communicated with the ejection openings; and a liquid-supply opening for supplying liquid to the liquid channel; an ejection-energy applying portion configured to apply an ejection energy to the liquid in the liquid channel; an electronic part connected to the ejection-energy applying portion; a cover member defining an accommodating space with the channel member, the accommodating space accommodating the electronic part and at least a part of a liquid-supply pipe connected to the liquid-supply opening; and a liquid absorbing member disposed in the accommodating space so as to cover at least a part of a surface of the liquid-supply pipe; wherein the cover member has a through hole formed therein for communicating the accommodating space with an outside of the cover member; and wherein a part of the liquid absorbing member is exposed to the outside of the cover member from an entirety the through hole. |
| US08413374B2 |
Planting system
The combination of a container and a growing medium for a plant. The container is made to simulate the appearance of an egg shell bounding a receptacle. The growing medium is provided in the receptacle. |
| US08413373B2 |
Method of cutting crops
A method of cutting crops is suitable for the production of biofuel. The crops are of the kind that first grows a stem bearing seeds and subsequently grows branches bearing seeds. The crops are irrigated and grown until a majority of them have grown seeds and then are cut by a motor vehicle before a majority of them have grown branches bearing seeds. |
| US08413366B2 |
Adjustable butt and reel seat for a fishing rod
A fishing rod butt for use with a rod blank and a fishing reel includes a first elongate member hingeably attached to a second elongate member. In this manner, the butt can be configured to have a curvilinear shape or a linear shape depending on the intended fishing application. Also disclosed is an adjustable reel seat assembly. |
| US08413364B2 |
Multi-grain zero turret
A novel, adjustable locking windage and elevation turret assembly capable of being re-zeroed, for the improved functionality and accuracy of a scope. |
| US08413362B2 |
Mounting rail assembly for firearms
A mounting rail assembly is provided for firearms, wherein the assembly includes a mounting rail, an electrical input contact, an electrical output contact and an embedded conductor electrically connecting the input contact and the output contact. Control circuitry can be embedded within the mounting rail to provide for data and power transmission at the electrical contacts. The mounting rail assembly can be integrated into a firearm, or can include a receptor channel for cooperatively engaging an existing mounting rail of the firearm. |
| US08413361B2 |
Shoulder fire arm
Shoulder fire arm comprising a frame a barrel and a stock for holding the weapon against the shoulder and or the cheek of the gunman wherein the stock is formed of a body and a recoil pad at the end of this body, the recoil pad being connected to the body of the stock by means of a shock absorber and the absorber is placed in such a way that during the shot the stock moves down from the shoulder and cheek of the gunman. |
| US08413358B2 |
Electric fire with mist generator and light source
An electric fire is described. The fire provides one or more three dimensional flame effects to simulate the effects of a burning fire. A fuel bed for use in an electric fire is also described. |
| US08413356B2 |
Canvas stretching system with reusable corner clamps
A canvas or material stretching system designed to allow a professional or amateur user to stretch a canvas or material on a frame without the use of stretching pliers and staples, both of which require considerable skill and strength. Special purpose corner clamps are temporarily used to secure the stretcher bars into an initial open miter frame. The purpose of this is to orient the double sided adhesive strip on the side of the stretchers towards the canvas or material while maintaining the adhesive strip from touching the canvas or material. Once alignment is achieved, the stretching bars are pressed down and attached onto the canvas or material and the corners are released. The corner clamps are removed and canvas or material corners are cut and folded into the open miter ends which also have adhesive strips. By rotating the stretchers axially 90 degrees into the final frame, thus closing the miters, and upon inserting U-shaped fasteners into grooves placed on the back of the stretcher the canvas or material is stretched and ready to display. |
| US08413354B2 |
System and method for communication handoff
A system and method for performing a handoff is presented. A preferred embodiment comprises initiating a pre-handoff registration of a piece of user equipment prior to the actual handoff in order to pre-register the piece of user equipment with the new access network. During the handoff a tunnel may be created from the original access network to the new access network in order to tunnel data packets that would otherwise have been lost prior to the completion of the handoff. |
| US08413353B2 |
Hitch device for connecting a groomer vehicle and a ski slope snow grooming implement, and control method employing such a hitch device
A hitch device for connecting a groomer vehicle having a first frame extending along a first axis, and an implement, in particular a rotary snow tiller, for grooming the snow covering of ski slopes and having a second frame extending crosswise to and symmetrically with respect to a second axis. The hitch device has an arm hinged to the first frame about a third axis perpendicular to the first axis, and about a fourth axis perpendicular to the first and third axis; a first actuator for adjusting the position of the arm about the third axis with respect to the first frame to lift and lower the implement; at least one second actuator for adjusting the position of the arm about the fourth axis with respect to the first frame; a movable coupling movable between the arm and one of the first and second frame; and a third actuator for adjusting the position of the arm in a plane crosswise to the fourth axis. |
| US08413347B2 |
Drain cleaning apparatus with electronic cable monitoring system
A drain cleaning machine with an electronic cable monitoring system is disclosed which comprises a frame supporting a rotatable drum which is driven by a motor through an endless belt. The drum contains a flexible drain cleaning cable which is rotatable with the drum and axially displaceable into and out from the drum, and the frame supports a cable feeding device through which the cable extends and by which the cable is displaced into and out of the drum. An electronic cable monitoring system is configured to assess an amount of cable payed out from and retracted into the drum. A process determines an amount and direction of relative movement between a rotatable drum and a cable follower member and generates a signal representative of an amount of cable payed out or retracted into the drum. |
| US08413342B2 |
Level with a magnet-mounting structure
A levels of the type including an elongate hollow frame and a magnet secured to the frame having a magnet-mounting structure which includes first and second magnet-holding members positioning the magnet with respect to a bottom-wall opening. The first magnet-holding member has a first side flange; and the second magnet-holding member has a second side flange. Each side flange is positioned to extend along one of opposite frame sidewalls at an inner surface of a frame bottom wall. A locking member pulls the magnet-holding members together such that the side flanges are locked inside the level frame along the opposite sidewalls, thereby mechanically securing the magnet to the level frame. |
| US08413335B2 |
Scrubbing razor
The scrubbing razor includes a handle, an elongated head with a blade mounting portion, and one or more forward straight blades and one or more rearward straight blades mounted to and extending from the underside of the blade mounting portion. The one or more rearward straight blades are mounted in opposing relation to the one or more forward straight blades, so that the scrubbing razor is bidirectional. The cutting edges of the one or more forward straight blades and the opposing cutting edges of the one or more rearward straight blades define a single plane. |
| US08413333B2 |
Method for making an asymmetrical concrete backerboard
The present invention is a method of making a backerboard having a fiberglass mesh on one side, and an impervious reinforcement membrane on the other side. The backerboard incorporates a low density, high compressive strength concrete core having an upper principal surface and a lower principal surface. The upper principal surface of the core is covered by a fiberglass mesh reinforcement layer, itself covered and bonded to the core by a thin layer of Portland cement. The lower principal surface of the backerboard is covered with a high tensile strength, impervious reinforcement membrane. |
| US08413323B2 |
Method for high-frequency tuning an electrical device
A method for RF matching of an RF plug connector includes a printed circuit board having contact points for RF contacts and contact points for insulation-displacement contacts, with one contact point for the RF contacts in each case being connected to a respective contact point for the insulation-displacement contacts, and with capacitive coupling which causes near-end crosstalk occurring between the RF contacts, with at least one first conductor track being arranged on the printed circuit board and, together with at least one second conductor track which is arranged on and/or in the printed circuit board, forming a capacitor, with at least one frequency-dependent parameter of the arrangement being measured and being compared with a nominal parameter, and the conductor track with which contact is made on one side being partially removed or cut through as a function of the difference. |
| US08413321B2 |
Module substrate and production method
A module substrate includes a multilayer substrate that includes a plurality of layers, a bottommost of the layers being a ceramic layer. Solderable contacts, which include fired pads composed of a conductive paste, are applied to the bottommost ceramic layer. A covering layer overlies the pads. The covering layer covers all outer edges of the pads. A window is cut out of the covering layer. A metallic coating is applied to each pad exclusively within the window. |
| US08413313B2 |
Divided-end artificial limb
The present invention provides divided-end artificial limbs and methods for making divided-end artificial limbs that are inexpensive, simple, and customizable. A limb is formed by dividing an end of an elongated shaft member into extending prongs that are shaped into custom lengths and curvatures. Furthermore, the method of the present invention provides affixing a sole plate to the limb, reinforcement of the prongs by nesting additional prongs within the elongated shaft member, dividing the proximal end of the shaft member into circumferentially spaced-apart fingers, and dividing a midsection of the shaft member into circumferentially spaced-apart flexing vanes. The present invention also provides that the prongs may be further modified by division into toe and heel extensions or by wrapping a prong around another prong to form a sole. Methods of reducing stress concentration using bolts and stress relief holes in these limbs are also presented. |
| US08413312B2 |
Methods of installing photovoltaic structures on a support element
Described herein are methods of installing one or more photovoltaic structures onto a mounting system and slider clips that support simplified installation of photovoltaic structures. The methods include installing photovoltaic structures on a support element having preassembled slider clips for holding edge portions of the photovoltaic structures. |
| US08413311B2 |
Device for connecting a string section with a pulling element which extends through the string section, and method for tensioning of string sections to form a string
The invention relates to a device for connecting a string section to a pulling element which extends through the string section. The device includes a tilt lever support (100), at least one tilt lever (102), which is connected to the tilt lever support so as to enable the tilt lever to pivot about a pivot point, and thereby moving a support part (105) of the tilt lever for support on the string section from a retracted position into an extended position, wherein the retracted position is closer to the center axis of the device than the extended position. The device further includes a connection for connecting the tilt lever support to the pulling element. |
| US08413308B2 |
Board placement method for printed circuit board panel
In a board placement method and system, a PCB panel having multiple interconnected PCB units and a vacant space is placed on a work surface of a reference platform. The work surface has an opening corresponding to the vacant space. The reference platform has a micro-adjusting unit, which includes a support seat disposed in the opening and movable along three directions. The support seat is used for placement of a good PCB unit. The current positions of the PCB panel and the good PCB unit are measured so as to calculate a target position of the good PCB unit and an error between the target position and the current position of the good PCB unit. The micro-adjusting unit can drive the support seat to move so as to move the good PCB unit to the target position. The good PCB unit is then fixed in the vacant space. |
| US08413303B2 |
Hinge mechanism
A hinge mechanism includes: a bracket 2 having a rotation shaft portion insertion hole 2a for inserting through a marginal rotating shaft portion 3b thereof, and one engaging concavo-convex section 2b; a plate 5 having a mounting shaft portion insertion hole 5a; and a leaf spring 4 having a mounting shaft portion insertion hole 4a and the other engaging concavo-convex section 4c, and located between the bracket 2 and plate 5 and mounted to the rotation shaft 3, wherein the hole 5a is formed larger than the hole 4a such that the spring 4 is caulked and fixed to the end face of the shaft portion by entering of the outer wall side part of a mounting shaft portion 3c formed on the end face of the portion 3b that is collapsed by caulking into a gap 5c formed between the portion 3c and insertion hole 5a. |
| US08413302B2 |
Magnetic hinge for electronic devices
The invention broadly contemplates an apparatus that makes it possible to easily lift up and open a notebook type computer cover irrespective of a weight of the cover and stop the cover at a predetermined opened/closed position. A portable electronic apparatus includes: a main body provided with an input operating portion, a cover provided with a display unit, a hinge mechanism including a rotary shaft fixed to the cover and a support member fixed to the main body. The apparatus includes an electromagnetic mechanism having a permanent magnet and an electromagnet, in which the permanent magnet and the electromagnet are disposed with respect to the rotary shaft so that when the current is applied or not applied to the electromagnet, a repulsive or attractive force is generated which allows the rotary shaft to be in a rotatable state, and thereby allow an opening/closing torque to act on the cover. |
| US08413297B2 |
Apparatus and method pertaining to a pivoting barrier
An apparatus for use with a post (602) and a corresponding pivoting barrier (601) comprises a post-mountable bracket (300) and a pivoting barrier-mountable bracket (500). The former comprises a frame (301) configured to be affixed to the post, a barrier pivot (305) that is affixed to the frame, and a linear actuator arm mounting bracket (307) that is also affixed to the frame. The pivoting barrier-mountable bracket can comprise a frame (501) configured to be affixed to the pivoting barrier, a post pivot (505) that is affixed to the frame and that is configured to pivotally mate with the barrier pivot, and a linear actuator arm mounting bracket (507). |
| US08413293B2 |
Vacuum cleaner comprising a dust collection chamber sealable by a cover and a tiltable dust bag receptacle
A vacuum cleaner includes a dust collection chamber, a cover configured to close the dust collection chamber and a mount for a dust bag disposed in the dust collection chamber. The mount is pivotable about a pivot axis from a first position blocking a closure path of the cover to a second position in which the mount does not block closure path of the cover. The mount is pivotable into the second position upon receiving of the dust bag. The location of the mount in the first and second positions and a position of the center of gravity of the mount relative to the pivot axis are configured so as to automatically pivot the mount from the second position to the first position when the dust bag is removed from the mount and when the vacuum cleaner is disposed in a normal operating position on a substantially level surface. |
| US08413283B1 |
Hands-free pot scrubber
A portable, hands-free device for cleaning a cooking utensil includes a motor, a battery electrically coupled to the motor, and scrub brushes mechanically coupled to the motor. |
| US08413281B2 |
Hand held cleaning device for automated pool cleaner
Disclosed herein is a hand held cleaning unit for use with an automated pool cleaning unit. The pool cleaning unit includes a housing, a pump mechanism for creating a vacuum pressure, intake vents in communication with the pump. The pool cleaning unit includes the housing having an external port and the pump in fluid communication with the external port. The hand held cleaning unit includes a body. The body has a port and the conduit connects the body port with the housing external port. The intake vents opening and closing in response to activation of the hand held cleaning unit. As desired, the hand held unit is activated closing the intake vents and directing the vacuum pressure through the hand held unit instead of the automated cleaning unit. The hand held unit in fluid communication with the pump mechanism. |
| US08413278B2 |
Method and apparatus for monitoring and controlling pressure in an inflatable device
A system includes a fluid controller coupled to an inflatable bladder and configured to add fluid to and remove fluid from the inflatable bladder, a control unit configured to provide information used by the fluid controller to adjust the pressurization of the inflatable bladder, the control unit including a user interface configured to constantly display a plurality of indicia corresponding to a range of pressure levels in which the inflatable bladder is employed by a user, where each of the plurality of indicia is associated with a different level of pressure of the inflatable bladder, respectively. In one embodiment, the fluid controller is configured to adjust the pressurization, in response to a user input at the user interface, to a pressure level selected by the user based on a current pressure level of the inflatable bladder, the pressure level selected by the user and an operating time of the fluid controller. In a further embodiment, a first indicia included in the plurality of indicia is associated with the current pressure level and a second indicia included in the plurality of indicia is associated with the pressure level selected by the user. |
| US08413267B2 |
Combination goggle
A combination goggle includes a goggle frame, a lens, and two binding cords for fastening the lens to the goggle frame. The goggle frame includes a positioning groove located in each of two sides thereof. The lens includes an inner surface abutting against an outer face of the goggle frame. The binding cords are bilaterally arranged on the lens, and each binding cord includes first and second ends respectively affixed to the lens and a middle section detachably fastened to one of the positioning grooves of the goggle frame. |
| US08413266B2 |
Manufacturing method for pant leg bottoms
A method for creating a series of size-proportioned trouser bottoms comprises each of the slack bottoms being approximated as a cylindrical surface transitioning into a circular conical surface. The back lower portion of the circular conical surface is trimmed along a cutting plane to produce a parabolic-shaped rear edge, to provide rear clearance above a shoe heel. The front lower portion of the circular conical surface is trimmed along second cutting plane producing a unique parabolic-shape front edge for clearance above a shoe throat. Trimming may be by a CNC fabric cutting machine, using the descriptive geometric definition of the circular conical surface, (x/α)2+(y/β)2(z/γ)2=0, and using planar cuts for the parabolic edge trim defined by the equation, Ax+Γz+Δ=0. The defined surface may be unwrapped and supplied to the CNC machine as a flat pattern. |
| US08413264B1 |
Gripping compression glove and method
A glove 10 having a palmar side 20 and a dorsal side 30 comprising a compress material 14 configured to enclose and compress at least a portion of a hand, and a gripping surface 18 on at least a portion of the palmar side of the glove. The glove can further comprise a wrist support 22 configured to support a wrist attached to the hand. The wrist support can include a length of strap material 26 sufficient to wraparound the wrist such that the strap material is at least partially overlapping, and can also include a means for affixing the strap material in a wrapped position.A method for therapeutically supporting a hand and a wrist and providing a means to grip an object, comprising the steps of compressing at least a portion of the hand with a compress material 14; and affixing a gripping surface 18 to the compress material. The method can further comprise the step of supporting the wrist with a length of strap material 26 sufficient to wraparound the wrist, such that the strap material is at least partially overlapping, and has a means for affixing the strap material in a wrapped position. |
| US08413262B2 |
Sound dissipating material
A composite formed by a reinforced elastomer material that dissipates, isolates, and absorbs sound and vibrational energy waves. |
| US08418260B2 |
Server system, security improving method of server and computer program of the same
A server system is provided in which it is possible to avoid an improper operation or malicious operation on, for example, a power switch of a server. In such a system, both a management server and multiple servers are connected to a network. Each multiple server includes: an authentication key storing portion which stores an authentication key; and a management module which compares between data inputted by operating the operation switches and the authentication key stored in the authentication key storing portion, wherein the management module sets the operation switches available if the input data and the authentication key are the same. The management module includes a function of writing the authentication key received from the management server into the authentication key storing portion. The management server includes a virtualized environment software which transmits the authentication key to each of the multiple servers via the network. |
| US08418256B2 |
Memory control apparatus, content playback apparatus, control method and recording medium
A data storage apparatus is provided that realizes a measure against deterioration of a flash memory in which integrity check data is stored. A content playback apparatus (1000) uses a hash value of playback history information as integrity check data (confirmation data) for confirming whether the playback history information has been falsified. A first address calculation unit (1004) and a second address calculation unit (1006) determine a read-in address and a storage destination address for the integrity check data, with use of the hash value. Accordingly, the storage destination addresses can be diffused, thus enabling preventing deterioration of the flash memory. |
| US08418255B2 |
Method for the secure transmission of operating data
A method for transmitting operating data of machines in the graphics industry is performed via a communications network that is accessible to the public and the operating data is transmitted to at least one management computer that can be reached via the public communications network. The operating data from the machine in the graphics industry is stored in encrypted form in at least one computer assigned to the machine, and the encrypted operating data is transmitted to the management computer via the communications network that is accessible to the public and is stored on the management computer. |
| US08418254B2 |
Applicant screening
Systems and methods for screening applicants are disclosed herein. A method of screening applicants is performed by a screening server. The server begins by receiving a selection of screening services and an applicant profile that identifies an applicant. The screening continues by generating screening results specified by the selection of screening services based on the applicant profile. A property manager is then notified that the screening results are available for the applicant based upon the applicant profile. The screening results are then provided to the property manager based upon the applicant profile. Based on these screening results, the screener or porperty manager can make a decision about the applicant and communicate a decision action to the applicant. |
| US08418252B2 |
Intelligent network interface controller
A network interface device includes a security database and a security services engine. The security database is configured to store patterns corresponding to predetermined malware. The security services engine is configured to compare data to be transmitted through a network to the patterns stored in the security database, and the security database is configured to receive updated patterns from the network. |
| US08418251B1 |
Detecting malware using cost characteristics
A security module determines cost characteristics reflecting costs incurred in developing and/or deploying a software application, and determines whether the software application is malicious based at least in part on the cost characteristics. The security module determines (1) cost characteristics reflecting costs associated with an installer tool used to generate an installation package of the software application, (2) cost characteristics reflecting costs associated with a development tool used to develop the software application, and (3) cost characteristics reflecting costs incurred in deploying the software application. If the cost characteristics indicate that substantial cost was incurred in developing and/or deploying the application, the security module determines that the application is legitimate. Otherwise the security module considers other traits of the application to determine whether it is malicious. |
| US08418248B2 |
Method and device for defending against attacks to systems comprising a plug and play function
Method for recognizing attacks to at least one interface of a computer system, in particular an automated self-service machine, comprising: monitoring the interface in order to determine changes at the interface; if changes occur, the change is used to determine the probability that an unallowed attack is occurring at the interface; if the probability is beyond a defined threshold, defensive maneuvers are introduced. |
| US08418247B2 |
Intrusion detection method and system
A technique is provided for detecting unauthorized use or abnormal activities of a targeted system of a network. The technique includes a comparison of captured data that relates to a targeted system with attack signatures to generate a security alert when the captured data and an attack signature match, a comparison of assurance metrics data from a monitored targeted perimeter with assurance references to generate assurance information when the assurance metrics data and an assurance reference match, a generation of a verified security alarm when the security alert and associated preconditions match a corresponding assurance information, a filtering of the security alert when no match has been found between the associated retrieved preconditions and the corresponding assurance information, and an emitting of a non verified security alert when no preconditions have been retrieved for the security alert and/or no assurance reference corresponding to the preconditions has been defined. |
| US08418244B2 |
Instant communication with TLS VPN tunnel management
Techniques are provided for securing instant communications, such as text, audio, and video. A tunnel management module is included in an instant communication suite that comprises one or more instant communication applications. Any communication between a user of the instant communicate suite and a contact passes through the tunnel management module, which may use TLS (or IPSec) technologies to ensure security of the instant communications. Each contact of a user may be associated with a different set of security mappings, which may be specified by the user. A tunnel configuration file is generated from a security mapping and is used to create a tunnel through which secure instant communications may pass. |
| US08418243B2 |
Systems and methods of providing an intranet internet protocol address to a client on a virtual private network
The intranet IP address management solution of the appliance and/or client described herein provides an environment for efficiently assigning, managing and querying virtual private network addresses, referred to as intranet IP (IIP) addresses of virtual private network users, such as a multitude of SSL VPN users on an enterprise network. The appliance provides techniques and policies for assigning previously assigned virtual private network addresses of a user to subsequent sessions of the user as the user logs in multiple times or roams between access points. This technique is referred to IIP stickiness as the appliance attempts to provide the same IIP address to a roaming VPN user. The appliance also provides a configurable user domain naming policy so that one can ping or query the virtual private network address of a user by an easily referenceable host name identifying the user. The appliance and/or client agent also provide techniques to allow applications to seamlessly and transparently communicate on the virtual private network using the virtual private network address of the user or client on the private network. |
| US08418240B2 |
Reordering a firewall rule base according to usage statistics
A computer implemented method of reducing central processing unit (CPU) usage of a firewall by safe reordering a current firewall's rule-base exhibiting N rules. The method comprising: receiving rule usage statistics exhibiting usage frequency of each rule on the current firewall's rule-base; calculating a rules matched per packet (RMPP) parameter, being a summation of products of each rule identifier and the corresponding usage frequency for all the N rules; determining an alternative order of the rule base by repositioning rules, wherein the repositioned rules perform the same action on the firewall, or wherein the repositioned rules act on disjoint sets of network connections, and wherein the repositioning results in a reduction of the RMPP of the reordered rule base, thereby reducing the CPU usage of the firewall in implementing the alternative order of rules. |
| US08418238B2 |
System, method, and apparatus for managing access to resources across a network
A system, method and apparatus for managing access across a plurality of applications is disclosed. The system may include a user store connector configured to connect to one or more user stores to retrieve attributes; an authentication connector configured to communicate with at least one authentication subsystem to authenticate a user; a policy engine configured to retrieve attributes from the user store connector corresponding to a user and use the attributes to evaluate access policies, if any, which are defined for protection of resources, to determine whether or not the user should be granted access to the resources; an admin component that is configured to enable the access policies to be defined relative to attributes and the resources; and a policy store configured to store the access policies. |
| US08418237B2 |
Resource access based on multiple credentials
A collection of multiple user credentials each associated with one of multiple different users is obtained at a device, and one or more of the multiple user credentials are verified. The collection of multiple user credentials is also compared to a threshold combination of user credentials to be satisfied to access the resource, and a determination is made, based on the comparing and the verifying, as to whether access to the resource is permitted. An indication of whether access to the resource by a requesting user is permitted is returned or provided to another device. |
| US08418227B2 |
Keystroke logger for Unix-based systems
A device receives, from an Internet program manager (IPM) server, an identification (ID) of a user associated with a user device and an Internet protocol (IP) address of the user device, and connects to the user device based on the user ID and the IP address of the user device. The device also receives, from the IPM server, a request to execute a logging application for the user device, and executes the logging application based on the request. The device further receives, via the logging application, one or more inputs or outputs associated with the user device, and records the one or more inputs or outputs associated with the user device. |
| US08418225B2 |
Input to locked computing device
The subject matter of this specification can be embodied in, among other things, a method that includes receiving at a computing device that is in a locked state, one or more user inputs to unlock the device and to execute at least one command that is different from a command for unlocking the device. The method further includes executing in response to the user inputs to unlock the device an unlocking operation to convert the device from a locked state to an unlocked state. The method further includes executing the at least one command in response to receiving the user inputs to execute the at least one command. The at least one command executes so that results of executing the at least one command are first displayed on the device to a user automatically after the device changes from the locked state to the unlocked state. |
| US08418224B2 |
Information processing apparatus, information processing method, and program
Disclosed is a technique which aims to suitably limit access to stored information from an external apparatus which is not permitted to access the information. An information processing apparatus such as an MFP authenticates a portable information terminal, and stores information input within a predetermined period after the authentication in association with the portable information terminal. When accepting a request for processing the stored information from a portable information apparatus after the predetermined period, the information processing apparatus identifies whether the portable information terminal having transmitted the request is the device associated with the information of interest. If the portable information terminal is identified as the device associated with the stored information, the information processing apparatus executes the processing of the information in accordance with the request. |
| US08418220B2 |
Mobile equipment having television function, method of storing information of television program, and program of storing the same
A mobile equipment having television function is capable of recording a television program being watched and of rendering the recorded television program to be watched later, even if an Web browser or an application program is started. The mobile equipment having television function includes a tuner control section (29b) for receiving digital broadcast waves including image data, voice data, and contents for data broadcasting, a television control section (22a) for outputting an image and a voice to a display section (11) and a speaker (26b) in accordance with the received image data and voice data, a browser for data broadcasting (22b) for displaying link information and the like in the display section (11) in accordance with the received contents for data broadcasting, and a control section (24) for storing, by the use of a storage control section (23a), the image data and the voice data of the television program in the data storing section (23b) when a start of the application program is requested during watching the television program, and for starting the application program of which the start is requested. |
| US08418218B2 |
Method for the aggregation and the transmission of multimedia data
A method for data communication is provided and may include storing multimedia data in a first database, the multimedia data being associated with metadata. Enhanced metadata may be created based on user data of user profiles stored at a central management unit, associated to the multimedia data, and stored in the first database. Multimedia data may be selected from the first database based on the metadata, the enhanced metadata, and a user profile. The selected multimedia data may be modified to produce user-specific multimedia data which may be stored in a second database and may be communicated from the second database to a user terminal. An alarm to a user interface of the user terminal may be generated, if in producing the user-specific multimedia data from the profiled multimedia data, it was not possible to generate the user-specific multimedia data in conformance with the user specific hardware or network characteristics. |
| US08418215B2 |
System and method for using a set-top box application to diagnose customer premises equipment
A device having a test module configured to connect with a server through a cellular telephone network and a wireless area network. The test module is also configured to initiate, in the server, a diagnostic test of an Internet Protocol television network and a set-top box device. The test module is further configured to receive information indicating problems with the Internet Protocol television network and the set-top box device, and to display the information on a display. |
| US08418214B2 |
Method and apparatus for identifying a signal route for delivery of video-on-demand to a subscriber terminal
A method and apparatus for identifying an appropriate video signal path is provided for delivery of video-on-demand (VOD) data to a subscriber in a VOD system. The signal path may be a portion of an hybrid fiber optic and cable (HFC) network so that other signal paths in the HFC network may service subscribers in other areas. Because each path need not service every area, the total bandwidth provided by the VOD server need not be provided to every area so that the bandwidth provided to each area can be commensurate with the needs of that area. When a subscriber requests VOD programming, the identification received by the subscriber's terminal from the VOD server is returned to the server along with the request. From the identification, the VOD server may determine the area in which the requesting subscriber is located and the VOD server may then transmit the requested programming to the area in which the subscriber is located for reception by the subscriber. |
| US08418209B1 |
Mobile devices for receiving real-time digital TV
Techniques for mobile devices to receive real-time digital TV are disclosed. To make such mobile devices (e.g., smart phones) readily usable regardless of what standard a local TV broadcast may comply with, more than one demodulators are provided. Each of the demodulators is implemented in accordance with one type of TV standard. Based on the received TV signal, a corresponding demodulator is activated to demodulate the TV signal. In one embodiment, the demodulators are implemented in software modules. Thus a missing demodulator may be downloaded from a designated site when a mobile device is configured to detect that a new demodulator needs installed to process a received TV signal. |
| US08418207B2 |
Dynamic video source selection for providing the best quality programming
A Dynamic Video Source Selection (DVSS) component that can be implemented in a physical or virtual STB that is capable of presenting a high quality service and consistent navigational paradigm to the viewer, while detecting, selecting, and presenting the best quality programming possible based upon the current position of the viewer's device within the network. |
| US08418206B2 |
User defined rules for assigning destinations of content
A media guidance application is provided by which users can define rules for assigning user equipment devices as destinations for media content. For example, a user may define a rule by which selected media content having attributes that satisfy a user-defined condition are downloaded, recorded, or streamed to a particular, user-specified user equipment device. The user may define and manage rules using media guidance menus, and may restrict other users from accessing the rules (e.g., parents restricting children). |
| US08418205B2 |
Method and apparatus for recommending personalized content
Disclosed are a method and apparatus for recommending personalized content in an Internet Protocol Television (IPTV) service environment. The content recommending method includes: acquiring a user's viewing history information regarding broadcasting content; analyzing the user's preference for each content item based on the user's viewing history information; creating a list of recommended content items based on the analysis of the user's preference; and providing the list of recommended content items to the user's terminal. Accordingly, it is possible to recommend personalized content according to users' preference. |
| US08418204B2 |
Providing a video user interface
Systems and methods are disclosed for providing a user interface. First, a first input may be received and a currently displayed programming content may be shrunken. Next, the shrunken programming content may be displayed. Then, in response to the received first input and concurrent with the shrunken programming content, a media guide comprising at least three display elements may be displayed. Each one of the three display elements may include a first content element, a second content element, a third content element, a fourth content element, or a fifth content element. The first content element may display available programming channels. The second content element may display programs available on the available programming channels. The third content element may display description information. The fourth content element may display actions that can be taken. The fifth content element may display an advertisement or information relative to one of the actions. |
| US08418203B1 |
Transmission method and receiving device of program guide information including a control signal
By describing electrical program guide information in a language such as XML and then multiplexing the electrical program guide information to a broadcast signal for transmission, advertisements, images and sounds can be easily entered and various program guides can be realized. For manufacturers of receiving devices, it suffices to develop only the software for receiving, decoding and displaying received XML data. There is no need to develop the software for displaying the EPG for each type of receiving device. Thus, the number of development steps can be reduced. |
| US08418201B2 |
System and method for reproducing and displaying information
A vehicle entertainment system is described for reproducing and displaying information and control options. It comprises means for information reproduction (10) and user operating means for selecting one of the control options. There is a primary display (20,50) arranged in the front of the vehicle and at least a secondary display (40) for the rear seat passengers. Information adapting means (60,95) adapt the information to be displayed on the primary display (20,50) to a limited version including the control options. A full version of the information is displayed on the secondary display. In this way, the driver can control the system without being too much distracted by the information and the rear seat passengers see the complete version of the information. |
| US08418199B2 |
Internet downloaded programmable recording device
In a system, tabulated information on broadcasting programs is supplied through a network. When a user selects information on a desired program from the tabulated information of programs, supplemental information attached to the individual program information is converted into an remote control signal to remote-control a user's receiver to receive the desired program. |
| US08418194B2 |
System and method for dynamic bandwidth allocation
A system and method for conserving bandwidth for a data connection. A television is detected to have been turned off. Recording information is requested from a digital video record. A content stream to the digital video recorder and the television is terminated in response to receiving the recording information and determining the DVR is inactive. |
| US08418189B2 |
Switching among applications according to date-and-time of schedule item
An approach for switching from one application to another, according to time information of a schedule item with respect to a current date and time and including converting data of the first application to data suitable for use in the other application, is provided. Such other application is chosen based on a comparison between the time information of the schedule item and the current date and time, and the data of the first application is automatically converted to data suitable for use in the other application and transferred to the other application. |
| US08418188B2 |
Task execution controller and recording medium on which task execution control program is recorded
A slot calculation unit calculates a current slot number and stores it in a slot storage unit. When each of control tasks of a recognition processing portion, a vehicle speed calculation portion, a brake control portion, and a steering control portion is activated, a slot number at the time of output of an execution result used as input data is obtained from a task table storage unit, and it is determined whether a time constraint is violated based on a permissible slot number for the input data, stored in a constraint table storage unit. When an execution result of each control task is output, the stored current slot number is read, and it is determined whether a time constraint is violated based on a permissible slot number for the output of the execution result, stored in the constraint table storage unit. |
| US08418185B2 |
Memory maximization in a high input/output virtual machine environment
A computer implemented method is provided, including monitoring the utilization of resources available within a compute node, wherein the resources include an input/output capacity, a processor capacity, and a memory capacity. The method further comprises allocating virtual machines to the compute node to maximize use of a first one of the resources; and then allocating an additional virtual machine to the compute node to increase the utilization of the resources other than the first one of the resources without over-allocating the first one of the resources. In a web server, the input/output capacity may be the resource to be maximized. However, unused memory capacity and/or processor capacity of the compute node may be used more effectively by identifying an additional virtual machine that is memory intensive or processor intensive to be allocated or migrated to the compute node. The additional virtual machine(s) may be identified in new workload requests or from analysis of virtual machines running on other compute nodes accessible over the network. |
| US08418184B2 |
Use of constraint-based linear programming to optimize hardware system usage
A computer implemented method, system, and/or computer program product optimizes systems usage. A work request is decomposed into units of work. A processor selectively sends each unit of work from the work request to either a first system or a second system for execution, depending on a work constraint on each unit of work and/or system constraints on the first and second systems. |
| US08418180B2 |
Thread priority method for ensuring processing fairness in simultaneous multi-threading microprocessors
A method, apparatus, and computer program product are disclosed for ensuring processing fairness in simultaneous multi-threading (SMT) microprocessors. A clock cycle priority is assigned to a first thread and to a second thread during a standard selection state that lasts for an expected number of clock cycles by selecting the first thread to be a primary thread and the second thread to be a secondary thread. If a condition exists that requires overriding, an override state is executed by selecting the second thread to be the primary thread and the first thread to be the secondary thread. The override state is forced to be executed for an override period of time which equals the expected number of clock cycles plus a forced number of clock cycles. The forced number of clock cycles is granted to the first thread in response to the first thread again becoming the primary thread. |
| US08418178B2 |
Evaluation of synchronization gateways in process models
A system may include a thread monitor that is arranged and configured to monitor progress of multiple threads of a workflow process at a synchronization point with each of the threads having a state, and configured to generate at least one inspection trigger for inspection of the threads. A thread inspector may inspect the threads at the synchronization point for a change in the state in any of the threads in response to the inspection trigger. A firing rules engine may determine whether or not the synchronization point should fire based at least in part on the change in the state of at least one of the threads. |
| US08418175B2 |
Data processing apparatus and method for controlling access to secure memory by virtual machines executing on processing circuirty
Processing circuitry executes hypervisor software to support the execution of multiple virtual machines on the processing circuitry. A memory system stores data for access by the processing circuitry and includes secure memory and non-secure memory . The secure memory is only accessible via a secure access request. Address translation circuitry is responsive to an access request issued by a current virtual machine specifying a virtual address, to perform an address translation process to identify a physical address in the memory, and to cause a modified access request to be issued to the memory system specifying the physical address. The hypervisor software sets a trusted virtual machine identifier if the current virtual machine is to be trusted to access the secure memory. The address translation circuitry can only cause the modified access request to be issued as a secure access request to the secure memory if the trusted identifier is set. |
| US08418174B2 |
Enhancing the scalability of network caching capability in virtualized environment
A mechanism is provided to enhance the scalability of network caching capabilities. All network client applications running on a partition in a virtualized environment are configured to query information from a single virtual input/output server (VIOS) network caching daemon. Thus, the illustrative embodiments provide a 1:n model where a VIOS partition has a network caching daemon, and each of the n partitions uses the network caching daemon of the VIOS partition. The mechanism of the illustrative embodiments only requires the system administrator to control one copy of the local files on the VIOS server. The system administrator does not need to monitor all of these local files on each individual partition. The system administrator consolidates the entries used by the different individual partitions into one single file on the VIOS server side. |
| US08418173B2 |
Locating an unauthorized virtual machine and bypassing locator code by adjusting a boot pointer of a managed virtual machine in authorized environment
Methods and apparatus of locating an unauthorized virtual machine are disclosed. A virtual machine is registered with a management system. When the virtual machine is requested to start, the system determines whether the virtual machine is in an authorized environment. In an authorized environment, the virtual machine is enabled to operate normally. In an unauthorized environment, the virtual machine is disabled. The disabled virtual machine gathers information about the unauthorized environment and transmits the information to the virtual machine owner. |
| US08418172B2 |
Systems and methods for distributing software for a host device in a cable system
Flexible systems and methods are disclosed that may be used for provisioning, configuring, and controlling a host embodied in a cable set top box or other digital device attached to a digital communication network, such as cable distribution network. An enhanced services system maintains various host files for various types of hosts that a cable subscriber may purchase and connect to the cable network. The Enhanced Services Server interacts with the host using the host files. The host files may be downloaded from the host manufacturer into a database that distributes the modules as required to the various enhanced services systems. The host may be purchased by the cable subscriber and provisioning may be initiated by the retailer at the time of purchase using a provisioning network interacting with the appropriate cable system serving the subscriber. This abstract is not intended to limit or construe the scope of the claims. |
| US08418171B2 |
Software option selection and validation system
The present disclosure discloses a method for providing an activation of a requested software option associated with a base system software. The method may include receiving a request for an activation of a requested software option including an option part number for the requested software option. The software option being installed on the customer system. The method may further include the step of generating an activation code based on the option part number for the requested software option. |
| US08418169B2 |
Management method for managing software module and information processor
An attribute of a software module is referred to upon activating the software module and the software module is activated so that it is executed on a process separately generated, in a case where the referred attribute include a different process generation attribute indicating that the software module is to be executed on a process different from an installed process. |
| US08418166B2 |
Transparent update of adapter firmware for self-virtualizing input/output device
A firmware update process for a self-virtualizing IO resource such as an SRIOV adapter is incorporated into a platform firmware update process to systematically update the resource firmware in a manner that is for the most part transparent to the logical partitions sharing the adapter. In particular, resource firmware associated with a self-virtualizing IO resource is bundled with firmware for at least one adjunct partition associated with that self-virtualizing IO resource within a common firmware image so that, upon restart of the adjunct partition to use the updated firmware image, the resource firmware is also updated, with a logical partition that uses the self-virtualizing IO resource maintained in an active state during the restart, and without requiring the self-virtualizing IO resource to be deconfigured from the logical partition. |
| US08418163B2 |
Stacked hardware abstraction layer methods for maintaining software/hardware backward compatibility
In various exemplary embodiments, the present invention provides methods for maintaining software/hardware backward compatibility across multiple versions in a modular and scalable manner. More specifically, the present invention provides, stacked hardware abstraction layer methods for maintaining software/hardware backward compatibility for networking equipment and the like. |
| US08418162B2 |
Network delivered dynamic persistent data
A method and apparatus of dynamically managing non-volatile memory items on a wireless device through a network, the method comprising the steps of: when connecting to said network, checking for a unique identifier item stored in said non-volatile memory items; if said unique identifier item exists, checking whether a value stored in said unique identifier is the same as a software identifier located in software on said wireless device; if said unique identifier item does not exist or said value is different from said software identifier, sending said software identifier along with an identifier indicating a carrier to said network along with an identifier indicating a carrier; receiving from said network a set of changes related to said software identifier; executing said set of changes to update said non-volatile memory items; and writing said software identifier to said unique identifier item. |
| US08418161B2 |
System and method for loading a called class file table with data indicating a highest version of a class file
A system and a method for loading a called class file table with data indicating a highest version of a class file of a software application are provided. The method includes retrieving a first class version dependency file associated with a first class file, having both a first class name and a first version number associated with a second class file that is called by the first class file. The method further includes adding a first record to the called class file table having both the first class name and the first version number associated with a second class file, and retrieving a second class version dependency file associated with a third class file. The second class version dependency file has both a second class name and a second version number associated with a fourth class file called by the third class file. The method further includes if the second class name is identical to the first class name in the called class file table and the second version number is higher than the first version number, then updating the first record in the called class file table with the second class name and the second version number. |
| US08418160B2 |
Apparatus and method to selectively remove memoizing functions from program code
A method to selectively remove memoizing functions from computer program code includes initially locating a memoizing function call in the program code. The method then replaces the memoizing function call with a simple object allocation. Using escape analysis, the method determines whether the replacement is legal. If the replacement is not legal, the method removes the simple object allocation and reinserts the original memoizing function call in its place. If the replacement is legal, the method retains the simple object allocation in the program code. If desired, certain compiler optimizations, such as stack allocation and scalarization, may then be performed on the simple object allocation. A corresponding computer program product and apparatus are also disclosed. |
| US08418159B2 |
Using idempotent operations to improve transaction performance
An apparatus for optimizing a transaction comprising an initial sequence of computer operations, the apparatus includes a processing unit which identifies one or more idempotent operations comprised within the initial sequence, and which reorders the initial sequence to form a reordered sequence comprising a first sub-sequence of the computer operations followed by a second sub-sequence of the computer operations, the second sub-sequence comprising only the one or more idempotent operations. |
| US08418158B1 |
Profiler-based optimization of automatically generated code
A device generates code with a technical computing environment (TCE) based on a model and information associated with a target processor, registers an algorithm with the TCE, automatically sets optimization parameters applied during generation of the code based on the algorithm, executes the generated code, receives feedback based on execution of the generated code, and uses the feedback to automatically update the optimization parameters and to automatically regenerate the code with the TCE until an optimal code is achieved for the target processor. |
| US08418156B2 |
Two-stage commit (TSC) region for dynamic binary optimization in X86
Generally, the present disclosure provides systems and methods to generate a two-stage commit (TSC) region which has two separate commit stages. Frequently executed code may be identified and combined for the TSC region. Binary optimization operations may be performed on the TSC region to enable the code to run more efficiently by, for example, reordering load and store instructions. In the first stage, load operations in the region may be committed atomically and in the second stage, store operations in the region may be committed atomically. |
| US08418155B2 |
Generating parallel SIMD code for an arbitrary target architecture
Techniques are disclosed for automating the generation of parallel SIMD native source code in three major functional areas of data transmission, synchronization, and SIMD operations. An annotation standard is defined that is independent from native compilers and, coupled with a source-to-source compiler that provides high-level abstractions of data transmission, synchronization, and SIMD operations, relieves the need for programmers to work in a hardware-specific manner, while addressing issues of productivity and portability in a parallel SIMD computing environment. |
| US08418152B2 |
Scalable and improved profiling of software programs
An approach to profiling software programs that uses a small pinned buffer and a large unpinned histogram buffer is presented. When a process that is being profiled receives a time slice, the process' program counter is written to the small pinned buffer by a kernel routine. The small pinned buffer is configured to be large enough to store several program counters. When the small pinned buffer is full, or almost full, an internal profiling signal is sent by the kernel routine. When the process is resumed, any outstanding signals are processed before resuming the process. The profiling signal is handled by reading the program counters from the small pinned buffer, calculating a slot in the histogram buffer that corresponds to each of the program counters, incrementing the value in the corresponding histogram slots, and clearing the small pinned buffer so that it can be reused. |
| US08418150B2 |
Estimating impact of configuration changes
Tools and techniques for providing an assessment of a prospective configuration change in a production database environment. In some cases, tools may record a series of transactions in a production database. This set of transactions can then be replayed by the tools in a test database, both before and after the configuration change has been performed. The performance of the workload in this test environment can be measured under both conditions (pre-change and post-change) to provide insight into a performance impact that might result from implementing the configuration change in the production environment. |
| US08418147B1 |
Methods and systems for reporting on build runs in software development
A computer-implemented method of developing software includes receiving successive code changes for a software product. Input is received specifying that one or more code changes involve a work item associated with development of the software product. A plurality of build runs of the software product is generated. Respective build runs of the plurality correspond to one or more of the successive code changes. Data is stored associating the work item with one or more build runs that each correspond to at least one of the one or more code changes specified as involving the work item. A user input selecting the work item is received; in response, respective identifiers of at least one build run of the one or more build runs associated with the work item are displayed. |
| US08418145B2 |
Simple method optimization
Methods are classified as simple or complex. Complex methods are modified to add a tracer. Methods classified as simple are not modified to add a tracer. There are many different standards that can be used within the spirit of the present invention to classify methods as simple or complex. In one embodiment, a method is complex if it meets three criteria: (1) the method has an access level of public or package; (2) the method is non-synthetic and (3) the method calls at least one other method. Methods that do not satisfy all three criteria are classified as simple methods. |
| US08418144B2 |
Fast rendering of unsigned applet jars in a web browser environment
A system for fast rendering of an applet in a Web browser environment. A server process pre-determines the order in which the applet classes are loaded by the applet. The server process determines the classes of the applet that are required for applet start-up, and these startup classes are bundled into an initial JAR file on the server for the applet, along with a list of other class files belonging to the original JAR files. After the initial JAR file is downloaded, and while the JVM on the client system is loading the applet classes from the initial JAR file to bring up the applet, the rest of the applet classes (i.e. non-startup classes) are downloaded from the server to the client in the background. As each such non-startup class is received by the client system, it is loaded into the correct JAR file based on the class list. |
| US08418143B2 |
Software reliability test method using selective fault activation, test area restriction method, workload generation method and computing apparatus for testing software reliability using the same
Provided are a software reliability test method using selective fault activation, a test area restriction method, a workload generation method and a computing apparatus for testing software reliability using the same. The software reliability test method registers a test target module. The software reliability test method injects a fault into a fault injection target function when a caller of the fault injection target function is included in the registered module, in a case of calling the fault injection target function. |
| US08418140B2 |
Serviceability and configuration management
Many current computer software platforms support user customization and version upgradability. Unfortunately, upgrading a computer software platform may result in significant loss of user customization data. Additionally, it may be advantageous for users to export and import their customization data to share as customized business solutions with other instances of the computer software platforms. Accordingly, a technique for creating and importing a configuration package and a technique for creating and utilizing an update package is disclosed herein. The configuration package allows configuration data of elements within a computer software platform to be exported and imported. The update package allows elements to be exported within the update package. The update package may be utilized in upgrading, overwriting, and/or creating a new instance of elements. When an existing element is upgraded with an update element within the update package, the existing element's original configuration may be retained. |
| US08418138B2 |
Method, system and computer-usable medium for tracking and recording modifications to a software solution
A method, system and computer-usable medium for automatically tracking changes in an application such as, for example, a software solution. A particular definition can be created, which is indicative of an application artifact to be tracked during the development of the application, which includes the application artifact. The particular definition can be qualified by specifying a user authorized to modify the application artifact. The user can be identified by the particular role that the user plays during the development of the application. Thereafter, modifications to the application can be automatically tracked based on the particular role that the user plays during the development of the application with respect to the application artifact, thereby permitting modifications to the application to be tracked and recorded in a comprehensive manner. |
| US08418136B2 |
Application controller
The present invention defines a method for assembling software components using an application controller. The application controller provides a conduit through which calling client modules can access functionality provided by various handlers in a manner that results in greater flexibility when additional functionality is required. Additional functionality can be provided to the clients by adding additional handlers to the application controller without the need to modify any of the individual clients. The client will continue invoking the application controller in the same manner as it did previously, whilst the application controller provides additional functionality by accessing the additional handlers. Indeed, the only changes that are required are to an agent, which in preferred embodiments includes a relatively straightforward to modify XML configuration file. |
| US08418134B2 |
Method for efficiently managing property types and constraints in a prototype based dynamic programming language
Methods and systems for managing property types, constraints, and other property validations in prototype-based dynamic programming languages, such as the JavaScript® programming language, are presented. A property definition is created for a target class by a programmer, and a properties class is automatically generated for the target class along with get and set methods to access and validate properties in the properties class. A properties class of a parent class can be automatically determined to exist and added such that the target class properties class inherits from the parent class properties class. |
| US08418132B2 |
Application description language
A method and system for creating and modifying computer applications using an application description language based on a markup language is provided. An engine creates, connects, and initializes objects corresponding to entities, and specified by entity tags. A factory may be specified by an entity tag and used to create a plurality of entities. Applications are specified in a plaintext descriptive language using a markup language such as XML, enabling applications to be easily developed using object oriented techniques and abstraction. Altering preexisting applications is also simplified. Finally, an application may be dynamically reconfigured when the application's data changes. Type checking and conditional creation of entities is supported. |
| US08418131B2 |
Interactive server side components
Server side internet applications are created by placing interactive server side components (ISSC's) on internet pages. ISSC's encapsulate dynamic page functions including processing of user responses on the server and thus can be reused, which drastically reduces programming effort. The ISSC technique remembers information (in form of an ISSC object) about each ISSC during dynamic page generation on the server. Then, it generates HTML code in a way such that the ISSC event is sent to the server using a conventional HTTP GET or POST request. On the server, the event is then passed to the corresponding ISSC object. All components work without disturbing each other, even when nested or combined. A browser based editor can also be used to place ISSC's on pages and to modify their properties. During dynamic page generation, scripts and handles are embedded into the page that permit editing of the page itself. |
| US08418125B2 |
Incremental model refinement and transformation in generating commerce applications using a model driven architecture
In one embodiment of the invention, a method for profile mapped model transformation for model driven architecture (MDA) development of service provisioning applications can be provided. The method can include mapping elements of a platform independent domain specific model to a platform specific domain specific model for a target platform with stereotypes in a uniform modeling language (UML) profile defined for the target platform. The method further can include transforming a platform independent domain specific model into a platform specific domain specific model for a target platform by applying the stereotypes of the UML profile defined for the target platform. Finally, the method can include generating shell source code for the transformed platform specific domain specific model. |
| US08418119B2 |
Logical circuit netlist reduction and model simplification using simulation results containing symbolic values
A logic synthesis program, method and system for simplifying and/or reducing a logic design receives output from a logic simulator that uses symbolic values for stimulus and contains symbolic values in the logic simulator output. Relationships between the nodes dependent on symbolic values can be used to merge nodes or otherwise simplify the logic design. Behaviors such as oscillators, transient values, identical signals, dependent logical states and chicken-switch determined states that depend on the symbolic values can be detected in the simulation results and the netlist simplified using the results of the detection. The netlist can be simplified by inserting registers to represent nodes that assume a symbolic value or combination based on symbolic values either statically or after an initial transient. Oscillating nodes can be replaced with equivalent oscillator circuits, and nodes having values dependent on chicken-switch operation can be detected and replaced with registers initialized from the chicken-switch input states. |
| US08418118B2 |
Architecture guided optimal system precision definition algorithm for custom integrated circuit
Systems and methods are disclosed to automatically determine an optimal number format representation for a model or code to be implemented in a custom integrated circuit (IC) by determining a ratio of dynamic range to static range in the model or code, and selecting a floating point or a fixed point number representation based on the ratio; determining the optimal number representation format based on a cost function that includes hardware area and power cost associated with a predetermined bit precision arithmetic; automatically generating a processor architecture customized to the optimal number representation format; and synthesizing the generated processor architecture into a computer readable description of the custom integrated circuit for semiconductor fabrication. |
| US08418116B2 |
Zone-based optimization framework for performing timing and design rule optimization
Some embodiments of the present invention provide techniques and systems for efficiently optimizing a circuit design for one or more multi-mode multi-corner (MCMM) scenarios. A system can select an optimizing transformation for a logic gate, which if applied to the logic gate, does not degrade a timing metric in a local context of the logic gate. Next, the system can determine whether applying the optimizing transformation to the logic gate degrades the timing metric in a zone around the logic gate. If so, the system can reject the optimizing transformation. Otherwise, the system can determine whether applying the optimizing transformation to the logic gate degrades the timing metric in the circuit design. If so, the system can reject the optimizing transformation. Otherwise, the system can accept the optimizing transformation. |
| US08418115B1 |
Routability based placement for multi-die integrated circuits
A method of component placement for a multi-die integrated circuit (IC) can include partitioning a plurality of components of a netlist among a plurality of dies of the multi-die IC and selecting a superimposition model specifying a positioning of at least two of the plurality of dies at least partially superimposed with respect to one another. The method also can include assigning, by a processor, components of the netlist to hardware units within each of the plurality of dies according, at least in part, to a wire-length metric calculated using the superimposition model. |
| US08418114B2 |
Semiconductor device, method for manufacturing the same, method for generating mask data, mask and computer readable recording medium
A semiconductor device has first wiring layers and a plurality of dummy wiring layers that are provided on the same level as the first wiring layers. The semiconductor device defines a row direction, and first virtual linear lines extending in a direction traversing the row direction. The row direction and the first virtual linear lines define an angle of 2-40 degrees, and the dummy wiring layers are disposed in a manner to be located on the first virtual linear lines. The semiconductor device also defines a column direction perpendicular to the row direction, and second virtual linear lines extending in a direction traversing the column direction. The column direction and the second virtual linear lines define an angle of 2-40 degrees, and the dummy wiring layers are disposed in a manner to be located on the second virtual linear lines. |
| US08418108B2 |
Accuracy pin-slew mode for gate delay calculation
The input slew at a selected gate of an integrated circuit design is computed by assigning a default slew rate to the output gate of a previous logic stage which is greater than a median slew rate for the design. This default slew rate is propagated through the logic stage to generate an input slew rate at the selected gate. The default slew rate corresponds to a predetermined percentile applied to a limited sample of preliminary slew rates for randomly selected gates in the design. The default slew rate is adjusted as a function of known characteristics of the wirelength from the output gate to a first gate in the second logic stage. The delay of the selected gate is calculated based on the input slew rate. The input slew rate can be stored during one optimization iteration and used as a default slew rate during a later optimization iteration. |
| US08418106B2 |
Techniques for employing retiming and transient simplification on netlists that include memory arrays
A technique for performing an analysis of a logic design (that includes a native memory array embodied in a netlist) includes detecting an initial transient behavior in the logic design as embodied in the netlist. The technique also includes determining a duration of the initial transient behavior and gathering reduction information on the logic design based on the initial transient behavior. The netlist is then modified based on the reduction information. |
| US08418102B2 |
Optimization of library slew ratio based circuit
Disclosed is a technique for providing minimal sequential overhead in a flip-flop circuit. Equalization of setup times is achieved in one embodiment. In addition, delays in clock to Q can be equalized for both rising data transitions and falling data transitions. Large setup times are not required since optimization techniques equalize setup times for both rising and falling data transitions. |
| US08418100B2 |
Robust scan synthesis for protecting soft errors
A method for performing robust scan synthesis for soft-error protection on a design for generating a robust scan design in a system is modeled selectively at a register-transfer level (RTL) or a gate level; the design includes at least a sequential element or a scan cell for mapping to a robust scan cell of a select robust scan cell type. The method comprises performing a scan replacement and a scan stitching on the design database based on a given control information file for synthesizing the robust scan cell on the design database; and generating the synthesized robust scan design at a pre-determined RTL or a pre-determined gate level. |
| US08418096B1 |
Methods for inhibiting reverse engineering of circuit designs
Various methods for inhibiting reverse engineering of a circuit design are provided. In one embodiment, a circuit design is initially mapped to a plurality of identified hardware components of a target device using a first table that indicates a first set of logic patterns that hardware components of the target device can implement. Unused hardware components are identified, and at least one logic pattern of the circuit design is remapped to one of the unused hardware components using a second mapping table. The second table indicates a second set of logic patterns, not indicated by the first mapping table, that one of the unused hardware components is configurable to implement. |
| US08418094B2 |
Methods, systems, and computer program product for parallelizing tasks in processing an electronic circuit design
Disclosed are a method, a system, and a computer program product for implementing compact manufacturing model during various stages of electronic circuit designs. In some embodiments, the method loads the full design database information on the master; distributes the tasks to be processed in parallel; loads a full design on a master; spawns a plurality of slave sessions; sends to at least one slave a nutshell representation of the electronic circuit design; identifies a task to perform in parallel and sends the task to be performed in parallel; and receives execution results or processing results from some of the plurality of slaves and updates one or more databases to incorporate the execution or processing results. In some embodiments, the method allows speeding up the applications without major rewrite without a need for design partition, and without memory penalty. |
| US08418091B2 |
Method and apparatus for camouflaging a standard cell based integrated circuit
A method and apparatus for camouflaging an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), wherein the ASIC comprises a plurality of interconnected functional logic is disclosed. The method adds functionally inert elements to the logical description or provides alternative definitions of standard logical cells to make it difficult for reverse engineering programs to be used to discover the circuit's function. |
| US08418090B2 |
Method for computing the sensitivity of a VLSI design to both random and systematic defects using a critical area analysis tool
A method of estimating integrated circuit yield comprises providing an integrated circuit layout and a set of systematic defects based on a manufacturing process. Next, the method represents a systematic defect by modifying structures in the integrated circuit layout to create modified structures. More specifically, for short-circuit-causing defects, the method pre-expands the structures when the structures comprise a higher systematic defect sensitivity level, and pre-shrinks the structures when the structures comprise a lower systematic defect sensitivity level. Following this, a critical area analysis is performed on the integrated circuit layout using the modified structures, wherein dot-throwing, geometric expansion, or Voronoi diagrams are used. The method then computes a fault density value, random defects and systematic defects are computed. The fault density value is subsequently compared to a predetermined value, wherein the predetermined value is determined using test structures and/or yield data from a target manufacturing process. |
| US08418088B2 |
Methods and system for lithography calibration
A method of efficient optical and resist parameters calibration based on simulating imaging performance of a lithographic process utilized to image a target design having a plurality of features. The method includes the steps of determining a function for generating a simulated image, where the function accounts for process variations associated with the lithographic process; and generating the simulated image utilizing the function, where the simulated image represents the imaging result of the target design for the lithographic process. Systems and methods for calibration of lithographic processes whereby a polynomial fit is calculated for a nominal configuration of the optical system and which can be used to estimate critical dimensions for other configurations. |
| US08418087B2 |
Analyzing multiple induced systematic and statistical layout dependent effects on circuit performance
A method for implementing systematic, variation-aware integrated circuit extraction includes inputting a set of processing conditions to a plurality of variation models, each model corresponding to a separate systematic, parametric variation associated with semiconductor manufacturing of an integrated circuit layout; generating, for each variation model, a netlist update attributable to the associated variation, wherein the netlist update is an update with respect to an original netlist extracted from the integrated circuit layout; and storing the netlist updates generated for each of the processing conditions. |
| US08418083B1 |
Applying a navigational mode to a device
Systems, methods, and computer-readable media, for applying a navigational mode to a device based on one or more state indicators is provided. One or more state indicators are obtained. The state indicators indicate the state of a navigational mode selector. Such a navigational mode selector may be utilized to alter the navigational mode applied to a device. Thereafter, the state indicators are associated with a navigational mode. Upon associating the state indicators with a navigational mode, the navigational mode is applied to a device so that a display screen feature may be effectively manipulated. |
| US08418079B2 |
System and method for cursor-based application management
A system and method of managing applications and event notifications using a cursor-based GUI, wherein the cursor-based GUI is located adjacent to the cursor and provides a user with the ability manage and monitor a plurality of dynamically updated applications, commands and event notifications via a persistent and centralized interface. Since the cursor-based GUI is persistent in nature, the plurality of applications, commands and event notifications can be accessed regardless of the user's computer environment. The user can manage user authentication requirements and other configuration information for the cursor-based GUI. |
| US08418075B2 |
Spatially driven content presentation in a cellular environment
Techniques are provided for integrated content presentation via cells arranged geometrically in a cellular environment. Users can navigate various orientations and zoom states of the cellular environment to access information via different applications, different media types, different visual representations and from different underlying content sources. The information can be organized according to various logical relationships. Upon receiving an indication of a zoom state associated with a cell or a group of cells arranged in the cellular environment, a content reference at that zoom state is retrieved. Further, the content reference is resolved to retrieve and output content, including a visual representation associated with the zoom state. |
| US08418072B1 |
UI data model abstraction
Described are techniques for performing a data storage management task. A presentation technology service layer renders a user interface for user interaction in accordance with one or more rendering techniques. A user interaction template service layer includes one or more templates. Each of the templates describes processing to perform the data storage management task. A user interface data model mapping service layer communicates with at least one of a business logic service layer and a data storage interface layer to perform one or more operations in connection with the data storage management task and to map data received therefrom in a form for use by the user interface in accordance with a user interface data model. |
| US08418071B2 |
Automatically generating a configuration diagram for a measurement system
Creating and using configuration diagrams for configuring distributed systems. The methods described herein may be used for various types of operations in configuring distributed systems, including creating programs, managing programs in the distributed system, deploying programs to various distributed devices, configuring remote execution or inter-operation of distributed programs, and executing distributed applications. Embodiments of the invention utilize graphical iconic-based techniques for performing the above operations. The configuration diagram may include device icons which represent devices and program icons which represent programs. Device icons and program icons may be associated with each other to accomplish various program creation and deployment operations. Device icons and program icons may also interact with graphical program nodes or icons. Context sensitive device connections and/or program connections are displayed. An asynchronous data flow node may be used to facilitate asynchronous data flow between two graphical programs. The distributed system may also support distributed graphical debugging. |
| US08418067B2 |
Rich profile communication with notifications
A rich communication profile system with notifications. The system is a feedback mechanism that utilizes rich content, e.g., multimedia content, as one or more indicators that represent the status of a remote user. The system includes a state component that receives information relating to state of at least one entity. A notifications component dynamically renders at least one personalized graphical indicia representative of the entity's state. The entity can be a person, group of people, component, place, and object. |
| US08418065B2 |
Method of and system for dynamically controlling during run time a multifunction peripheral (MFP) touch panel user interface (UI) from an external remote network-connected computer
In a system for dynamically and remotely providing user interface (UI) display and processing information to a touch panel embedded within a multifunction peripheral (MFP) such as a digital copier having an internal computer for controlling the touch panel, a method that comprises linking the internal computer to an external data communication network having an external remote computer on the network; and upon the inputting of desired selections by a user at the UI and communicating the same over the network to the external computer, providing information from the external computer via the network back to the internal computer that enables dynamically changing or updating the UI display and behavior during run time of the MFP. |
| US08418064B2 |
Systems and methods for displaying node information in wireless networks
The present disclosure generally pertains to systems and methods for displaying node information in wireless sensor networks. An exemplary system has logic that is configured to display a list of nodes in a wireless sensor network. The logic is further configured to display a plurality of function identifiers in response to a first user input identifying one of the nodes, and the function identifiers identify a plurality of functions and a script image of the one node. The logic is further configured to receive a second user input selecting one of the function identifiers and to transmit a remote procedure call through the wireless network to the one node in response to the second user input. The one node is configured to run the function or script image identified by the selected function identifier in response to the remote procedure call. |
| US08418058B2 |
Graphical indication of signed content
A computer implemented method, apparatus, and computer program code readily identifies authenticated content within webpage having user customizable content. A request to display a wiki page is received. Responsive to receiving the request, a wiki markup file with a wiki signature block is identified. The wiki markup file contains signed content and unsigned content. The signature block identifies the signed content within the wiki markup file. Signed content is verified and an edited wiki page is generated from the signed content and the unsigned content. Signed content is visibly distinguished from the unsigned content. |
| US08418057B2 |
System and method for displaying text
A method for displaying text arranged into word clusters on an electronic display including the steps of providing a text, arranging the text into a plurality of word clusters, where a plurality of clusters includes at least two lines and each line includes at least two words, and where at least one word can be emphasized. The provided text has a plurality of paragraphs with a plurality of sentences arranged into clusters each limited to a thought group based on a word or a plurality of words linked by commonality having an end defined by a text element. Cluster size can be constrained by an estimate of reader apprehension span and/or a readability analysis of the provided text based on word complexity which can take into account reader comprehension. An automated program configured to identify thought groups using such linguistic criteria can be employed to carry out the method. |
| US08418054B2 |
Web content read information display device, method, and program
A Web content read information display device includes: a content image generation unit for cutting out a part of at least one Web content based on a past display format according to a predetermined rule so as to generate a thumbnail and generate at least one trimming image from a part of the Web content displayed in the past; a read history screen generation unit for displaying a read history screen where the thumbnail and the trimming image corresponding to each of the Web contents are arranged on a display device; and a content read operation control unit for displaying a Web content corresponding to read operation information indicating one of the thumbnail images and one of the trimming images displayed, on the display device. |
| US08418053B2 |
Division program, combination program and information processing method
The present invention provides an information processing method converting a format of a structured document, comprising: a first step copying, a first storage unit, information of a pre-converted first structured document sequentially by a predetermined amount beginning from the head; a second step adding start tags and/or end tags, and an identifier tag for identifying the aforementioned start and/or end tags so that the information copied to the first storage unit becomes one complete second structured document; a third step converting the second structured document built up in the first storage unit to a target format and outputting it to a second storage as a third structured document; and a fourth step removing the start tags and/or end tags and the identifier tag added to in the second step from the third structured document retained by the second storage unit and merging with a fourth structured document. |
| US08418052B2 |
Processing of documents
A document editing method includes transferring document information to a printing device capable of printing the document information on a surface coded with a position-coding pattern. Editing information is received from a reading device capable of reading position information from the position-coded surface. |
| US08418050B2 |
Computer readable recording medium on which form data extracting program is recorded, form data extracting apparatus, and form data extracting method
The form data extracting apparatus, even input form does not have a logical structure stored in the generic logical structure DB, by using logical elements in the existing logical structure and a registered form obtained on the basis of (a) the logical structure, (b) pieces of position information of the logical elements, and (c) a relation between the logical elements. A logical element and a logical structure are extracted from the input form, and the extracted logical structure can be defined as a new registered form or a new logical structure. |
| US08418049B2 |
Stakeholder matrix
A system implementing a situation-oriented directory for retrieving a stakeholder identification includes a memory storing a relational database corresponding to the situation-oriented directory including a plurality of attribute-value combinations and a plurality of stakeholder identifications, wherein the plurality of attribute-value combinations are mapped to the plurality of stakeholder identifications such that for each attribute-value combination exactly one stakeholder is mapped, and a processor in communication with the memory for receiving a query and retrieving the stakeholder identification from among the plurality of stakeholder identifications based on the attribute-value combinations. |
| US08418046B2 |
Data signal handling circuitry and methods with error analysis capabilities
Data receiver circuitry in the device is provided with one or more error signal output leads. An error signal on such a lead includes an error indication as soon as possible after the associated low level circuitry detects a data error. The timing of such an error indication is compared to the timing of noise from various possible noise sources in the device. The noise source that produced significant noise closest in time prior to the error indication is identified as the noise source responsible for the data error that caused the error indication. |
| US08418042B2 |
Semiconductor memory device
A CRC code is generated from an original data, a BCH code is generated with respect to the original data and the CRC code, and the original data, the CRC code, and the BCH code are recorded in pages selected from different planes of a plurality of memory chips. An RS code is generated from the original data across pages, a CRC code is generated with respect to the RS code, a BCH code is generated with respect to the RS code and the CRC code, and the RS code, the CRC code, the BCH code are recorded in a memory chip different from a memory chip including the original data. When reading data, error correction is performed on the original data by using the BCH code, and then CRC is calculated. If the number of errors is the number of errors that is correctable by erasure correction using the RS code, the original data is corrected by the erasure correction. If the number of errors exceeds an erasure correction capability of the RS code, normal error correction using the RS code is performed, and further error correction using the BCH code is performed. |
| US08418040B2 |
Method and apparatus for single carrier and OFDM sub-block transmission
A wireless device comprises a code-assignment module configured for assigning Golay codes to be used for spreading, a spreading module configured for spreading data with the Golay codes to produce a signal, wherein the Golay codes are randomly used to spread the data, and a transmitter configured for transmitting the signal. The wireless device may transmit a first beacon signal via a set of quasi-omni beam patterns, and a second beacon signal via a set directional beam patterns. The first beacon signal has a first transmission rate that is higher than the second beacon signal's the transmission rate. Extended Golay codes having zero periodic cross-correlation may be generated from a Golay code and a set of short sequences. A data block transmitted by the wireless device may comprise Golay codes and data portions, wherein every data portion is between two Golay codes and every Golay code is between two data portions. |
| US08418035B2 |
Method and system of single carrier block transmission with parallel encoding and decoding
A Single Carrier Block Transmission (SCBT) system employs an inherently parallel approach to error correction processing. At the transmission system (200), an incoming data stream is split (210) into P parallel data streams, each having a data rate equal to a fraction of the incoming data stream's data rate. The parallel data streams are then each separately encoded (220) in P parallel encoding processes (beneficially, using P parallel encoders (222)). The P separately encoded data streams are then merged (330), interleaved (320), and mapped (310) into a single stream of encoded symbols, which are transmitted to the receiver using an arbitrary modulation (240) and transmission scheme. At the receiver (255), the received data stream is de-interleaved (350) and split into P encoded data streams, which are then decoded (285) using P parallel decoders. Then, the decoded data streams are combined or multiplexed (295) into a single data stream. |
| US08418034B2 |
Systems, methods, apparatus and computer program products for highly reliable file delivery using compound and braided FEC encoding and decoding
Systems, methods, apparatus and computer program products provide highly reliable file delivery using a combination of packet-level FEC on source data packets which are arranged in matrices, where encoding is performed on both rows and columns or on rows, columns and diagonals. |
| US08418033B2 |
Mode selection for data transmission in wireless communication channels based on statistical parameters
A method and communication system for selecting a mode for encoding data for transmission in a wireless communication channel between a transmit unit and a receive unit. The data is initially transmitted in an initial mode and the selection of the subsequent mode is based on a selection of first-order and second-order statistical parameters of short-term and long-term quality parameters. Suitable short-term quality parameters include signal-to-interference and noise ratio (SINR), signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), power level and suitable long-term quality parameters include error rates such as bit error rate (BER) and packet error rate (PER). The method of the invention can be employed in Multiple Input Multiple Output (MIMO), Multiple Input Single Output (MISO), Single Input Single Output (SISO) and Single Input Multiple Output (SIMO) communication systems to make subsequent mode selection faster and more efficient. Furthermore the method can be used in communication systems employing various transmission protocols including OFDMA, FDMA, CDMA, TDMA. |
| US08418031B1 |
Systems and methods for encoding data to meet an output constraint
In a method of encoding data, a data block is received; transformed, error-corrected encoded data blocks based on the received data block are generated and one is selected based on a constraint; and the selected data block is transmitted. The method may include adding, to the received data block, pivot data corresponding to different transformations. In an apparatus, an encoded data generator is configured to generate different encoded data block candidates based on a received data block, and a selector is configured to select one of the candidates to output as encoded data based on a constraint. The encoded data generator may include a transformer configured to apply one or more transformations to the received data block, and an error correction code (ECC) encoder configured to apply error correction to the received data block. The encoded data generator and the selector may be included in a transmitter. |
| US08418029B2 |
Storage control device and storage control method
A storage control apparatus includes a storage unit having a plurality of blocks for storing data, each of the plurality of blocks being detected for data error by an error check code (ECC), a processor to execute a process to at least, modify an ECC stored in one of the storage unit, detect data-reading error in at least one block in the storage unit based on the modified ECC, and determine the number of detected blocks in the storage unit. |
| US08418023B2 |
Low density parity check decoder for irregular LDPC codes
A method and system for decoding low density parity check (“LDPC”) codes. An LDPC decoder includes a control unit that controls decoder processing, the control unit causing the decoder to process the blocks of a low density parity check (“LDPC”) matrix out of order. A decoder embodiment may process the layers of the LDPC matrix out of order and/or perform partial state processing on out of order blocks of the LDPC matrix and/or generate R messages out of order. |
| US08418022B2 |
Utilization of non-systematic (207, 187) Reed-Solomon coding in mobile/hand-held digital television receivers
Non-systematic (207, 187) Reed-Solomon codewords contain valuable information concerning the correctness of the outer convolutional coding of the serial concatenated convolutional coding (SCCC) used for transmitting digital television (DTV) data to mobile/handheld (M/H) receivers. M/H receivers are described that, before and during turbo decoding of the SCCC, decode (207, 187) Reed-Solomon (RS) coding of transport-stream packets encapsulating M/H DTV data. The results of the decoding the RS coding locate bytes in the outer convolutional coding of the SCCC very unlikely to be in error. The confidence levels of bits in those bytes are adjusted accordingly, so turbo decoding of the SCCC converges faster. In M/H receivers of preferred design, the results of decoding RS coded transport-stream packets are used to signal when such convergence is reached, to stop the iterative SCCC decoding procedures before a prescribed maximum number of iterations, thus to conserve operating power. |
| US08418019B2 |
Systems and methods for dynamic scaling in a data decoding system
Various embodiments of the present invention provide systems and methods for data processing. As an example, a data processing circuit is disclosed that includes a decoder circuit and a scalar circuit. The decoder circuit is operable to perform a data decoding algorithm by processing at least one decoder message, and the scalar circuit is operable to multiply the decoder message by a variable scalar value. |
| US08418018B2 |
Hierarchical trellis coded modulation
A system and method for encoding information is disclosed. In one embodiment, information is encoded using a high protection code for the least significant bit and a low protection code for the next three most significant bits. The remaining bits are uncoded. The high protection code may be a turbo code and the low protection code may be a trellis coded modulation code. In this embodiment, the collection of bits is then mapped according to a diagonally shifted QAM constellation technique. |
| US08418013B2 |
Method of using virtual inputs and outputs to automate testing of application software and hardware
The invention relates to automated hardware in the loop testing. A method of automated diagnostic testing is described as monitoring, modifying, overwriting, providing and/or providing read-only access to input data given to a tested application and output data provided by a tested application to compare a desired relationship between input data and output data. A preferred system includes a communication network with a preferred method including a controller area network to associate a test controlling system to a tested application. An automated diagnostic testing system comprises a test controlling system operably coupled to a tested application. |
| US08418012B2 |
Method of analyzing the safety of a device employing on target hardware description language based fault injection
A method of testing a target electronic device implemented in a configurable integrated circuit device includes receiving a baseline design for the target electronic device in a hardware description language, establishing a fault model for the particular configurable integrated circuit device, synthesizing the fault model in the hardware description language, embedding the synthesized fault model into the baseline design to create a modified baseline design in the hardware description language which enables one or more targeted signals to be selectively corrupted, creating a fault model enabled target device on the particular configurable integrated circuit device using the modified baseline design, performing a number of fault injection experiments on the fault model enabled target device, wherein each fault injection experiment includes causing at least one of the one or more targeted signals to be corrupted within the fault model enabled target device. |
| US08418010B2 |
Format transformation of test data
A device for processing test data, the device having a data input interface adapted for receiving primary test data indicative of a test carried out for testing a device under test, the primary test data being provided in a primary format, a processing unit adapted for generating secondary test data in a secondary format by transforming, by carrying out a coordinate transformation, the primary test data from the primary format into the secondary format, and a data output interface adapted for providing the secondary test data in the secondary format for storing the secondary test data in a plurality of storage units. |
| US08418008B2 |
Test technique to apply a variable scan clock including a scan clock modifier on an integrated circuit
A scan clock modifier, a method of providing a variable scan clock, an IC including a scan clock modifier and a library including a cell of a scan clock modifier. In one embodiment, the scan clock modifier includes: (1) logic circuitry configured to provide at least one selected clock signal based on a test scan clock signal and a first clock control signal, both of the test scan clock signal and the first clock control signal received from test equipment and (2) comparison logic configured to provide a scan clock signal based on the at least one selected clock signal and at least one other clock control signal received from the test equipment, wherein the first and the at least one other clock control signals are different clock control signals. |
| US08418005B2 |
Methods, apparatus and articles of manufacture to diagnose temperature-induced memory errors
Example methods, apparatus and articles of manufacture to diagnose temperature-induced memory errors are disclosed. A disclosed example method to diagnose a temperature-induced memory error includes detecting a memory error associated with a memory device, and writing a highest measured temperature of the memory device in the memory device when the memory error is detected, the highest temperature measured temporally near the detected memory error. |
| US08417999B2 |
Memory management techniques selectively using mitigations to reduce errors
A mitigation enablement module for a computer that improves application reliability. When performing memory management operations, the mitigation enablement module and associated memory manager selectively use mitigations that are intended to prevent an application bug from cause an application error. The memory manager may selectively apply mitigations for each of one or more applications based on the likelihood that such mitigations are successful at preventing bugs from causing application errors. The likelihood is determined from historical information on whether the mitigations, when applied, prevented bugs from causing memory operations that could cause application errors. This historical information can be gathered on a single computer over multiple invocations of the application or may be aggregated from multiple computers, each invoking the application. The determined likelihood may then be used to determine whether or for how long to apply the mitigation actions for memory operations requested by the application. |
| US08417996B2 |
Facade for business risk minimization in change administration via risk estimation and mistake identification by ticket analysis
A system and method of employing a facade to intercept change action commands to be carried out on a target IT endpoint resource. The intercepted commands are compared to information on a corresponding change ticket and any differences, along with the information such as target history, are used to compute a risk assessment of the risk in allowing the intercepted change action commands to be executed. Where the risk exceeds a predetermined threshold, the intercepted change action commands may be modified or eventually aborted. |
| US08417993B2 |
Fuzz testing and attack-surface scoping for URI handlers and pluggable protocols
Systems and methods for testing uniform resource identifier protocols, comprising a fuzzer that can accept an input, and produce a fuzzed uniform resource identifier (URI), and a debugger that monitors effects of invoking the fuzzed uniform resource identifier. The input can comprise a directory containing a plurality of valid uniform resource identifier bodies, which can be fuzzed and invoked. The debugger can monitor a target application as well as other applications and/or processes affected by the uniform resource identifier as invoked. |
| US08417988B2 |
Memory systems and defective block management methods related thereto
Memory systems and related defective block management methods are provided. Methods for managing a defective block in a memory device include allocating a defective block when a memory block satisfies a defective block condition. The allocated defective block is cancelled when the allocated defective block satisfies a defective block cancellation condition. |
| US08417982B1 |
Dual clock first-in first-out (FIFO) memory system
Some of the embodiments of the present disclosure provide a method for operating a first in first out (FIFO) memory system in different clock domains, the method comprising receiving a write request in a first clock domain; generating, by a write shift and truncation module in response to receiving the write request, a shifted series of binary numbers such that the shifted series of binary numbers is a reduced sub-set of a first series of binary numbers; and generating, by a binary to Gray conversion module, a series of Gray code numbers corresponding to the shifted series of binary numbers. Other embodiments are also described and claimed. |
| US08417979B2 |
Method and system for progressive power reduction of inactive device while maintaining ready status with host
The embodiments provide a system and method for device power control. In particular, the embodiments enable a device, such as a direct attached storage device coupled to a host, to enter into a mode that consumes less power. In one embodiment, the mode is self-initiated and triggered based on a preset timeout of non-use or other condition. Alternatively, this reduced power mode may be initiated based on a request by the host. During the reduced power mode of operation, the device may continue to appear active or on-line to its host. However, if its non-use persists, the device may employ a progression of power saving actions. If needed by the host, the direct attached storage device is configured to respond as if it were on-line and reverse one or more of the progression of power saving actions. |
| US08417978B2 |
System and method for reducing power consumption during periods of low link utilization
A system and method for reducing power consumption during periods of low link utilization. A single enhanced core can be defined that enables operation of subset of parent physical layer devices (PHYs). The subset and parent PHYs can have a fundamental relationship that enables synchronous switching between them depending on the link utilization state. |
| US08417972B2 |
Power supply control circuit to save electrical power of an electronic device in stand-by or powered off modes
A power supply control circuit used to control a power supply to supply a MCU includes a first transistor switch, a RC circuit, a power switch control circuit, and an input signal control circuit. When the power switch control circuit is grounded via the MCU, the RC circuit is discharged to ground and the first transistor switch is switched on, such that the power supply supplies power to the MCU. When the MCU outputs a control signal to the input signal control circuit, the RC circuit is discharged to ground and the first transistor switch is switched on, such that the power supply supplies power to the MCU. When the MCU stops outputting the control signal to the input signal control circuit, the RC circuit is charged and the first transistor switch is switched off, such that the power supply does not supply power to the MCU. |
| US08417971B2 |
Data processing device and data processing method
Disclosed is a data processing device, which comprises: an input device for generating first input information; a central processor; an embedded controller, connected to the power supply, the input device and the central processor. When the data processing device is powered on, the embedded controller is adapted to control the power supply to supply power to the input device and the central processor; process the first input information as second information, which can be identified by the central processor; and send the second information to the central processor. When the data processing device is powered off or sleeping, the embedded controller is adapted to control the power supply to supply power to the input device; detect whether a terminal device comprising an operating system is connected and generate a detection result; electrically connect to the terminal device when the detection result indicates that the terminal device comprising the operating system is connected; process the first input information to obtain third input information, which can be processed by at least one program running based on the operating system in the terminal device; and send the third input information to the terminal device. The present invention provides a data processing device and data processing method for solving the inconvenient operations of the traditional handsets and the like terminal devices. |
| US08417964B2 |
Software module management device and program
A cryptographic client device acquires a cryptographic key from a storage device son the basis of the accepted demand information, acquires a cryptographic evaluation description file from the storage device, acquires a cryptographic module corresponding to this cryptographic evaluation description file, executes a cryptographic process on the subject data to be performed the cryptographic process, and issues the encrypted subject data. |
| US08417961B2 |
Apparatus and method for implementing instruction support for performing a cyclic redundancy check (CRC)
Techniques relating to a processor including instruction support for implementing a cyclic redundancy check (CRC) operation. The processor may issue, for execution, programmer-selectable instructions from a defined instruction set architecture (ISA). The processor may include a cryptographic unit configured to receive instructions that include a first instance of a cyclic redundancy check (CRC) instruction defined within the ISA, where the first instance of the CRC instruction is executable by the cryptographic unit to perform a first CRC operation on a set of data that produces a checksum value. In one embodiment, the cryptographic unit is configured to generate the checksum value using a generator polynomial of 0x11EDC6F41. In some embodiments, the first instance of the CRC instruction specifies an initial value to be used in performing the first CRC operation, the set of data, and a storage location in which the cryptographic unit is configured to store the checksum value produced by the first CRC operation. |
| US08417960B2 |
Method for generating an encryption key using biometrics authentication and restoring the encryption key and personal authentication system
A personal authentication system using biometrics information. The system orders, when an characteristic element in the biometrics information (such as a characteristic point in a fingerprint) can be expressed with two types of information (such as, for instance, a coordinate values for a characteristic point in a fingerprint and a local partial image), the characteristic points using one type of information (for instance, local partial image) as label information, and outputs other type of information (such as coordinate values) as key information according to the order. |
| US08417957B2 |
Content distribution system, content distribution method, and client terminal
The user of any one portable terminal sends a content information request including a user ID to a distribution server. In response, the distribution server distributes a stream data of content that can be used on the user's terminal. If the user of a first portable terminal intends to let a second portable terminal try out a certain content, the user sends to the distribution server the trial permission information including the user's own user ID, a content ID of the content of interest, and a digital signature. The distribution server authenticates the received information before distributing a streaming data of a trial-oriented content with the content ID and user ID attached to it as search keys. This allows the content that can be used on a given user terminal to be tried out on another user terminal without the latter user having recourse to the steps of searching for the content in question. |
| US08417954B1 |
Installation image including digital signature
A system includes a source including a memory storing: at least two encrypted files making up an installation image, each file encrypted with a key; a metadata file including an index to each key and a hash value for each encrypted file; a signature file providing a digital signature for the metadata file, the metadata file digitally signed with a private certificate; and a public certificate associated with the private certificate. |
| US08417952B2 |
Method for Digital Rights Management in a mobile communications network
The present invention relates to a method and an operator network node for enabling a user-defined DRM domain of *SIMs hosted by *SIM-enabled devices. The operator network node is connectable to a *SIM based device and to a content provider node, and comprises means for establishing a secure channel between a *SIM-based device and an operator network node, means for creating a DRM domain defined by at least one user of *SIM-based devices, means for receiving at the operator network node a registration request from the *SIM-based device to register the *SIM of the *SIM-based device into the created user-defined DRM domain, means for registering at the operator network node the *SIM of the *SIM-based device into the registered user-defined DRM domain, and means for making the registered information associated with the user-defined DRM domain available to the content provider. The invention also relates to a further method and the content provider comprising means for accessing in the operator network node registered information associated with a registered user-defined DRM domain comprising *SIMs of a user, and means for establishing a content provider defined DRM domain comprising at least one of the *SIMs of the user-defined DRM domain. |
| US08417949B2 |
Total exchange session security
A protocol for total email and collaborative software (e.g., Exchange-brand server) session security. By way of example, securing the traffic between two servers within the same organization or cross organizations is critical to maintaining privacy of electronic data and communications. For example, securing communications between two Exchange-brand servers is particularly useful for individuals and organizations that routinely send and receive confidential information via electronic mail. It is important for the receiving side (server) to authorize the sending side (client) to send the information; the sending side should authorize the receiving side to receive information to prevent unauthorized information disclosure. The novel system and/or protocol disclosed herein can provide a mutually authenticated, authorized, and encrypted channel between two servers both within the same organization and across disparate organizations. |
| US08417948B2 |
Computer scripting engine to extract and execute steganographically hidden scripts in carrier scripts
A scripting engine causes a computer to perform operations. The scripting engine includes a first script interpreter that executes a carrier script. A steganographic decoder extracts a hidden script that is steganographically coded in the carrier script. A second script interpreter executes the hidden script. The carrier script may include a graphic image file and the hidden script may be steganographically coded in the graphic image file. The scripting engine may further include a decryption module that decrypts the hidden script with a key that may be steganographically coded in a third script. |
| US08417945B2 |
Detection and reporting of virtualization malware in computer processor environments
Methods and systems to detect virtualization of computer system resources, such as by malware, include methods and systems to evaluate information corresponding to a computer processor operating environment, outside of or secure from the operating environment, which may include one or more of a system management mode of operation and a management controller system. Information may include processor register values. Information may be obtained from within the operating environment, such as with a host application running within the operating environment. Information may be obtained outside of the operating environment, such as from a system state map. Information obtained from within the operating environment may be compared to corresponding information obtained outside of the operating environment. Direct memory address (DMA) translation information may be used to determine whether an operating environment is remapping DMA accesses. Page tables, interrupt tables, and segmentation tables may be used to reconstruct a view of linear memory corresponding to the operating environment, which may be scanned for malware or authorized code and data. |
| US08417944B2 |
Controlling access in a terminal device to services broadcast in multicast mode
In a terminal device for controlling access to multicast services over a broadcasting network, an application outputs a user-preselected broadcast service request to a router that receives the broadcast services. The request contains an address of the selected service. The device includes a filtering entity that compares the address in the request with addresses in an address list generated on the basis of at least one filtering criterion, in order to authorize the transmission of the selected service from the router to the application so that the service is delivered when the address is included in the list. |
| US08417936B2 |
Node apparatus, method and storage medium
A node apparatus changes a first access key unique to itself; changes a shared key same for node apparatuses; encrypts, using the shared key, the first access key and transmits it; receives an access key notification frame; decrypts it using the shared key, thereby obtaining a second access key; attaches, to a first plaintext frame, first signature data obtained by encrypting, using the shared key, data including a first value calculated from the first plaintext frame; encrypts the first plaintext frame using the second access key and transmits thus encrypted frame; receives a second encrypted frame; decrypts it by the first access key to obtain a second plaintext frame; obtains a second value by decrypting, using the shared key, a second signature data attached to the second plaintext frame; calculates a third value from the second plaintext frame; and confirms whether the second and third values are consistent. |
| US08417928B2 |
Turbo boot systems and methods for subsequent booting from a captured data stored in a non-volatile semiconductor memory
A computer system includes a hard disk drive and a non-volatile semiconductor memory. The hard disk drive stores a first set of data that includes boot up data. The non-volatile semiconductor memory is distinct from semiconductor memory of the hard disk drive and semiconductor memory of a host of the computer system. A turbo boot driver module stores the boot up data in the non-volatile semiconductor memory and transfers the boot up data from the non-volatile semiconductor memory to a file system of the host during a boot up mode of the host. |
| US08417927B2 |
Apparatus for reading a first program, reading and initializing a second program prior to power saving state and executing the second program upon returning to ordinary state
A function providing apparatus includes a first reading unit, a second reading unit, a first initializing unit, a second initializing unit, a first receiving unit, a second receiving unit, and a control unit. The first reading unit reads a first control program relating to a first function provided by a particular device. The second reading unit reads a second control program relating to a second function provided by data processing without using the particular device. The first initializing unit causes the processor to initialize the first control program. The second initializing unit causes the processor to initialize the second control program. The first receiving unit receives a first instruction. The second receiving unit receives a second instruction. The control unit establishes a power saving state in which power is supplied to the memory is continued, and makes a transition from the power saving state to the ordinary state. |
| US08417926B2 |
Systems and methods for providing configuration management services from a provisioning server
A provisioning server can perform configuration management services on target machines served by the provisioning server. The provisioning server can maintain a set of management templates. The set of management templates can be utilized to generate management configuration files for target machines. The management configuration files, generated from the management templates, can cause the target machines to operate according to a defined role (e.g. web server, client device, application server, etc.). To enable configuration management services, the provisioning server can associate the management templates with provisioning objects (e.g. profiles, provisioning templates, system records, etc.). |
| US08417922B2 |
Method and system to combine multiple register units within a microprocessor
A method and system to combine multiple register units within a microprocessor, such as, for example, a digital signal processor, are described. A first register unit and a second register unit are retrieved from a register file structure within a processing unit, the first register unit and the second register unit being non-adjacently located within the register file structure. The first register unit and the second register unit are further combined during execution of a single instruction to form a resulting register unit. Finally, the resulting register unit is stored within the register file structure for further processing. Alternatively, a first half word unit from the first register unit and a second half word unit from the second register unit are retrieved. The first half word unit and the second half word unit are further input into corresponding high and low portions of a resulting register unit to form the resulting register unit during execution of a single instruction. Finally, the resulting register unit is stored within the register file structure for further processing. |
| US08417919B2 |
Assigning different serialization identifier to operations on different data set for execution in respective processor in multi-processor system
A method of dynamic parallelization in a multi-processor identifies potentially independent computational operations, such as functions and methods, with a serializer that assigns a computational operation to a serialization set and a processor based on assessment of the data that the computational operation will be accessing upon execution. |
| US08417915B2 |
Alias management within a virtually indexed and physically tagged cache memory
A virtually indexed and physically tagged memory is described having a cache way size which can exceed the minimum page table size such that aliased virtual addresses VA within the cache way 12 can be mapped to the same physical address PA. Aliasing management logic 10 permits multiple copies of the data from the same physical address to be stored at different virtual indexes within the cache within given or different cache ways. |
| US08417910B2 |
Storage area network (SAN) forecasting in a heterogeneous environment
The present invention provides an approach for SAN forecasting in a heterogeneous environment. Specifically, under the present invention capacity data on the heterogeneous environment is gathered. Capacity management techniques will then be used to analyze the SAN utilization, identify growth trends and patterns. Proactively, plans are made to account for these changes. Thereafter, a Capacity Planning Margin (CPM) will be applied to the forecast to reflect actual customer usage. The CPM adjusted forecasts will then be reviewed. Then, the SAN environment can be monitored by comparing actual vs. planned and return to adjust the forecast accordingly. |
| US08417908B2 |
Systems and methods for combining data streams in a storage operation
Described herein are systems and methods for multiplexing pipelined data for backup operations. Various data streams are combined such as by multiplexing by a multiplexing module. The multiplexing module combines the data from the various data streams received by receiver module(s) into a single stream of chunks. The multiplexing module may combine data from multiple archive files into a single chunk. Additional modules perform other operations on the chunks of data to be transported such as encryption, compression, etc. The data chunks are transmitted via a transport channel to a receive pipeline that includes a second receiver module and other modules. The data chunks are then stored in a backup medium. The chunks are later retrieved and separated such as by demultiplexing for restoring to a client or for further storage as auxiliary copies of the separated data streams or archive files. |
| US08417907B2 |
Synchronizing snapshot volumes across hosts
Prior to overwriting a block of data in a first volume of data on a primary host, the block of data is written to a first snapshot of the first volume. Subsequently, the first snapshot can be synchronized with a snapshot of a second volume of data on a secondary host, where the second volume is a replica of the first volume. To synchronize the snapshots, only a portion of the first snapshot (e.g., the block of data that was written to the first snapshot) is sent to the secondary host. |
| US08417903B2 |
Preselect list using hidden pages
Disclosed is a computer implemented method, computer program product, and apparatus for maintaining a preselect list. The method comprises software components detecting a page fault of a memory page. In response to detecting a page fault, the software components determine whether the memory page is referenced in the preselect list and unhide the memory page. Upon determining whether the memory page is referenced in the preselect list, the software components remove an entry of the preselect list corresponding to the memory page to form at least one removed candidate page and skip paging-out of the at least one removed candidate page. |
| US08417902B2 |
One-time-programmable memory emulation
This document discloses one-time-programmable (“OTP”) memory emulation and methods of performing the same. OTP memory can be emulated by managing reads and writes to a memory array in response to an instruction to write data to a OTP memory location and selectively setting a security flag that corresponds to the memory locations. The memory array can be a NAND Flash memory array that includes multiple pages of memory. The memory array can be defined by memory blocks that can include multiple pages of memory. When an OTP write instruction is received, previously stored data can be read from a first page of memory, combined with the new data and stored to a target page of memory. A security flag can be set to prevent the target page from being reprogrammed prior to an erase. |
| US08417901B2 |
Combining write commands to overlapping addresses or to a specific page
The invention provides a data access method. First, a plurality of commands received from a host is stored in a command queue. A plurality of logical address ranges of the commands is then calculated. A plurality of write commands is then selected from the commands, wherein the logical address ranges of the write commands are overlapping with each other. Whether at least one read command having a receiving order that is in between the receiving orders of the write commands exists in the command queue is then determined. When the at least one read command does not exist, write data corresponding to the write commands are combined together to obtain combined write data according to the logical address ranges of the write commands. A combined write command and the combined write data are then sent to a memory to request that the memory executes the write commands. |
| US08417899B2 |
System and method for controlling access to shared storage device
A system and method for controlling access to a shared storage device in a computing cluster having at least two nodes configured as cluster members provide fencing and quorum features without using the device controller hardware/firmware so fencing can be provided with storage devices that do not support disk reservation operations, such as with non-SCSI compliant disks. A polling thread on each node periodically reads a designated storage space on the shared storage device at a polling interval to determine if its corresponding node registration key is present, and halts the node if the key has been removed. A cluster membership agent removes a corresponding node registration key from the designated storage space of the shared storage device and publishes new membership information indicating that the corresponding node has departed the cluster only after delaying for a time period greater than the polling interval. |
| US08417898B2 |
Storage control apparatus and storage control apparatus control method
A protocol chip and a communication conversion circuit are provided in a channel adapter package that is in charge of communications with a host. The communication conversion circuit communicates with the protocol chip using a procedure that conforms to a communication protocol. The communication conversion circuit communicates with a microprocessor using a procedure that is common to multiple communication protocols. It appears from the microprocessor as though communications are being carried out with the same type of channel adapter package. |
| US08417896B2 |
Semiconductor memory system having a snapshot function
In a semiconductor memory computer equipped with a flash memory, use of backed-up data is enabled. The semiconductor memory computer includes an address conversion table for detecting physical addresses of at least two pages storing data by designating a logical address from one of logical addresses to be designated by a reading request. The semiconductor memory computer includes a page status register for detecting one page status allocated to each page, and page statuses to be detected include the at least following four statuses: (1) a latest data storage status, (2) a not latest data storage status, (3) an invalid data storage status, and (4) an unwritten status. By using the address conversion table and the page status register, at least two data (latest data and past data) can be read for one designated logical address from a host computer. |
| US08417893B2 |
Memory mapping techniques
Memory mapping techniques for non-volatile memory are disclosed where logical sectors are mapped into physical pages using data structures in volatile and non-volatile memory. In some implementations, a first lookup table in non-volatile memory maps logical sectors directly into physical pages. A second lookup table in volatile memory holds the physical address of the first lookup table in non-volatile memory. In some implementations, a cache in volatile memory holds the physical addresses of the most recently written logical sectors. Also disclosed is a block TOC describing block content which can be used for garbage collection and restore operations. |
| US08417892B1 |
Differential storage and eviction for information resources from a browser cache
Systems, methods and a computer program product the differential storage and eviction for information resources from a browser cache. In an embodiment, the present invention provides differential storage and eviction for information resources by storing fetched resources in a memory and assigning, with a processor, a persistence score to the resources. Further embodiments relocate the resources from a sub-cache to a different sub-cache based on their persistence score, and remove the resource from the memory based on the persistence score. |
| US08417890B2 |
Managing cache coherency for self-modifying code in an out-of-order execution system
A method, system, and computer program product for managing cache coherency for self-modifying code in an out-of-order execution system are disclosed. A program-store-compare (PSC) tracking manager identifies a set of addresses of pending instructions in an address table that match an address requested to be invalidated by a cache invalidation request. The PSC tracking manager receives a fetch address register identifier associated with a fetch address register for the cache invalidation request. The fetch address register is associated with the set of addresses and is a PSC tracking resource reserved by a load store unit (LSU) to monitor an exclusive fetch for a cache line in a high level cache. The PSC tracking manager determines that the set of entries in an instruction line address table associated with the set of addresses is invalid and instructs the LSU to free the fetch address register. |
| US08417884B1 |
Methods and systems for controlling multiple operations of disk drives
Systems and methods for controlling multiple operations of disk drives are described herein. An embodiment includes, receiving firmware to control a disk drive, processing the firmware, configuring the disk drive in a performance mode and a storage mode based on the processing step, storing original data and at least one mirror copy of the original data on an outer region of a disk, if the disk drive is configured in the performance mode in the configuring step, and storing original data throughout the disk including all inner and outer regions, if the disk drive is configured in the storage mode in the configuring step. In this way, a disk drive may be configured for multiple operations. |
| US08417883B2 |
Concurrent memory bank access and refresh request queuing
An apparatus and system associated with memory are disclosed herein. In various embodiments, an apparatus may include first circuitry configured to queue pending refresh requests for a plurality of memory banks; and second circuitry coupled to the first circuitry and configured to set a refresh flag in response to a determination that a number of queued pending refresh requests for a memory bank from the plurality of memory banks exceeds a predetermined number. Other embodiments may be disclosed and/or claimed. |
| US08417881B1 |
Flash drive fast wear leveling
A system for wear-leveling of a non-volatile memory may include a controller configured to allocate memory blocks in the non-volatile memory, a logical-to-physical table populated with pointers to memory blocks in the nonvolatile memory, and a wear-leveling table configured to store two or more pointers to unallocated memory blocks in the non-volatile memory. The unallocated memory blocks are previously allocated to store data by the controller according to the pointers in the logical-to-physical table. The controller is further configured to identify two or more pointers in the wear-leveling table and to store data to the two or more memory blocks associated with the identified pointers. |
| US08417877B2 |
Stripe-based non-volatile multilevel memory operation
Stripe-based non-volatile multilevel memory operation can include writing a number of lower stripes including programming a number of lower pages of information in each of the number of lower stripes. An upper stripe can be written including programming a number of upper pages of the information in the upper stripe. Each of the number of upper pages can correspond to a respective one of the number of lower pages. Each of the respective ones of the number of lower pages corresponding to the number of upper pages can be programmed in a different lower stripe of the number of lower stripes. |
| US08417876B2 |
Use of guard bands and phased maintenance operations to avoid exceeding maximum latency requirements in non-volatile memory systems
Techniques are presented for performing maintenance operations, such as garbage collection, on non-volatile memory systems will still respecting the maximum latency, or time-out, requirements of a protocol. A safety guard band in the space available for storing host data, control data, or both, is provided. If, on an access of the memory, it is determined that the guard band space is exceeded, the system uses a recovery back to the base state by triggering and prioritizing clean-up operations to re-establish all safety guard bands without breaking the timing requirements. To respect these timing requirements, the operations are split into portions and done in a phased manner during allowed latency periods. |
| US08417874B2 |
High speed memory having a programmable read preamble
The subject systems and/or methods relate to a high speed memory device that enables a preamble pattern to be updated after manufacture. A high speed memory device can include a FLASH module and a RAM module. The FLASH module can include an initial preamble pattern, wherein the initial preamble pattern is loaded during a power-up of the high speed memory. The RAM module can include a default preamble pattern, wherein the default preamble pattern is loaded after the power-up of the high speed memory. The initial preamble pattern or the default preamble pattern can be defined by a manufacture of the high speed memory or an OEM of the high speed memory. Additionally, the initial preamble pattern or the default preamble pattern can be updated with a customized preamble pattern based upon a target environment. |
| US08417873B1 |
Random read and read/write block accessible memory
In one embodiment of the invention, a memory apparatus is disclosed. The memory apparatus includes a memory array, a block read/write controller, and a random access read memory controller. The memory array is block read/write accessible and random read accessible. The block read/write controller is coupled between the memory array and an external interconnect. The block read/write controller performs block read/write operations upon the memory array to access blocks of consecutive memory locations therein. The random access read memory controller is coupled between the memory array and the external interconnect in parallel with the block read/write access controller. The random access read memory controller performs random read memory operations upon the memory array to access random memory locations therein. |
| US08417872B2 |
Write and merge methods in memory card systems for reducing the number of page copies
A memory card system and related write method are disclosed. The method includes receiving a write request for a predetermined page; performing a write operation on a first log block that corresponds to a first data block including the page; receiving an update request for the page; and performing a write operation on a second log block that corresponds to the first data block. The memory card system includes: at least one non-volatile memory including a data block and a log block for updating the data block; and a memory controller controlling an operation of the non-volatile memory. During a write operation for a predetermined page, the controller controls writing of a first log block corresponding to a first data block including the predetermined page, and controls writing of a second log block during an update operation of the predetermined page. |
| US08417870B2 |
System and method of increasing addressable memory space on a memory board
A load-reducing memory module includes a plurality of memory components such as DRAMs. The memory components are organized into sets or ranks such that they can be accessed simultaneously for the full data bit-width of the memory module. A plurality of load reducing switching circuits is used to drive data bits from a memory controller to the plurality of memory components. The load reducing switching circuits are also used to multiplex the data lines from the memory components and drive the data bits to the memory controller. |
| US08417869B2 |
Hybrid storage apparatus and hybrid storage medium controller and addressing method thereof
A hybrid storage apparatus including a non-volatile memory module, a hard disk module, and a hybrid storage medium controller is provided. The hybrid storage medium controller groups physical blocks of the non-volatile memory module into at least a storage area and a replacement area, and the hybrid storage medium controller configures a plurality of logical blocks for mapping to the physical blocks in the storage area and configures a plurality of logical disk addresses for mapping to physical disk addresses of the hard disk module. The hybrid storage medium controller further configures a plurality of logical access addresses to be accessed by a host system and initially maps a portion of the logical access addresses to the logical blocks and the other logical access addresses to a portion of the logical disk addresses. Accordingly, the hybrid storage apparatus can have improved data access performance and prolonged lifespan. |
| US08417868B2 |
Method, apparatus and system for offloading encryption on partitioned platforms
A method, apparatus and system enable offloading of encryption on partitioned platforms. More specifically, a partitioned platform may include a user partition for user applications, including a Virtual Private Network (“VPN”) application capable to creating a VPN connection for secure packet transmission. The partitioned platform may additionally comprise a dedicated partition including security agents to examine packets transmitted to/received by the dedicated partition. The dedicated partition may be assigned the Network Interface Card (“NIC”) on the host, i.e., all network traffic coming into or leaving the platform may be routed via the dedicated partition. In one embodiment of the invention, a driver in the user partition may offload cryptographic tasks to the dedicated partition, where clear packets may be examined by security agents, then encrypted prior to transmission. |
| US08417865B2 |
Shared system of I/O equipment, shared system of information processing apparatus, and method used thereto
An I/O equipment sharing system includes CPUs, a plurality of route complexes coupled to the CPUs, upstream PCI Express-bridges coupled to the route complexes, downstream PCI Express-bridges coupled to the upstream PCI Express-bridges through a network, and I/O equipment coupled to the downstream PCI Express-bridges. In the above configuration, the I/O equipment are shared between the CPUs using the identifiers of the network (for example, Ethernet VLAN IDs), the identifiers are set so that they do not overlap between the respective CPUs and necessary I/O equipment is set to a set identifier. Further, an identifier is set to a plurality of the same I/O equipment required by the respective CPUs. |
| US08417863B2 |
Synchronous bus driving with repeaters
Present techniques involve systems and methods for driving a synchronous bus by implementing repeaters along the bus to restore and/or amplify a signal transmitted through the bus. In one embodiment, a repeater may be implemented at different sections of a synchronous bus, and each repeater may be activated according to where a signal is to be transmitted. In another embodiment, decoders may be configured to each repeater on the synchronous bus. As a signal directed to a section of a bus is transmitted through the bus, each sequential decoder may identify the bus section to which a signal is directed. The decoder may enable its corresponding repeater based on the bus section to which the signal is directed, such that all repeaters along the bus which come before the signal destination may be enabled to allow signal transmission through the bus and signal restoration by the repeaters. |
| US08417862B2 |
Inter-virtual machine interrupt coalescing
Disclosed is a system with multiple virtual machines passing I/O requests via a shared memory space. A flag in shared memory is set to a first state in response to a first hypervisor I/O interrupt to indicate that an I/O processing routine is active (running). I/O requests are retrieved from an I/O queue in the shared memory by the I/O processing routine. Based on an indicator that there are no I/O requests remaining in said I/O queue, the shared flag is set to a second state to indicate that the I/O processing routine is deactivated (sleeping). In response to said shared flag being in the second state, when new I/O requests are going to be made, a second hypervisor I/O interrupt is generated. In response to said shared flag being in said first state, I/O requests are inserted into the I/O queue without generating a second hypervisor I/O interrupt. |
| US08417860B2 |
Hybrid in-vehicle infotainment network
A hybrid in-vehicle infotainment network includes a core high-speed network having a number of high-speed nodes, each of which may be connected to at least one other high-speed node via a high-speed backbone link. At least some high-speed nodes may be hybrid nodes. Hybrid nodes may communicate with one or more low-speed devices via one or more low-speed links. Each hybrid node, along with any connected low-speed devices, forms a respective local low-speed network. In some embodiments, hybrid nodes may conform with a 1394 specification for high-speed backbone link communications and may conform with a universal serial bus (USB) specification for low-speed link communications. Communications via the high-speed backbone links and the low-speed links may use a common application layer having defined therein a same maximum packet size and a same set of commands and vendor-specific identifiers. |
| US08417859B2 |
Low power, low mass, modular, multi-band software-defined radios
Methods and systems to implement and operate software-defined radios (SDRs). An SDR may be configured to perform a combination of fractional and integer frequency synthesis and direct digital synthesis under control of a digital signal processor, which may provide a set of relatively agile, flexible, low-noise, and low spurious, timing and frequency conversion signals, and which may be used to maintain a transmit path coherent with a receive path. Frequency synthesis may include dithering to provide additional precision. The SDR may include task-specific software-configurable systems to perform tasks in accordance with software-defined parameters or personalities. The SDR may include a hardware interface system to control hardware components, and a host interface system to provide an interface to the SDR with respect to a host system. The SDR may be configured for one or more of communications, navigation, radio science, and sensors. |
| US08417858B2 |
System and method for enabling multiple processors to share multiple SAS wide ports
Embodiments of the present invention provide for an IOC that does not limit each CPU to a particular port. Instead, the IOC may allow each CPU to communicate with all ports. Thus, the IOC can process CPU communications to determine which port to send them to, and send them to the correct port as well as process incoming communications from the ports to determine which CPU to send them to and send these communications to the correct CPU. This may significantly increase the flexibility and efficiency of a storage network. |
| US08417856B1 |
High speed sensor data transfer interface
A high speed sensor data transfer interface is described. The interface combines a bridge circuit, carrier voltage source, first order RC high pass filter, reference power supply, Bessel filter, and high-speed analog to digital converter on a single Smart Transducer Interface Module board (STIM) to receive data from sensors. Data from the STIM is transferred to a Network Capable Application Processor (NCAP) having a microprocessor and either a Field Programmable Gate Array or a Complex Programmable Logic Device. The NCAP transfers data to a data exchange network. |
| US08417855B2 |
Handheld electronic device and associated method employing a multiple-axis input device and learning a context of a text input for use by a disambiguation routine
A handheld electronic device includes a reduced QWERTY keyboard and is enabled with disambiguation software that is operable to disambiguate text input. In addition to identifying and outputting representations of language objects that are stored in the memory and that correspond with a text input, the device is able to employ contextual data in certain circumstances to prioritize output and to learn new contextual data. |
| US08417852B2 |
Uploading TCP frame data to user buffers and buffers in system memory
A system and methods of uploading payload data to user buffers in system memory and of uploading partially processed frame data to legacy buffers allocated in Operating System memory space are described. User buffers are stored in a portion of system memory allocated to an application program, therefore data stored in user buffers does not need to be copied from another portion of system memory to the portion of system memory allocated to the application program. When partially processed frame data is uploaded by hardware to a legacy buffer in system memory, a tag, uniquely identifying the legacy buffer location is transferred by the hardware to a TCP stack, enabling the TCP stack to locate the legacy buffer. |
| US08417849B2 |
Apparatus and method to adjust a multi-path device reservation
A method to adjust a multi-path device reservation by supplying a computing device and a storage controller interconnected with a communication link. The method further reserves a data storage device in communication with the storage controller, where that data storage device reservation is held by a first communication path group comprising a first plurality of communication paths configured in the communication link. If the method detects a failed communication path configured in the first communication path group, the method configures a second communication path group by removing the failed communication path from the first communication path group, wherein the second communication path group maintains the data storage device reservation. |
| US08417845B2 |
Method and apparatus transferring data via universal serial bus
A method of communicating data between an external storage device and a USB host via a USB device is disclosed. The method includes receiving data from the USB host; and either (1) directly communicating the received data to the external storage device via an exclusive bus, or (2) indirectly communicating the received data to the external storage device via a USB bus, separate from the exclusive bus. |
| US08417834B2 |
Unified infrastructure over ethernet
Systems and methods that provide a unified infrastructure over Ethernet are provided. In one embodiment, a method of communicating between an Ethernet-based system and a non-Ethernet-based network may include, for example, one or more of the following: generating an Ethernet frame that comprises a proxy payload, a proxy association header and an Ethernet header, the Ethernet header relating to a control proxy element; sending the Ethernet frame over an Ethernet-based network to the control proxy element; generating a non-Ethernet frame that comprises the proxy payload and a proxy header; and sending the non-Ethernet frame over a non-Ethernet-based network. |
| US08417830B2 |
System and method for sharing multimedia broadcasting program
A system and method for sharing multimedia broadcasting programs, which are applied among a plurality of PCs belonging to the same subnet. A wireless data terminal is configured in a first PC. When other PCs in the subnet want to share the multimedia broadcasting program with the first PC, they sending sharing requests to the first PC, and the first PC forwards the sharing requests to the wireless data terminal. After the wireless data terminal converts the multimedia broadcasting program to be in the format of streamlining media, it sends the program to the PCs initiating the sharing requests via the first PC. The multimedia broadcasting signal received through the wireless can be shared in a wired network. |
| US08417825B2 |
Communications handles and proxy agents
Methods and apparatuses for proxying communication requests to services hosted on a data processing system. In one exemplary method, an open-ended configuration file is distilled to create an object tree from the configuration file. In addition, distillation creates communication handles for the services. The object tree is serialized and forwarded to a proxy agent. The proxy agent registers the service and monitors the communication handles for service requests by establishing a kernel callback. When a communication handle is readable, the proxy agent passes the communication handle to appropriate service. |
| US08417824B2 |
Domain name service resolver
A domain name service (DNS) resolver returns Internet protocol (IP) addresses. A connection with an Internet application or device receives domain name resolution requests that originate outside of the Internet. A direct DNS resolver identifies IP addresses without referring to the Internet or using other DNS resolvers. An address store includes a predetermined list of domain names and corresponding IP addresses specified from a point remote to the DNS resolver. The DNS resolver processes the domain name resolutions for the predetermined list of domain names differently than domain name resolutions for other domain names not on the predetermined list of domain names. At least part of the predetermined list is pushed to a destination upon receiving a resolution request for a domain name in the predetermined list of domain names, the request being of a type other than an authoritative resolution request to be performed by the direct DNS resolver. |
| US08417823B2 |
Aligning data transfer to optimize connections established for transmission over a wireless network
Systems and methods for aligning data transfer to optimize connections established for transmission over a wireless network are disclosed. In one aspect, embodiments of the present disclosure include a method, which may be implemented on a system, for aligning data transfer to a mobile device to optimize connections made by the mobile device in a cellular network. The method includes batching data received in multiple transactions directed to a mobile device for transmission to the mobile device over the cellular network such that a wireless connection need not be established with the mobile device every time each of the multiple transactions occurs. For example, the data received in the multiple transactions for the mobile device can be sent to the mobile device, in a single transaction over a single instantiation of wireless network connectivity at the mobile device. |
| US08417822B2 |
Networked computer system for communicating and operating in a virtual reality environment
The present invention relates to interactive virtual reality networked computer systems and methods that facilitate communication and operation in a virtual reality environment. The virtual reality networked computer system has an infrastructure that includes a number of users, hosts and servers. The interconnected hosts and servers allow users to effectively locate, activate, access and interact within virtual reality environments in a variety of different ways. For example, users can establish user groups such that interaction within the virtual reality environment occurs between hosts (accessed by users) without the need of a central or dedicated server. |
| US08417819B2 |
Combining UNIX commands with uniform resource locators
A computer command processor to prepare a data processing pipeline where an output of a first process is provided as an input of a second process, wherein the first process and the second process execute at different computer systems. Systems (and the processes that are to occur there) are identified by Uniform Resource Locators (“URLs”). |
| US08417806B2 |
System and method for optimizing secured internet small computer system interface storage area networks
A network device includes a port coupled to a device, another port coupled to another device, and an access control list with an access control entry that causes the network device to permit log in frames to be forwarded from the first device to the second device. The network device receives a frame addressed to the second device and determines the frame type. If the frame type is a log in frame, then the frame is forwarded to the second device and another access control entry is added to the access control list. The second access control entry causes the network device to permit data frames to be forwarded from the first device to the second device. If not, then the frame is dropped based upon the first access control entry. |
| US08417805B2 |
Controlling execution of services across servers
Computer and internet applications are commonly hosted by a large number of servers, such as a data warehouse. One concern when hosting applications is execution reliability of the applications. Unfortunately, it may be the applications themselves that provide the point of failure (e.g., an executing service creates a memory leak that causes a server to fail). Because servers are often replicated, a failure of a single executing service may become a single point of failure for every server. Accordingly, one or more systems and techniques for balancing server loads are disclosed herein. A load balancer may be configured to delegate the execution of a service amongst a plurality of servers such that no server executes all services and no service executes on all servers. The distribution of service execution amongst the plurality of servers provides service execution diversity across servers that otherwise may be configured identically with services. |
| US08417800B2 |
Method and system for network configuration and/or provisioning based on open virtualization format (OVF) metadata
Certain aspects of a method and system for network configuration and/or provisioning based on open virtualization format (OVF) metadata may include accessing a set of port profiles for one or more virtual machines from a port profile database based on OVF metadata. One or more virtual machines may be configured, deployed, and/or managed based on the accessed set of port profiles. One or both of a uniform resource identifier (URI) to the profile data base and/or a port profile identification may be included in the OVF metadata to allow a virtual machine (VM) administrator device to access the set of port profiles for the one or more virtual machines from the port profile database. Alternatively, the set of port profiles may be included in the OVF metadata to allow the VM administrator device to access the set of port profiles for the one or more virtual machines from the port profile database. |
| US08417799B2 |
Methods and apparatus for providing data distribution that supports auditing
The invention is directed to techniques for providing data distribution that supports auditing. Accordingly, a data communications device receives data from a data provider, the data containing label information. The data communications device filters the data based on the label information contained in the data. Next, the data communications device associates token information with the data whereby the token information enables later audits of transmission of the data traveling through the data communications device. Finally, the data communications device transmits the data and the token information toward a data receiver. Filtering of the data results in certain data being removed and/or directed to a specific data receiver based on labels within the data. The data communications device also inserts a signature into the token in order to identify the data communications device transmitting the data in a manner that cannot be forged. |
| US08417798B2 |
Deploying artifacts for packaged software application in cloud computing environment
Deploying artifacts and tools in cloud computing environment for provisioning packaged software applications generates a user interface code automatically and dynamically using information from at least structural data representations of cloud computing environment and base configuration requirements for running one or more packaged software applications in the cloud computing environment. In one aspect, the automatically generated code may be augmented using one or more library codes and auxiliary files. Specific configuration requirements are further obtained by running the automatically generated user interface code. One or more components to deploy in the cloud computing environment are determined that meet the base configuration requirements and the specific configuration requirements, by analyzing the structural data representations. |
| US08417797B2 |
System and method for seamlessly providing video content to client systems over a network
A system and method for providing video content to a client system is disclosed. The system includes a server and a computer coupled by a network. The server obtains operating environment information of the computer in response to a request for video content from the computer. The server selects a version of the requested video content for sending based on the obtained operating environment information. The selected video can be received by the computer at the computer's particular connection speed over the network and can be played by the computer using its particular video player. The server sends the selected video to the computer and causes the computer to automatically begin playing the video without requiring any overt interaction by the operator of the computer. |
| US08417795B1 |
Methods, systems, and computer program products for provisioning service between a network access device and a network interface unit
A service is configured by provisioning the service for a facility on a network access device (NAD). The service endpoint is created in an operationally disabled state responsive to provisioning the service. A first network interface unit (NIU) is detected connecting to the facility. The first NIU has an identification code associated therewith. The service transitions to an operationally enabled state responsive to detecting the first NIU connecting to the facility. The identification code is associated with the facility. The first NIU is detected disconnecting from the facility. The service transitions to an operationally disabled state responsive to detecting the first NIU disconnecting from the facility. A second NIU is detected connecting to the facility. The second NIU has an identification code associated therewith. The identification code of the second NIU is compared with the identification code of the first NIU. The service transitions to an operationally enabled state if the identification code of the second NIU matches the identification code of the first NIU indicating that the first and second NIUs are the same NIU. |
| US08417794B2 |
Transferring multimedia content
A computer implemented method of transferring multimedia content from a content server to a receiving client, comprising: receiving the multimedia content from the content server; processing the multimedia content according to predefined redundancy parameters; receiving a downloading request for the multimedia content from the receiving client; sending the multimedia content to the file servers; reporting a plurality of file servers with respective uploading bit rates; the client receiving a bandwidth allocation; the receiving client calculating a downloading scheme; and the receiving client downloading content in packets from the file servers and verifying the integrity and authenticity of every processed frame (group of packets) obtained from file servers. The method enhances streaming effectivity by using a robust seeding procedure. |
| US08417793B2 |
Method and system for internet access
Costs associated with accessing the internet from a public terminal are borne by one or more sponsors. The terminal thus sponsored may, in exchange, be limited in the internet domains it is capable of browsing. If a user wishes to browse beyond the sponsored domains, a usage charge may be assessed. In other arrangements, web cards (like pre-paid phone cards) may be sold at retail establishments (or issued by libraries), to permit web browsing from compliant terminals. A variety of other arrangements are also detailed. |
| US08417791B1 |
Hosted calling service
A computer-implemented method for calling a party using a hosted calling service is disclosed. The method includes receiving at a calling module, using a standardized interface, a call request from a remote client, the standardized interface enabling interoperability between the calling module and heterogeneous remote clients, generating a call to a party specified by the call request, and transmitting a response received from the party to the remote client for client-specific processing. |
| US08417790B2 |
Communication system, data terminal apparatus, server apparatus, and menu screen updating method
There is provided a communication system, a data terminal apparatus, a server apparatus, and a menu screen updating method that succeed in enhancing the ease-of-use of a menu screen with additional functions. The service server transmits to the receiving apparatus additional menu data for permitting selection of additional functions. In the receiving apparatus, on the basis of initial menu data for permitting selection of initial functions and the additional menu data obtained as the second menu data, menu display data is produced. On the basis of the menu display data, a menu screen is created. The menu screen is outputted to the display device so that it shows up on the display section of the display device. |
| US08417789B1 |
Distributed adaptive network memory engine
Memory demands of large-memory applications continue to remain one step ahead of the improvements in DRAM capacities of commodity systems. Performance of such applications degrades rapidly once the system hits the physical memory limit and starts paging to the local disk. A distributed network-based virtual memory scheme is provided which treats remote memory as another level in the memory hierarchy between very fast local memory and very slow local disks. Performance over gigabit Ethernet shows significant performance gains over local disk. Large memory applications may access potentially unlimited network memory resources without requiring any application or operating system code modifications, relinkling or recompilation. A preferred embodiment employs kernel-level driver software. |
| US08417787B1 |
System and method of improving the deliverability of electronic communications
Systems and methods are provided for building, maintaining, and scoring lists of electronic communication addresses of users by providing users with ongoing access to protected electronic content in exchange for the users engaging in ongoing electronic interactions with the sender that improve the deliverability of electronic communications from the sender to the users' electronic communication addresses. Electronic communications, such as emails, text messages and instant messages, are sent from an electronic communication sender to a user using an electronic communication receiver, through a network, such as the Internet. The network includes an electronic communication evaluator that rates the sender based on the ongoing electronic interactions. Additionally, the protected electronic content may be monetized by charging third-party advertisers for the electronic interactions. |
| US08417786B2 |
Methods and systems for aggregating presence information to provide a simplified unified presence
Methods and systems for providing simplified presence for a user are described. The user has a plurality of associated communication devices registered with a communications server, and each communication device enables at least one communication service class. The server has a user data entry associating the user with each of the plurality of communication devices. To hide the details of the user-associated devices from third parties, a virtual device is defined and associated with the user. Presence information received at the server from the various devices is aggregated together to create aggregated presence information that indicates at least the service classes available from the user-associated devices based on the received presence information. A virtual device presence document is generated containing the aggregated presence information and is provided to a presence server as presence information associated with the user. |
| US08417785B2 |
Device, system, and method of electronic communication to facilitate collaboration and meeting
Device, system, and method of electronic communication to facilitate collaboration and meeting. For example, a method of inducing social interaction among users of an electronic communication network includes: receiving a first behavioral profile representing one or more schedule items of a first user; receiving a second behavioral profile representing one or more schedule items of a second user; identifying a time-slot in which the first and second users are available according to the first and second behavioral profiles, respectively, and identifying a common activity-of-interest reflected in the first and second behavioral profiles; and sending to the first and second users invitations to engage in said activity-of-interest in said time-slot. |
| US08417783B1 |
System and method for improving feature selection for a spam filtering model
A system and method for removing ineffective features from a spam feature set. In particular, in one embodiment of the invention, the an entropy value is calculated for the feature set based on the effectiveness of the feature set at differentiating between ham and spam. Features are then removed one at a time and the entropy is recalculated. Features which increase the overall entropy are removed and features which decrease the overall entropy are retained. In another embodiment of the invention, the value of certain type of time consuming features (e.g., rules) is determined based on both the information gain associated with the features and the time consumed implementing the features. Those features which have relatively low information gain and which consume a significant amount of time to implement are removed from the feature set. |
| US08417775B2 |
Neighborhood maintenance in the federation
Systems and methods that provide for joining a node to a federation. A link component facilitates joining such node thru three phases of join, introduce and advise. A plurality of messages and replies are exchanged between nodes in form of introduce, advise, and response messages. Such messages contain the sending node's full neighborhood. |
| US08417769B2 |
Gateway having distributed processing function, and communication terminal
Conventionally, in a system where devices for handling multiple media data such as audio and video are present, there is a problem that the number of audio channels that can be processed at the gateway is limited. In light of this problem, this invention offers a gateway having distributed processing function for a telephone or a data processing system featuring the capability to request address conversion to another terminal within the system to replace the address of stream-type packet data such as audio and video meant for itself, and if the aforementioned terminal to which the request was sent responds that it can handle the requested processing, to notify the address of the terminal processing the address conversion to the terminal transmitting the stream-type packet data. |
| US08417768B2 |
Communication terminal communicating via communication network
In response to an input unit inputting a request for communication, a room ID generation generates a room ID in accordance with presence information detected of a mobile phone, and transmits to a server device a request including the generated room ID for establishing a room. When a presence monitoring unit detects that the status of the mobile phone has changed from that obtained when the input unit input the request for communication, a room deletion request unit transmits to the server device a request including the generated room ID for deleting a room. |
| US08417760B2 |
Device and method for calculating a multiplication addition operation and for calculating a result of a modular multiplication
For calculating a result of a modular multiplication with long operands, at least the multiplicand is divided into at least three shorter portions. Using the three shorter portions of the multiplicand, the multiplier and the modulus, a modular multiplication is performed within a cryptographic calculation, wherein the portions of the multiplicand, the multiplier and the modulus are parameters of the cryptographic calculation. The calculation is performed sequentially using the portions of the multiplicand and using an intermediate result obtained in a previous calculation, until all portions of the multiplicand are processed, to obtain the final result of the modular multiplication. The calculation of an intermediate result is performed using a multiplication addition operation, in which MMD operations and updating operations are performed sequentially, and short auxiliary registers and short result registers are used. |
| US08417759B2 |
Efficient implementations of kernel computations
A method and apparatus for efficiently performing digital signal processing is provided. In one embodiment, kernel matrix computations are simplified by grouping similar kernel coefficients together. Each coefficient group contains only coefficients having the same value. At least one of the coefficient groups has at least two coefficients. Techniques are disclosed herein to efficiently apply successive first order difference operations to a data signal. The techniques allow for a low gate count. In particular, the techniques allow for a reduction of the number of multipliers without increasing clock frequency, in an embodiment. The techniques update pixels of a data signal at a rate of two clock cycles per each pixel, in an embodiment. The techniques allow hardware that is used to process a first pixel to be re-used to start the processing of a second pixel while the first pixel is still being processed. |
| US08417757B2 |
Method and apparatus for modulo N calculation wherein calculation result is applied to match speeds in wireless communication system
A modulo N calculating method for an M1*M2-bit binary integer, wherein N, M1 and M2 are integers, includes the steps of dividing the M1*M2-bit binary integer into M1 bits and performing AND operation on each M1 bits and a specific binary integer; and changing a value of an output register depending on the AND operation result and storing the value thereto. A modulo N calculating apparatus includes an input unit for receiving an M1*M2-bit binary integer, wherein N, M1 and M2 are integers; and an AND operation unit for performing AND operation on the M1*M2-bit binary integer and a specific binary integer. Furthermore, when the M1 and the N may be 4 and 3, respectively, the specific binary value may be 1010 or 0101. |
| US08417752B1 |
Offset cancellation in equalizer circuitry
An equalizer circuitry that includes an equalizer stage having a programmable current source is described. In one implementation, the programmable current source cancels voltage offset. Also, in one implementation, the programmable current source is programmable in user mode. Furthermore, in one implementation, the equalizer circuitry includes a plurality of equalizer stages including the equalizer stage having a programmable current source, where the equalizer stage having a programmable current source is a second equalizer stage in the plurality of equalizer stages. Also, in one implementation, the programmable current source includes a plurality of current sources coupled in parallel and a plurality of sets of control switches for controlling the plurality of current sources. Further, in one implementation, each current source of the plurality of current sources includes a transistor and each set of control switches of the plurality of sets of control switches is for controlling a respective current source and includes a pair of transistors for controlling the respective current source. |
| US08417751B1 |
Signal processing by ordinal convolution
Convolutions are frequently used in signal processing. A method for performing an ordinal convolution is disclosed. In an embodiment of the disclosed subject matter, an ordinal mask may be obtained. The ordinal mask may describe a property of a signal. A representation of a signal may be received. A processor may convert the representation of the signal to an ordinal representation of the signal. The ordinal mask may be applied to the ordinal representation of the signal. Based upon the application of the ordinal mask to the ordinal representation of the signal, it may be determined that the property is present in the signal. The ordinal convolution method described herein may be applied to any type of signal processing method that relies on a transform or convolution. |
| US08417750B2 |
Filters for communication systems
The invention relates to a cascaded scheme in which an RRC filter, a modified RRC filter or other digital filter is implemented at a relatively low data rate, such as twice the symbol or chip rate, or 2×. Interpolation filters are used to increase the data rate to a higher data rate, such as 8×. Decimation filters are used to reduce the data rate from a higher rate, such as 8×, to a lower rate, such as 2×. The coefficients of the digital filter may be adjusted to compensate for characteristics of other components across the entire filter chain. Most of the implementation complexity of the filter chain is consolidated into the relatively low rate (such as 2×) digital filter while interpolation or decimation filters can be implemented at very low cost. The compensation capability provided by the digital filter makes design of simple decimation or interpolation filters much easier. The compensation capability provided by the digital filter, along with the relatively high over-sampling rate for the output of the interpolation filter (or the input of the decimation filter), also makes the design of the preceding (or following) analog filters much easier. |
| US08417749B1 |
Specifying a multirate digital filter based on a ratio of an input sample rate to an output sample rate
Approaches for preparing a design of a digital multirate filter. In one approach, an objective function and an input and output characteristic are input for determining an effectiveness of a plurality of filters. The characteristic includes an overall rate change value that specifies a ratio of an input to an output sample rate. The overall rate change value is factored into a plurality of ordered sets, and the overall rate change value is a product of the factors in the ordered sets. Each of the filters corresponds to one of the ordered sets and includes a respective stage for each factor in the ordered set. One of the filters is selected based on respective values determined from evaluating an objective function for the filters, and the factor(s) in the ordered set that corresponds to the selected one of the filters is stored. |
| US08417747B1 |
Virtually provisioned volume recovery
In response to detection of an error in a filesystem file of a virtually provisioned volume or iSCSI LUN host, where the filesystem file is represented in a container filesystem, a Media Sector Error is returned at the virtual volume layer or the virtual iSCSI layer. The error may be a file allocation correction because of a shared block detected by a filesystem check of the container filesystem. The container may flag the shared block to prompt return of the Media Sector Error in response to attempted access of the block by the host. The host is operative to process the Media Sector Error like a storage subsystem Read Media Error, such that the flagged block is overwritten by the host to clear the error. |
| US08417746B1 |
File system management with enhanced searchability
A primary (e.g., master) file system stores multiple files and corresponding metadata. A view generator function receives template information (e.g., view configuration information) specifying types of metadata information associated with the multiple files stored in the primary file system. Based on processing of the metadata information in the primary file system as specified by the template information, the generator function produces metadata for inclusion in a secondary file system, which is used to satisfy search inquiries associated with the multiple files stored in the primary file system. According to one arrangement, the generator function replicates metadata information in the primary file system as specified by the template information for inclusion in the secondary file system. The secondary file system can include metadata from other sources as well that produced by the generator function. The secondary file system enables more efficient handling of search inquiries than applying search inquiries to the master file system. |
| US08417745B2 |
System and method for file services
The invention integrates multiple software products and functional components to facilitate file and message delivery, along with managing, tracking and moving bulk data. The packaged system may incorporate user-defined value added services to transported data including, for example, user authentication, access authorization, encryption and compression. |
| US08417741B2 |
System and method for replication, integration, consolidation and mobilisation of data
The system for replication, integration, consolidation and mobilization of data according to the present invention provides a flexible framework of functionally autonomous and distributable modules with the main advantage of scalability, to simplify data integration, produce an integration structure that can accommodate backend structural changes and can cope with highly distributed data sources. Also, it creates a framework for delivering highly accessible, secure data to a mobile environment with minimal transfer loads during sending and receiving and secure data on the mobile client devices. Added to this, making use of modern mobile connection types for delivering push content from and/or to a wide spectrum of devices. |
| US08417737B2 |
Online database availability during upgrade
An online service includes databases that are upgraded while still processing requests. For example, web servers continue to request operations on the database while it is being upgraded. The schema of the database is upgraded before the web servers are upgraded to utilize the upgraded schema. Changes that are made to the upgraded schema are backwards compatible with the schema being used during the upgrade process. Restrictions are placed on the operations performed on the database during the upgrade process. After upgrading the schema, the web servers of the online service are upgraded to use the upgraded schema. |
| US08417735B1 |
Instruction-efficient algorithm for parallel scan using initialized memory regions to replace conditional statements
One embodiment of the present invention sets forth a technique for performing a parallel scan operation with high computational efficiency in a single-instruction multiple-data (SIMD) environment. Each participating thread initially writes an extended region of a data array to initialize the region with an identity value. For example, a value of zero is used as the identity value for addition. The initialized region of the data array includes an initialized entry for every possible out of bounds index that may be computed in the normal course of the parallel scan operation. During the parallel scan operation each thread computes data array indices according to any technically appropriate technique. When a participating thread computes an index that would conventionally be out of bounds, the thread is able to retrieve an identity value from the initialized region of the data array rather than perform a bounds check that returns the identity value. |
| US08417734B2 |
Systems and methods for managing sets of model objects via unified management interface
A computing system generates a model object from source data, the model object based on an extracted data element of the source data and an attribute of the extracted data element and generates a management interface representing the model object. The computing system provides at least one of a communications status or a security status of the model object via the management interface. The management interface is used to control how the model objects and other resources can exchange outputs, share internal data, and otherwise operate. |
| US08417731B2 |
Article utilizing a generic update module with recursive calls identify, reformat the update parameters into the identified database table structure
This disclosure provides various embodiments of software for identifying and utilizing a generic update module with recursive calls. In one aspect, the software receives packed update parameters for updating a data record in a database, unpacks the update parameters, and updates the data record in the database using the unpacked update parameters. In some implementations, the update parameters may comprise a packed long byte string. The software may update the data record by returning the unpacked update parameters to a business application for database execution. |
| US08417730B2 |
Block compression algorithm
A method for compressing a data stream based on a combination of two digests is used. Each combination of digests that occurs multiple times is assigned a codeword. When the first digest matches, a data structure of second digests occurring with the same first digest is built, associating each combination of digests with a position in the stream where the combination of digests is found. When a new match is found a new codeword is defined. When a match with an existing codeword is found, a byte sequence is emitted that identifies the codeword associated with the matched data. When a partial match is found, the length of a codeword is changed and a corresponding byte sequence is emitted. The method finds particular application in data streams that are sent to printers, and which contain large blocks of identical data such as images or repetitive text. |
| US08417728B1 |
User interfaces, methods, and systems for developing computer applications using artwork
Methods and systems for using artwork to develop computer applications in ways that preserve the artwork's appearance and layout, including by importing the artwork and selectively replacing potions with functional components. One embodiment comprises a method for developing an application that involves displaying artwork in a design view area. The method may involve displaying artwork comprising a list representation comprising a plurality of list item representations and identifying each list item representation as a group of one or more subitem representations. The method may further comprise determining a list layout for list items using the list item representations of the artwork and inserting a list as a component in the design view area. This list may determine or otherwise be used to determine the positions of either the list item representations or list items replacing the list item representations. These positions may be determined based on the list layout that was determined. |
| US08417727B2 |
System and method for storing data in a relational database
In a method for storing data in a relational database system using a processor, a collection of values is assigned to a structure dictionary, wherein each of the values represents the value of a row for an attribute and has a unique ordinal number within the collection, and wherein the structure dictionary contains structures defined based on at least one of interaction with a user of the system via an interface, automatic detection of structures occurring in data, and predetermined information about structures relevant to data content that is stored in the system. For each structure in the structure dictionary, a structure match list is formed from ordinal numbers of values matching the structure, and a structure sub-collection from values matching the structure, using the processor. An outlier match list is formed from ordinal numbers of values that are not null and do not match any structure in the structure dictionary, and an outlier sub-collection from values that are not null and do not match any structure in the structure dictionary. The collection of values is stored in the relational database in a form of structure match lists, structure sub-collections, outlier match list and outlier sub-collection. |
| US08417721B1 |
Using geographic data to identify correlated geographic synonyms
One embodiment of the present invention provides a system that that uses geographic data to identify correlated geographic synonyms in search queries. A correlated geographic synonym occurs when two terms that are possible synonyms should not be considered synonyms because they are associated with related geographic context. During operation, the system receives a term and a possible synonym for the term. The system then determines whether the term and the possible synonym are both present in a geographic data set. If so, the system uses the geographic data set to determine whether the possible synonym is a correlated geographic synonym for the term. |
| US08417719B1 |
Method and system to derive salutations
A method, apparatus and system to derive salutations. User information for a user is accessed. A title salutation is selectively generated for the user when the user has a title identified within the user information and the use of the title has not been overridden, and another salutation has not been generated for the user. A military salutation is selectively generated for the user when the user has a military rank and a military title identified within the user information, the user is not separated from a military organization, a rank of the user has not been suppressed, and another salutation has not been generated for the user. A gender salutation is generated for the user when another salutation has not been generated for the user and the user information is in an acceptable format. |
| US08417716B2 |
Profile scanner
Systems, methods, and computer program products are herein defined for identifying users of personal computers within a network for the purposes associating the personal computers with custodians in an electronic discovery system. Embodiments provide for a tool that accesses the personal computers via the network, locates and queries the profile list on each personal computer for user-identifying data, including network user identification, transmits, for each personal computer, computer-identifying data associated with the personal computer and user-identifying data associated with a user of the personal computer, determines matches between the network user identifications and custodian entries in a custodian directory; and, in response to determining the matches, links the computer-identifying data of the personal computer associated with the matched network user identification to the matched custodian entry in the custodian directory. |
| US08417715B1 |
Platform independent plug-in methods and systems for data mining and analytics
The present invention comprises methods, system, and apparatuses for generating and delivering analytic results for any simple or highly complex problem for which data exists that software or similar automated means can analyze. The present invention thus contemplates methods, systems, apparatuses, software, software processes, computer-readable medium, and/or data structures to enable performance of these and other features. In one embodiment, a method of the present invention comprises extracting and converting data using a data management component into a form usable by a data mining component, performing data mining to develop a model in response to a question or problem posed by a user. |
| US08417712B2 |
Image querying with relevance-relative scaling
Queries may be issued against an image store to produce a set of image instance relating to images in the image store that relate to the query. The relevance of the images to the query may be depicted by scaling the image instances according to the predicted relevance of the image to the query. The image instances may be further positioned within the image instance set query result, e.g., by clustering according to image relatedness or by similar predicted relevance of the images to the query terms of the query. The image instances may also be presented as smoothly zoomable images, such that the user may zoom in on the images in an efficient manner that facilitates realtime, gradual zooming with reduced resampling inefficiency. |
| US08417708B2 |
Average case analysis for efficient spatial data structures
A computer performed method models a spatial index having n spatial regions defined in a multidimensional space using a tree-based model representing an infinite number of arrangements of n spatial regions in the multidimensional space allowable by the spatial index using a finite number of tree representations, computes an average retrieval complexity measure for content retrieval using the spatial index based on the tree based model, and provides a spatial index recommendation based on the average retrieval complexity measure. In some embodiments a spatial index selection module selects the spatial index based on average retrieval complexity measures for candidate spatial indices that are functionally dependent upon a number of spatial regions to be defined by the spatial index. |
| US08417707B2 |
System and method for serving search results of textual data in response to a query as it is typed
A system and a method provide in memory two level of indices to a data set, respectively referred to as an instance layer and an entry layer. The instance layer is brought from disk into memory when an application is initialized to allow insertion of new data into the data set. A temporary data structure augments the instance layer and is provided to keep track of the new data. When query processing is required, the entry layer is brought in, so that query processing may be achieved using both the instance layer indices and the entry layer indices. The temporary data is merged into the instance and entry layers and the data set is updated upon termination of the application or at predetermined times, whereupon the resulting data set and index layers are written out to disk. |
| US08417703B2 |
Data searching using spatial auditory cues
Spatial auditory cues are produced while a user searches a database for stored information. The spatial auditory cues assist the user in quickly locating stored information by producing sounds that are perceived at specific physical locations in space around the user as the search proceeds. Each location may be associated with different information. Thus, using the techniques disclosed herein, a user can more easily recall stored information by remembering the locations of sound produced by particular spatial auditory cues. The spatial auditory cues may be used in conjunction with a visual search interface. A method of producing auditory cues includes receiving a search action at a user interface included in a device, translating the search action into a spatial auditory cue corresponding to a specific location within a space, and rendering the spatial auditory cue as an audio output signal. |
| US08417697B2 |
Permitting users to remove documents
A system may present information regarding a document and provide an option for removing the document. The system may also receive selection of the option and remove the document when the option is selected. The system may aggregate information regarding documents that have been removed by a group of users and assign scores to a set of documents based on the aggregated information. |
| US08417696B2 |
Contact information merger and duplicate resolution
Merger and duplicate resolution for contact information across platforms is managed employing contact objects and aggregating the contact objects into contact models. Contact data from internal and/or external data stores may be retrieved and contact objects created for each contact from each contact store. A contact model for each contact entity may be created by aggregating contact data from contact objects across the contact stores. The aggregation may include duplicate resolution through weighting of communication system types, ranking of contact information type, and similar approaches. The contact models may be dynamically updated based on changes to the contact objects. |
| US08417693B2 |
Enforcing native access control to indexed documents
Techniques are provided for processing a search request. One or more indexed levels of access control list information are stored in a search index for each document identified in the search index. An interim result set is generated by matching the one or more indexed levels of access control list information associated with each said document to one or more security groups associated with the search request. A final result set is generated from the interim result set by performing impersonation. |
| US08417689B1 |
Programming model for transparent parallelization of combinatorial optimization
Each of a plurality of subtasks is configured to explore and assess alternative solutions for a combinatorial optimization problem by a reentrant finite state machine is represented. Each of a plurality of threads is configured to perform operations comprising a subtask until either completion or a blocked state is reached and, in the event a blocked state is reached, to move on to performing another subtask that is not currently in a blocked state. |
| US08417687B2 |
File processing apparatus, file processing method, program and recording medium
Update processing and the like of an index file relating to change of a hierarchical structure is performed. The index file is recorded in a recording medium with content files. The index file is generated based on attribute information of content files and folders including the content files. Content files and folders form a hierarchical structure in which the folders are in an upper hierarchy. In the index file, a prescribed number of entries (management information areas) corresponding to content files and folders, respectively, are provided. Second index information indicating second entries corresponding to folders or content files positioned in a lower hierarchy of folders in the upper hierarchy is provided at first entries corresponding to folders in the upper hierarchy in a list format. First index information indicating the first entries is provided at the second entries. |
| US08417685B2 |
Collaborative search network
The invention relates to a collaborative searching network having at least one intelligent client, a network medium capable of linking the intelligent client with at least one other intelligent client. The disclosed intelligent client is capable of receiving a data search request; and said intelligent client capable of responding with a data search result to said data search request by retrieving data from at least said one other intelligent client or a from computer network. |
| US08417684B2 |
Method, system, and device for searching for information and method for registering vertical search engine
In the field of communications, a method, a system, and a device for searching for information, and a method for registering a vertical search engine are provided. The method for searching for information includes the following steps. A first search request sent by a user is received. A logic node is determined according to attribute information in the first search request. A vertical search engine selected by the logic node for the user is received. A second search request is sent to the vertical search engine. The method for registering the vertical search engine includes the following steps. A mobile search server receives and saves first registration information sent by the vertical search engine. Location information of a logic node corresponding to the vertical search engine is determined according to the first registration information. Second registration information is sent to the logic node according to the location information. |
| US08417678B2 |
System, method and apparatus for enterprise policy management
Disclosed are systems, methods and apparatuses for managing objects (files and directories) in network file systems according to policies. Each policy may have one or more rules, each of which ties a condition to an action. Each condition can be expressed in terms of metadata harvested across file systems and stored in a metadata repository. The actions are user-programmable. Users can apply and/or enforce a policy by manipulating the metadata stored in the metadata repository. For example, suppose a policy prohibits storing MP3 files in corporate storage, a user can specify a rule that ties the condition “no MP3 files in volumes A-Z” to an action “delete MP3 files from volumes A-Z.” A file management application may apply a filter to the metadata repository to produce metadata records having values that meet the specified condition and take the corresponding action on managed objects associated with those metadata records. |