| Document | Document Title |
|---|---|
| US08425174B2 |
Cargo loader for an aircraft with adjusting mechanism
This invention concerns an aircraft cargo loader for lifting cargo and freight onto and off an aircraft or plane by the loader comprises a longitudinal deck platform; a supporting assembly extending under the platform for supporting and moving the deck platform between a raised position and a lowered position; and an adjusting mechanism installed in connection with a front transverse shaft of the supporting assembly for transversally tilting the platform between a first tilt angular position where one of the longitudinal side of the platform is tilted with respect to the other longitudinal side; a neutral angular position; and a second tilt position where the other longitudinal side of the platform is tilted with respect to said one longitudinal side. The loader also comprises an actuator to actuate the rotational movement of the front transverse shaft. |
| US08425173B2 |
Autonomous transports for storage and retrieval systems
An autonomous transport vehicle for transferring case units to and from predefined storage areas in an automated case unit storage system, the automated case unit storage system including an array of multilevel storage racks with picking aisles passing therebetween and at least one multilevel vertical conveyor having movable shelves, the autonomous transport vehicle including a frame configured to traverse the picking aisles and a transfer deck connecting the picking aisles to the at least one multilevel vertical conveyor for transferring case units between the predefined storage areas and the at least one multilevel vertical conveyor, and a controller connected to the frame, the controller being configured to effect movement of the autonomous transport vehicle through the picking aisles for accessing each storage area within a respective level of the array of multilevel storage racks and each shelf of the at least one multilevel vertical conveyor. |
| US08425172B2 |
Reticle manipulation device
A reticle manipulating device comprising a housing capable of having a controlled environment wherein at least one processing module is connected to the housing and capable of processing a reticle. A transport apparatus is connected to the housing for transporting the reticle between the at least one module to another portion of the housing. At least one module is removably connectable to the housing and at least one module has an interface adapted for removably coupling the module to the housing. One module being selectable for connection to the housing from a number of different interchangeable module each having a different predetermined characteristic and being capable of connection to the housing. |
| US08425169B2 |
Securing element for screw connections and its use
Described is a device and method for a securing element for screw connections as an interlayer, between the screw head and supporting material and/or between the nut and supporting material, the basic body of the element consisting of a metallic material, to the top side and underside of which hard material particles are fixed, wherein the hard material particles are fixed by means of a metallic binding phase, the thickness of the metallic binding phase being lower than the mean diameter of the hard material particles, so that the hard material particles project out of the metallic binding phase. |
| US08425166B2 |
Brace securable to a surface of a shipping vehicle
A method of making a deck for storing cargo in a shipping vehicle comprising: securing two pairs of braces to opposed surfaces associated with the shipping vehicle by engaging opposed ends of first elongated supports with the pair of braces such that each first elongated support interconnects one of the pairs of braces and extends substantially parallel to a base associated with the shipping vehicle; engaging second elongated supports with each of the braces, each second elongated support interconnecting a respective brace and the base; and positioning a decking on the first elongated supports for supporting the cargo. A brace for making the cargo deck engageable with a horizontally-extending support and a vertically-extending support. |
| US08425159B2 |
Process for conveying powdery materials without segregation
A process for transporting a powder material, in which a device is fitted between a supply zone and a zone to be supplied, the device including at least one substantially horizontal conveyor which includes a lower duct and an upper duct being separated by a porous wall, the upper duct provided with a balancing column. The upper duct is filled with powder material and the lower duct is supplied with gas at a pressure that allows the potential fluidization of the powder material in the upper duct. The minimal bubbling speed, which corresponds to the maximum void fraction, is determined and the fluidization pressure is set to a value such that the fluidization speed of the gas is between 0.8 and 1.5 times the minimal bubbling speed, preferably between 0.9 and 1.3 times the minimal bubbling speed. |
| US08425158B2 |
Cellular confinement systems
A cellular confinement system for soil, sand or other filler material comprises a number of sub-assemblies each made up of a plurality of interconnected open cells of fabric material. The sub-assemblies are stackable one on top of the other to provide a structure having at least one generally vertical side or end wall. The system further comprises sealing means such as one or more skirt portion(s) which are arranged between vertically juxtaposed sub-assemblies in use. The skirt portions substantially prevent or minimize the escape of finer aggregate material from between the stacked sub-assemblies. |
| US08425156B2 |
Underwater buoy with modular members
An underwater buoy for hanging a duct between a sea bed and the surface, the buoy including a frame and a plurality of modular members mounted in the frame, the modular members extending between their two opposite modular-member ends, the frame including a longitudinal body for receiving the extended tubular duct, and retainers mounted on the body for maintaining the modular members substantially parallel to the body. The retainers include two retaining structures spaced from each other along the body. The retaining structures are maintained in a fixed position relative to each other in order to hold at least one modular member. |
| US08425155B2 |
Jacking system for a leg of a jack-up platform
A jacking system (4) is described for a leg (3) of a jack-up platform (1). The jacking system comprises at least three independent yokes (7a-7d). Each independent yoke is connected to a jack-up structure by at least one vertically arranged double acting actuator (8a-8d′) and is equipped with a leg engaging mechanism such as a horizontally arranged movable locking pin (9a-9d), which is configured to engage or to disengage with a hole of the jack-up leg, in order to transfer a load (L) from the jack-up platform (1) to the leg (3), including a controller configured to operate the yokes (7a-7d) in a way that the leg (3) is moved by all the at least three yokes (7a-7d) in an alternating mode, such that at any moment in time during operation all but one of the at least three yokes (7a-7d) take the load (L) via the associated engaging mechanism, while the remaining yoke of the at least three yokes (7a-7d) makes a return stroke with its engagement mechanism in a disengaged position. |
| US08425151B2 |
Soil remediation
The present invention relates generally to a method of soil remediation or bioremediation 10 generally comprising the steps of: 1. 12, treating contaminated soil with a chemical surfactant in a primary treatment stage; 2. 14, further treating the soil with an aliphatic or aromatic hydrocarbon; 3. 20, implementing final soil remediation processes where necessary until remediation criteria is achieved. The contaminated soil includes organic contaminants including, among other things, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH). |
| US08425150B1 |
Rotatable wheel box service panel door and equalizer
Systems, devices, apparatus, and methods of locking and unlocking a door that is slidable by articulating wheels in tracks, over an entry port to a storm water structure. Locking the door can be accomplished by rotating bolt heads that are attached to cams. Rotating the heads causes cams to press the door against the tracks. Sealing strips can be compressed between door edges and the track to prevent water from passing around the door. A vacuum truck can remove water and debris from the vault/structure. Other versions allow doors to move downward to allow water to overflow the door. The door can slide upward so water can flow underneath. A door in door version has a secondary door slide up and down in tracks in a main door. |
| US08425148B2 |
Storm water retention chambers with arch shaped row connector and method of connecting molded chamber structures
A connection chamber for waste water and storm water collection, the connection chamber including an arch-shaped cut out in a side thereof, the arch-shaped cut out sized to receive an arch-shaped row connector, which is provided to couple rows of chambers to each other. The coupling of various rows of chambers to each other facilitates the relatively even flow of fluid throughout the field of chambers. |
| US08425147B2 |
Drainage system having an end cap for diverting fluid
A drainage system for draining a fluid is disclosed. The drainage system includes a drain basin having a tubular body, the tubular body including a lumen, an outer surface, a top end, and a bottom end. The drainage system also includes at least one pipe connected to the tubular body and an end cap coupled to the bottom end of the tubular body, the end cap including a convex surface configured to divert the fluid to the at least one pipe, wherein the convex surface of the end cap is inserted through the bottom end and is disposed within the lumen of the tubular body. |
| US08425144B2 |
Pavement marker, method and apparatus
Disclosed are pavement markers and a mobile highway marking apparatus for advancing in a forward direction along a paved surface of a highway for applying a paint stripe to the paved surface and applying pavement markers at intervals on the paint stripe. The marking apparatus includes a dispenser that is configured for moving a sequence of the pavement markers from the bottom of an upwardly extending stack of the pavement markers first in the forward direction and then down a sloped chute in a rearward direction to the paint stripe without turning the pavement markers over. |
| US08425143B2 |
End anchoring structure and method for fiber-reinforced plastic filament body
An end portion of a carbon fiber-reinforced plastic cable (1) is covered with a friction sheet (2) having abrasive particles (2a) adhered to top and bottom surfaces thereof, the friction sheet is covered from above with a braided net tube (3) obtained by braiding a steel wire, and the portion covered with the friction sheet (2) and braided net tube (3) is embraced and secured inside an end socket (4) by a wedge (5). The end socket (4) can be secured rapidly and reliably to the end portion of the carbon fiber-reinforced plastic cable (1) while maintaining a comparatively high anchoring efficiency. |
| US08425141B2 |
Connecting arrangement and jointed shaft comprising the same
A connecting arrangement for connecting, for example, two components of a jointed shaft via a securing ring, and a jointed shaft including a connecting arrangement of this type. |
| US08425137B1 |
Double sided spray mop
A double sided spray mop is disclosed that has a cleaning head with a bottom head and a top head, at least one push fit zipper, and a nozzle protruding from an edge of the cleaning head for delivery of a cleaning solution. The double sided spray mop further has a body for receiving a bottle of cleaning solution and a manual pump housed within the body for delivering cleaning solution to the nozzle. A universal joint couples the body to the cleaning head. A pole is connected to the body and contains a pusher rod that mechanically couples a trigger and a linkage, the linkage being mechanically coupled to the pump such that movement of the trigger translates to actuation of the pump. |
| US08425135B2 |
System for mounting a clip to the body of a writing instrument
A writing instrument that includes a body extending longitudinally along a central axis (X), a clip extending in parallel to the central axis (X), from a base fixed to the body up to a free end, and a first projecting member for attaching the clip, having a first lateral side extending between a base that is integral with the body and a radially distant apex. The clip includes a bar having a first end that is integral with the base of the clip, where the body includes a second projecting attachment member having a second lateral side facing the first lateral side, the second lateral side extending from a base that is integral with the body up to an upper end from which a projection extends towards the first lateral side, up to a free end. |
| US08425132B2 |
Modular printer
A modular printer having a media take-up assembly, a support block assembly, a printhead assembly, a stepper motor assembly and a display assembly is provided. A support housing having a plurality of recesses formed on an internal wall of the modular printer is also provided. Each of the recesses is configured to receive and align one of the modular printer assemblies with the other modular printer assemblies. Each of the assemblies is configured as a module which can be easily accessed and quickly secured to or detached from the support housing. The support housing is adapted to receive assembly modules for both thermal ink printers and ribbon ink printers such that the modular printer can be easily converted from one to the other. |
| US08425131B2 |
Printing apparatus and roll paper holding apparatus
A roll paper holding apparatus includes a pull-out unit which can be pulled out and housed through an opening formed in a printing apparatus main body, a paper holding section which is provided in the pull-out unit and rotatably holds a roll paper in which a paper is wound into a roll shape, a contact body which is provided in the pull-out unit, and is openable and closable to the paper holding section according to a pull-out operation and a housing operation of the pull-out unit with respect to the printing apparatus main body, and an urging section which is provided in the pull-out unit, and urges the contact body opened to the paper holding section in a direction of contacting with a frame forming the opening of the printing apparatus main body when the pull-out unit is pulled out from the printing apparatus main body. |
| US08425130B2 |
Printer with modular cartridge
PRINTER (1) WITH MODULAR CARTRIDGE made up of a printing module (2) and a modular (3) cartridge, in independent cabinets but in the same printer, being that said modular cartridge can be fiscal or a non-fiscal cartridge. Said printing module (3) comprises at least a printing mechanism (4), a paper support (5), an auxiliary connection board (7), and the latter's connection to the control board (8). In fiscal cartridges, a fiscal control board is provided, comprising the devices responsible for all fiscal control functions and also for the printing control. In case of printers that do not need fiscal control, the control board can be simplified to a board with printing control function only, making up the so-called non-fiscal cartridges. |
| US08425129B2 |
Optical fiber connector
An optical couple connector includes a first main body and a second main body. A through hole is defined in the first main body. A blind hole and a lens are defined in the second main body. The diameter of the blind hole is less than that of the through hole. The through hole is coaxial with the blind hole and is used to hold an optical fiber. The lens couples to the optical fiber. |
| US08425118B2 |
Damper structure and rotary machine
A damper structure of the present invention is provided on a shaft end (3a) of a spindle shaft (3) supported by a bearing, which shaft end (3a) extends outwardly from the bearing, and includes: a sleeve (11) provided around an outer circumference of the shaft end 3a); a housing (12) provided in a spaced manner from the sleeve (11) in a radial direction of the spindle shaft (3); and a moving portion (13) that moves the housing (12) and the sleeve (11) relatively in a spindle shaft direction, in which a squeeze film S (S1) is formed between an outer circumferential surface (11a) of the sleeve (11) and an inner circumferential surface (12b) of the housing (12) that face each other, and in which a formation area of the squeeze film S (S1) is variable. |
| US08425117B2 |
Supporting track element for linear ball bearing and method for producing the supporting track element
A supporting track element for use in a linear ball bearing, with at least one outer surface which is outwardly curved in one direction, at least in some regions, and at least one track which is opposite the outer surface and is intended for at least partially receiving load-bearing balls of a linear ball bearing. In addition, the supporting track element in cross-section has at least one material interruption which forms two adjacent cross-sectional regions. The adjacent cross-sectional regions touch at least in the region of the outer surface. As a result, the supporting track element is produced cost-effectively without significant limitations to the functionality thereof occurring. A method for producing a supporting track element is also proposed. Furthermore, a linear ball bearing is equipped with supporting track elements. |
| US08425116B2 |
Split guide bushing for vertical pulverizers
A guide bushing for a tensioning rod in a vertical pulverizer includes a bushing body having a substantially cylindrical interior bushing surface configured and adapted to moveably engage a tensioning rod of a vertical pulverizer. The bushing body is divided circumferentially about the bushing surface into a plurality of sections joined together. The sections are configured and adapted to separate from one another for installation and removal of the bushing body about a tensioning rod of a vertical pulverizer. |
| US08425114B2 |
Temperature sensor
A temperature sensor including a temperature sensitive device which is disposed in a flow path through which fluid flows and whose electric characteristic changes as a function of temperature of the fluid in the flow path, signal lines connected at top end sides thereof to said temperature sensitive device through electrode wires and at base end sides thereof to lead wires for connection with an external circuit, a sheath member retaining the signal lines therein, and a holding member which holds an outer circumferential surface of said sheath member directly or indirectly through another member. The resonance (primary) frequency at a top end of the temperature sensor against acceleration in a radius direction of the temperature sensor is 480 Hz or less, thereby reducing the transmission of vibration to the top end of the temperature sensor to avoid the breakage of the temperature sensitive device and the disconnection of the electrode wires 502102 even when the temperature sensor resonates. |
| US08425113B2 |
System and method for remote temperature sensing
An apparatus and method are disclosed for temperature measurement that includes performing a first ΔVbe measurement of a first temperature of a diode circuit comprising a transistor and, subsequently, performing a first Vbe measurement of a second temperature of the diode circuit. A temperature difference is calculated between the second temperature and the first temperature. If the temperature difference is not greater than a predetermined amount, a second Vbe measurement of a third temperature of the diode circuit is subsequently performed. If the temperature difference is greater than the predetermined amount, a second ΔVbe measurement of the second temperature of the diode circuit is performed. |
| US08425106B2 |
Flow reactor
A reaction system and a reactor which comprises of two or more reaction cells wherein said cells are separated by inter cell conduits and having a means of causing agitation within the cells which does not require a mechanical connection of the agitating mechanism within the cell to a drive mechanism which is outside the cell. |
| US08425103B2 |
Backlight module having a light guide plate with prismatic structures and manufacturing method thereof
A backlight module having a light guide plate with prismatic structures and a manufacturing method thereof are provided. The backlight module includes a light guide plate, a brightness enhancement film, and a light source module. The light guide plate includes a first surface and a second surface opposite to each other. The first surface has prismatic structures disposed side by side thereon. Each of the prismatic structures includes a first slope and a second slope being adjacent to each other and having an included angle with respect to the first surface, respectively. The included angles are equivalent. The brightness enhancement film includes a third surface and a fourth surface opposite to each other. The third surface faces the second surface. The fourth surface has prisms disposed side by side thereon along the extending direction of the prismatic structure. The brightness enhancement film has an optimum incident angle associated with an angle of the prism and corresponding to the included angles. The light source module is disposed beside the light guide plate along the extending direction of the prismatic structure. |
| US08425101B2 |
Illumination system, luminaire and backlighting unit
The invention relates to an illumination system (2), aluminaire (2), a backlighting system and a display device. The illumination system according to the invention comprises a light exit window (30) for emitting light from the illumination system, and a diffuse reflecting screen (40) arranged opposite the light exit window. The illumination system further comprises a light source (20) which is arranged for indirect illumination of the light exit window via the diffuse reflecting screen. The light source is arranged near an edge of the light exit window on an imaginary plane (22) arranged substantially parallel to the light exit window and emits light away from the light exit window. The illumination system further comprises an edge wall (62) comprising a specular reflecting mirror (60) being concavely shaped for reflecting at least part of the light emitted by the light source towards the diffuse reflecting screen. The effect of the illumination system according to the invention is that the use of the specular reflecting mirror enables a controlled reflection of the part of the light emitted by the light source towards the diffuse reflecting screen. |
| US08425097B2 |
Lamp unit
A lamp unit includes: a first board supporting a first LED; a second board supporting a second LED; a first reflector that is disposed so as to reflect, toward a projection lens, light emitted by the first LED; a second reflector that is disposed so as to reflect, toward the projection lens, light emitted by the second LED; and a shade that blocks part of light reflected by the first reflector. The first and second boards support the first and second LEDs so that the first and second LEDs are disposed on opposite sides with respect to an optical axis Ax of the projection lens. The first reflector is disposed on the side opposite to the first LED with respect to the optical axis Ax, and the second reflector is disposed on the side opposite to the second LED with respect to the optical axis Ax. |
| US08425095B2 |
Mirror assembly
A mirror assembly for illuminating an underhood area of a vehicle having an electrical system includes a mirror head outer shell defining a light reception opening. At least one work light is mounted to the mirror head outer shell within the light reception opening. The work light is constructed and positioned such that the light emitted from the work light is directed at the underhood area of the vehicle to illuminate the underhood area. |
| US08425093B2 |
Lighting device
In a lighting device provided on a ceiling of an interior of a vehicle, the lighting device has: a map lamp including: a case; a first light guide plate accommodated in the case, and having a light incident area on an end face and a light radiation area on a flat plate surface of the interior side of the vehicle; a first light source part having a plurality of LED lamps, the LED lamps being opposed to the light incident area and arranged in an array; and a prism lens provided in the light radiation area side of the first light guide plate. The map lamp allows the light of the first light source part to be incident on the first light guide plate from the light incident area, radiates the light from the light radiation area to convert the light into a planar light, and then converts the light into a light advancing in a prescribed direction to light a prescribed area in the interior of the vehicle. |
| US08425092B2 |
Headlamp control device and vehicle headlamp having headlamp control device
A headlamp control device is provided. The device includes a visual object luminance unit, an adapted state unit, a recognition limit unit, a visual object recognition unit, and a light distribution control unit. The visual object luminance unit estimates a visual object luminance based on information about a vehicle forward captured image. The adapted state unit estimates an adaptation luminance based on the information about the vehicle forward captured image. The recognition limit unit estimates a recognition limit luminance, in the visual object range, based on at least the adaptation luminance. The visual object recognition unit determines whether the visual object luminance is less than the recognition limit luminance. The light distribution control unit controls a light distribution of a headlamp unit such that the visual object luminance is included in a range of the recognition limit luminance, if the visual object luminance is less than the recognition limit luminance. |
| US08425084B2 |
Methods and structures for attaching an ornament
An ornamental fixture having a support structure and a plurality of ornaments mounted to the support structure in a substantially completely spherical arrangement of ornaments. The ornaments may be glass crystal ornaments, for example, octagonal glass crystals, and a light may be mounted within the fixture. The support structure may include an upper support ring and at least one lower support ring vertically spaced from the upper support ring and a plurality of arcuate sector assemblies removably mounted to the upper support ring and the at least one lower support ring. The sector assemblies retain the ornaments to provide a substantially continuous 360-degree array of ornaments. The sector assemblies can also be disassembled from the support structure for maintenance, servicing, relamping, and cleaning of the fixture. For example, the disassembled components of the fixture may be washed in a dishwasher without damaging the ornaments or the support structure. |
| US08425081B2 |
LED lamp
An LED lamp A1 includes a plurality of LED modules 30 and a hollow diffusion pipe 20 accommodating the LED modules 30. Each LED module 30 includes an LED 31, and a resin package 32 covering the LED 31. The resin package 32 includes a light emission surface 35 opposed to the inner surface 21 of the diffusion pipe 20 and internally diffuses the light from the LED 31 to allow the light to be emitted from the light emission surface 35. The light emission surface 35 and the inner surface 21 of the diffusion pipe 20 are spaced from each other by a distance that is smaller than the distance between the light emission surface 35 and the LED 31. The arrangement reduces light distribution non-uniformity while increasing the amount of light emission. |
| US08425080B2 |
LED lamp
An object is to provide an LED lamp in which the number of LEDs is reduced by using high-intensity LEDs, and point light sources are converted into a linear light source or the like by a light diffusion sheet.The LED lamp includes an outer shell case 2 with a U shape in section opening on one face, a reflecting plate 3 with a trapezoidal shape in section provided on the side of an opening portion in the outer shell case 2 and opening in the same direction as the outer shell case 2, a plurality of LED modules 5 using high-intensity LEDs 5a and mounted on a bottom portion which is a short side of the reflecting plate 3, a diffusion sheet 4 for diffusing light provided near the opening portion of the outer shell case 2, and a lighting circuit 6 for lighting the LEDs 5a provided on a bottom portion in the outer shell case 2. |
| US08425077B2 |
Illuminating cosmetic applicator
An illuminating cosmetic applicator is revealed. The illuminating cosmetic applicator includes a cosmetic applicator part, a connector, and a lighting unit. The cosmetic applicator part is made from a transparent material. One end of the connector is connected to the cosmetic applicator part while the other end thereof is mounted with the lighting unit. The lighting unit consists of a light gathering cover mounted in a housing, and a light emitting element in the light gathering cover. Batteries are received in the housing. Moreover, a groove mounted with a switch is arranged at the housing. A block is connected to the inner side of the switch. Thereby light is emitted through the cosmetic applicator part while applying cosmetics in a dark place. Furthermore, the lighting unit can be separated with the cosmetic applicator part and used for illumination independently. The illuminating cosmetic applicator has more practical value. |
| US08425074B2 |
Tool capable of turning on/off a light automatically
A tool capable of turning on/off a light automatically comprises a body including a fitting area in response to a fitted tool and a receiving groove disposed therein to communicate with a font end thereof; a light module installed in the receiving groove and including at least one bulb and a cell set, a first electrode of the cell set connecting with a first connecting leg of the bulb, and a second electrode of the cell set connecting contacting with the fitting area of the body, and when the fitting area of the body is fitted to a fitted tool, a second connecting leg of the bulb conducting to the second electrode of the cell set. |
| US08425065B2 |
LED-based illumination modules with thin color converting layers
An illumination module includes a plurality of Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs). The illumination module may include a reflective color converting element with a PTFE layer and a color converting layer fixed to the PTFE layer. The color converting layer includes phosphor particles embedded in a polymer matrix and has a thickness that is less than five times an average diameter of the phosphor particles. The illumination module may include a transmissive color converting element. The color converting elements may be produced by mixing a polymer binder with a solvent and phosphor particles to form a homogeneous suspension of the phosphor particles. The homogeneous suspension is applied to a surface to form an uncured color converting layer, which is heated to vaporize the solvent. The cured color converting layer includes the phosphor particles suspended in the polymer binder. |
| US08425064B2 |
Escape path marking for an aircraft
Escape path marking for an aircraft having a plurality of photoluminescent elements glow in the dark and of which each has a carrier element that is provided for attaching to a subsurface, characterized in that the carrier element has connecting edges on one or both end sides, the edges having an arc-shaped progression or having at least two sections not extending perpendicular to an orientation axis of the carrier element disposed perpendicularly on a cross section in the region of the connecting edge, the orientation axes of two carrier elements disposed successively enclosing an angle with each other. |
| US08425058B2 |
Optical unit, image pickup device using the optical unit, and on-vehicle image display device using the image pickup device
A lens unit or the like with improved ability to capture proper images by reducing the likelihood that water droplets will adhere to the lens surface and change the refractive index. A surface of a lens portion (1) is imparted with a water-repellent property and a surface of a non-lens portion (2), surrounding the lens portion (1), is imparted with a hydrophilic property. As a result, if droplets on the surface of the lens portion (1) contact the non-lens portion (2), the droplets are guided from the water-repellent surface of the lens portion (1) to the hydrophilic surface of the non-lens portion (2) thereby reducing the number of droplets residing on the lens portion (1). |
| US08425049B2 |
Oblique projection optical system and projection type display apparatus using the same
A projection type display apparatus including an oblique projection optical system having a plurality of lenses is disclosed. A lens nearest to a projection screen has a vertical effective image area through which a light flux passes. The lens is arranged at a position not including an optical axis shared by the largest number of lenses among the plurality of lenses. A flat mirror for returning the optical path is arranged between the particular lens and the projection screen at a predetermined angle to the optical axis. An enlarged image obtained by the light flux returned by the flat mirror is formed toward a display screen. |
| US08425046B2 |
Cooling device for a projection apparatus and said projection apparatus
A cooling device applied in a projection apparatus and the projection apparatus are provided. The projection apparatus comprises a first light source, a second light source, a third light source and the cooling device. The cooling device comprises an airflow guiding device and a fan. The airflow guiding device is adapted to define a first flow path and a second flow path. The first flow path has a first position, while the second flow path has a second position and a third position, correspondingly disposed with the first light source, the second light source and the third light source, respectively. The fan is adapted to generate airflow. The airflow is divided into a first airflow and a second airflow entering the first flow path and the second flow path, respectively. Thereby, the cooling device is capable of matching the heat dissipation requirements of the light sources and reducing the noise generated by the cooling device by using only one fan. |
| US08425040B2 |
Astigmatic axis independent spatial frequency and contrast sensitivity target and method
A set of visual targets and a method for using these targets to evaluate the spatial frequency response and contrast sensitivity of the human visual system. The invention includes four choice test, six choice test, sinusoidal bulls eye and fundamental sinusoidal letters or optotype targets. The four and six choice targets feature sinusoidal gratings oriented vertically, horizontally and at angles thereto. The sinusoidal bull's eye target features concentric circular light and dark areas with brightness varying in a radial sinusoidal fashion. The fundamental sinusoidal optotype target features an optotype, such as a letter, that is made up of strokes, each of which have a width that is equal to ½ of a single sinusoidal period. |
| US08425039B2 |
Perimetric method
The invention relates to a perimetric method for measuring a visual field of an eye, carried out with an ophthalmological device, particularly a perimeter or similar device, and an apparatus for data processing provided with a data base, wherein the data base includes data sets of visual fields, wherein a retina of the eye is divided into points that represent the visual field, wherein the points of the retina are exposed to optical stimuli of a defined intensity, wherein a reaction to a stimulus is calculated as a measurement result, wherein at least two predefined points are measured, wherein the predefined points each lie in anatomically independent nerve fiber regions and are in a statistically significant relation to each other, wherein a visual field of the eye is derived from the measurement results and the data sets. |
| US08425038B2 |
Control apparatus, control method, and ophthalmologic apparatus including the control apparatus
In an ophthalmologic apparatus in which a head part is moved at a speed according to a rotation speed of a rotational part of a joystick, in order to enable a moving amount of the head part to correspond to a rotation amount even when the rotation speed becomes higher, the rotation speed of the joystick is detected at predetermined intervals, and when a current rotation speed (count of an encoder during a predetermined period) is lower than a previous rotation speed, a speed obtained by subtracting a predetermined value from the previous rotation speed is compared to the current rotation speed. Then, a higher speed is set as the current rotation speed, and the head part is moved at the speed corresponding to the current rotation speed. |
| US08425036B2 |
Optical tomographic imaging apparatus and control method for the same
There is provided an optical tomographic imaging apparatus for imaging a tomographic image capable of setting characteristics of an optical system to accommodate to different positions on an object. The apparatus using an OCT system, includes: a scanning device for scanning measuring beams, an irradiating device for irradiating a different irradiation area on the object with the measuring beams scanned by the scanning device, an adjusting device for adjusting an irradiation position on the object of the measuring beams irradiated by the irradiating device, and a detecting device for detecting each combined beam produced from light interference between each of the return beams and the reference beams, characterized in that: the detecting device includes spectroscopy devices and a sensor, and a spectral width of the combined beam acquired with the sensor through the spectroscopy devices is set at a different spectral width by the spectroscopy devices. |
| US08425034B2 |
Lens element with improved prismatic power
A lens element for progressive spectacles. The lens element has at least one near viewing zone and a distance viewing zone which have different focusing powers. Further, the lens element has a predetermined prismatic power. Furthermore, a vertical component of the predetermined prismatic power is realized at a first point of the lens element, and a horizontal component of the predetermined prismatic power is realized at a second point of the lens element. The present invention also relates to a method for producing a lens element. |
| US08425024B2 |
Liquid ejection apparatus and printing apparatus
The present invention is, in a liquid ejection apparatus provided with: a movable ejecting portion for ejecting liquid; and an intermediate supply path that is provided so as to supply the liquid contained in a liquid containing body arranged separately from the ejecting portion to the ejecting portion, provided with: a filter chamber that is movable together with the ejecting portion; and a valve unit that is positioned on a downstream side of the filter chamber. The filter chamber is provided with: a filter member arranged in a position distant, by a predetermined distance vertically downward, from the supply port communicatively connected with a downstream end of the intermediate supply path, and a plurality of liquid paths that extend so as to guide the liquid introduced from the supply port toward the filter member. |
| US08425023B2 |
Liquid ejecting apparatus
A liquid ejecting apparatus includes a liquid ejecting head, a driving signal generating section, a drive control section, and a sealing section. The liquid ejecting head includes a continuous liquid path and a pressure generating section. The liquid path contains a pressure space and a nozzle opening. The driving signal generating section generates a driving signal containing a driving pulse that drives the pressure generating section. The driving pulse includes a first pulse for causing discharge of droplets and a second pulse that is generated to the pressure generating section at a generation interval T set in a range represented by the following expression: (n−1/4)Tc |
| US08425021B2 |
Ink cartridge for printer
Disclosed is an ink cartridge for a printer, comprising a body having an opened surface and a predetermined shape to receive ink therein; a cover coupled with the body to define a desired space; and a chamber instrument comprising a filling chamber having a space for receiving a part of the ink in the body, a discharging chamber connected with the filling chamber, an ink transferring channel for moving the ink received in the filling chamber to the discharging chamber, an air guiding hold for guiding air to an inside of the cartridge, an air suction valve for selectively passing the guided air and a pressure regulating valve for regulating an internal pressure of the body. |
| US08425018B2 |
Flush pump for ink supply system
An ink supply system for an ink jet printer has an ink circuit including a plurality of circuit components and fluid paths for conveying fluid between components. A manifold defines the fluid paths and a plurality of ports in fluid communication with the paths. One of the fluid paths is a solvent supply path for connection to a source of solvent. A second of the fluid paths being a solvent flush path for delivering solvent to an outlet for connection to a print head of the printer. A flush pump is disposed at the manifold between the first and second paths and in fluid communication therewith, the pump being configured to pump the solvent into the solvent flush path. |
| US08425017B2 |
Liquid droplet ejecting apparatus and method of controlling liquid droplet ejecting apparatus
A liquid droplet ejecting apparatus includes: a supply-use tank that is sectioned by an elastic film into a liquid chamber and a gas chamber; a supply-use flow path that interconnects the supply-use tank and a recording head; and a pump that pumps the liquid stored in the liquid chamber to the recording head via the supply-use flow path by supplying the liquid from an external tank to the liquid chamber of the supply-use tank. The flow path is controlled to supply the liquid to the liquid chamber in a state where the supply-use flow path is closed, cause the elastic film to press against an inner wall of the gas chamber, thereafter open the supply-use flow path, release the elastic film from the pressing state, and supply, with the pump, the liquid from the external tank to the recording head via the supply-use tank and the supply-use flow path. |
| US08425015B2 |
Liquid ejecting apparatus
Provided is a liquid ejecting apparatus including: an ejection target medium supporting section that is disposed to face the liquid ejecting section, and supports the ejection target medium and wherein in at least one of plural types of ejection target mediums having different thicknesses, a gap between the first surface of the ejection target medium supporting section and a rear surface facing the first surface in the ejection target medium is set to be smaller than a gap between a second surface facing the ejection target medium in the liquid ejecting section and a front surface facing the second surface in the ejection target medium. |
| US08425014B2 |
Ring electrode for fluid ejection
Methods, systems, and apparatus for drive a pumping chamber of a fluid ejection system are disclosed. In one implementation, the actuator for drive the pumping chamber includes a continuous piezoelectric layer between a pair of drive electrodes and a continuous reference electrode. The pair of drive electrodes includes an inner electrode and an outer electrode surrounding the inner electrode. The actuator is further coupled to a controller which, during a fluid ejection cycle, applies a negative voltage pulse differential to the outer electrode to expand the pumping chamber for a first time period, then applies another negative voltage pulse differential to the inner electrode during a second time period after the first time period to contract the pumping chamber to eject a fluid drop. |
| US08425012B2 |
Liquid ejection recording head including an element generating energy used to eject liquid and method of manufacturing the same
A method includes preparing a liquid ejection recording head that includes a substrate including an element generating energy used to eject liquid, a first supporting portion supporting the substrate, a wiring member including a plurality of electrode leads connected to a plurality of electrode pads provided for the substrate, and a second supporting portion supporting the wiring member, the wiring member including a vent that communicates with a region defined by the substrate, the first supporting portion, and the electrode leads and also communicates with an atmosphere, applying a sealing member to surfaces of the electrode leads, and sucking air in the region through the vent to introduce the sealing member into the region. |
| US08425009B2 |
Liquid ejecting head unit and liquid ejecting apparatus
A liquid ejecting head unit includes a head body which discharges liquid droplets; a wiring substrate which stands in a predetermined direction different from the discharging direction of the liquid from the head body in order to supply a driving signal, which drives the head body, to the head body; and a liquid flow channel unit which is disposed at a position overlapping with the wiring substrate in the predetermined direction, is integrally combined with the head body so that the flow channel is in direct communication with the head body, and includes a pressure chamber having a damper function of which at least a portion of wall surface is formed of a film member. |
| US08425008B2 |
Liquid discharge head and recording apparatus using the same
A liquid discharge head that is detachably attached to a recording apparatus includes a liquid discharge substrate, a planar region including a plurality of connection terminals that electrically connect the liquid discharge head to the recording apparatus by sliding relative to the recording apparatus while turning when mounted on the recording apparatus, and definition portions defining a rotational center. The planar region is disposed parallel to the rotational center. Among the plurality of connection terminals, the connection terminal disposed closer to the rotational center is longer in a direction perpendicular to the rotational center and parallel to the planar region than the connection terminal disposed more distant from the rotational center. |
| US08425006B2 |
Image forming apparatus including first and second carriages which are detachably attachably to each other
An image forming apparatus including a first carriage having a recording head that ejects black liquid droplets and is movable in a main scanning direction, a second carriage having a recording head that ejects color liquid droplets and is detachably attachable to the first carriage to move in the main scanning direction together with the first carriage while attached to the first carriage, and a cap member that caps the recording head of the second carriage while the first carriage is moving with the second carriage separated from the first carriage. Attachment and detachment of the second carriage to and from the first carriage are performed within a scanning range through which the first carriage is movable. |
| US08425003B2 |
Position detecting device, liquid ejecting apparatus and method of detecting smear of scale
A position detecting device for detecting a position of an object, includes a light emitting portion that emits light, a light receiving portion that receives the light from the light emitting portion, and a scale that is arranged between the light emitting portion and the light receiving portion, and includes a position detecting pattern and a smear detecting pattern. The position detecting pattern has a first light transmitting portion for transmitting the light from the light emitting portion and a first light interception portion for intercepting the light from the light emitting portion which are alternately arranged in a detection range of the object. The smear detecting pattern for detecting smear of the scale has a second light transmitting portion for transmitting the light from the light emitting portion and a second light interception portion for intercepting the light from the light emitting portion which are alternately arranged. |
| US08425002B2 |
Image recording devices
An image recording device includes a recording head comprising a plurality of nozzles configured to dispense ink onto a recording medium when the recording medium is conveyed in a sub-scanning direction, and a carriage configured to reciprocate in a main scanning direction perpendicular to the sub-scanning direction, in which the recording head is positioned on the carriage and moves with the carriage. The image recording device also includes a cleaning unit positioned within the carriage. The cleaning unit is positioned at a more upstream side in the sub-scanning direction than the plurality of nozzles are positioned in the sub-scanning direction, and the cleaning unit includes a cleaning member. Moreover, the cleaning member is configured to move between a first position in which the cleaning member is in contact with a surface of the recording medium, and a second position in which the cleaning member is separated from the surface of the recording medium. |
| US08425000B2 |
Image recording apparatus
An image recording apparatus includes heads arranged so that their ejection faces make a first row and a second row each extending in a first direction, caps to cover respective ejection faces of the heads, and a moving mechanism to move the caps. When the caps are at their withdrawal positions, the caps corresponding to the respective heads constituting the first row are disposed so as to overlap the heads of the first row with respect to a second direction parallel to the ejection faces, and overlap the heads of the second row with respect to the first direction, and the caps corresponding to the respective heads constituting the second row are disposed so as to overlap the heads of the second row with respect to the second direction, and overlap the heads of the first row with respect to the first direction. |
| US08424998B2 |
Method for aligning a plurality of elements and a device comprising a plurality of elements
The invention relates to a method for aligning a plurality of elements with each other, each element having a position and a positioning range, the method comprising the steps of determining the position of each element, determining the positioning range of each element, determining a common positioning range of the plurality of elements, based on the positioning ranges determined in the previous step, the common positioning range being comprised in each positioning range, establishing a reference position lying within the common positioning range and aligning the plurality of elements with the reference position. The invention also comprises a device suitable to apply the method according to the invention. |
| US08424987B2 |
Liquid ejecting apparatus and liquid ejecting method
A liquid ejecting apparatus includes a head that ejects liquid on a medium; a head-moving unit that moves the head in a moving direction; a timer that measures a hold period in which the head does not eject the liquid; and a controller that controls ejection of the liquid from the head in accordance with the hold period, the controller controlling the head to eject the liquid in one of modes including first and second modes. In the first mode, the head ejects the liquid during one of forward scanning and backward scanning in the moving direction, and then ejects the liquid during the forward scanning and the backward scanning in the moving direction. In the second mode, the head ejects the liquid during the forward scanning and the backward scanning in the moving direction. |
| US08424984B2 |
Apparatus for releasably coupling a drawer to a drawer pull-out guide
An apparatus is provided for releasably coupling a drawer to a rail, which can be pulled out in a longitudinal direction, of a drawer pull-out guide. The apparatus has a holding part which interacts with a mating holding part in the coupled state in order to establish the releasable connection. At least that region of the holding part which comes into contact with the mating holding part is made flexible, preferably by attaching a flexible piece of material, so that any longitudinal play of the drawer which may occur in relation to the rail can be compensated. |
| US08424982B1 |
Medicine/cosmetic cabinet system
A cabinet body has a front face in a picture frame configuration with interior and exterior peripheries. The front face has front and rear surfaces. A door frame assembly in a picture frame configuration has interior and exterior peripheries. The exterior periphery is formed with a recess and interior hinges pivotably coupling the door frame assembly to the cabinet body. A mirror is received within the recess and exterior hinges mounted in the recess pivotably coupling the mirror to the door frame assembly. |
| US08424981B1 |
Tractor traction system
The additional traction accessory for use with a continuous track includes a U-shaped member in which one side is more elevated than the opposing side. The U-shaped member has an overall length greater than the overall width of the continuous track that the accessory is installed upon. The accessory acts as a larger cleat when compared to a cleat of a stuck continuous track. A first embodiment employs a pair of hooks and a ratcheting means that are designed to attach the accessory onto the continuous track between two cleats on a temporary basis in order to improve the traction of a continuous track by the addition of a larger cleat onto a continuous track that is stuck in a muddy area or area having loose soil. A second embodiment employs a slideable hook that locks at different lengths via bolting means to accommodate different continuous track widths. |
| US08424979B2 |
Brake system of motorcycle
A reduction in size, weight and cost of a brake system of a motorcycle provided with a circulating-type ABS is achieved by a brake system provided with a circulating-type ABS and a by-wire-type brake system. In the brake system, solenoid valves, hydraulic pressure sensors, accumulators and pumps are integrated into a unit, and concurrently stroke simulators are attached to the unit as separate bodies. |
| US08424976B2 |
Brake system for motor vehicles
A brake system includes a main brake cylinder and a pedal decoupling unit provided with a holding piston, the first ring surface thereof together with a first primary brake cylinder piston defining a first hydraulic chamber that is hydraulically pressurized with an electrically controllable pressure supply device. In order to improve the pedal characteristics of the brake system, in particular in a brake-by-wire brake system, the holding piston is embodied as a differential piston, the second ring surface thereof defining a second, blockable hydraulic chamber, and a piston effect in the second chamber corresponds to a force that acts counter to the direction of actuation on the holding piston. |
| US08424974B2 |
Wear insert and retainer
An apparatus can include a base mounted to a mining drum. The base can include an opening including a seat. The apparatus also can include an insert including a bore and an exterior surface. The apparatus also can include a cutter bit including a cutting tip and a shank extending from the cutting tip. The shank can include a threaded portion and a transition positioned between the cutting tip and the threaded portion. The apparatus also can include a retainer including a threaded portion. A portion of the exterior surface of the insert facing the base can be dimensioned to engage the seat of the base. A region of the bore of the insert can be dimensioned to engage the transition of the cutter bit. The threaded portion of the retainer can be configured to engage the threaded portion of the cutter bit. |
| US08424973B2 |
Collapsible cushion
A method of mining a valuable metal or material in an ore body is described. The method comprises the steps of: a) placing a cushion in a stope whereby the cushion creates a void into which fragmented rock can expand during subsequent blasting operations for a second or subsequent panel; and, b) maintaining the void until blasting operations occur whereupon the void is caused to collapse to accommodate fragmented ore generated during blasting operations. |
| US08424971B2 |
Seating system for a vehicle
A positioning system is provided for moving a seat back in a vehicle between a seating position and a cargo storage position. The positioning system includes a release mechanism actuatable between a first position to permit movement of the seat back and a second position to prevent movement of the seat back. A first actuator is provided on the seat back near an upper corner of the seat back and a second actuator is provided on the seat back near a lower corner of the seat back, so that the seat back can be moved from the cargo storage position to the seating position by a person actuating the first actuator from a location alongside the vehicle and by a person actuating the second actuator from a location behind the vehicle. |
| US08424970B2 |
Vehicle seat reclining device
A vehicle seat reclining device comprises an internal gear formed on a gear plate secured to a lower arm, an external gear formed on an upper arm to be meshed with the internal gear and being fewer by at least one tooth than the internal gear, wedge members frictionally engageable with, and disengageable therefrom, the gear plate or the upper arm, a spring arranged between the wedge members and urging the wedge members in a direction for friction engagement with either the gear plate or the upper arm, a drive shaft for pushing and rotating either one of the wedge members in a direction to release the friction engagement, and a ring member arranged between either one of the gear plate and the upper arm and the wedge members for rotating together with the wedge members relative to the other of the gear plate and the upper arm during rotation of the drive shaft. |
| US08424968B2 |
Split tube return spring
A tubular spring having a longitudinal slot that is attached between a movable member and a fixed attachment device. A recliner hinge assembly for a vehicle seat that includes an inboard recliner and an outboard recliner connected by a connecting rod. A split tube having a longitudinally extending slot is assembled over the connecting rod. The split tube biases the seat back toward a neutral position when the seat back is shifted to a position that is angularly offset from the neutral position. |
| US08424966B1 |
Seating with eccentric swivel
Described herein are embodiments of seating with an eccentric swivel that pivots to change the orientation of that seat. The seating with an eccentric swivel includes an eccentric pivot and other support structures that stabilize the seat as it pivots. |
| US08424965B2 |
Clutch mechanism
A clutch mechanism in which a pressure receiving member is attached to two side frames of a seat back of a vehicle seat so as to be rotatable about rotation axes extending in a widthwise direction and in which when the pressure receiving member is rotated by a pressing load of an passenger sitting on the vehicle seat, the pressing load is selectively transmitted to an operation bracket pivotally connected to the rotation axes such that the operation bracket is rotated in the same direction as the pressure receiving member. When the pressure receiving member receives a quick pressing load, the operation bracket rotates while being mechanically integrated with the pressure receiving member, so that the pressing load can be transmitted to the operation bracket. When the pressure receiving member receives a slow pressing load, the operation bracket does not rotate, and only the pressure receiving member rotates, so that the transmission of the pressing load can be blocked. |
| US08424961B2 |
Aluminum roof panel for attachment to supporting steel vehicle body members
The substitution of aluminum alloy roof panels for the low carbon steel roof panels most commonly used in motor vehicles is an attractive option for vehicle mass reduction. Often, however, the remainder of the vehicle body structure continues to be fabricated of steel. The combination of the aluminum alloy roof attached to the steel body may create compressive stresses in the aluminum roof when the body is subjected to elevated temperatures such as those required to cure or bake the paint applied to the body. These stresses may lead to unacceptable appearance features in the visible segment of the roof. By modifying the roof stamping to introduce a tabbed flange for attachment to the body and/or modifying the generally-vertical wall joining the flange to the roof interior, the stresses may be minimized and relocated to segments of the roof not normally visible. |
| US08424959B2 |
Mould and cross member assembly, cross member and motor vehicle technical front panel
The present invention relates to an assembly of a mold (14) and a motor vehicle cross-member (12), the cross-member including a portion for overmolding (20) that is designed to be placed in the mold, a portion that is designed to be situated outside the mold, and at least one reception zone (22, 24) for receiving a wall portion of the mold (26, 28), the reception zone being interposed between said two portions of the cross-member. The wall portion of the mold and the reception zone are essentially complementary in shape and the cross-member presents, in the reception zone, at least one offset (34, 36) relative to a reference surface following the general outline of the cross-member. The invention also provides a motor vehicle front panel that forms an overmolded part made using the above-defined assembly. |
| US08424958B2 |
Butt joint for trailer side wall
A butt joint assembles side panels of a trailer to the base rail of the trailer to form a side wall. The butt joint positions the side panels over the base rail and vertically aligns the outer surfaces of the side panels and the base rail, which provides for an improved trailer side wall. |
| US08424954B2 |
Vehicle grab handle assembly
A vehicle having a handle assembly with a lateral wall adapted to be mounted to a vehicle interior door trim is provided. The lateral wall has a top surface and a distal end offset from the top surface. A weakened portion is formed into the lateral wall for reducing the lateral stiffness of the handle assembly. The weakened portion is disposed adjacent the top surface and extends to the door trim to form a generally continuous top appearance surface. Upon a lateral force, the handle deforms along the weakened portion and the lateral wall rotates about the distal end, thereby promoting buckling in order to absorb energy and minimize the risk of passenger injury. |
| US08424953B2 |
Vehicle door frame structure
A double-sided adhesive tape at a vehicle front-side is provided straddling from a first flange section to a second flange section so as to cover a vehicle width direction outer side end portion of a double-face contact portion. Accordingly, water is prevented from penetrating in from a vehicle width direction outer side end portion of the double-face contact portion. In other words, the double-sided adhesive tape doubles both as a joining member for fixing a garnish and as a waterproofing member for preventing water from penetrating in from the vehicle width direction outer side end portion of the double-face contact portion. Consequently, for example, provision of a waterproofing member such as a sealer or sponge can be dispensed with, and as a result a reduction in cost can be achieved. |
| US08424952B2 |
Apparatus for locking and unlocking a folding-top compartment lid
A folding-top compartment lid is held on a mounting support which can be moved into an open and a closed position by opening levers. To lock the folding-top compartment lid, locking hooks are provided, and these can be activated along with the opening levers in accordance with the control of the latter. |
| US08424950B2 |
Vehicle sun visor
A vehicle sun visor includes: a sun visor body; a support shaft that supports the sun visor body; a mounting bracket that attaches the support shaft to a vehicle; a pair of first conductive element and second conductive element that are provided at a shaft end of the support shaft adjacent to the mounting bracket and inside the support shaft; a divider that is interposed between first ends; and a pair of terminals that supply electric power to the first ends. A gap is formed between the divider and at least one of the first ends. |
| US08424938B1 |
Hoist device with leveling and disengagement mechanism
A hoist device with leveling and disengagement mechanism mainly comprises a stand under traditional hoist, a plural number of branches on the stand extending radially outward, a plural number of driving modules on each branch of the stand and being able to connect to a hung object, a plural number of sensing modules on each driving module to sense the operation status for each driving module and continue to output corresponding sensing signal, a control circuit that can output control signals to control each driving module while each sensing module can sense the status of each driving module and feedback to the control circuit to correct the output control signals, allowing each driving module on the stand to level and disengage the hung object, and enabling the hoist to lift the hung object. |
| US08424937B2 |
Automobile body including a bearing for a bumper-forming member and an air intake duct to the engine
An automobile body for receiving a bumper-forming member and including: a front crossbar; a pair of bearings for the bumper-forming member; and an air intake duct into the engine, the duct including an open end through which the outside air enters the duct. One of the bearings includes a protection portion of the open end, wherein the protection portion is provided in close proximity to the open end, covers the open end, and extends along a portion of the duct, while a gap is provided between the protection portion and the duct so that the air can flow into the duct through the open end. |
| US08424935B2 |
Mortise lock assembly
A mortise lock is provided with independently rotatable spindles and a highly accessible lock-handing selector. Also, a clutching mortise lock is provided that enables operative rotation in both directions to retract the latch. |
| US08424931B2 |
Locking apparatus for locking hard disk to electronic device
A locking apparatus uses a handle pivotally connected to a base to control the movement of a slide block slidablely accommodated in a base. The slide block includes a locking tongue. The locking tongue protrudes out of the base or retracts back into the base according to the movement of the slide block. Thus, the locking apparatus can lock the hard disk when the locking tongue protrudes out of the base and unlock the hard disk when the locking tongue retracts back into the base. |
| US08424924B2 |
Electromagnetic bond welding of thermoplastic pipe distribution systems
A thermoplastic pipe distribution system is assembled by electromagnetic bond welding of a thermoplastic pipe to a thermoplastic fusion pipe joint assembly comprising a threaded fusion pipe ring, a threaded fusion pipe socket, and a susceptor layer between the fusion pipe ring and the fusion pipe socket. The fusion pipe ring is screwed into the fusion pipe socket, and the pipe is inserted into the fusion pipe ring. An induction coil is placed around the fusion pipe socket. Radiated electromagnetic energy heats the susceptor layer to melt at least a portion of the susceptor layer, at least a portion of the fusion pipe ring, at least a portion of the fusion pipe socket, and at least a portion of the pipe. The fusion pipe ring is further screwed in to compress the molten material. The joint is then cooled to solidify the molten material. |
| US08424920B2 |
Multi-port fluid connectors, systems and methods
A multi-port connector includes a plate employing a plurality of coupling retention mechanisms used to hold a plurality of fluid connectors in alignment for deployment with a respective plurality of fluid ports defined in a structure. The couplings may be loosely retained in the plate to facilitate alignment with the ports and ultimately insertion of the connectors into the ports. Each of the coupling retention mechanisms might be an opening through the plate with engagement mechanism defined within, or in conjunction with, the opening. In accordance with various embodiments of the present invention a (central) fastener may pass through the plate to selectively draw and secure the plurality of fluid connectors into engagement with the respective plurality of ports. |
| US08424917B2 |
Electrofusion fitting
A moulded electrofusion fitting for connection to a plastics pipeline comprises a hollow body formed with a tubular opening that has a longitudinal axis and is adapted to receive and end of the pipeline as a close sliding fit. An electrofusion element is formed in the internal surface in the opening, spaced from its end. Fingers are on the end of the opening, circumferentially spaced around the opening and separated by slots between them. Cam surfaces in the form of ribs are defined on the fingers, and a grip ring is received on the fingers and includes wedge elements in the form of grooves. These are adapted to fit the ribs so that, when a pipeline is inserted in the opening and the grip ring is rotated about said axis, the ribs and grooves engage to press the fingers radially inwardly against the reaction of the grip ring, whereby said pipe is gripped by said grip ring and centralized in the opening. The grip ring may be integrated with a terminal pin, a bayonet slot of the grip ring accommodating the terminal pin, a shroud boss formed on the grip ring around the base of the bayonet slot. |
| US08424909B2 |
Gas generator for restraining device of vehicle
A gas generator includes: a housing having closure and diffuser shells; an inner tube member accommodating an igniter, an opening end of the inner tube member being located opposing a bottom plate of the closure shell and defining a ventilating portion formed at the opening end, the inner tube member being fixed to an igniter attaching portion, and having a cylindrical portion projecting inwardly in the closure shell, and a passage being formed between the inner tube member and the igniter attaching portion to reach the ventilating portion; an outer circumference cylindrical member provided in the combustion chamber and one end opening thereof being located at the bottom plate; and an annular porous member defining a space above the combustion chamber, the space being communicated to a gas discharge path defined between the outer circumference cylindrical member and a side surface of the diffuser shell through a communicating portion. |
| US08424905B2 |
Interior trim assembly for a motor vehicle and motor vehicle
The interior trim assembly for a motor vehicle is of the type comprising a framework and a panel for concealing an airbag comprising a flap a peripheral region surrounding the flap and attached to the framework, a hinge-forming strip having a flap portion attached to the flap, a framework portion attached to the framework, and a hinge portion extending between the flap portion and the framework portion. The region of the hinge portion adjacent to the framework portion may be covered by a protecting element and the region of the hinge portion adjacent to the flap region is exposed. |
| US08424903B2 |
Vehicular interior parts
To provide an automotive interior part surely deploying an airbag as a result of a smooth opening and fracture of an interior-part main body onto which an outer cover is attached at the time of the deployment of the airbag.The present invention includes: a door-upper main body 5 covering a vehicle compartment side of a door panel 14; a deployment section 2a deployed in tune with the deployment of an airbag 11 toward inside the vehicle compartment; and an outer cover having an outer-cover main body 6 continuously covering the door-upper main body 5 and the deployment section 2a and an overhang section 130 hung over by folding a terminal end thereof. The overhang section 13 includes: an area 13b having a long overhang length that extends from the end on the door-upper main body 5 side of the overhang section to the opposite end of the door upper main body 5 of the overhang section and an area 13a having a short overhang length of the same; and a borderline section 22 that is arranged along a borderline between the area 13b having the long overhang length and the area 13a having the short overhang length and that initiates the fracture of the terminal end of the outer cover when the airbag 11 is deployed. |
| US08424891B2 |
Stabilizer bushing for vehicle and method of producing the same
Semi-tubular portions of two partition members partitioning a bushing body into an outer rubber portion and an inner rubber portion are asymmetrically arranged with respect to a reference plane containing a central axis of the bushing body and parallel to two attachment surfaces of a bracket. In addition, each of the semi-tubular portions is configured to have a length equal to or larger than a diameter of a stabilizer bar, the length being from one end to the other end in a circumferential direction of the semi-tubular portion in a projection view obtained by projecting the semi-tubular portion to a horizontal surface in a vertical direction. |
| US08424883B1 |
Utility cart
A utility cart operable to provide objects thereon to a user that is in a position that is generally above the cart such that a portion of the cart to extended to be proximate the user. The cart further includes a frame that includes a base member having four legs that support a platform. The platform includes several recessed compartments that house lifting members. The lifting members are operably coupled to an upper tray. The platform further has disposed therein a plurality of gears that are operably coupled to drive rods, which operate the lifting members. A handle acts as the controller wherein the user can provide rotational force to the handle, which is transferred to the gears and subsequently the drive rods creating the movement in the lifting members which transitions the position of the upper tray. |
| US08424877B2 |
Method and system for sealing an annulus
A method and systems for a purged seal for an annular space are provided. The purged seal includes a first baffle element that extends from an inner surface of the annular space into the annular space at an oblique angle and a second baffle element that extends from an outer surface of the annular space above the first baffle element in a direction opposite gravity flow into the annular space wherein the second baffle element extends at an oblique angle. The system also includes a third baffle element that extends from the inner surface above the first baffle element in a direction of gravity flow into the annular space wherein the third baffle element extends into the annular space at an oblique angle with respect to the inner surface and wherein a distal end of the third baffle element is positioned proximate a distal end of the second baffle element. |
| US08424876B2 |
Reactive firearm training target
The present invention provides a heatable long range metal target capable of providing acoustic feedback to the user on impact and is durable to withstand the repeated vibration stress that occurs during repeated use. In a preferred embodiment, target includes a reactive target body for generating an audible feedback signal on impact by a firearm round (such as a metal gong), a heating element and a fastening structure connectable to the target body for mounting of the heating element to the target body. The target body has a front, impact surface and a rear surface and is constructed of hardened steel for withstanding repeated impact by high velocity rounds on the impact surface without penetration. The heating element heats a target region of the target and the fastening structure connects the heating element to the target body away from the impact surface. The fastening structure includes a vibration dampening portion. |
| US08424866B2 |
Sheet feeding apparatus and image forming apparatus
A sheet feeding apparatus may include a sheet storage unit, an air blowing unit, a suction conveyance unit, and a conveyance guide. A sheet in the sheet storage unit blown by the air blowing unit may be conveyed to the conveyance guide by the suction conveyance unit. The conveyance guide has a guide surface and inclined portions arranged upstream in the sheet conveyance direction, formed therein from a sheet conveyance center to ends in a sheet width direction perpendicular to the sheet conveyance direction. The inclined portions are inclined from the upstream side towards the downstream in the sheet conveyance direction. As a distance in which an inclined portion resides away from the suction conveyance unit increases, the inclined portion becomes positioned more upstream in the sheet conveyance direction. |
| US08424865B2 |
Sheet feeding device and image forming apparatus incorporating same
A sheet feeding device that is incorporatable in an image forming apparatus includes an endless belt disposed facing an upper surface of a sheet stack to convey sheets of the sheet stack forward in a first moving direction of a surface thereof, an attraction unit to attract an uppermost sheet of the sheet stack to the endless belt, a contact and separation unit to contact and separate the endless belt relative to the sheet stack, and a controller to cause the endless belt to contact or substantially contact the upper surface of the sheet stack to attract the uppermost sheet to the endless belt, perform a pre-separation operation in which the endless belt moves in a reverse direction that is opposite the sheet conveyance direction, and then perform a separating operation in which the endless belt separates from the sheet stack. |
| US08424863B2 |
Paper feeder and image forming apparatus
In a paper feeder, a signal switching unit switches a paper present signal output from a paper detector to a paper absent signal indicative of absence of a paper in the second paper cassette if a first paper cassette is pulled out from a specific position. |
| US08424857B2 |
Fixture for supporting a workpiece
A fixture (10) for supporting a workpiece (18) during a machining operation. The fixture comprising a base (12) provided with a channel (14) for receiving part (16) of the workpiece (18), the channel having a first wall (20) facing an opposing second wall (22). An inflatable diaphragm (24) is located on the first wall (20), and configured to engage with an engagement surface (36) on the workpiece and bias the workpiece against the second wall. The diaphragm comprises a deformable portion (26) spaced apart from the first wall of the channel, the deformable portion having ends (28,30) which provide a seal with the first wall to define a chamber (32) enclosed by the first wall and diaphragm. |
| US08424854B2 |
Fluid-filled type vibration damping device
A fluid-filled type vibration damping device wherein a low-frequency orifice passage and at least one high-frequency orifice passage are formed in a partition member, which is supported by a second mounting member; a valve body is disposed at least at one opening of the high-frequency orifice passage and is provided with a spring member that in a nonloaded state positions the valve body away from the opening of the high-frequency orifice passage to hold the high-frequency orifice passage in an open state; and, at times of vibration input, the valve body is adapted to block the high-frequency orifice passage in opposition to a holding force of the spring member. |
| US08424853B2 |
Actuating device for a choke valve
In order to provide an actuating device for a choke valve of a carburetor for motorized equipment, in particular a cut-off grinder, wherein the choke valve is movable between at least a closed position and an open position by an operating element via a mechanical coupling from the operating element to the choke valve, which overcomes the disadvantages of the prior art, it is proposed that the mechanical coupling has a separating arrangement which is in operative connection with the motorized equipment such that the mechanical coupling between the operating element and the choke valve can be interrupted or respectively closed as a function of different operating states of the motorized equipment. |
| US08424851B2 |
Metal safety rail for open floors of a building under construction
A metal safety rail for open floors of a building under construction includes a baseplate secured to a floor surface, a substantially vertical inner stanchion integrally joined to the baseplate, a substantially vertical outer stanchion slidably disposed over the inner stanchion, and at least one guard member secured to adjacent outer stanchions, whereby a safety rail is ultimately disposed about a peripheral portion of an open floor of a building under construction to prevent workers from falling from the open floor to the ground below. |
| US08424850B2 |
Baluster mounting system
A baluster mounting system includes removably locking a baluster between oppositely disposed upper and lower surfaces. A first rail connector is fixed relative to either an upper or lower surface. A second rail connector is fixed relative to either the upper or lower surface which is opposite the first rail connector. A baluster is removably locked between the first and second rail connectors. The first rail connector is configured to slidably receive an end of the baluster and the second rail connector is configured to laterally receive an opposite end of the baluster. A locking sleeve is slidable along a portion of the baluster and configured for locking engagement with the second rail connector. |
| US08424846B1 |
Overload warning system for a winch hoist
An overload warning system for a winch hoist of the type that includes a drum that rotates about a drum shaft, a handle that is received in a socket, wherein the handle can be used to turn the drum, and a movable frame that is located between the socket and the housing. The socket is coupled to the drum shaft. There is a shear pin with one end embedded in the frame and the other end embedded in the socket, the shear pin defining a relatively weak shear zone located between the frame and the socket. There is an elongated opening defined in the socket and a projection projecting from the frame and into or through the elongated opening. If the shear pin fails under rotational load applied through the handle, the socket will rotate relative to the frame until the edge of the elongated opening contacts the projection. The socket movement provides tactile feedback that the shear pin has failed, while maintaining control over the hoist operation via the handle. |
| US08424845B2 |
Hammer and crowbar with adjustable claw
An embodiment of a hand tool comprising: a fixed hand tool, such as a hammer or a crowbar, with respect to a handle; a pivoting mechanism; and a claw being coupled to a handle via the pivoting mechanism is described. In another embodiment, the hand tool comprises a fixed tool with respect to a handle, such as a hammer or a crowbar; a coupling mechanism; a claw being coupled to a handle via the coupling mechanism; the coupling mechanism further comprising a splined pin assembly adapted to couple the claw and a handle so as to permit the claw to pivot with respect to the handle, is described. Various pivoting mechanisms including splined pin assemblies and locking pin mechanisms are described. |
| US08424841B2 |
Multi-component metal seat design for ball valves
A floating ball valve has a metal multiple component seat installed in the seat pocket. The multiple component seat further includes a support ring and at least one seal element. The support ring and the seal element are juxtaposed and both are adjacent to the ball when the floating ball valve is in a closed position. The support ring is in a overlapping complimentary position with respect to the seal element, the seal element having greater elasticity than the support ring and the support ring having a greater load bearing strength than the seal element. |
| US08424833B2 |
Suspension device and process for mounting same
A suspension device (10) with a carrier segment (12) and with at least one extension arm (14) that can be mounted pivotably thereon for moving in space devices (16, 18) that can be mounted thereon. The carrier segment (12) has a base part (24) for mounting the suspension device (10) at a mounting site. The suspension device has one or more quick-release rod modules (26) that can be detachably connected with the base part (24). The quick-release rod module (26) or each quick-release rod module (26) has a bus module (32), which contacts either a bus module (32) of a quick-release rod module (26) already embraced by the suspension device (10) or a contact device in the base part (24) when a quick-release rod module (26) is mounted on the suspension device (10). |
| US08424830B2 |
Holder for tablet personal computer
A holder for holding a portable electronic device can be changed between a folded position and an unfolded position. The holder holds the portable electronic device in the folded position. In the unfolded position, the holder has its supporting board, front holding board, rear holding board, side holding boards, bottom holding boards substantially planar with each other. In the folded position, the supporting board supports the side holding boards to vertically stand, the rear holding board is secured above the supporting board at an obtuse angle, and the front holding board is maintained parallel with the rear holding board. |
| US08424829B2 |
Holder for portable electronic device
A holder is for supporting a portable electronic device, including a foldable layer, a supporting assembly attached to the layer. When the holder is unfolded, the supporting assembly can be maintained in a two-dimensional structure. When the holder is folded, the supporting assembly forms a three-dimensional structure that will not collapse under a weight of the portable electronic device. |
| US08424821B2 |
Bracket assembly for mounting rooftop objects
Disclosed is an apparatus for mounting equipment, such as solar panels, fans, air conditioning units, walkways, signage, facade, or ladders, on corrugated or ribbed metal roofs where the mounting apparatus attempts to provide a leak resistant and stable mounting structure for such equipment. The corrugated or ribbed metal roof includes one or more peak portions and one or more corresponding valley portions. The equipment-mounting apparatus engages the roof with one or more fasteners at least one peak portion and engages by valley portion through a transfer of force from the fastener at the peak portion without requiring additional fasteners to engage the valley portion. |
| US08424816B1 |
System and method for increased filling of plastic gusseted T-shirt bags
A bag rack and packing system for a plastic grocery bag having a pair of handles has a base to which is connected (1) a wire-arm rack having a reservoir bag holder for plastic bags and two wire-arms and (2) a three-sided support having two side supports connected to an intermediate back support, with each of the side supports having a forward upper tab close to the wire-arm rack, an intermediate top and then a rearward edge. The wire-arm rack and three-sided support have open faces that face each other so that the three-sided support temporarily creates a defined physical frame for a first plastic grocery bag when its handles are secured over the forward upper tabs of the two side supports. The forward upper tabs help separate an individual bag from a reservoir of bags and the individual bag may remain attached to, or be detached from, the reservoir of bags as it is being filled. A rearward edge of the sides of the three-sided support is beveled to make removal of a filled bag quick and efficient. |
| US08424812B1 |
Elevated frog and rail track assembly
The invention is a frog panel assembly for a railway turn-out switch, as well as a rail intersection design and a frog casting therefor. |
| US08424811B2 |
Barbed-type mesh
A barbed-type mesh is primarily intended to be used to protect young trees from livestock or other animals. The mesh is made from wires or electrowelded bars having sharp points on the surface thereof. The sharp points are electrowelded at intersections of the mesh. |
| US08424808B2 |
Compensating for wind prior to engaging airborne propulsion devices
Technology is described for enabling a reusable launch vehicle to compensate for wind prior to engaging propulsion during approach to landing. The technology can cause the reusable launch vehicle to begin un-powered descent; determine a first rotation angle of the reusable launch vehicle about a specified vertical descent path, the first rotation angle corresponding to a first attitude of the reusable launch vehicle selected to stabilize the reusable launch vehicle on the vertical descent path based on a wind speed and angle; and prior to engaging a propulsion device, command a second rotation angle for the reusable launch vehicle, the second rotation angle corresponding to a second attitude that, when the propulsion device is engaged, will cause the reusable launch vehicle to remain at least approximately at the vertical descent path. |
| US08424800B2 |
Multi-source emergency power optimization
A disclosed emergency power system includes multiple emergency power devices that are each sized to provide partial power during emergency operation and/or full power for a portion of emergency operation. |
| US08424792B2 |
Apparatus and methods for winding wire coils of dynamoelectric machine cores
An apparatus and a method for winding wire coils in cores of dynamo electric machine using needles that are relatively movable with respect to the cores. Wire guides are provided that are also relatively movable with respect to the needle and the core so that the wire leaving the needle can be delivered to predetermined positions around the poles of the core to wind the wire coils. The wire guides are supported adjacent to the ends of the core by support means which have portions occupying positions of the needle trajectory during winding. The portion of the support means are movable as a function of the position occupied by the needle around the poles so that the needle can move without being obstructed. The arrangement enhances accuracy of guiding and positioning of the wire to form the wire coils and is suitable for compactly sized cores. |
| US08424788B1 |
Food chopping device
A food chopping device including a removable handle and a guard member that threadingly engages a frustoconical body to prevent splattering while chopping a food item while cooking the food item and further having interchangeable chopping attachment members that threadingly engage the body to accommodate coarse and fine chopping. |
| US08424787B2 |
Shredder thickness with anti-jitter feature
A shredder includes a housing having a throat for receiving at least one article to be shredded, and a shredder mechanism received in the housing and including an electrically powered motor and cutter elements. The shredder also includes a detector that is configured to detect a thickness of the at least one article being received by the throat, and a controller that is configured to operate the motor to drive the cutter elements to shred the at least one article and to set a flutter threshold higher than the predetermined maximum thickness threshold, if the detected thickness is less than a predetermined maximum thickness threshold. The controller is also configured to thereafter continuously detect the thickness of the at least one article being inserted into a throat of the shredder; and to perform a predetermined operation responsive to the thickness detector detecting that the thickness of the at least one article is greater than the flutter threshold. |
| US08424782B1 |
Aerosol transport system
An aerosol transport system. The aerosol transport system comprising a tube and having a plurality of windings that permit the flow of aerosols, including particles, there-through so as to compensate for gravity and/or centrifugal forces and reduce the settling of particles within said tube. |
| US08424780B2 |
Apparatus for spraying liquids, and adapters and liquid reservoirs suitable for use therewith
A spray gun is disclosed, including components and kits of components thereof, comprising a body comprising an attachment point for a compatible liquid reservoir and an adapter. The adapter comprises, at a first end, a non-threaded connection for attachment to a connector of a compatible liquid reservoir, the adapter being attached at a second end to the attachment point on the body such that the adapter remains attached to the body upon removal of a compatible liquid reservoir from the non-threaded connection. |
| US08424776B2 |
Integrated vehicle HVAC system
The present application relates to auxiliary HVAC systems for vehicles. In some embodiments, an auxiliary climate control system for a vehicle comprises a blower and heat exchanger assembly including a blower, an evaporator, an air flow actuator, and a heater core. The blower and heat exchanger assembly has a generally ‘Z’ shaped configuration. |
| US08424775B2 |
Two-dimensional code having rectangular region provided with specific patterns to specify cell positions and distinction from background
A two-dimensional code having a rectangular region is provided. In the rectangular region, there are code blocks composed of a plurality of cells, a first specific pattern specifying the positions of the cells, and a second specific pattern separating the code blocks from a background of the code. The first specific pattern is located at a specified corner of the rectangular region. The second specific pattern is located along one or more of first borders along which the first specific pattern is located, the first borders being part of the borders of the rectangular region. The code blocks include error-correction code blocks, which are located along second borders which are different from a border of the borders along which the second specific pattern is located. The second borders are part of the borders. Compressed data code blocks are also arranged in the same way as the error-correction code blocks. |
| US08424774B2 |
Process for decoding coded data
A process for decoding coded data is provided. The coded data has a plurality of layouts which each have order n (at least two) rotational symmetry and encode a codeword of a sequence of n symbols distributed at n locations about a center of rotational symmetry of the respective layout such that decoding the symbols at each of the n orientations of the layout produces n representations of the codeword. Each representation is a different cyclic shift of the codeword and is indicative of the degree of rotation of the layout. The process involves, at the computer system, identifying a layout from an image including the coded data, decoding the identified layout to determine a codeword representation, and determining a degree of rotation of the layout from the determined representation. |
| US08424773B2 |
Payment cards and devices with enhanced magnetic emulators
A payment card (e.g., credit and/or debit card) or other device (e.g., mobile telephone) is provided with a magnetic emulator operable to communicate data to a magnetic stripe read-head. Such a magnetic emulator may comprise non-magnetostrictive material such that the magnetic emulator may be fabricated in a wide variety of fabrication processes. Additionally, magnets may be added to amplify the signal of a magnetic emulator. In doing so, a magnetic emulator may provide a large amount of signal while consuming a reduced amount of electrical energy when compared to a magnetic emulator that does not include the presence of one or more magnets. |
| US08424772B1 |
Transactional card, system, and method
A transactional card system comprising a carrier having at least one removable die cut card having a unique identifier and wherein the at least one card is removably attached to the carrier and further including at least one removable die cut data component removably attached to the carrier. |
| US08424769B2 |
Antenna and RFID device
In an antenna for an RFID device, a feed coil is coupled to a first booster coil and a second booster coil through an electromagnetic field. In the feed coil, a first region and a second region are disposed so as to overlap with the first booster coil and the second booster coil, respectively. The first region of the feed coil is coupled to the first booster coil through an electromagnetic field, and the second region of the feed coil is coupled to the second booster coil through an electromagnetic field. Accordingly, the antenna has a high degree of coupling between the feed coil and a booster antenna and superior transmission efficiency of an RF signal, and prevents the occurrence of a null point. |
| US08424766B2 |
Support assembly for terminal
In one embodiment, there is provided an overmolded support assembly for support of optical elements. In one embodiment the support assembly can be of multi component construction including a base component and a supplementary component, wherein the supplementary component can be overmolded onto the base component. In one embodiment each of the base component and the supplementary component can be of unitary construction. In one embodiment the supplementary component can have a material hardness rating of lower than a material hardness rating of the base component. |
| US08424765B2 |
MEMS barcode device for monitoring medical systems at point of care
This invention relates to a novel wireless barcode MEMS canary which can be embedded in electronic systems and periodically monitored to measure degradation over a period of time. The material used to print the bars of the barcode is selected such that it is capable of changing one or more of its properties in response to a change in ambient conditions. Means are provided for reading out said change in properties such that when an interrogator is brought into proximity to the sensor, the change in properties can be detected. By establishing the relationship between the healthy state of the barcode and its degradation to that of the electronic system and the components, the residual life of the system can be established and preventive measures taken before failure. |
| US08424763B2 |
Method of forming an auto-calibration circuit or label
A method of forming and using an auto-calibration circuit or label on a test sensor includes providing a label or circuit. The label or circuit includes a first layer, a second layer and a lamination portion. The second layer is located between the first layer and the lamination portion. The first layer includes polymeric material. The second layer includes conductive material. The label or circuit is applied to the test sensor via the lamination portion. After applying the label or circuit to the test sensor, portions of the second layer are ablated using a laser to form an auto-calibration pattern on the label or circuit. |
| US08424759B2 |
Automated retail kiosk with changeable presentation formats
An automated retail kiosk or vending machine that can vend working cellular handsets and that uses changeable presentation formats. The kiosk is generally an automated retail kiosk that can deliver primarily prepaid wireless products and services such as prepaid cellular handsets, prepaid cellular and long distance calling plans and E-pins, accessories like ear buds, phone holsters, SIM backup devices, cables and the like. In addition the kiosk or vending device can optionally provide a complete array of banking services including check cashing, prepaid debit cards, transfer of funds from debit card to debit card and many other services. An advertisement screen can play continuous or targeted advertising. The kiosk or vending device can change how it looks by accepting changeable front plates or housings, and it can communicate wirelessly over a network and be managed from a central location. |
| US08424758B2 |
Stored value card transaction control systems and methods
A gift card processing system which includes a database storing interval information representing a required interval between transactions using the gift card. The database also stores data representing the maximum amount of each transaction. The gift card processing system is part of a network that includes POS terminals at merchant locations, where the gift card may be presented. A card ID is read from the card at a POS terminal and used to access the interval data and the maximum transaction amount data. |
| US08424757B2 |
Contactless smart SIM functionality retrofit for mobile communication device
A contactless transaction adaptor for use with a mobile communicator, including a thin SIM card signal interceptor portion arranged for insertion intermediate an existing SIM card, having SIM card-based contacts, and communicator based SIM card contacts located in a SIM card recess formed in the communicator, the interceptor portion having contacts for communication with the communicator-based SIM card contacts and contacts for communication with the SIM card-based contacts, a contactless communication circuit bearing portion arranged for insertion in the communicator, a contactless antenna and a contactless communication circuit both mounted onto the circuit bearing portion, a flexible connector portion interconnecting the interceptor portion and the circuit bearing portion, an electrical path extending along the connector portion between the contacts of the interceptor portion and the contactless communication circuit, and an electrical path extending along the circuit bearing portion between the antenna and the contactless communication circuit. |
| US08424753B2 |
Color detection system for detecting reservoir presence and content in device
A system for identifying a reservoir used with a fluid delivery device. The system includes a reservoir comprising a housing for holding fluid and a colored marking located on a surface of the housing. A fluid delivery device includes a compartment for receiving and operatively coupling with the reservoir. A light source shines light on the colored marking of the reservoir. A color sensor detects wavelengths reflected and/or refracted from the colored marking due to the light shined on the colored marking. A processor of the delivery device determines a color of the colored marking from the detected wavelengths and ascertains information related to the reservoir or the fluid in the reservoir corresponding to the determined color, wherein the processor operates the fluid delivery device according to the ascertained information, wherein the information may include a reservoir type and/or medication type. |
| US08424752B2 |
System and method for presenting information about an object on a portable electronic device
Systems and methods are provided for enabling a portable electronic device to retrieve information about an object when the object's symbology, e.g., a barcode, is detected. According to one embodiment a method is providing in which symbology associated with an object is detected and decoded to obtain a decode string. The decode string is sent to one or more visual detection applications for processing, wherein the one or more visual detection applications reside on the portable electronic device, and receiving a first amount of information about the object from the one or more visual detection applications. The method also includes sending the decode string to a remote server for processing and receiving a second amount of information about the object from the remote server. The first amount of information is combined with the second amount of information to obtain cumulative information which is displayed on the portable electronic device. |
| US08424749B2 |
One-piece box with integrally connected lid
A one-piece container includes a single sheet of corrugated material, including: four walls, a bottom, and a lid, the lid being hingedly and integrally connected to one of the four walls. The bottom and the four walls define a storage area for housing articles therein. The lid is configured to transition between an open position, an intermediate position, and a closed position. The one-piece container includes a mechanism for maintaining the lid in a closed position. In some embodiments, the mechanism biases the lid toward a closed position when in the closed position, an open position when in the open position, and an intermediate position when in the intermediate position. In other embodiments, the mechanism includes tabs and slots for retaining the lid in the closed position. Other embodiments include a combination of these features. The container may be a cardboard box. |
| US08424746B2 |
Method of manufacturing optical component and optical component
To easily bond substrates even made of materials whose linear expansion coefficients are different from each other when manufacturing an optical component used by transmitting light through an inside thereof.Buffer layers made of an amorphous inorganic substance causing a brittle fracture are formed on bonding surfaces of a plurality of substrates having linear expansion coefficients different from one another, and the substrates to be bonded are stacked so that the buffer layers are faced to each other. Then, a heat treatment is performed for a stack, and thereby direct bonding via an atom is formed between the buffer layers. |
| US08424745B1 |
Composite biaxially textured substrates using ultrasonic consolidation
A method of forming a composite sheet includes disposing an untextured metal or alloy first sheet in contact with a second sheet in an aligned opposing position; bonding the first sheet to the second sheet by applying an oscillating ultrasonic force to at least one of the first sheet and the second sheet to form an untextured intermediate composite sheet; and annealing the untextured intermediate composite sheet at a temperature lower than a primary re-crystallization temperature of the second sheet and higher than a primary re-crystallization temperature of the first sheet to convert the untextured first sheet into a cube textured sheet, wherein the cube texture is characterized by a φ-scan having a FWHM of no more than 15° in all directions, the second sheet remaining untextured, to form a composite sheet. |
| US08424743B2 |
Solder return for wave solder nozzle
A solder return apparatus for a wave solder machine that collects solder exiting a nozzle and returns the solder to a solder reservoir while limiting solder from splashing onto electronic substrates (e.g., printed circuit boards), components of the wave solder machine, and/or the like. The apparatus includes a mounting section that may be placed over an upper surface of the nozzle and a collection section that collects the solder and returns the solder to the solder reservoir. The collection section includes a trough having an opening in a bottom wall of the trough and a flow control member that can adjust a quantity of solder exiting the trough as well as the velocity of the solder exiting the trough. One or more deflection plates can be mounted to extend from the trough into solder in the solder reservoir to further limit splashing solder from reaching unintended locations. |
| US08424730B2 |
Pack with integrated seat
A pack with an integrated seat, including a base member comprising oppositely disposed first and second edges, a fixed leg member connected to the first edge, a hinged leg member pivotally connected to the second edge, a rigid seat member pivotally connected to the fixed leg member and arranged to be supported by the fixed leg member and the hinged leg member when the pack is arranged in a seating position, a shell arranged to at least partially enclose a volume defined by the fixed leg member, the hinged leg member, and the base member. |
| US08424728B2 |
Plastic closure for thixotropic dispensing bottles
A plastic closure including a bottom part and a lid that has an annular retaining bead in the bottom part. A disk having a support surface is held positively or non-positively in the bead. The disk includes one or more through-passages, which open into a chamber. A thixotropic fluid present in a flexible container reaches the chamber through the through-passages, where the fluid performs a directional change from axial to radial and after a second directional change from radial to axial flows out through the spout opening, wherein a constriction between the two directional changes accelerates the flow. |
| US08424726B2 |
Reusable sealing apparatus for containers of extractable material
A reusable sealing apparatus for use with a container of an extractable material, the container including a nozzle. The apparatus may include a first sealing member, a second sealing member and a body member including a cavity configured to fit over a portion of a distal end of a nozzle, the body member positioned between the first sealing member and the second sealing member. The apparatus may further include a core member including an insertion tip and an elongate portion, wherein the elongate portion may extend through the body member and at least one of the first sealing member and second sealing member. The first sealing member, the body member and the second sealing member together may substantially seal a nozzle. |
| US08424720B2 |
Magnetic drive for dispensing apparatus
A dispenser for dispensing a volume of viscous material on a substrate includes a frame, a gantry system coupled to the frame, and a dispenser unit coupled to the gantry system. The dispenser unit includes a housing having a chamber, and a piston disposed in the chamber. The piston has an elongate body and is configured to move between a pre-dispense position and a dispense position within the chamber. The dispenser unit further includes a motor to drive the movement of the piston within the chamber. The motor includes a rotating shaft, a wheel coupled to the rotating shaft, the wheel having at least one drive magnet, and a driven magnet disposed between wheel and the piston. The dispenser further includes a nozzle coupled to the housing. The nozzle has an orifice to dispense viscous material. Other embodiments of the dispenser and methods of dispensing are further disclosed. |
| US08424719B2 |
Flowmeter assembly
A beverage dispenser provides numerous inventive features in its refrigeration system, diluent delivery system, concentrate delivery system, mixing and dispensing system, and control system. The refrigeration system employs a plate heat exchanger to provide on demand refrigeration of an intermittent water flow. The diluent delivery system includes a flowmeter/solenoid/check-valve assembly. The concentrate delivery system employs a positive displacement pump. The mixing and dispensing system includes a mixing nozzle that has a locking feature such that an elevated blocking surface directly faces the inlet of pressurized diluent to create turbulence. The control system receives package-specific information from a scanner and diluent flow rate information from the flowmeter, and then determines the pump speed in order to set a desired mix ratio. |
| US08424718B2 |
Method of mixing and extruding viscous materials and gearbox for dispensing the same
The present invention relates to a method of mixing and dispensing viscous materials, comprising the steps of: inserting a cartridge containing one or more viscous materials in a chamber; activating a first motor (1) to move a plunger from a first position to a second position within the cartridge and activating a second motor (2) to move the plunger from the second position further within the cartridge to dispense the material. |
| US08424716B2 |
Wristband applicator
The present invention concerns apparatus for efficiently dispensing and applying a wristband identification bracelet that is meant for attachment around an extremity of an animal or person. The apparatus is provided with a supply of identity bands that are adapted to become a bracelet by having a first portion of the band affixed to a second portion to form a continuous loop around the extremity. The extremity is positioned within a receptacle in the apparatus, permitting the identification band to be wrapped closely around the extremity by the band fixing mechanism of the apparatus. The identification band is fixed to itself to form a bracelet, so as to prevent its removal from the extremity without damaging the integrity of the bracelet. The identification bracelet comprises an integral RFID inlay component, and particularly an RFID component whereby all of the RFID circuit is realised in low cost fully printed silicon ink TFT semiconductor form as opposed to a conventional integrated circuit (IC) chip used in prior art RFID inlays. |
| US08424713B2 |
Multiple container retaining device and method for using same
A device (20) includes a holder (24) for encircling and holding two containers (76, 96). A tubular structure (22), directed through the holder (24), includes a first tubular portion (52) extending from an outer surface (44) of the holder (24) and a second tubular portion (54) extending from another outer surface (46) of the holder (24). A method of utilization entails placing one container (76) in a sleeve (26) of the device (20) and placing the other container (96) in another sleeve (28) of the device (20). Application of a force (108) causes the tubular portion (52) to pierce the container (76) inside the sleeve (26), and also causes the tubular portion (54) to pierce the container (96) inside the sleeve (28), thereby coupling the containers (76, 96) and enabling transfer of fluid (110, 114) from one container (76) to the other container (96) via the tubular structure (22). |
| US08424712B2 |
Container sleeve
A container sleeve includes a sheet of material that defines a first edge member and a second edge member. The container sleeve defines an upper cross member with a first end connected to the first edge member and a second end connected to the second edge member, and a lower cross member with a first end connected to the first edge member and a second end connected to the second edge member. The container sleeve further defines a center cross member positioned between the upper cross member and the lower cross member. The center cross member includes a first end connected to the first edge member and a second end connected to the second edge member. A center region of the cross member is configured to be positioned away from a center region of the upper cross member and a center region of the lower cross member to enable the insertion of a container into an opening defined between the upper cross member, the lower cross member, and the center cross member. |
| US08424708B2 |
Collapsible coolers
An expandable and collapsible cooler includes: a base defining a bottom portion of the cooler; an upper rim defining an upper portion of the cooler; and a cooler wall extending between said base and said upper rim and surrounding an interior storage space of the cooler. The cooler wall includes inner and outer collapsible walls that extend from the upper rim and a common bottom wall. Each collapsible wall includes a flexible elastomeric membrane having hinge lines at which the membrane is configured to bend such that the membrane is transitional between collapsed and expanded configurations. The membrane preferably is formed from silicone rubber. |
| US08424703B2 |
Substrate container sealing via movable magnets
A system of moving magnets for sealing a container may include a plurality of moveable magnets disposed near a perimeter of a container door and a rotatable linkage hub positioned within the perimeter of the container door. In addition, the system may include a plurality of control linkages connecting each of the plurality of moveable magnets to the linkage hub so that rotating the linkage hub causes the control linkages to move the moveable magnets between a sealed position and an open position. Alternatively, the moveable magnets may be connected to each other by a magnet positioning mechanism to physically move the magnets along a path near the perimeter. A plurality of static magnets may be disposed near an opening sized to receive the container door and positioned to form a magnetic seal with the moveable magnets when the moveable magnets are positioned at the sealed position. |
| US08424701B2 |
Cooling method and nine-down packaging configuration for enhanced cooling of produce
The invention encompasses packaging and cooling methods and systems designed to improve cooling efficiencies, reduce damage to the contents of containers, and increase product packing density. A system of the present invention incorporates baskets loaded into trays and trays loaded in preferred configurations on a pallet. The trays are loaded with baskets arranged in the tray so that ventilation slots and/or channels of the baskets are aligned with tray ventilation openings. Nine (9) trays are loaded onto a standard pallet in a 3 by 3 configuration. Additionally, the trays are arranged so that the tray ventilation openings are in alignment with ventilation openings of other trays of the same layer. This 3 by 3 layer of trays comprises a so-called “nine-down” configuration. As will be discussed below, his configuration has some surprising cooling advantageous standard packaging configurations. |
| US08424700B2 |
Method and packaging for baked, thaw and serve, or microwavable goods
Packaging for heatable food portions comprises an ovenable tray including a plurality of serving containers connected by a detachable support matrix. In one embodiment, the support matrix is attached to the serving containers by hot melt glue which melts during baking or heating to automatically release the support matrix from the serving containers. Pre-filled trays are shipped with display covers fitted to the serving containers, such that the covers may be placed on the individual serving containers after the food portions are baked and the serving containers are separated from the support matrix to provide individually packaged, freshly baked food portions for display. |
| US08424696B2 |
Self filling bottle cap for liquids
A bottle cap is provided that includes a bottle cap portion and an inner cup. Each of the cap portion and the inner cup has a bottom and an opening, and a cavity in between the bottom and the opening. The inner cup is preferably disposed within the cap portion in an orientation upside down relative to the cap portion and a certain distance from the cap so that the cavities of each are in communication with each other. This allows liquid to flow from the bottle that the cap is placed on into the cavity of inner cup, and from the cavity of the inner cup into the cavity of the cap when the bottle cap is tilted to the side and thereafter returned into an upright position. |
| US08424691B2 |
Seismically hardened two-post electronic equipment rack
A two-post mounting rack includes a frame bottom, a frame top, a pair of frame uprights interconnected between the frame bottom and the frame top, and a base assembly for supporting the frame bottom on a surface. One or more of the frame bottom, the frame top, the pair of frame uprights, and the base assembly are seismically hardened. Each frame upright has a closed cross-sectional shape. Each frame upright includes a flange with apertures adapted to provide a mounting location for cable management projections. The base assembly includes two separate end gusset members. Each end gusset member includes two corner gussets. Each corner gusset includes a floor plate and a riser plate. The two corner gussets in each end gusset member are connected by a bridge member. The frame top includes an upper cross-member and two lateral reinforcement plates. |
| US08424688B2 |
Preparation of high performance ultra filtration hollow fiber membrane
A multipolymeric mixture is provided that includes a hydrophobic polymer, two different grades of a water-soluble polymer, water as non-solvent and a solvent suitable for all polymers involved. The dissolved hydrophobic polymer has the affinity to enmesh the water-soluble polymers to form a clear and viscous dope. Water-soluble polymers contribute to the pore formation process and hydrophilicity of the finally coagulated membrane according to the makeup of their molecular weight distribution.Water as a non-solvent takes the dope very near towards unstable zone, which helps in speeding up the membrane formation process in a diffusion induced phase inversion technique. The dope is then spun through a concentric orifice spinneret and solidified by passing it through a coagulation bath to form hollow fiber asymmetric membranes of ultra filtration grade with superior water permeability and separation characters even at higher feed turbidity. |
| US08424687B2 |
Support for separation membrane, and method for production thereof
A support for a separation membrane includes a long-fiber nonwoven fabric composed of thermoplastic continuous filaments. |
| US08424685B2 |
Single port manifold
A manifold assembly for use in a medical waste collection device to direct fluid into the medical waste collection device while filtering material from the fluid. The assembly includes a manifold housing having a bottom and a wall extending upwardly from the bottom about a first axis, with an outlet port disposed on the manifold housing. A support structure disposed on the bottom has a filter support surface and defines a plurality of open spaces between the filter support surface and the bottom. A manifold cap having a unitary skirt is connected to the manifold housing to define a chamber therebetween, and has an intake port disposed thereon to direct the fluid into the chamber. A filter is supported by the filter support surface to filter the material from the fluid, the periphery of the filter positioned between the skirt and the support structure to prevent fluid received in the chamber from bypassing the filter as the fluid moves from the chamber to the outlet port. |
| US08424684B2 |
Multi-diameter disc assembly for material processing screen
A material separation screen includes multiple shafts mounted on a frame. Multi-diameter disc assemblies are mounted on the shafts and are configured to rotate and separate out different types of materials from a material stream. The multi-diameter disc assemblies include spacer discs that separately interlock together around the shafts. Compound discs are separately attached to the shafts next to the spacer discs. The spacer discs are made from a harder material than the compound discs to reduce spacer disc wear and to reduce the amount of material needed for fabricating the multi-diameter disc assembly. |
| US08424680B2 |
Camera case with selective lens storage
A camera storage case is provided that includes a camera support system. The camera support system may be made of EVA foam and made to conform to the exterior perimeter surface of the camera. The camera support system may also include a tube to protect the camera's interconnected lens. The storage case can be configured as a backpack, messenger bag, or holster. Flexible lens holders are included in the storage case to facilitate easy access to stored lenses. Furthermore, the storage case provides dividing walls to allow the user to selectively configure the interior storage compartment of the camera case. |
| US08424676B2 |
Compound sprocket for conveyor belt
A compound sprocket having at least one rotatable member including an outer sprocket element and an inner sprocket element symmetrically disposed relative to a central axis of rotation of the at least one rotatable member. The outer sprocket element includes a plurality of spaced, uniformly radially-oriented protrusions on an outer cylindrical surface thereof for engaging a conveyor belt, the outer sprocket element further includes a plurality of pockets formed on an inner cylindrical surface thereof. The inner sprocket element has a plurality of protrusions corresponding in number and position to the pockets formed on the inner cylindrical surface of the outer sprocket element and received therein. A resilient connecting element is disposed in each pocket biased between a wall of the pocket of the outer sprocket element and one of the protrusions of the inner sprocket element. |
| US08424675B2 |
Conveyor belt with wear-tolerant stacked rollers
A conveyor belt having multiple roller sets, each roller set including a first roller and a second roller, the first roller being movable into contact with the second roller so that driving of one of the rollers in a first angular direction causes rotation of the other roller in a second, opposite angular direction. |
| US08424674B2 |
Slat conveyor with fixed and movable slats
Movable conveyor slats (12) have side parts (74, 76) which rest on top parts of bearings (92). The bearings (92) have a generally U-shaped cross section and they fit on wings (52, 54, 54′) which extend outwardly and slope upwardly from the sides of a fixed conveyor slat (10, 10′). Fixed conveyor slats (10, 10′) have base portions (18, 18′) and upper insert portions (20, 20′). The inserts (20, 20′) have downwardly extending ribs (62, 64) on their sides which extend into upwardly opening grooves (48, 50) in the base portions (18). The movable slats (12) have web (80, 82) and lower flange portions (84, 86) which with the side parts (74, 76) of the slats (12) form laterally outwardly opening channels. The wings (52, 54, 54′) and the bearings (92) are received within the channels (88, 90). |
| US08424669B2 |
Work transport apparatus and method
A work transport apparatus includes a carriage to carry a work along a guide lane; a work loading mechanism to load the work on the carriage at a work loading position; and a work unloading mechanism to unload the work from the carriage at a work unloading position. Each of the work loading mechanism, the carriage and the work unloading mechanism includes a work sliding incline sloping down to move the work held on a holder from the work loading mechanism through the carriage to the work unloading mechanism. Each of the work unloading mechanism, the carriage and the work loading mechanism includes a holder sliding incline sloping down to move the holder from the work unloading mechanism through the carriage to the work loading mechanism. |
| US08424668B2 |
Moving ramp for the transportation of people and/or goods
Moving ramp for the transportation of people and/or goods, comprising a moving belt (1) limited between upper and lower fixed plates (3) for loading and unloading. The moving belt is constituted by a plurality of inclined pallets (4-4′), which are parallel to the noticeably horizontal lower fixed plates (3), having said pallets the inclination of the moving belt (1). |
| US08424666B2 |
Folding transport conveyor for a construction machine, automotive construction machine, as well as method for pivoting a transport conveyor
In a folding transport conveyor (2) for a construction machine (1), with a first transport conveyor section (4) articulated at the construction machine (1), a second transport conveyor section (6) articulated at the first transport conveyor section (4) in a pivoting fashion, with a conveyor belt (10) continuously revolving around both transport conveyor sections (6), and with at least one pivoting mechanism acting between the transport conveyor sections (4, 6), it is provided that the pivoting mechanism includes a cam mechanism (12). |
| US08424661B2 |
Power transmitting apparatus
A power transmitting apparatus can comprise a plurality of gear stage clutches arranged on the way of a power transmitting path between an engine and the wheels. Each of the gear stage clutches include alternately arranged driving clutch discs and driven clutch discs, hydraulic pistons actuated by hydraulic oil to selectively engage or disengage the driving clutch discs and driven clutch discs, hydraulic chambers for actuating the hydraulic pistons, and supplying ports communicating with oil passages formed within the input shaft and opening on the side surface of the input shaft for supplying the hydraulic chambers with hydraulic oil from the oil passages to actuate the hydraulic pistons. A plurality of the supplying ports can be formed on a same plane of a radial cross-section of the input shaft. |
| US08424658B2 |
Pressure actuating valve for impact dispersal device
An extension valve for an impact dispersal system that includes an extendable member. The extension valve includes an actuating port that operates a first piston connected to a second piston. The second piston has a seat that isolates an inlet and an outlet. When a fluid with a specified pressure is applied to said actuating port, the first piston overcomes a preset bias and causes said second piston to move to an unseated position, which allows fluid communication between the inlet and outlet ports. With a pressurized tank connected to the inlet port, actuation of the extension valve causes a pressurized fluid to flow through the extension valve, through a check valve, and into a fluid chamber in a cylinder, thereby causing a cylinder piston to extend into an impact ready position. |
| US08424652B2 |
Electromagnet and elevator door coupler
An electromagnetic coupling device includes a vane member and an electromagnet. The electromagnet includes a core having a plurality of poles comprising at least four poles. An electrically conductive winding has a first portion surrounding a first one of the poles and a second portion surrounding a second one of the poles. The winding is selectively energized for selectively magnetically coupling the electromagnet and the vane member such that the vane member and the electromagnet are movable together in a desired direction. |
| US08424651B2 |
Motion planning for elevator cars moving independently in one elevator shaft
A motion of a first car and a second car in a multi-car elevator system, wherein the first car and the second car move independently in an elevator shaft, is controlled by generating a command to move the first car according to a first deceleration curve, if a relationship between a position and a velocity of the first car corresponds to a value on the first deceleration curve; and by generating a command to move the second car according to a second deceleration curve, if a relationship between position and a velocity of the second car corresponds to a value on the second deceleration curve, wherein a distance between the first and the second deceleration curve is equals or greater than a minimum distance. |
| US08424650B2 |
Motion planning for elevator cars moving independently in one elevator shaft
A method for controlling a motion of a first car and a second car in a multi-car elevator system, wherein the first car and the second car move independently in an elevator shaft, determines alternately motion plans for the first the second cars wherein each part of a motion plan for the first car is determined for a planning period of the first car, wherein a beginning of the planning period of the first car is determined by an end of the planning period of the second car, and an end of the planning period of the first car is determined by a home position of the first car on the motion plan, wherein the part of the motion plan is determined based on motion constraints, a set of requests, and the motion plan of the second car determined by the beginning of the planning period of the first car. |
| US08424647B2 |
Lubrication system for outboard motor
In an outboard engine, an upstream oil return path is connected to an oil passage upstream of an oil filter to return lubrication oil that is accumulated in the oil passage upstream of the oil filter to an oil pan. A downstream oil return path is connected to an oil passage downstream of the oil filter to return lubrication oil that is accumulated in oil passages and a main gallery downstream of the oil filter to the oil pan. The lubrication oil accumulated in a portion of an oil passage downstream of the oil filter is hindered from flowing to the outside even if the oil filter is removed when the engine is stopped. |
| US08424645B2 |
Treestand bow holder and related method of use
A treestand including a support platform that defines a bow holder hole within which a cam post is located. The bow holder hole accommodates a cam and/or a limb of a compound archery bow inserted therein. The cam post projects at least partially through the cam while a limb of the compound archery bow rests on a forward edge of the bow holder and/or a forward edge of the support platform to generally support the compound archery bow in an upright position, ready for use by an archer. A related method of use also is provided. |
| US08424641B2 |
Barrier assembly
A barrier assembly includes an upright frame that supports a barrier including a pair of slidably coupled barrier members that are adjustable in length and are supported by a stirrup as well as the frame. The frame attached to the barrier members to support the barrier members is able to attach to a supporting surface. The frame extends upwardly from the supporting surface to support the barrier members at a position spaced from the supporting surface. The frame has a clamp device that engages the members to prevent sliding movement between the barrier members and thereby removably fixes the barrier members at a desired length and fixes the barrier members to the frame. |
| US08424637B2 |
Systems and methods for providing an asymmetric cellular acoustic diffuser
The present invention relates to providing an acoustic diffuser. In particular, the present invention relates to systems and methods for providing an asymmetric cellular acoustic diffuser adapted to diffuse sound waves that encounter a surface. Further, the present invention relates to providing a system of asymmetric cellular acoustic diffusers adapted to diffuse sound waves that encounter one or more surfaces in an acoustic environment. In some embodiments, an acoustic diffusion device as contemplated herein includes a planer panel having a first portion and a second portion, the first portion and the second portion each having a plurality of cells formed asymmetrically thereon. In such embodiments, the plurality of cells of the first portion is symmetrically oriented in relation to the plurality of cells of the second portion. |
| US08424632B2 |
Input control pattern
A control system for a construction vehicle, such as a motor grader, is provided. The control system includes a plurality of joysticks supported by an operator seat assembly of the motor grader. |
| US08424631B2 |
Motor vehicle front end
A motor vehicle front structure is provided that has at least one first longitudinal girder and at least one first crash box. The first crash box has a deformation section and a fastening section, the fastening section connected to the first longitudinal girder. Moreover, the motor vehicle front structure has an engine mount, the engine mount having a first fastening section, which is connected to the first longitudinal girder. The fastening section of the first crash box and the first fastening section of the engine mount have a common overlap area. |
| US08424630B2 |
Control apparatus and method for a hydrostatically actuated vehicle
A method and apparatus for controlling operation of an engine in a hydrostatically driven vehicle having high and economy modes may include monitoring one or more control inputs. When in the economy mode the engine may be operated: at a fixed propel neutral speed when a propel control input is in a neutral position; at a fixed propel drive speed when the propel control input is in a drive position and a propel pump displacement signal is less than a maximum displacement position of a propel pump; and at a variable drive speed when the propel control input is in the drive position and the propel pump displacement signal indicates a maximum displacement position. The economy mode conserves fuel while ensuring that sufficient engine power is maintained to operate the propel and any implement pumps provided on the vehicle. |
| US08424626B2 |
Vehicle
A technique for enabling reduction of fuel consumption without greatly changing an engine structure and without impairing a feeling of operation of a vehicle as a motorcycle. An engine includes a crankshaft and a primary gear integrated with the crankshaft that is attached such that the power of the engine is transmitted to a wheel. A one-way clutch transmits the power from the crankshaft to the primary gear but does not transmit the power from the primary gear to the crankshaft. The one-way clutch is provided between the crankshaft and the primary gear with a regenerative brake motor being provided on the primary gear. The engine is non-swingable mounted on the vehicle body with a cylinder extending in a substantially horizontal direction and a crankshaft provided to be oriented in a vehicle width direction. An electric motor is located in front of and above the crankshaft of the engine. |
| US08424623B2 |
Hybrid power system and its controlling method
A hybrid power system includes an engine, a clutch, a transmission, a motor and an energy storage device. The motor is connected to the energy storage device and the engine is connected to the input shaft of the transmission by the clutch. The output shaft of the transmission is operatively coupled with the output shaft of the motor to provide a coupled power output. |
| US08424621B2 |
Omni traction wheel system and methods of operating the same
The present invention is an omni traction wheel system, which adopts an integrated differential mechanism to generate longitudinal and lateral traction forces. The omni traction wheel system may include a rotary device that delivers two individually controllable rotational forces, the differential output of which may drive a plurality of peripheral wheels to rotate laterally, and the common output of which may drive a pair of longitudinal plates to rotate longitudinally. Accordingly, the omni traction wheel system may travel in all directions. |
| US08424619B2 |
Drilling fluid
This invention is based upon the finding that certain chlorosulfonated α-olefin copolymers can be beneficially utilized in drilling fluids that are utilized in drilling subterreanean wells. For instance, it has been unexpectedly found that certain chlorosulfonated α-olefin copolymers can be beneficially used as total or partial replacements for organoclays in oil based drilling fluids. The subject invention more specifically reveals a process for drilling a well into a subterranean formation which comprises boring a hole into the earth by rotary drilling, wherein a drilling fluid is circulated down a drilling pipe and returned to the surface of the earth through a pipe hole annulus, wherein the oil-based drilling fluid is comprised of (a) an organic liquid; (b) water; (c) an emulsifier; (d) a weighing material; (e) a fluid loss reducing agent; and (f) a chlorosulfonated α-olefin copolymer which is comprised of repeat units that are derived from ethylene and an α-olefin that contains from 4 to about 20 carbon atoms. |
| US08424605B1 |
Methods and devices for casing and cementing well bores
A casing string is augmented with one or more variable flow resistance devices or “vibrating tools” to facilitate advancement of the casing and distribution of the cement in the annulus once the casing is properly positioned. The method includes vibrating the casing string while advancing the casing down the wellbore or while the cement is pumped into the annulus, or both. After the cementing operation is completed, the devices may be drilled out to open the casing string for further operations. The casing string assembly may include a vibrating tool at the end in place of a conventional float shoe or float collar. Multiple vibrating tools can be employed in the casing string, and they may be combined with conventional float shoes and collars. Additionally, vibrating tools in the form of plugs can be pumped down and landed inside the casing string. |
| US08424604B2 |
Methods and devices for forming a wellbore with casing
Embodiments disclosed herein relate to an apparatus to fluidly couple to a casing string. The apparatus may include a fill-up and circulating tool having a flow path extending therethrough, in which the fill-up and circulating tool is configured to fluidly couple to an upper end of the casing string, a cementing head assembly having a flow path extending therethrough, in which the flow path of the cementing head assembly is fluidly coupled to the flow path of the fill-up and circulating tool, and a releasing mechanism coupled to the cementing head assembly, in which the releasing mechanism is configured to release a fluid-conveyed sealing device through the cementing head assembly and into the fill-up and circulating tool. |
| US08424601B2 |
System and method for minimizing the negative enviromental impact of the oilsands industry
A method and system for the use of low quality fuel and solids-rich water, like fine tailings or lime sludge, for extracting bitumen from shallow and deep underground oil sand formations. The method includes the steps of combustion fuel and oxidizing gas, mixing hot combustion gas with solids-rich water under controlled pressure, gasifying the liquid water to steam and solids, removing the solids from the gas phase to generate a solid lean gas, recovering the heat and condensing the steam to generate hot water, mixing the hot water with oilsands ore for extracting bitumen. The solid lean gas is mixed with saturated water to scrub the remaining solids and acid gases and produce saturated steam. The solids-rich saturated water is recycled and gasified by being mixed with the combustion gases, and the saturated steam is condensed to generate heat and condensate for steam generation for use in enhanced oil recovery. |
| US08424600B2 |
Methods and systems for treating subterranean wells
The present invention is directed to a method and system for treating a well having a wellbore extending from a ground surface or subsea surface downhole to an oil producing formation. Oil producing formations are capable of generating formation fluids into a wellbore. Formation fluids are comprised of at least an oil fraction and an aqueous fraction. Emulsions may form during oil production, and such emulsions may be comprised of oil and water. Inhibitor compositions may be employed to break such emulsions. |
| US08424599B2 |
Automated closed loop flowback and separation system
An automated closed loop flowback and separation system that allows automated control and remote operation of a flowback operation from a safe distance without any fluid or gas release to the atmosphere. Four-phase separation tanks allow the transport gas, well bore cuttings, produced oil, and produced water to be automatically separated and transported through process piping for reuse or sale, eliminating the need for auxiliary equipment. Flow measurement instruments, pressure transmitters, and level transmitters work in conjunction with an automated blast choke to send data to a programmable logic controller for use in calculating the erosion status of the choke restriction and adjusting the choke to compensate. The programmable logic controller works with a touch-screen or similar human-machine interface to allow remote monitoring and control or automated control of the system. The automated blast choke can vary the choke restriction opening based on the pressure differential and flow rate conditions. |
| US08424598B2 |
Magnetically controlled delivery of subterranean fluid additives for use in subterranean applications
Methods for providing controlled delivery of subterranean fluid additives to a well bore treatment fluid and/or a surrounding subterranean environment using intelligent materials that respond to a magnetic stimulus to release subterranean fluid additives downhole in a subterranean environment. The methods include releasing a subterranean fluid additive in a subterranean formation including providing a magnetically-sensitive component that includes a subterranean fluid additive; providing a magnetic source; and releasing the subterranean fluid additive in the subterranean formation from the magnetically-sensitive component using a magnetic force generated from the magnetic source. |
| US08424596B2 |
High efficiency fluid pumping apparatus and method
A high efficiency fluid pumping apparatus and methods having of an electronic motor controller controlling at least one electric motor that is directly coupled to the input of a hollow helical mechanism. The output of the hollow helical mechanism is directly coupled to the shaft of a reciprocating piston pump. Each moving component of the apparatus is designed with a hollow central bore, so that the apparatus assembly will accept a continuous, stationary, hollow conduit containing electrical through wiring and or fiber optics for power and communication to devices physically positioned below the apparatus. |
| US08424593B2 |
Pressurized-gas cooler for a compressor
A pressurized-gas cooler has a housing having a cylindrical side wall centered on an axis, an axially open outer end, and an axially closed inner end. A cover fitted to and closing the open outer end carries a bundle of tubes inside the housing between the housing ends. The tubes all extending parallel to one another at an angle of between 2° and 10° to a diametral plane including the housing axis such that the bundle is closer in a direction perpendicular to the plane to the side wall of the housing at one end of the housing than at the opposite end of the housing. Pressurized-gas inlet and outlet fittings open into the housing, with at least the gas inlet fitting opening into the housing to a side of the plane where the tube bundle at the respective end of the housing is more widely spaced. |
| US08424591B2 |
Tube sheet assembly
Disclosed is a tube sheet assembly for a waste heat boiler employed in a chemical process plant and which makes use of metal ferrules for protecting the inlets of the exchange tubes of the tube sheet. The tube sheet assembly includes at least one thermal insulator which is located inside an inlet opening of a tube sheet of the tube sheet assembly, and which covers a portion of a respective ferrule of the tube sheet assembly, thereby providing thermal insulation between the tube sheet and the ferrule. |
| US08424589B2 |
Motorcycle oil cooler
An oil cooler for a motorcycle includes a heat exchanger residing within a primary drive between an engine pulley and a clutch pulley. A fan within the primary drive pushes or pulls air through the heat exchanger. The fan may be electrically or mechanically operated and mounted to one of a base plate or a cover plate of the primary drive. Alternatively, the fan may be formed as a mechanical portion of one of the primary drive components. Vectoring blades may assist in directing an air flow within the primary drive to the heat exchanger, and vents may be formed in the cover plate for air intake and/or exhaust. |
| US08424585B2 |
Method and apparatus for creating a pattern
A method and apparatus for creating a pattern of an item of manufacture, the method and apparatus including the use of a mold frame, mold, mold core, injection frame and injection core to create patterns of items of manufacture for investment casting. |
| US08424580B2 |
Auto lamination cassette apparatus
In one embodiment, an apparatus is provided for preparing a cassette spool. The apparatus includes: a supply reel for supplying and unrolling tape material on original backing paper; at least one cutting member for cutting unrolled tape material while on original backing paper; a cutting surface defined in a plane; a pivoting path member adapted to move from a first position aligned in the plane to a second position aligned at least partially out of the plane; at least one removing member for removing uncut unrolled tape material from original backing paper; and a cassette spool for rolling up unrolled cut tape material on original backing paper. In further embodiments, methods are provided for preparing a cassette spool with cut tape material on original backing paper. |
| US08424577B2 |
Finger joint
A finger joint in a joint assembled of at least mainly woody parts (1, 2), such as sawn timber, glued wood, plywood, fiberboard, LVL, LSL, comprises at least one finger. The finger shapes needed complementarily have been milled with a cutting tool, such as a milling curser, to the both parts (1, 2). The height of at least one complementary pair of fingers varies along the length of the interlocking finger pair. |
| US08424575B2 |
Apparatus for bottling viscous media
An apparatus for filling containers with liquid and in particular viscous media, comprising a filling element which can be introduced at least partially into a mouth of the container to be filled, wherein a filling body of this filling element is configured in such a way that the medium is directed at least also onto a wall of the container, comprising a connecting line for conveying the liquid medium from a reservoir for the liquid medium to the container, wherein the filling element is movable relative to the container in a longitudinal direction (L) of the container. According to the invention, the filling element is movable in the longitudinal direction (L) of the container. |
| US08424572B2 |
Method for controlling the transfer of materials
A method for controlling an amount of material transferred in a system having a plurality of material feeds and concurrent material transfer periods. The method comprising steps of: supplying each of a primary material having a target weight and a secondary material, to a receiving vessel; determining a decision threshold; feeding the primary material to the receiving vessel, feeding the secondary material into the receiving vessel as or after the primary material begins feeding and before the decision threshold, determining a feed status of the primary and secondary materials at the decision threshold; changing the feed status of one of the primary or secondary materials at the decision threshold; and feeding only the primary material within a feed alone time period until the target weight amount is fed. |
| US08424571B2 |
Repair system and method
Disclosed herein is a repair apparatus and method for pipe and fittings. In one form, the method relates to utilizing fabric-like material which is intermixed with an adhesive. In one form, the adhesive is a two-part adhesive which hardens to a semi-rigid state to avoid stress fractures through repeated expansion and contraction due to physical movement or temperature variation in the pipe and/or fittings. In one form the method and apparatus are particularly useful in thermoplastic pipes. In other forms, the method is particularly useful in metal pipes and fittings, or in non-pipe structures. |
| US08424570B2 |
Pipe thread protector
A protector for protecting a pipe thread having a thread pitch P1 has a central axis, a first end, second end opposite the first end, and comprises a base at the first end. In addition, the protector comprises an annular connecting member extending axially from the base to the second end. The connecting member has a radially inner surface and a radially outer surface. The connecting member also includes a helical thread extending radially outward from the radially inner surface or radially inward from the radially outer surface. The helical thread has a thread pitch P2 that is greater than the thread pitch P1 of the pipe thread. |
| US08424564B2 |
Distributor
A distributor 6 includes a distributor body 40 and outlet pathways 42 each formed above the distributor body 40 and along a flow direction of a fluid in the distributor body 40. The distributor body 40 has a liquid pan 40a formed on the lower side, and an outlet 40b on the upper side, and the outlet 40b is internally divided to spaces by a partition plate 45, each of the spaces 45a being associated with the corresponding outlet pathway 42. |
| US08424563B2 |
Compact valve position indicator
A system for indicating the status of a valve may include an encapsulation with electronic circuitry disposed at least partially therein, a communication sub-system, a sensor, an indicator and a power source. The encapsulation may be zero volume, and the indicator may include a color changing skin. A method of indicating the status of a valve may include providing a valve, providing a status indicating system, changing a status of the valve, sensing a status of the valve, and indicating a status of the valve. A method of encapsulating a status indicating system may include providing an encapsulant and coupling at least a portion of the system with the encapsulant. |
| US08424560B2 |
Multi-valve microfluidic devices and methods
Multi-valve autoregulatory microfluidic devices and methods are described. The described devices and methods offer improved performance and new means of tuning autoregulatory effects in microfluidic devices. |
| US08424557B1 |
Downspout water diversion and overflow device and water collection and overflow system employing the same
A downspout water collection and overflow system employs a downspout water diversion and overflow device which includes a body displacing a downspout section, and a plate supported in the body. The body, being hollow, has upper, lower and side portions defining top, bottom and side openings. The plate is inclined to extend laterally across the body between the upper and lower portions and through the side opening of the side portion. The plate blocks flow of water directly from the top to bottom opening of the body, diverting water flow through the side opening to a storage tank. The plate divides the side opening into upper and lower passages which allows inflow of water from the upper body portion through the upper passage above the plate to the tank and overflow of water from the tank through the lower passage below the plate to the lower body portion. |
| US08424554B2 |
Control valve for a reverse osmosis water purification system
An improved control valve for a reverse osmosis (RO) water purification system for supplying relatively pure water for on-demand dispensing, wherein the improved control valve positively terminates pure water production and brine outflow to a waste or drain when a pure water reservoir reaches a substantially filled condition. The control valve responds to a predetermined pressure differential between a tap or feed water inflow and produced pure water to close a pure water outflow line when the pure water reservoir reaches a substantially filled condition, thereby positively preventing further production of pure water. Shortly thereafter, the control valve closes a brine outflow line thereby positively preventing further water flow through the system until at least a predetermined volume of the reservoir-stored pure water is dispensed. When this occurs, the control valve re-opens in sequence the brine outflow and the pure water outflow lines. |
| US08424553B2 |
Coolant line clip assemblies for use with fluid delivery systems
The present disclosure provides a fluid clip for use with a coolant system for electrosurgical procedures. The fluid clip includes a clip housing having proximal and distal ends and a channel defined therethrough. The channel is dimensioned to receive tubing for carrying a cooling fluid from a cooling source. The fluid clip includes a luer that includes a passageway defined therethrough. The passageway is dimensioned to securely receive the tubing such that the tubing extends through the luer for reception within the channel defined in the clip housing. The luer includes one or more interface on a surface thereof that matingly engages a corresponding interface on the clip housing. The interface on the luer cooperates with the interface on the clip housing to limit rotation of the tubing. |
| US08424547B1 |
Safety buckle of umbrella runner
A safety buckle of umbrella is mounted in receiving compartments formed in a runner. The safety buckle is generally a U-shaped having two limbs each forming a hook latch. Two pivot pins are respectively mounted to opposite side surfaces of the buckle and torsion springs are respectively fit to the pivot pins to provide the hook latches with spring biasing force for engagement. The pivot pins of the safety buckle are respectively received in pivot holes defined in inside surfaces of the receiving compartments. To open the umbrella, the runner is moved upward along a center post. A user presses down the safety buckle when the runner gets close to positioning pins formed on the center post to allow the hook latches to respectively engage the positioning pins thereby securely fixing the runner in position on the center post. |
| US08424545B2 |
Portable modular washing unit for turboprops of aircraft
A washing unit for turboprops of aircraft is disclosed, which comprises a hydropneumatic accumulator suitable for supplying, at a controlled pressure, a washing fluid contained therein, and a filling member, motorized and manual, for feeding the washing fluid into the accumulator. The accumulator may be connected alternatively to the motorized filling member or to the manual filling member. A manually actuated device is also provided for pressurization of the accumulator, so that the washing unit can be used both in areas equipped for this operation and in areas not so equipped. |
| US08424540B2 |
Smoking article with valved restrictor
A smoking article filter includes a valved flow restrictor and a cavity downstream of the flow restrictor. The flow restrictor includes an orifice or flow channel for directing smoke into the cavity. The filter is attached to the tobacco rod with tipping paper and includes an air-admissible ventilating zone at a location downstream of the restrictor. The valved restrictor can be used to isolate a sorbent bearing component of the filter from a flavor bearing component. |
| US08424539B2 |
Smoking article with single piece restrictor and chamber
A smoking article having a filter segment that establishes both a desired resistance to draw and a mixing of mainstream smoke with ventilation air. The filter segment includes a fluted portion, a frusto-conical portion and axially extending orifices establishing fluid communication between the frusto-conical portion and voids between one or more walls of the fluted portion. |
| US08424538B2 |
Segmented smoking article with shaped insulator
A cigarette includes lighting and mouth ends. It may include a smokable segment disposed at the lighting end. It also includes a mouth-end segment; an aerosol-generation system disposed between the lighting and mouth ends, which includes (i) a heat-generation segment adjacent the smokable segment, including a heat source configured to be activated by combustion of a smokable material and an insulation layer of a non-glass material that is woven, knit, or both, and (ii) an aerosol-generating segment with aerosol-forming material disposed between, but physically separate from, each of the heat generation segment and the mouth end; a piece of outer wrapping material that provides an overwrap around at least a portion of the aerosol-generating segment, the heat-generation segment, and at least a portion of the smokable segment; those segments being connected together by the overwrap to provide a cigarette rod; that is connected to the cigarette rod using tipping material. |
| US08424537B2 |
Vaporizer apparatus and methods
A vaporizing device with two concentric tubes for volatizing and inhaling one or more constituents of various vaporizable substances, such as medicines and plant materials. Devices may be successfully operated using the flame from a standard butane cigarette lighter or the like as the sole heat source. Concentric tubes, an inner tube with two open ends and an outer tube with one closed end provide a serpentine pathway for an airflow. An additional embodiment of the device provides a substitute for a standard slider-bowl allowing for the conversion of a standard water pipe into a vaporizing device. Other embodiments allow for vaporization of cigarettes. |
| US08424535B2 |
Circular surgical stapler with mating anvil and shell assembly
A surgical stapler comprising a handle assembly, an elongated body portion extending distally from the handle assembly, and a head portion disposed adjacent a distal portion of the elongated body portion and including an anvil assembly and a shell assembly. The anvil assembly is movable in relation to the shell assembly between spaced and approximated positions. The anvil assembly has an anvil head and a plurality of projections extending proximally of the anvil head, the projections engageable with a portion of the shell assembly. |
| US08424527B1 |
Unique device for determining airway obstructions
The present invention is related to a device for acoustically monitoring a subject's airway to determine airway obstruction(s) and their location(s). The device is particularly useful when performing sleep analysis and sleep therapy, but is also highly useful in determining airway obstructions of any subject when the subject is sleeping or otherwise unconscious, and can further be used in certain applications when the subject is awake or conscious. The device, in its simplest form, is comprised of a supporting body (e.g. a mask, mouthpiece, or nasal cannula) used to position at least one acoustic generator and at least one acoustic sensor at a location essentially proximal to a subject's airway, the acoustic generator and acoustic sensor generating and/or sensing sound waves useful in determining obstruction(s) and their location(s) within the airway of a subject. |
| US08424526B2 |
Holder for a nasal breathing air filtration device or dilation device
A holder for a nasal air filtration device or dilation device. A holder for a nasal device may be a thin, generally “Z” or “S” shaped device that holds a nasal device in a substantially secure and stable position. Each of a nasal device's nasal bases can be placed or secured on a placement limb of the holder while a connecting member of the nasal device can be secured on the opposite side of the holder from where the nasal bases are positioned along a vertical portion of the holder relative to the placement limbs. There may be securing notches in the holder that help secure a nasal device at generally the point where the bases of the nasal device attach to the connecting member of the nasal device. The notches may allow a nasal device to be securely attached to the holder. |
| US08424523B2 |
Ventilator respiratory gas accumulator with purge valve
This disclosure describes systems and methods for ventilating a patient with a system that includes an accumulator for storing a gas mixture. This disclosure describes systems and methods for ventilating a patient with a system that includes an accumulator located away from the flow path that reduces/eliminates pockets of an undesirable gas mixture from entering the gas flow path and reaching the patient after a gas mixture change by utilizing a purge valve. |
| US08424520B2 |
Safe standby mode for ventilator
A ventilator with a safe standby mode is provided. The safe standby mode allows a user to disconnect a patient from the ventilator, without the ventilator generating alarms and while maintaining previously entered ventilation parameters. In addition, while in the safe standby mode, a patient connection status is monitored, and a ventilation mode is entered automatically if the ventilator determines that a patient is connected to the ventilator while the ventilator is in the safe standby mode. |
| US08424519B2 |
Positive airway pressure apparatus
An apparatus configured to provide positive airway pressure in a respiratory circuit comprises a container configured to be filled to a preselected level with liquids; a drop tube assembly comprising a hollow gas tube rotatably mounted in said container having an upper end extending a static distance outwardly of the container and connected to a respiratory circuit downstream of a user, and a hollow drop tube reciprocally movable upwardly and downwardly in the liquid in response to rotational movement of the gas tube. The container is provided with a gas vent and a liquid fill port. |
| US08424515B1 |
Gas reconditioning systems
Closed system breathable gas regeneration systems comprising temperature swing adsorption (“TSA”) using metabolic regeneration, such systems being useful for EVA in extraterrestrial environments having hostile atmospheres. |
| US08424514B2 |
Flow generator message system
A flow generator for delivering breathable gas to a patient includes a processor coupled with operation sensors and a user interface. The processor is programmed to generate at least one of time-based or event-based messages relating to at least one of flow generator operation, flow generator service, flow generator use, patient health, peripheral devices and services, patient treatment, and reminders. Time-based messages are generated at predetermined time intervals based on either time of use or elapsed time. The event-based messages are generated based on signals from the operation sensors. The user interface is configured to deliver the messages to at least one of a display, a flow generator service provider, the patient and a physician. By this system, operation of the flow generator is facilitated and enhanced. |
| US08424510B2 |
Structure of fuel economizer
A fuel economizer includes a housing, at least two magnetic members having sides of the same polarity facing each other, and at least one covering member. The housing forms a primary receiving compartment and has at least one end forming an opening. The two magnetic members are positioned closed to each other with the sides thereof having the same polarity facing each other and are deposited in the primary receiving compartment. The open end of the housing is closed by the covering member to thereby form the economizer. The covering member forms apertures to allow liquid to flow through the primary receiving compartment. The housing may further forms secondary receiving compartments on opposite sides of the primary receiving compartments for receiving therein far infrared particles. When liquid flows through the housing, the liquid is acted upon by both the magnetic members and the far infrared particles. |
| US08424509B1 |
Fuel injector cup rotation limiting structure for an isolated fuel rail system
A fuel injector cup assembly (26) includes a fuel injector cup (10) having an opening (18) to receive fuel from a fuel rail (15). An open end (27) receives an inlet of a fuel injector (10) therein such that an O-ring (16) seals with the injector cup. A mounting portion (20) extends from a body (29) of the cup and mounts the cup with respect to a cylinder head. Rotation limiting structure (26) is associated with the mounting portion such that when the cup is coupled to the cylinder head and when a first moment is created about the mounting portion causing rotation of the cup with respect to the fuel injector, the rotation limiting structure will engage at least the mounting portion of the cup and create a second moment equal and opposite to the first moment, to prevent further rotation of the cup. |
| US08424502B2 |
Intake manifold
The present invention provides an intake manifold that improves the intake performance and has a reduced weight. The intake manifold includes a surge tank and intake pipes. Each intake pipe has an inlet port that is connected to the surge tank. The inlet ports are arranged along a flow direction of air drawn into the surge tank from the opening of the surge tank, and project into the surge tank along direction that intersects the flow direction. Each adjacent pair of the inlet ports are separated only by a single common pipe wall. |
| US08424500B2 |
Harmonic drive camshaft phaser with improved radial stability
Improved stiffening and minimized distortion of a housing for an eVCP achieved by forming a plurality of radial housing stiffeners into the housing around the motor mount end and into the eVCP's hub. A back plate is press fit into the rear of the housing, and a straight axial knurl is applied to the surface of the back plate or housing, which knurl permits a larger tolerance-higher press fit class to be used without resulting in significant deformation of the housing. The knurled back plate is harder than the housing, causing the high points of the knurl to plastically deform or plow the housing material during assembly, resulting in less radial deformation of the bore and the journal bearing. An interface between the housing and the hub provides a journal bearing interface to improve axial stability between the hub and housing. |
| US08424491B2 |
Containment pens for finfish aquaculture
A containment pen for finfish aquaculture, comprising a supporting structure, a net attached to the supporting structure and defining a containment volume for containing finfish, wherein the net comprises a plurality of removable net panels, wherein each of the removable net panels comprises a discrete piece of flexible netting attached along its perimeter to one or more substantially rigid members, and wherein the removable net panels are configured to be removable from the containment pen with the piece of flexible netting remaining attached to the substantially rigid members. |
| US08424486B2 |
Marker detection mechanisms for use in marking devices and methods of using same
Marking devices for dispensing a marking substance on the ground and marking methods are provided. The marking devices and marking methods use one or more detection mechanisms to detect one or more characteristics of the marking substance. In some embodiments, the detection mechanism may be, but is not limited to, an optical sensor, an olfactory sensor, a weight sensor, a switch device, and any combination thereof. The one or more detection mechanisms may provide, for example, the capability to: (1) determine the type of marking substance that is installed in the marking device; (2) determine in advance of or during a marking operation the amount of marking substance within the marking dispenser; and (3) determine when the marking dispenser is becoming empty. |
| US08424485B2 |
Substrate treatment equipment and manufacturing method of substrate
The invention aims to provide substrate treatment equipment that can automatically collect a substrate in a normal condition without needing manual operation. The equipment includes a substrate holder 26 for holding substrates 12 in a multistage manner and a substrate transfer unit 34 for transferring the substrates 12 into the substrate holder 26, wherein a substrate holding condition of the substrate holder 26 is sensed by a sensing section 60. The sensing section 60 has photo-sensors 64a, 64b, and sensing waveforms sensed by the photo-sensors 64a, 64b are compared with a normal waveform. A control section 66 is provided, which controls a substrate transfer unit 34 such that substrates 12 other than at least a substrate 12 that was determined to be abnormal are transferred by the unit. |
| US08424479B1 |
Universal launch and recovery system
A universal launch and recovery system that may be used to launch or recover/receive water vessels. The launch and recovery system includes a deployable ramp having adjustable soft end guides and adjustable tire arrangements for guiding and cushioning vessels of different geometries. |
| US08424476B2 |
Combination boat and travel trailer system
A combination boat and travel trailer system having a main body portion and a bow portion. The bow portion movable between a raised position relative to the main body portion to facilitate towing of the boat and travel trailer and a lowered position to facilitate in-water use as a boat. |
| US08424470B2 |
Unique foldable table having automatic button-latching and button-releasing system, automatic leg-centering system, and automatic collapse-preventing system
A unique foldable table comprises a collapse-preventing tabletop assembly, a plurality of extendable-leg assemblies releasably attached to the tabletop assembly, and a plurality of scissoring-arm assemblies attached to the extendable-leg assemblies, respectively. The collapse-preventing tabletop assembly has an automatic collapse-preventing system of clamps for automatically cross-interlocking the tabletop and the extendable-leg assemblies to prevent the unique foldable table from folding inwards and collapsing. The extendable-leg assemblies have: an automatic button-latching and button-releasing system of spring-loaded latches for automatically latching and automatically releasing the release buttons to simplify the cumbersome, two-handed table operation into an easy, one-handed table operation to eliminate the risk of personal injury; and an automatic leg-centering system of leg-centering clamps for automatically centering and clamping the extendable-leg assemblies to lock them in place. |
| US08424465B2 |
Slant board
A slant board for viewing, reading, or working an object at a convenient angle is provided. The slant board includes a table. The table includes an inner face, an outer face, and a plurality of struts, each strut pivotally coupled to the inner face along respective lateral pivot axes. The slant board also includes a base pivotally coupled to the table to define a tilt angle therebetween. The base includes a plurality of stops for engaging the struts. At least two struts have different lateral pivot axes and/or different lengths. Each of the plurality of struts is engageable with at least one of the plurality of stops to provide a range of tilt angles. |
| US08424462B2 |
Railcar bodyshell and method for manufacturing the same
To adequately maintain recyclability of a railcar bodyshell while improving the appearance, manufacturing accuracy, and producibility of the railcar bodyshell. A railcar bodyshell includes: a metal side outside plate 2 having openings 2b to 2d; a plurality of metal horizontal frame members 3 joined to an inner surface of the side outside plate 2 and extending in a railcar front-rear direction; a plurality of metal vertical frame members 4 joined to the inner surface of the side outside plate 2 and extending in a railcar upper-lower direction; and carbon fiber reinforced resin members 5A to 5D each joined to a predetermined portion on the inner surface of the side outside plate 2, the predetermined portion including a corner portion of each of peripheral portions 2f to 2h respectively defining openings 2b to 2d or a part of a portion between the vertical frame members 4. |
| US08424460B2 |
Trolley for downhill zip line thrill ride
A zip line trolley includes a frame assembled from a pair of spaced-apart parallel side plates and an inner beam, which is partially sandwiched between the side plates. The inner beam has a gallery of block-T-shaped cross section which extends its length. A shackle, from which a rider is suspended, can be pinned anywhere within the gallery. A main pulley, which is installed in an upper middle portion of the frame, rotates on a pair of sealed ball bearing races that are pressed on a hollow keyed shaft which slides into opposed grooves machined into each of the side plates. The keyed shaft is bolted between the side plates with a shoulder bolt passing transversely through both side plates. A water-wiping brake pad is pivotally mounted within the frame in front of the main pulley. A bumper is bolted between front portions of the side plates. |
| US08424453B2 |
Apparatus and method for adjusting anti-marking jackets
In a printing press a method is provided. The method comprises coupling an adjustment tool to a transfer cylinder substantially parallel to an axis of the transfer cylinder and coupling a first end of a flexible jacket to a first attachment structure coupled to the transfer cylinder, wherein the first attachment structure is proximate to a first edge of the transfer cylinder. The method further comprises placing the jacket around the transfer cylinder and over the adjustment tool and coupling the second end of the jacket to a second attachment structure coupled to the transfer cylinder, wherein the second attachment structure is proximate to a second edge of the transfer cylinder and the jacket is attached without free play to the transfer cylinder. The method further comprises withdrawing the adjustment tool from between the transfer cylinder and the jacket, whereby an amount of free play of the flexible jacket remains. |
| US08424451B2 |
Automatically controlled steam flaking systems and methods
The invention is related to an apparatus and method for controlling a steam flaking operation. In an embodiment, the invention is a steam flaking system including at least one sensor to measure the flow of material in the steam flaking system, a steam chest, a peg feeder, disposed at the bottom of the steam chest, and an automatic control unit, wherein the automatic control unit receives data from the at least one sensor and controls the peg feeder. In an embodiment, the invention is a steam flaking system including a steam chest, at least one sensor to measure the flow of material in the steam chest, a peg feeder, and an automatic control unit, wherein the automatic control unit receives data from the at least one sensor and controls the peg feeder. In an embodiment, the invention is a method for automatically controlling the residence time of a product in a steam chest including the steps of calculating a residence time (Tr) of a product, calculating a desired peg feeder RPM based on a calibration curve relating RPM and residence time, and adjusting the RPM of the peg feeder to the desired amount. |
| US08424449B2 |
Lifting cover type frying-roasting device
A frying-roasting device comprises a bottom base, an oil storing plate, an electric heating frying-roasting plate and an upper cover. There are bosses extending backwards at two sides of a back end of the bottom base. R-shaped orbits are included that have openings from the bosses' back end that extend toward the bosses' front lower parts. Jointed shafts extend outward at a back end of two sides of the upper cover. The jointed shafts are inserted in the r-shaped orbits to form a hinging connection. There are two blocking walls that extend from a back end to an inside of each boss. The height of the two blocking walls is lower than openings of the r-shaped orbits. When the upper cover is opened, the back connecting member is blocked by the frying-roasting plate and the two blocking walls so that the upper cover remains sloped. |
| US08424445B2 |
Connecting rod bore
A linking arm conveying generally linear movement from a piston into generally radial movement of a crankshaft is disclosed. The linking arm includes a shaft extending between a piston pin end and a crankshaft pin end. The piston pin end defines a piston pin bore. A piston pin bore surface is defined by the piston pin bore, where the piston pin bore includes a non-circular transverse profile having at least two curved surfaces that each include a distinct radius, where the at least two curved surfaces are positioned in different locations around a periphery of the transverse profile. |
| US08424444B2 |
Countermeasure systems including pyrotechnically-gimbaled targeting units and methods for equipping vehicles with the same
Embodiments of a pyrotechnically-gimbaled targeting unit are provided. In one embodiment, the targeting unit includes a targeting unit housing, a countermeasure payload carried by the targeting unit housing, and a plurality of thrusters coupled to the targeting unit housing. The plurality of thrusters is configured to be selectively activated to rotate the targeting unit housing about first and second substantially orthogonal axes to provide controlled pointing of countermeasure payload prior to the deployment thereof. Embodiments of a countermeasure system including a pyrotechnically-gimbaled targeting unit are also provided, as are methods for equipping a vehicle with a countermeasure system of the type that includes at least one pyrotechnically-gimbaled targeting unit. |
| US08424437B2 |
Wheel for triggering mines by pressure
A device for triggering mines by pressure, including a chassis and at least one wheel having a central hub and including: at least one assembly that is movable in translation along a radius of the wheel and comprises a weight block at its peripheral radial end, a device suitable for driving the at least one movable assembly, as the wheel rotates in a determined direction with respect to the chassis, in the direction of the hub over a limited sector of the wheel that is less than 2π radians; wherein the device suitable for driving the at least one movable assembly in the direction of the hub are fixed with respect to the chassis, or in that the assembly that is movable in translation comprises a support that is fixed with respect to the chassis. |
| US08424436B2 |
Cutting knife
A cutting blade for machines for slicing food products, particularly for high-speed slicers, has a sickle-shaped blade rotating about a rotation axis during the slicing operation and has a cutting edge that deviates from a circular shape at the radially outer circumference thereof and revolves about the rotation axis, particularly in the manner of a spiral. The edge is positioned in a cutting plane extending perpendicular to the rotation axis, and the cutting edge forms the radially outer end of a cutting surface, which forms part of the blade back side facing away from a product to be sliced during the slicing operation and includes a blade angle together with the cutting plane. The size of the blade angle varies in the circumferential direction. |
| US08424435B2 |
Sheet trimmer with indicator to display usable life status of blade or blade opposing member
A trimmer that is operable to cut at least one sheet of paper includes a base configured to support the at least one sheet, a rail extending across at least a portion of the base, and a cutting assembly having a carriage slidably coupled to the rail and a blade positioned on the carriage. The trimmer also includes a blade opposing member coupled to the base adjacent to the rail and an indicator operable to display a usable life status of at least one of the blade and the blade opposing member. |
| US08424433B2 |
Support leg devices and cutting tools having the support leg devices
A cutting tool has a table for placing a workpiece thereon. A cutting unit is mounted to the table. A support leg device includes a support leg, an operation member and a motion conversion mechanism. The motion conversion mechanism is coupled between the support leg and the operation member, so that the movement of the operation member is converted into the movement of the support leg. |
| US08424430B2 |
Food product conveyor and handling systems
A conveyor system for assembling and stacking sliced food products is provided. The conveyor system includes an assembly area, wherein groups of a predetermined quantity of sliced food products travel from a slicer on a conveyor and are deposited on discrete carrier sheets on a downstream conveyor. The assembly area is configured to delay advancement of the carrier sheets on the downstream conveyor until a group of the predetermined quantity is formed. The slicer is configured to calculate the number of slices in each group and determine whether a group is complete. A stacking area of the conveyor system includes a nose conveyor that extends and retracts to deposit each carrier sheet onto a pair of initial supports. The initial supports reciprocate away from each other in opposing directions to drop the carrier sheet onto a subsequent level, with the initial supports reciprocating each time a carrier sheet is deposited thereon. |
| US08424428B2 |
Tool head for a pipe cutting machine
The invention concerns a tool head with a housing (11), in which at least one thrusting wedge (31, 32, 33) is provided, able to move back and forth in the longitudinal direction (L) in a first toothed guide, which is coordinated with a support (21, 22, 23) in the housing (11), able to move in a second toothed guide in a transverse direction (R1, R2, R3) transversely to the longitudinal direction (L), and the thrusting wedge (31, 32, 33) and the coordinated support (21, 22, 23) are in sliding contact with each other via a slanted contact surface (51, 52, 53) and a movement of the thrusting wedge (31, 32, 33) in the longitudinal direction (L) brings about a transverse movement of the coordinated support (21, 22, 23) via the slanted contact surface (51, 52, 53) and a cutting tool (161, 162, 163) can be fastened on the support (21, 22, 23) and the support (21, 22, 23) has a support arm (101, 102, 103) extending in the transverse direction (R1, R2, R3). |
| US08424422B2 |
Adjustable socket structure
An adjustable socket structure contains a body including a first groove, a second groove, a first notch, a number of slots; a plurality of paws, each including a sliding block, and the sliding block including a first hole; a number of connecting rods, each being movably fixed in the second groove and including a first axial shank and a second axial shank; a driving shaft including an axial portion and a disk portion, wherein the axial portion includes a square bore, and the disk portion is rotated in the first groove and includes an outer diameter larger that the axial portion and three second holes so that the driving shaft is rotated to actuate the paws to move in the slots respectively by using the connecting rods; a helical retaining ring retained in the first notch to abut against a rear end of the disk portion of the driving shaft. |
| US08424416B2 |
Layshaft generator
An apparatus is provided and includes a rotatable shaft on which a first bevel gearbox is disposed, a layshaft on which a second bevel gearbox is disposed, the first and second bevel gearboxes being coupled to transmit shaft rotation to the layshaft, an accessory gearbox to which the layshaft and one or more accessories are coupled and a generator operably disposed on the layshaft between the second bevel gearbox and the accessory gearbox. |
| US08424415B2 |
Non-rotating clutch and method of installing same
A hybrid transmission includes a transmission housing and a motor/generator stator configured to be attached to the transmission housing. A clutch housing is configured to be attached to the motor/generator stator, such that the clutch housing is not directly attached to the transmission housing but is statically fixed. An axis of rotation defines a coordinate system having axial, radial, and clocking rotations. A first piloting feature may be formed on the clutch housing and a second piloting feature on the transmission housing. The first and second piloting features cooperate to axially and radially orient, but not attach, the clutch housing relative to the transmission housing. Third and fourth piloting features cooperate to orient the clocking rotation of the clutch housing. Stator bolts may permanently locate and attach the motor/generator stator to the transmission housing, and clutch bolts permanently locate and attach the clutch housing to the motor/generator stator. |
| US08424410B2 |
Link mechanism
A first link member 4 is swingably connected to the base member 2 on a forward side, and a second link member 5 is swingably connected to the base member 2 on a backward side. A third link member 6 is swingably connected to the output member 3 on the forward side, and a fourth link member 7 is swingably connected to the output member 3 on the backward side. A swinging end of the third link member 6 is swingably connected to the first link member 4 on a first connecting axis J5, and a swinging end of the fourth link member 7 on the backward side is swingably connected to the first link member 4 on a second connecting axis J6. A swinging end of the second link member 5 is swingably connected to the fourth link member 7 on a third connecting axis J7. |
| US08424408B2 |
Gearing of a gearwheel
The invention relates to the gearing of a gearwheel having a plurality of teeth. The gearwheel has a useful area and a base area of the particular tooth flank form. Viewed in normal section, the tooth base area extends from a base circle up to a useful circle. The tooth flanks of adjacent teeth in normal section are each implemented as symmetrical to one another, the axis of symmetry intersecting the base circle in the base point. According to the invention, the tooth flanks are implemented in the tooth base area as a tangent function from a relevant diameter. The tangent function merges at the relevant diameter in a constant tangent into the tooth flank form of the useful area. The tangent function merges in the tooth base area in a constant tangent into an orbit, which is tangentially applied in the base point to the base circle. Significant increases of the tooth base strength may thus be achieved. |
| US08424405B2 |
Gearbox
A mainshaft assembly for a gearbox includes a mainshaft (44) and drive gears (31, 36) carried for rotation about the mainshaft. First and second hubs (50, 50′) are associated with respective drive gears, each hub being operable to selectively couple or uncouple with the drive gear causing it to rotate with the hub or with respect to the hub. A drive connection mechanism (42, 64, 66) associated with each hub selectively connects the hub to the mainshaft. Upon connection of the hubs to the drive gears, the drive connection operates to connect one or other of the hubs to the mainshaft when torque is applied to the mainshaft in a first direction or an opposite direction. This enables a gear ratio to be selected by reversing the torque being handled by the gearbox. |
| US08424400B2 |
Crank-and-rocker piston machine
The invention relates to mechanical engineering, in particular to piston machines and mechanisms for converting the movement of the pistons thereof into shaft rotation. The technical result of the invention involves increasing the operational reliability, extending the service life, improving the specific mass and dimensional characteristics and enhancing the efficiency of a machine. The essence of the invention is that the piston and the crank of a piston machine are interconnected by means of a hinged joint with at least a flat hinge which enables the piston to self-center along the cylinder surface owing to the movement of the piston with respect to the crank in any direction on a plane that intersects the longitudinal axis of the cylinder. Side bearing elements are mounted on the interacting parts of the body and the crank; furthermore, the connection between the opposite parts of the crank and the coupling elements is designed in such a way that the movement of one part of the crank with respect to the opposite part thereof is limited in the direction away from the axis of rotation of the shaft along the reciprocating motion of the crank in order to ensure a specified distance between the contact surfaces of the working bearing elements of the crank when the machine is in operation. Furthermore, a preliminary load is created between the contacting surfaces of the working bearing elements and rollers. |
| US08424395B2 |
Apparatus for monitoring deposition of a noble metal in a nuclear reactor
In a method of monitoring deposition of a noble metal in an intergranular stress corrosion crack (IGSCC) in a metal reactor shroud wall of a nuclear reactor, a metal sample may be placed at a location within near an inner surface of the metal reactor shroud wall. The sample may be submerged below a water line in the reactor and includes at least one thermal fatigue crack. The sample is maintained at the location for a given duration, and a given amount of the noble metal is added into the reactor water while the sample is maintained at the location. The sample is then removed. In an example, a surface crevice deposition monitor for a reactor includes a flow conditioner arranged between a securing mechanism and an anchor, and at least one sample holder connected between the securing mechanism and flow conditioner. |
| US08424389B2 |
Annular bourdon tube gauge assembly
An annular bourdon tube gauge assembly comprises a bourdon tube member, a first flange element, a second flange element and a pressure level indicator, and is adapted to be mounted externally circumferentially of a portion of a body member that is adapted to confining a pressurized fluid, such as a pressure regulator. The bourdon tube is axially disposed between the first and second flange elements, and has a spiral shape, a radially inner end and a radially outer end. The radially inner end is fixed with respect to the portion of the body member. The radially outer end is free to move circumferentially responsive to changes in the fluid pressure entering a pressure receiving port at the radially inner end. The pressure level indicator is mounted to and moveable with the radially outer end, and is viewable from a position located laterally outward of the first and second flange elements. |
| US08424388B2 |
Implantable capacitive pressure sensor apparatus and methods regarding same
An implantable capacitive pressure sensor apparatus and method for making such an apparatus includes a first pressure sensor portion and a second pressure sensor portion. The first pressure sensor portion includes a diaphragm electrode connectable to ground (e.g., the diaphragm electrode being positioned in close proximity to the body when implanted therein such that the diaphragm electrode is deformable in response to pressure applied thereto by the body). The second pressure sensor portion includes a signal electrode (e.g., wherein the first pressure sensor portion and the second pressure sensor portion are coupled such that a gap is provided between the diaphragm electrode and the signal electrode) and an insulator material. The signal electrode is provided on and in direct contact with the insulator material to electrically isolate the signal electrode such that parasitic capacitance effects on the signal electrode are reduced. |
| US08424382B2 |
Microelectromechanical sensor and operating method for a microelectromechanical sensor
A microelectromechanical sensor and operating method therefor. The sensor has at least one movable electrode. An electrode arrangement is spaced apart from the movable electrode with a plurality of electrodes that can be driven separately and to which corresponding electrode signals can be applied that can be used to electrostatically set/change the application of force, the spring constant and the read-out factor of the movable electrode. An electrode signal generation unit is connected to the electrode arrangement and can be supplied with a force application signal, a spring constant signal and a read-out factor signal, which define the settings/changes to be brought about with regard to the application of force, spring constant and read-out factor of the movable electrode. The electrode signal generation unit generates each electrode signal in a manner dependent on the force application signal, the spring constant signal and the read-out factor signal and matches the electrode signals to one another so that the application of force, the spring constant and the read-out factor of the movable electrode can be set/changed to specific desired values independently of one another. |
| US08424380B2 |
Flow sensors having nanoscale coating for corrosion resistance
A corrosion resistant flow sensor apparatus includes a flow sensor including a micromachinable substrate mounted on a package substrate that includes electrically conductive traces and substrate bond pads. The flow sensor includes a MEMS sensing structure for sensing a mass flow parameter and sensor bond pads coupled to the sensing structure. The sensor bond pads include a top metal layer on a metal diffusion barrier layer including a metal diffusion barrier layer sidewall. Bond wires couple the sensor bond pads to the substrate bond pads. A housing including sides and a top portion is around the flow sensor and includes a flow channel having an inlet and an outlet. A multi-layer corrosion protection coating includes a nm scale adhesion layer and a self assembled monolayer (SAM) is on the adhesion layer. The protection coating covers the sensor bond pads including the metal diffusion barrier layer sidewall. |
| US08424375B2 |
Method for operating a sensor on or in a vehicle tire, and a sensor system
A method for operating a sensor on or in a vehicle tire, in particular an acceleration sensor and in particular for detecting a tire rotation period and/or a tire contact period is provided, the sensor being operated in a first time interval of a tire rotation using a first query rate and in a second time interval of the tire rotation using a second query rate. |
| US08424374B2 |
Apparatus, system and method for tracking a rotatable object
Embodiments of the present invention provide a method, system and apparatus for tracking a rotatable object. A device for tracking a rotatable object comprises a body, the body comprising a tracking portion. A device for tracking a rotatable object further comprises an attachment section connected to the body, for attaching the device to the rotatable object. The body and the attachment section are configured for balanced rotation when the rotatable object rotates. |
| US08424373B2 |
Variator fault detection system
A variator fault detection system for a continuously variable transmission is incorporated into a hydraulic control circuit that controls fluid pressure applied to a variator of the continuously variable transmission. The hydraulic control circuit for the variator includes a number of electrically-controlled shift valves and pressure control valves. Sensing devices are multiplexed to these valves to detect a number of different possible fault states relating to the variator shift valves and the variator pressure control valves. |
| US08424372B2 |
System and method for establishing a mass flow rate of air entering an engine
A method of establishing a mass flow rate of air entering an engine includes establishing an input voltage by an energy supply device to energize a mass-air-flow sensor. The method also includes generating an output frequency via the mass-air-flow sensor in response to the mass flow rate of air entering the engine and determining the flow rate using the generated output frequency. The method additionally includes comparing the generated output frequency with a predetermined threshold output frequency that corresponds to the established input voltage. Additionally, the method includes selecting the determined flow rate as the established flow rate if the generated output frequency is at or below the predetermined threshold output frequency. Furthermore, the method includes selecting a predetermined alternative algorithm to generate the established flow rate if the generated output frequency is above the predetermined threshold output frequency. A system for establishing the mass flow rate is also provided. |
| US08424371B2 |
Method, apparatus and system for analysing a vehicle wheel
A method of analyzing a vehicle wheel comprising a tire of a predetermined configuration and a thixotropic balancing substance, comprising rotating the vehicle wheel with a predetermined number of revolutions for a period of time, wherein a tread surface of the tire is pressed in a first contact area against a rotatable drum with a predetermined force, and a first acceleration in the first contact area is measured with a measuring device; rotating another vehicle wheel comprising another tire of the predetermined configuration with the predetermined number of revolutions for another period of time, the other vehicle wheel being conventionally balanced and having another residual unbalance, wherein another tread surface of the other tire is pressed in a second contact area against the rotatable drum with the predetermined force, and a second acceleration in the second contact area is measured with the measuring device and if the first acceleration is less than or equal to the second acceleration, determining that the vehicle wheel is balanced. An apparatus, and a system, for analysing a vehicle wheel comprising a tire of a predetermined configuration and a thixotropic balancing substance according to the method. |
| US08424370B2 |
Liquid analysis using capacitative micromachined ultrasound transducers
A method for analyzing liquid samples may comprise applying a liquid to a cMUT device having a plurality of sensors, drying the plurality of sensors, electronically detecting an agent bound to each of the plurality of sensors, wherein the electrical circuit provides a sensor output responsive to a mechanical resonance frequency of the sensor, wherein the mechanical resonance frequency of the sensor is responsive to the binding of an agent to the functionalized membrane, and determining the mass of the agent bound to each of the plurality of sensors. |
| US08424368B2 |
Method for estimating proppant transport and suspendability of viscoelastic liquids
A method of determining one or more minimum rheological properties of a particle laden fluid is disclosed. The method includes determining one or more rheological properties of the fluid at a first shear rate, determining the settling velocity of the particles at the first shear rate, and obtaining a transport index for the fluid, the transport index indicating a relationship between the settling velocity and the one or more rheological properties. |
| US08424367B2 |
Systems and methods for measurement of gas permeation through polymer films
In accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure, a system for determining the rate of gas permeation through a film is described. The system comprises a continuous flow permeation cell, a mass spectrometer, a test gas source, and a carrier gas source. The continuous flow permeation cell comprises a supply chamber in communication with the test gas source and a receiving chamber in communication with the carrier gas source and the mass spectrometer. The supply chamber is configured to be separated from the receiving chamber by a test film such that when a test gas stream is fed to the supply chamber from the test gas source and a carrier gas stream is fed to the receiving chamber from the carrier gas source. At least a portion of the test gas stream permeates from the supply chamber through the test film to the receiving chamber and mixes with the carrier gas stream and the mixture flows to the mass spectrometer. The mass spectrometer is utilized to determine the rate of permeation of the test gas stream through the film. |
| US08424366B2 |
Semiconductor gas sensor having additional functionalities of the signal-generating electrode
In a method for operating a semiconductor gas sensor, the gas sensor including at least one gas-sensitive electrode, the method may provide for impression of a voltage sequence on the gas-sensitive electrode. The operation may take place in a measuring cycle which is subdivided into at least one initialization phase and at least one subsequent measuring phase, a first voltage sequence being impressed on the gas-sensitive electrode during the initialization phase, a second voltage sequence being impressed on the gas-sensitive electrode during the measuring phase, and the first voltage sequence differing from the second voltage sequence. A semiconductor gas sensor may be provided for implementing the method according to the invention, and a method may relate to the use of such a sensor. |
| US08424364B2 |
Active scanner bow compensator
An active scanner bow compensator for use with a scanner is described. The scanner includes a moveable scanning platform supported within a frame. The active scanner bow compensator supports the scanner and includes a frame of reference, sensors, and an actuator. The sensors detect out-of-plane motion of the scanning platform relative to the frame of reference, and the actuators compensate for the out-of-plane motion by adjusting the orientation of the frame relative to the frame of reference. The active scanner bow compensator may be used in atomic force microscopy applications. |
| US08424363B2 |
Calibration of vibratory gyroscope
A gyroscopic system comprises at least four vibratory gyroscopes capable of changing vibration position. A first measurement is provided by a gyroscope to be calibrated and a second measurement is provided by a combination of the respective measurements from the other gyroscopes of the system, these first and second measurements being carried out along the same measurement axis. The determination (12) of a measurement drift value between the first measurement and the second measurement is followed by a command (13) to change the vibration position of the gyroscope to be calibrated to another vibration position and a drift value is again determined. The vibration position change command and the determination of a drift value are repeated (14) K times, K being a positive integer. Then, a drift model is generated (15) as a function of the vibration position of the gyroscope to be calibrated on the basis of the drift values obtained. |
| US08424361B1 |
Pittsburgh lock opening tool
A hand held Pittsburgh lock opening device is designed to open a longitudinal seam that is used in the fabrication of sheet metal ductwork. The tool has a unitary, longitudinal base having a major plane, an upper surface, and a lower surface. The base tapers from a proximal end to a distal end thereof. A plurality of parallel, longitudinal channels is oriented along the major plane on both upper and lower surfaces of the base. A protrusion is provided at the distal end of the base from its upper surface and extends from the upper surface of the base perpendicularly to the major plane thereof. The protrusion is tapered upwardly to an uppermost end and away from the base. An inverted U-shaped terminus is disposed at the uppermost end of the protrusion and forms a sharp taper for penetrating between coacting duct components. |
| US08424355B2 |
Pre-rounding element on a rounding apparatus
A pre-rounding element (14) is used in a rounding apparatus (4) for rounding can body blanks from sheet metal blanks. The lower element part (22) of the pre-rounding element (14) is displaceable by an actuation element (23). This allows the adjustment of the pre-rounding element even during operation of the rounding apparatus. Preferably a measurement of sheet metal blank properties takes place. The measurement may include a thickness measurement and/or a strength measurement of blanks. The pre-rounding element is controlled in dependency of the measurement result. This allows a constant rounding result even with varying sheet metal properties. |
| US08424354B2 |
Rolling plant
A hot-rolling plant (50) for the production of metal strips comprising a roughing stand (2), a reheating furnace (3) or a maintenance tunnel for maintaining the temperature of the product, a pre-finishing mill train (4), comprising three or four stands, a finishing mill train (5), comprising two or three stands, for finishing the product, in which the work rolls of one stand are provided with their own motor drive, independent one from each other, so as to allow the peripheral speeds of both of said work rolls to be autonomously varied under rolling load. |
| US08424353B2 |
Welder for metal rolling system, metal rolling system, and metal rolling method
A welder for a metal rolling system, which is disposed in the metal rolling system and is configured to perform spot-welding on a product strip, includes a back bar disposed below the pass line and welding guns disposed above the pass line to perform series welding for welding a plurality of points at one time. |
| US08424348B2 |
Steering lock
An actuation device for a steering lock is operable to selectively lock a rotary steering member against rotation. A lockbolt is movable along a first axis between a steering member-locking position and a steering member-unlocking position. A shuttle is movable between a non-blocking position in which the shuttle does not obstruct movement of the lockbolt from the steering member-locking position to the steering member-unlocking position and a blocking position in which the shuttle obstructs movement of the lockbolt from the steering member-locking position to the steering member-unlocking position. An actuator is coupled to the shuttle and operable to move the shuttle from at least one of the non-blocking position and the blocking position to the other of the non-blocking position and the blocking position. The actuator has an output defining a second axis that is substantially perpendicular to the first axis. |
| US08424346B2 |
Structure of water level sensor for steam generator in drum washing machine
The present invention relates to laundry machines, such as washing machines or dryers, for washing or drying laundry. The steam generator (50) for a laundry machine includes a housing (80) formed to provide a space for holding water, a heater (55) for heating the water to generate steam, a water level sensor (60) for sensing a water level of the water held in the housing, and a stability maintaining member (70) for maintaining a stable state of the water at a portion to be sensed by the water level sensor (60). |
| US08424345B2 |
Washing machine, conductivity sensor in washing machine, and controlling method of the same
There are provided a conductivity sensor of a washing water, an installation construction of the conductivity sensor, and a method for controlling the washing machine, which are capable of controlling the washing machine by calculating a hardness of a washing water from a measured conductivity of the washing water. |
| US08424343B2 |
Laser processing of glass frit for sealing applications
Light-absorbing glass frit material is used to seal an opening in a device or a plurality of devices in a batch process. The glass frit material is applied and then irradiated with light having a wavelength absorbed by the glass frit material so that the glass frit ball undergoes a glassy transition and forms a seal. When sealing an opening in a device, the glass frit material may be applied as a spherical ball such that the spherical ball covers the opening. The volume of the spherical ball may be selected to determine the final shape of the seal. |
| US08424341B2 |
Necklace cover
The invention relates to a necklace cover, or sleeve, which covers jewelry that is worn around the neck. The necklace cover is designed to be worn at the back of a neck and is worn over a piece of jewelry to prevent tangling of hair, hair breakage, and/or damage to a persons clothing (e.g. snags or pulls) that often occurs when a person wears jewelry around the neck. Methods for preventing a wearer's hair from getting tangled in a jewelry composition worn around the neck of a wearer are also provided. |
| US08424339B2 |
Method and system for rotor cooling
A motor coolant method and system is used to cool a compressor motor (36) in a refrigeration system having a multi-stage compressor (38). The compressor includes a first compressor stage (42) and a second compressor stage (44), the first compressor stage providing compressed refrigerant to an input of the second compressor stage. The motor coolant system has a first connection with the refrigerant loop to receive refrigerant into the motor cavity for cooling, the received refrigerant provided from a system component having a high pressure, and a second connection with the refrigerant loop to return refrigerant to an intermediate pressure greater than an evaporator operating pressure. The pressure inside the motor cavity may be approximately the pressure within the first stage discharge and second stage suction to minimized seal leakage between the motor cavity and the internal pressures of the first and second stage compressors. |
| US08424338B2 |
Vapor compression refrigerating cycle apparatus with an ejector and distributor
A vapor compression refrigerating cycle apparatus includes a compressor, a radiator, first and second throttle devices, a flow distributor, an ejector, a suction passage, and first and second evaporators. The flow distributor separates refrigerant decompressed through the first throttle device into a first passage and a second passage. The first passage is in communication with a nozzle portion of the ejector. The second passage is in communication with a suction portion of the ejector through the suction passage. The second throttle device and the second evaporator are disposed on the suction passage. The flow distributor is configured to be capable of adjusting a ratio of a flow rate of refrigerant passing through the second passage to a flow rate of refrigerant passing through the first passage in accordance with a heat load of at least one of the radiator, the first evaporator and the second evaporator. |
| US08424334B2 |
Ice making apparatus for refrigerator
Disclosed is an ice making apparatus for a refrigerator, the apparatus comprising a frame having an accommodating space therein, and at least an ice tray detachably installed in the frame and configured to provide a space for containing water to make ice, whereby the ice making apparatus can be easily cleaned up and ice can be easily handled. |
| US08424326B2 |
Refrigerant vapor compression system and method of transcritical operation
A refrigerant vapor compression system includes a flash tank economizer defining a separation chamber is disposed in the refrigerant circuit intermediate a refrigerant heat rejection heat exchanger and a refrigerant heat absorption heat exchanger. A primary expansion valve is interdisposed in the refrigerant circuit in operative association with and upstream of the refrigerant heat absorption heat exchanger and a secondary expansion valve is interdisposed in the refrigerant circuit in operative association and upstream of the flash tank economizer. A refrigerant vapor injection line establishes refrigerant flow communication between an upper portion of the separation chamber and an intermediate pressure stage of the system's compression device and a suction pressure portion of the refrigerant circuit. A refrigerant liquid injection line establishes refrigerant flow communication between a lower portion of said separation chamber and an intermediate pressure stage of the compression device and a suction pressure portion of the refrigerant circuit. |
| US08424324B2 |
Refrigerant evaporators with pulse-electrothermal defrosting
An pulse electro thermal defrost evaporator system has multiple refrigerant tubes formed from an electrically conductive metal and connected in parallel for refrigerant flow. These tubes are, however, connected electrically in series. A controller is capable of detecting ice accumulation and connecting the tubes to a source of electrical power for deicing when it is necessary to deice the tubes. Embodiments having a manifold having multiple conductive sections insulated from each other are disclosed for coupling tubes electrically in series. Alternative embodiments with a single, long, wide-bore, tube are disclosed, as are embodiments having an evaporating pan coupled in series or parallel with the tubes, and embodiments with thermal cutoff and electrical safety interlocks. |
| US08424320B2 |
Air dehumidifier for frequency converter arrangement
An air dehumidifier, and a method for dehumidifying, for a frequency converter arrangement including a surface to be cooled, on which humidity condenses when the surface is being cooled and when, at the same time, the inside of the frequency converter cabinet is possibly being heated. The air dehumidifier is positioned inside the frequency converter cabinet and including at least one air/liquid heat exchanger. |
| US08424319B2 |
Temperature regulation apparatus and method
A temperature regulation apparatus includes a dry ice module that encloses dry ice so that the module's outside surface is not hazardous to touch. Insulation, breathable material, or a combination of insulating and breathable materials, allows dry ice sublimation at a sufficiently slow rate within the attached dry ice module to control the ambient temperature in the area to be cooled. The dry ice module can be attached in a location that maximizes the dry ice cooling properties, typically at or near the top of the area to be cooled. Since sublimated carbon dioxide is heavier than normal air, it falls to the bottom of the area to be cooled and builds up. The venting placement in the dry ice module is based upon the make up of the dry ice module and the breathable materials inside of it. |
| US08424318B2 |
Method and apparatus for refrigerant flow rate control
Method and apparatus for refrigerant flow control are disclosed. One exemplary apparatus for controlling refrigerant flow comprises: at least one refrigerant inlet; at least one refrigerant outlet; a first valve coupled between the refrigerant inlet and the refrigerant outlet; and a second valve coupled between the refrigerant inlet and the refrigerant outlet; wherein at least one of the first valve and the second valve is rotatable, and the first valve and the second valve comprise one or more cooperative openings to allow refrigerant to pass from the refrigerant inlet, through the first and second valves, and out of the refrigerant outlet. |
| US08424315B2 |
Thermoelectric device efficiency enhancement using dynamic feedback
A cooling system is disclosed including a first heat exchanger, a second heat exchanger, a means for regulating a flow of a fluid, and a thermoelectric device for cooling a fluid, wherein a difference in temperature between a hot side and a cold side of the thermoelectric device is minimized and an efficiency of the thermoelectric device is maximized. |
| US08424312B2 |
Exhaust system for gas turbine
The invention relates to an exhaust system (100) for channeling the streams from a by-pass gas turbine, the system comprising a stream channeling nozzle and an exhaust casing (110) for connecting the channeling nozzle to the outlet of the gas turbine, said channeling nozzle comprising a primary nozzle (120) fastened to the exhaust casing (110) and a secondary nozzle (130) placed around the primary nozzle. The exhaust system further comprises means for fastening the secondary nozzle (130) directly to the exhaust casing (110), said secondary nozzle being supported by the exhaust casing independently of the primary nozzle (120). |
| US08424309B2 |
Continuous power source of steam in circulation, and power reinforcement
A first and any further number of pipe steamer devices are provided. Each pipe steamer device may include a ring which has a steam pipe connection opening, a steam pipe, a water pipe, and a heating element. Each steam pipe may have a proximal end which is connected to the appropriate steam pipe connection opening and a distal end which is connected to a proximal end of the appropriate water pipe. Each water pipe may have a distal end which is located closer to the appropriate heating element than its proximal end. Each of the first steam pipe and the first water pipe may have a spiral shape. The apparatus also include a first power reinforcer device which may include a first sack and a second sack. The first power reinforcer device may be connected to a first pipe steamer device and a second pipe steamer device, such that steam from the first pipe steamer device flows into the first sack and flows out of the first sack into the first pipe steamer device, and steam from the second pipe steamer device flows into the second sack and out of the second sack into the second pipe steamer. |
| US08424298B2 |
Pump torque control system for hydraulic construction machine
A pump torque control system is capable of preventing hunting due to interference between speed sensing control and control of an engine speed of a prime mover when the temperature of a hydraulic fluid is low.A maximum absorption torque is set in a regulator 31 that controls displacement volumes of hydraulic pumps 2 and 3 based on a deviation between target and actual engine speeds of a prime mover 1. A second modification factor calculating section 45 and a control gain modifying section 49, which are included in a controller 23 that performs speed sensing control to ensure that the maximum absorption torque of the hydraulic pumps 2 and 3 is reduced, change a control gain of the speed sensing control based on a value detected by the hydraulic temperature sensor 34 to ensure that the control gain is reduced as the temperature of the hydraulic fluid is reduced. |
| US08424296B2 |
Annular heat exchanger
An annular heat exchanger for cooling hot gases comprises an inner shell, an intermediate shell and an outer shell. Where the heat exchanger is integrated with a catalytic converter for treatment of hot exhaust gases in a motor vehicle, the inner shell contains a catalyst for treatment of the exhaust gases. Inner and outer gas flow passages are provided between the shells, and a coolant flow passage is provided, either on the outer surface of the outer shell, or between the intermediate and outer shells. The exhaust gases change direction twice as they pass through the heat exchanger, and the annular structure of the heat exchanger provides a large surface area, and a large flow section, relative to volume, and thereby provides effective heat exchange without significantly increasing space requirements. |
| US08424292B2 |
Systems and apparatus relating to the monitoring and/or controlling of selective catalytic reduction processes
A system for the monitoring and/or controlling emission levels of nitrogen oxide and a reductant from a stream of combustion exhaust, wherein the internal combustion engine includes a SCR unit disposed in the stream of combustion exhaust between an upstream conduit and a downstream conduit, the SCR unit having a catalyst that is configured to catalytically reduce nitrogen oxides contained in the combustion exhaust to elemental nitrogen in the presence of a reductant and oxygen, and wherein the internal combustion engine further includes a reductant injector; the system comprising: a laser absorption spectroscopy unit that is disposed in the downstream conduit and configured to measure the concentration level of at least nitrogen oxide and the reductant in the exhaust; and a control unit. |
| US08424290B2 |
Method and system for controlling an engine during diesel particulate filter regeneration at idle conditions
A method and control system for controlling an engine during diesel particulate filter regeneration includes a diesel particulate filter (DPF) regeneration request module that generates a DPF regeneration request signal and an idle condition module that generates an idle condition signal when the engine is at an idle condition. A DPF regeneration control module initiates a timer in response to the DPF regeneration request signal and the idle condition signal. The DPF regeneration control module controls the engine oxygen level to a second level less than a first level corresponding to a non-idle speed level, and after a time period, controls the engine to generate oxygen at a third level greater than the second level. |
| US08424289B2 |
Technique for production of ammonia on demand in a three way catalyst for a passive selective catalytic reduction system
A powertrain includes an internal combustion engine having multiple cylinders and an aftertreatment system having a selective catalytic reduction device utilizing ammonia as a reductant. An ammonia generation cycle includes operating some portion of the cylinders at an air/fuel ratio conducive to producing molecular hydrogen and some portion of the cylinders at an air/fuel ratio conducive to producing NOx. An ammonia generation catalyst is utilized between the engine and the selective catalytic reduction device to produce ammonia. |
| US08424288B2 |
Detection of leakage in an air system of a motor vehicle
A method is described for operating an internal combustion engine in motor vehicles, in which air is supplied to a combustion chamber via a throttle valve and an air supply channel, and in which exhaust gas is conducted through a particulate filter and is returned at least intermittently and at least partially through an exhaust gas recirculation valve into the air supply channel, and in which an oxygen proportion in the exhaust gas is detected using at least one lambda probe. In this context, in an overrun operation, the throttle valve is controlled to close and the exhaust gas recirculation valve is controlled to open, a variable characterizing the oxygen concentration in the exhaust gas is compared to a boundary value, and as a function of the result of the comparison, it is concluded that there is a leakage in the air supply channel. |
| US08424280B2 |
Gas turbine engine arrangement
A gas turbine engine arrangement comprises a first gas turbine engine, a second gas turbine engine, a differential gearbox and an electrical generator. The differential gearbox has a first input drive, a second input drive and an output drive. The output drive of the differential gearbox is arranged to drive the electrical generator via an external, accessory, gearbox. The external, accessory, gearbox drives other accessories. The first gas turbine is arranged to drive the first input drive of the differential gearbox and the second gas turbine engine is arranged to drive the second input drive of the differential gearbox. The electrical generator and accessories are driven at a constant frequency speed/frequency. |
| US08424275B2 |
Sealed plastic closure and method for making the same
A sealed plastic container and a method for producing it are provided. The method for producing the sealed plastic container includes the steps of providing a container body having an end, providing a closure member having a skirt, inserting the closure member into the container body, heating the closure member skirt and container body end, and rolling the closure member skirt top and container end inward thereby fusing the closure member to the container body. |
| US08424271B2 |
Process for wrapping loads, in particular palletised loads, and relative system
The process for wrapping loads, in particular palletised loads, comprises the following phases: providing a rotating platform that is suitable for receiving a load to be wrapped and which has advancement means for advancing the load in an advancing direction, and a movement machine for moving a wrapping head along a substantially vertical direction for co-operating with the rotating platform to wrap the load with a covering sheet, the wrapping head having cutting means for cutting the covering sheet to form a cut end, and joining means for connecting the cut end to the load; placing the load to be wrapped on the rotating platform; wrapping the load on the rotating platform with the covering sheet to define a stabilizing wrap; turning the rotating platform so the advancing direction is towards the wrapping head; advancing the wrapped load on the rotating platform in the direction approaching the wrapping head until located in proximity to the head itself; and then cutting the covering sheet to form a cut end; joining the cut end to the wrapped load. |
| US08424270B2 |
Gelatin ribbon printing method and apparatus
The present invention relates to an apparatus for printing pattern or indicia onto a gelatin ribbon. It comprises a transfer station with a print roll and a motor-driven casting roll provided for forming a gelatin ribbon. The transfer station is positioned in relation to the casting roll in such a way that the gelatin ribbon is sandwiched between the casting roll and the transfer station; elastic tackiness of a passing gelatin ribbon causes the rotation of the print roll. The apparatus further comprises an adjustment means, wherein the adjustment means are adapted to provide finely-tuned positioning of the transfer station in relation to the casting drum, and balance pressure exerted by the transfer station on the passing gelatin ribbon thus facilitating on optimal printing result. |
| US08424269B2 |
Tower reinforcement apparatus and method
A method and apparatus for creating a reinforced vertical multi-sided monopole tower for supporting equipment including a multi-sided monopole, a plurality of holes on three equally spaced sides of the multi-sided monopole tower and tower reinforcement apparatus mounted to the holes. The tower reinforcement apparatus includes bolts supporting a first flat bar and a second flat bar on each side of the tower. The upper end of the first flat bar abuts a lower end of the second bar and a plate is bolted over adjacent ends connecting the first and second flat bar such that the first and second flat bars are sandwiched between the plate and a side of the perimeter of the monopole. |
| US08424267B2 |
Protective assembly for in-wall piping, conduit, and wiring
In embodiments of the present invention improved capabilities are described for a protective device for use with a metal stud. This invention protects in-wall piping, conduit and wiring from inadvertent puncturing by drywall screws during the installation of wall boarding. |
| US08424260B2 |
Floor panel and flooring drainage system
The present disclosure is directed generally towards floor panels and flooring drainage systems utilizing two or more interconnected improved floor panels. In some embodiments, the disclosure includes a floor panel having a top surface, a bottom surface, a first longitudinal surface, a second longitudinal surface, a first transverse surface, and a second transverse surface. One or more drainage assemblies are located on either the first transverse surface and/or the second transverse surface. Each of the drainage assemblies include one or more drainage slots and one or more drainage notches. Further aspects are directed towards flooring drainage systems comprising two or more interconnected floor panels according to embodiments of the disclosure. |
| US08424259B2 |
System and method for installing columns
A column assembly includes a shaft, a capital, an opening formed in the capital, and a retaining member. The capital has a lower surface and a substantially planar upper surface. The opening is sized to receive the shaft therethrough, and extends from the lower surface to the upper surface. A channel is formed in a surrounding wall of the opening. The length of the channel may, for instance, extend at least partially around the perimeter of the opening. Regardless, the retaining member advantageously holds the capital at a fixed vertical position along the shaft by engaging the channel and the shaft. The retaining member may be a resilient member (e.g., foam) that seats within the channel and frictionally engages the outer surface of the shaft. Alternatively, the retaining member may be a spring member that mounts onto the upper end of the shaft and engages the channel. |
| US08424258B2 |
Modular roof, deck and patio apparatus, including modular panels with snap connection features
The present invention relates generally to green roof, deck and patio apparatuses, also known as roof, deck and patio landscaping apparatuses and roof, deck and patio gardens, that are suitable for supporting live plant growth on building decks, rooftop and patio surfaces. |
| US08424257B2 |
Modular tile with controlled deflection
A modular tile configured to interlock with multiple tiles to form a modular floor covering over a floor. The tile includes a top surface having a periphery defining side walls extending downward from the top surface, the side walls having a coupling portion configured to couple with other tiles adjacent thereto to form the modular floor covering. The tile also includes a bottom side, opposite the top surface, having a support grid including an array of downward extending polymeric post structures, at least some of the post structures including at least one resilient end portion with a radial end surface configured to be positioned against the floor to facilitate controlled deflection of the post structures. The post structures may comprise primary and secondary post structures, with the secondary post structures limiting the deflection of the primary post structures. |
| US08424249B2 |
Outdoor wall padding apparatus and method for forming the same
A temperature compensating outdoor wall padding apparatus in one embodiment incorporates a stretch fabric into the edges of a vinyl cover to provide a tension on the vinyl cover minimizing the possibility of wrinkling of the vinyl cover due to a change in temperature. In another embodiment, the temperature compensating outdoor wall padding apparatus may employ a resilient cover, stretchable in 4 directions and pre-tensioned to provide tension on the resilient cover minimizing the possibility of wrinkling of the resilient cover due to a change in temperature. Methods for forming the same are also disclosed. |
| US08424248B2 |
Method of installing a locking balance shoe and system for a pivotable window
A snap lock balance shoe and system to be incorporated in pivotable double hung windows. In one embodiment, the snap lock balance shoe includes a pair of retractable tabs that partially extend through openings within an inverted window balance. Embodiments of methods for installing the system include inserting a frame of the balance shoe within a jamb track of the window jamb, rotating the frame 90 degrees about a first axis, and rotating the frame 90 degrees about a second axis such that the frame is substantially fully disposed within the jamb track. |
| US08424246B2 |
Anti-fall device for a window sash
An anti-fall device for a window sash comprises a window-sash fixing block, a window-frame fixing block, an elastic metal wire and a pipe. The elastic metal wire connects the window-sash fixing block and the window-frame fixing block. The window-sash fixing block is defined with a through hole into which the pipe is inserted. One end of the elastic metal wire is connected to the window-frame fixing block, and the other end of the elastic metal wire penetrates the through hole in the window-sash fixing block and enters the pipe. The end of the elastic metal wire, which penetrates the through hole, is fixed with a limiting block. The diameter of the limiting block is bigger than that of the through hole. The window-sash fixing block is fixed on the window sash, and the window-frame fixing block is fixed on the window frame. |
| US08424241B2 |
Trellising cross arm
A trellis support system comprises a vertical post comprising a front portion and first and second opposing side wall portions, the front portion comprising an aperture, the aperture comprising a first portion and a second portion adjacent the first portion, and a horizontal cross arm perpendicular to the vertical post comprising a front portion and first and second opposing side wall portions dimensioned to match the front and side wall portions of the post, the front portion comprising a tab member dimensioned to engage the first portion of the aperture and a lock member positioned adjacent the tab member and dimensioned to engage the second portion of the aperture. |
| US08424240B2 |
Fumigation of containerized cargo
An apparatus and method for tarpless fumigation of containerized cargo within a shipping container is disclosed. A portable fumigation containment door is installed in covering relation with main rear opening of a standard cargo container. Pneumatic cylinders are actuated to secure the door in place, and an inflatable gasket extending around the perimeter of the containment door and is inflated to create an airtight seal between the cargo container and the containment door. The door is provided with a series of connection ports for receiving fumigant injection and sampling lines necessary for performing the fumigation process. |
| US08424239B1 |
Codling moth trap
A black light trap which will kill codling moths and will prevent strikes in apple and pear orchards. The device includes a solar panel that will charge batteries throughout the day and then a timer will turn on the light at night that will attract the codling moth into the zap screen that will kill them. The unit is mounted on a pole that is long enough to place the unit above the tree line so the moths are attracted away from the trees and has an outer screen that has a mesh size large enough to allow a moth to enter the unit, but small enough to keep them trapped long enough so that the moth will be attracted to a killing screen located in the unit and surrounding the light. |
| US08424236B2 |
Multi-layered grip for use with fishing poles
Disclosed are grips and methods of making grips for use with the handle of an article, and in particular for use with fishing poles. The grip preferably includes an ethylene vinyl acetate sleeve member and a gripping member having an outer layer and an inner layer. The inner layer of the gripping member is preferably ethylene vinyl acetate and is preferably bonded or adhered to the sleeve member. |
| US08424232B2 |
Convertible hang tag and method for use thereof
I provide a hang tag, preferably used for a saleable item such as clothing, that is convertible into a storage container. The storage container can then be used to store the purchased item. In a method of use, a user can remove the hang tag from a recently purchased saleable item of clothing, and, through a series of folds and interlocking of panels, create the storage containers in which the user could place the item. |
| US08424231B2 |
Systems and methods for tracking clothing usage
Systems and methods for tracking clothing usage are disclosed. A representative method in accordance with a particular embodiment includes selecting an item of clothing and, before or after the item of clothing is worn a first time, removably attaching a first tag to the item of clothing. The first tag has a first fixedly integrated identifier having a characteristic attribute with a first value. After the item of clothing is worn at least one time with the first tag, the first tag can be removed and a second tag is removably attached to the item of clothing, with the second tag having a second fixedly integrated identifier with a second value of the characteristic attribute that is different than the first value. After the item is worn at least one time with the second tag, the item of clothing is designated for cleaning, and the second tag is removed. |
| US08424230B2 |
Channel sign assembly and retaining trim cap
A channel sign assembly is provided having a rear surface for mounting against a raceway, wall, or a structure for supporting the signage, and sheet metal sides which define the figuration of the sign assembly or shape to be depicted. A lighting element is positioned against the rear surface of the enclosure, and a lens is retained to the open front of the enclosure. The lens is retained by a screw-less retainer cap secured to the sign assembly. |
| US08424229B2 |
Display item slide
A slide for attaching to a display item such as a calendar, a poster, document, banner, wall hanging, or workpiece, has a longitudinal channel with a first end and second end and a longitudinal bend extending from the first end to the second end, a first bend portion and a second bend portion joined by the longitudinal bend, the first and second bend portions each having respective interior confronting surfaces adapted to receive an edge of the display item therebetween and respective exterior surfaces, a pair of bulges projecting from the first bend portion, a first bulge being close to the first end and a second bulge being close to the second end; and a hanger generally centrally fast with the second bend portion. The slides are paired in sets, the bulges of a first slide being spaced a different extent from its edges to those of the second set, so that the bulges of the paired slides do not coincide if one is nested in the other. The bulges may be symmetrically or asymmetrically arranged. A number of the sets provide a magazine. |
| US08424220B2 |
Laundry dryer and method for controlling the same
A dryer and a method for controlling the same are provided. The method for controlling a dryer includes supplying steam generated in a steam generator to a drum, and supplying hot air generated in a hot air heater to the drum. The method has an advantageous effect of removing wrinkles efficiently. |
| US08424214B2 |
Plane blade adjustment improvement
A plane that includes a plane body having an opening positioned in a bottom surface of the plane body; an angled support structure carried by the plane body; a blade supported by the angled support structure, the blade having an edge positionable to protrude from the opening; a blade adjuster operatively connected with the blade; and a lateral stabilizer is provided. The lateral stabilizer is selectively adjustable to prevent or permit a lateral movement of the blade and the lateral stabilizer is configured to prevent lateral movement of the blade without preventing longitudinal adjustability of the blade. When the lateral stabilizer is configured to prevent lateral movement of the blade, the lateral stabilizer does not engage the blade. |
| US08424213B2 |
Circular saw having a direct current power supply
A circular saw has a housing, a direct current motor, a battery assembly, a handle having first and second ends, a circular saw blade and a base plate. The motor is located outside of an area defined by the radius of the circular blade and between the first and second ends of the handle and the blade is laterally aligned with the handle. The circular saw also has a center of gravity which lies close to the plane defined by the saw blade, is below the handle and is within the length of the base plate. As a result of this arrangement, the circular saw of the present invention reduces the influence of the torque created during a cutting operation and improves the balance and operation of the circular saw. |
| US08424211B2 |
Separable scissors with elastic stoppers
A pivoting hand tool is provided including handle structures which control the relative angular position of pivotable arms to allow disassembly and reassembly and to prevent accidental disassembly during use. Handle structures includes an elastic interference portion which provides a first interference between the first arm and second arm at the predetermined angle to prevent angular displacement of the arms from exceeding a first predetermined angle until a disassembly pivoting force is applied to the first arm and the second arm. |
| US08424209B2 |
Assembling method of bearing unit
There is provided an assembling method of a bearing unit which has a bearing having an outer ring and a retainer plate having a retainer hole for holding the outer ring. The assembling method has pressing a plurality of portions in a circumferential direction of a circumferential edge of an inner circumferential portion of the retainer hole of the retainer plate in an axial direction so as to form engagement pawls and moving the engagement pawls of the retainer plate from one axial end of the outer ring to a engagement groove formed on an outer circumferential surface of the outer ring so as to engage the engagement pawls of the retainer plate with the engagement groove of outer ring. |
| US08424205B2 |
Method for manufacturing a bearing ring member
The present invention provides a manufacturing method of a bearing ring member such as an outer ring comprising an installation portion on the outer peripheral surface and a double row of outer-ring raceways on the inner peripheral surface, in which a raw material is processed to obtain a final stage intermediate member through a first upsetting process, a forward-backward extrusion process, a second upsetting process, a burr removing process, and a punching process, wherein a movable die which leaves a stationary die in the final step is used in the second upsetting process, and the excess metal material is moved toward outside in the radial direction to a portion which become the installation section and a burr formation section, exposing a high pure metal material at least in a portion where the load of rolling bodies acts so as to ensure the rolling fatigue life of the both of outer-ring raceways. |
| US08424202B2 |
Process for fabricating a circuit board
A process for fabricating a circuit board is provided. A circuit substrate having a first surface and a first circuit layer is provided. A first dielectric layer having a second surface is formed on the circuit substrate and covers the first surface and the first circuit layer. An antagonistic activation layer is formed on the second surface. The antagonistic activation layer is irradiated by a laser beam to form at least a blind via extended from the antagonistic activation layer to the first circuit layer and an intaglio pattern. A first conductive layer is formed inside the blind via. A second conductive layer is formed in the intaglio pattern and the blind via. The second conductive layer covers the first conductive layer and is electrically connected with the first circuit layer through the first conductive layer. The antagonistic activation layer is removed to expose the second surface. |
| US08424201B2 |
Electronic component for an electronic carrier substrate
Disclosed are an electronic component, an assembly of an electronic component and an electronic carrier substrate, and a method of connecting the electronic component to the carrier substrate. The carrier substrate has a first coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE), and the electronic component has a second CTE. The assembly further comprises a conductive material on the carrier substrate for connecting the electronic component to the carrier substrate, and the electrical component is connected to the carrier substrate by heating and then cooling this conductive material. The electronic component includes an expansion joint to allow the electronic component to expand and contract relative to the carrier substrate during the heating and cooling of the conductive material. |
| US08424199B1 |
Semiconductor chip mounting system
A circuit chip mounting system incorporates a carrier having a socket for receiving a circuit chip. The socket includes a plurality of contacts for contacting pads on the chip and includes pins extending therefrom for insertion into terminals in a PCB. Secondary spacers each having a configuration corresponding to a portion of the shape of the carrier are provided with holes arranged to receive the pins and permit the pins to pass therethrough for insertion in PCB terminals. The secondary spacers are soluble to be removed in a washing procedure during processing. |
| US08424197B2 |
Automated twist pin assembling method for interconnecting stacked circuit boards in a module
Twist pin z-axis interconnectors are assembled in columns of aligned vias in stacked printed circuit boards of a circuit module in automated assembly cycles. Each assembly cycle involves singulating a single twist pin from a plurality of twist pins, inserting the twist pin into the via column, gripping a leader portion of the twist pin, pulling the gripped leader portion until a connection portion moves into contact with the vias of the column, severing the leader portion from the connection portion, extracting the severed leader portion, and automatically repeating assembly cycles until interconnectors have been assembled into a substantial majority of the via columns of the circuit module. |
| US08424195B2 |
Apparatus for manufacturing semiconductor package for wide lead frame and method of constructing semiconductor package using the same
An apparatus for manufacturing a semiconductor package includes an index rail transferring a lead frame in forward and backward directions, the lead frame having a first surface and a second surface that is opposite to the first surface, a loader portion connected to an end portion of the index rail and supplying the lead frame to the index rail, a frame driving portion connected to the opposite end portion of the end portion of the index rail and rotating the lead frame around a normal to the first surface, and a die attach portion attaching a semiconductor chip on the lead frame supplied to the index rail. |
| US08424194B2 |
Apparatus for assembly of a press-fit modular work piece
An apparatus for assembling a press-fit modular work piece is described that includes a surface member having a central opening. A hatch member is disposed on one side of the surface member, and is moveable between a first position where it does not cover the opening and a second position covering the opening. A work piece receiving member is disposed proximate the other side of the surface member across from the central opening for receiving components of the press-fit modular work piece. An actuator moves the work piece receiving member toward the opening so components of the work piece press against the hatch member when the hatch member is moved into the second position. The actuator moves the work piece receiving member to a position to receive components of the work piece when the hatch member is in the first position. |
| US08424188B2 |
Method of manufacturing an end ring over pre-formed conductor bars of a rotor for an electric device
A method of manufacturing a rotor assembly includes positioning a laminated stack of electric steel sheets with a plurality of conductor bars positioned within longitudinal grooves defined by the laminated stack in a mold, and casting an end ring in place over ends of the conductor bars. In order to cast the end ring in place, heated liquid aluminum is injected into a cavity defining the end ring, and circulated within the cavity and around the ends of the conductor bars to create relative movement between the liquid aluminum and the ends of the conductor bars to heat the conductor bars and flush oxides away from an outer surface of the conductor bars. |
| US08424187B2 |
Method of terminating the stator winding of an electric motor
Provided is system and method for terminating stator windings to provide a fast, reliable, and convenient connection system. A U-shaped intermediary connection piece comprising individual pieces with cable exits is provided. Stator windings are attached to the individual pieces and the stator and connection piece are encapsulated with resin. The individual pieces are eliminated, thereby electrically isolating the cable exits. |
| US08424186B2 |
Method for manufacturing an electric machine by a lost foam casting process, and electric machine for a hybrid vehicle
A method for manufacturing an electric machine, made up of a housing, a stator accommodated in the housing, which is formed from a stator body and stator windings, a rotor, which is supported in the housing so as to be rotatable about a rotor axis, and a bearing support fastened on the housing, includes a housing foam part manufactured from at least three individual foam parts and a housing cast blank manufactured using the housing foam part in accordance with a lost foam casting method. Individual foam parts are made up of a center disk having an essentially hollow-cylindrical design and forming an intermediate piece of a housing foam part, an annular disk having an essentially hollow-cylindrical design and forming another intermediate piece of the housing foam part, and a bearing support disk having an essentially cup-shaped design and forming an end of the housing foam part. |
| US08424181B2 |
High pressure revamp of low pressure distillate hydrotreating process units
A cost effective method for revamping a low pressure distillate hydrotreating process unit to a high pressure distillate hydrotreating process unit. A high pressure hot-feed pump is added, the furnace is retubed for higher pressures, the low pressure reactor is replaced with a high pressure reactor, a high pressure let-down valve is added at the reactor outlet, and the low pressure recycle compressor is replaced with a high pressure recycle compressor. |
| US08424174B2 |
Fastener for ornaments having a pin
A fastener for ornaments includes a housing 12 having a pin passing hole 16 and an opening portion 19. A guide 22 has a small diameter portion 23a at the pin passing hole 16 side. A movable operating body 32 has a grip member 34 protruded to an exterior from the opening portion 19 at one end 33a of a column portion 33 and having, at another end 33b, a small ball holder portion 35, with which in a latched state, a surface at a small ball 46 side of its outer peripheral surface 37 closely contacts an inner peripheral surface 24 of the guide 22. A coil spring 52 pressingly urges the movable operating body 35 in a pin clamping direction. A plurality of small balls 46 disposed in the movable operating body clamp an inserted pin (P). |
| US08424173B2 |
Spacer clip
A spacer clip includes a flange, a shank extending from the flange that can be inserted into a through in a member being attached to, and legs extending from the end part of the shank, connected by hinges to the shank end part so as that they can pivot from an initial attitude to a clamping attitude wherein they are substantially parallel to the flange. Levers extend from root portions of the legs toward the tip ends of the legs so that they can pivot together with the legs. The legs have leg-side pawls in the portions thereof adjacent to the shank end part, which extend to the flange side when the legs are in the clamping attitude; the flange has flange-side pawls for engaging the leg-side pawls and maintaining the legs in the clamping attitude; and slits are formed on either side of the flange-side pawls. |
| US08424168B2 |
Closure system
By way of example, a cam assembly and strap based closure system using a spiral is configured for bringing two sides of an article together. When the user inserts the strap into the cam assembly and turns a knob, the strap is driven into the cam assembly and the strap pins engage one or more cam spirals. The system is configured such that strap pins are engaged at a constant angle which may be self-locking. The system is infinitely adjustable and the torque felt by the knob is constant. The system is configured to be a quick release system and allows rapid insertion of the strap for faster operation. |
| US08424167B2 |
Hose clamps
Connecting the two band ends 10, 18 of a hose clamp is done by means of a guide hook 16 disposed on an inner band portion and engaging a guide hook receiving means 12 on the outer band end 10, and a support hook 17 also formed on the inner band portion and engaging a support hook receiving means 13 on the outer band portion. The support hook receiving means 13 is an embossment formed from the band material by cold deformation and being continuous with the band material on all sides, the inner surface of the support hook receiving means 13 having a support portion 25 adjacent to the outer band end 10 and extending at right angles with respect to the band surface. The support hook 17 has a nose 26 which faces away from the inner band end 18 and has a cut edge which nicks into the support portion 25 of the support hook receiving means 13 when the hose clamp is tightened. Since the support hook receiving means 13 is entirely continuous with the band material, it has a much higher stability then conventional cut-outs or windows formed in the band. |
| US08424155B2 |
Upright vacuum cleaner with agitator lift feature
A floor cleaning apparatus includes a body having a nozzle assembly and a canister assembly. The handle assembly is pivotally attached to the nozzle assembly. The nozzle assembly includes an agitator cavity that receives a rotary agitator. Both a suction generator and a dirt collection vessel are carried on the body. In addition, the vacuum cleaner includes an agitator lift assembly. The agitator lift assembly includes a sliding actuator and a fulcrum plate. |
| US08424152B2 |
Electric device having an electric motor and storage battery pack
An electrical appliance including a housing containing an electric motor and a storage battery pack for energizing the electric motor at an operating voltage of more than 42 volts. The storage battery pack includes a plurality of storage battery cells electrically connected so as to form at least two cell groups having a cell voltage of less than 42 volts. A connector assembly includes a bridge circuit configured to electrically connect the cell groups with each other so as to provide the operating voltage of more than 42 volts while establishing electrical connection between the storage battery pack and the electric motor. |
| US08424149B2 |
Wiper blade
The invention is based on a wiper blade (10) comprising a wiper strip (12), in the lateral longitudinal grooves (20) of which two parallel spring rails (24) are inserted as a supporting element in the head strip (16), wherein a spoiler (30) and end caps (32, 48) are provided on the rails. The end caps (32, 48) each connect with a flow profile (34) to the spoiler (30) and extend at the front sides facing the ends of the wiper blade (10) toward a wiper lip (14) over the spring rails (24). It is proposed that at least one end cap (32, 48) comprises a closeable assembly opening (38) in the region overlapping the spring rails (24) and the head strip (16). |
| US08424144B2 |
Illuminated flashing toothbrush and method of use
A toothbrush can include a handle and a head. At least one bristle can be attached to the head. The toothbrush can also have an illumination member, an illumination circuit and an activation device. The activation device can include two contact members fixed in a non-contact position on an outside of the handle. A method can include causing conduction between the contact members to activate the illumination circuit. The toothbrush can be an electric toothbrush. The electric toothbrush can have an illumination member positioned such that light from the illumination member can be seen by a user in a mirror facing the user. |
| US08424143B2 |
Electric toothbrush
An electric toothbrush is disclosed. The toothbrush includes a housing; a brush; an electric motor for driving the brush; a power supply for providing the electric power required for operation of the toothbrush; a switch mechanism for turning the drive on and off; and an electronic circuit for adjusting the effective voltage (UMot) applied to the electric motor. In operation, a voltage supplied by the power supply declines with the discharge status of the power supply from a high-voltage range to a low-voltage range. During operation of the toothbrush in the high-voltage range (H), the effective voltage (UMot) applied to the electric motor is lowered to a level at which the electric motor has reached a rotational speed corresponding essentially to the rotational speed of the electric motor in the medium-voltage range. |
| US08424137B1 |
Ribbed gel
Ribbed gel devices for cushioning purposes. |
| US08424133B1 |
Iso-roll table
An improved medical procedure table has motorized elevation, Trendelenburg tilt, floating tabletop with both longitudinal and lateral travel, multi-caster control, and an iso-roll device for the tabletop. The iso-roll device is connected between a roll plate and a cross plate. The iso-roll device includes a pair of iso-roll guide plates, which are mounted laterally to a bottom of the roll plate. Each iso-roll guide plate has an arcuate guide channel therein having an upwards concave shape. A set of cam followers are positioned in both guide channels and travel therein and also fixedly mounted to a base on the cross plate. A center of radius of the arcuate guide channel is approximately 5 inches above the tabletop. Further, mounted between the iso-roll guide plates and to the roll plate is a support guide plate having an arcuate bottom surface. |
| US08424131B2 |
Bassinets and related methods
Bassinet assemblies and related methods are disclosed. An example bassinet assembly includes an upper frame, a first support arm and a second support arm coupled to the upper frame and a floorboard coupled or adjacent to the first support arm and the second support arm. The example bassinet assembly also includes a support liner coupled between the floorboard and the upper frame and a cover disposed over at least a portion of each of the upper frame, the support liner and the floorboard. |
| US08424124B2 |
Seat operated toilet with movable water storage tank
A multifunctional toilet comprises a water storage device having a guide rail, a toilet seat and an arm assembly. The water storage device is provided with a water tank having a water inlet and a water outlet. At the water inlet is provided an inlet valve having a float ball, and at the water outlet is provided an outlet valve. The opening and closing of the inlet valve is controlled by a controller. The opening and closing of the outlet valve is controlled by a rope. When the water tank moves to its lowest position, the controller will close the inlet valve, and the rope will open the outlet valve. At the water outlet outside the water tank is provided an expansion discharge pipe. Such a multifunctional toilet is simple in structure and has the advantage of automatically flushing the toilet without the use of electricity. |
| US08424122B2 |
Dispenser device in particular a WC rinser with fixing means
The application relates to a release device, in particular toilet freshener, for releasing at least one preparation into the interior of a toilet bowl comprising a dispenser, at least one container connected to the dispenser for storing at least one preparation, a release element for releasing preparation, in particular into the interior of a toilet bowl, the release element being connected in communicating manner to the container via a line and the bottom of the container being arranged above the release orifice of the release element in the direction of gravity, such that a difference in level Δh is formed between the bottom of the container and the release orifice of the release element. |
| US08424121B2 |
Odour extraction device for a toilet pan
An odor extraction device (1) for a toilet having a pan (2) and a cistern (4) is disclosed. The extraction device (1) includes an inlet (3) and an outlet (5). The inlet (3) is adapted for gas communication with an interior of the toilet pan (2) above the water level in the pan (2). The outlet (5) is in gas communication with the inlet (3). The outlet (5) is also adapted for gas communication with a sewerage pipe (6). A suction means, in the form of an impeller fan (7), is provided intermediate the inlet (3) and the outlet (5) for drawing gas from within the pan (2) in through the inlet (3) and out through the outlet (5). To prevent backflow of unpleasant odors from the sewerage pipe (6) to the pan (2), a one way valve (8) is provided between the inlet (3) and the outlet (5). |
| US08424120B2 |
Device and process for cooling a safety suit
A cooling device for a safety suit, including an air delivery device (2) and a cooling source (3), has a substance that reacts endothermically with water as the cooling medium. |
| US08424118B2 |
Undergarment
An undergarment includes a lower body portion having a waist opening and a crotch portion. The crotch portion has a skin contact surface and an outer surface and includes a weft knit fabric portion with at least a first predominately cotton yarn and a second predominately cotton yarn. At least one of the first and second yarns have a moisture wicking treatment applied prior to knitting and comprises at least about 40% of the weight of the weft knit fabric. The weft knit fabric includes an antimicrobial treatment. The undergarment has improved moisture management and comfort properties. |
| US08424115B2 |
Wristband with contoured comfort sides
A bending yielding feature for use along an edge of any flexible wristband design provides a cushioning effect to a wearer's wrist or ankle as the wristband is worn, thereby helping to prevent injury to the wearer's wrist or ankle as he flexes his wrist or ankle against the wristband. The bending yielding feature can include many edge designs such as a scalloped edge, a curved edge, an edge with a series of extending flaps, and other such shapes. |
| US08429761B2 |
Photon induced near field electron microscope and biological imaging system
A method of obtaining PINEM images includes providing femtosecond optical pulse, generating electron pulses, and directing the electron pulses towards a sample. The method also includes overlapping the femtosecond optical pulses and the electron pulses spatially and temporally at the sample and transferring energy from the femtosecond optical pulses to the electron pulses. The method further includes detecting electron pulses having an energy greater than a zero loss value, providing imaging in space and time. |
| US08429759B2 |
Theft management system and method
Methods and apparatus for theft management are described. In an embodiment an out-of-band notification is received, indicative of theft of a computing device. In response, a theft message is delivered to the computing device using a wireless wide area network. Other embodiments are also disclosed and claimed. |
| US08429757B1 |
Controlling use of computing-related resources by multiple independent parties
Techniques are described for managing access to computing-related resources that, for example, may enable multiple distinct parties to independently control access to the resources (e.g., such that a request to access a resource succeeds only if all of multiple associated parties approve that access). For example, an executing software application may, on behalf of an end user, make use of computing-related resources of one or more types that are provided by one or more remote third-party network services (e.g., data storage services provided by an online storage service) —in such a situation, both the developer user who created the software application and the end user may be allowed to independently specify access rights for one or more particular such computing-related resources (e.g., stored data files), such that neither the end user nor the software application developer user may later access those resources without the approval of the other party. |
| US08429753B2 |
Controlling access to documents using file locks
Examples are related to systems and methods for controlling access to document files on a document server. One example system includes document files stored on a document server, at least one of the document files referencing a file lock, and a document access processing module. The example document access processing module includes a file sharing processing module that determines a coauthoring status of a software application of a client computer requesting access to the document file, and a file lock processing module that stores one or more file locks and that controls the setting and resetting of file locks. The example document access processing module uses the coauthoring status of the software application and the file lock status of a document file to determine whether a software application is permitted to have write access to the document file. |
| US08429752B2 |
System and method for digital rights management of digital media
A system and accompanying method for Digital Rights Management (DRM) are disclosed that permit arbitrary forms of digital media to be vended in a networked environment. Special purpose renderers are distributed with each particular instance of digital media. Each renderer may include a tailored set of controls allowing the owner of the digital media to restrict the use thereof. |
| US08429747B2 |
Method and device for detecting flood attacks
Disclosed is a flood attack detection method, wherein the total number of keywords of a source packet is acquired, and the number of feature parameters corresponding to the source packet is acquired. A ratio of the number of feature parameters to the total number of keywords is compared with a preset threshold, and if the ratio is greater than or equal to the preset threshold, it is determined that a flood attack occurs. |
| US08429744B1 |
Systems and methods for detecting malformed arguments in a function by hooking a generic object
A computer-implemented method to detect malformed arguments in a function by hooking a generic object, is described. A predetermined argument to monitor is identified. An activity associated with a calling of a function to produce a called out function is detected. The called out function is mapped to a class identification of an object. An argument in the called out function is compared with the predetermined argument. When a match exists, a virtual method table identification is recorded for the called out function. The match between the argument in the called out function and the predetermined argument is reported. |
| US08429742B2 |
Detection of a denial of service attack on an internet server
An apparatus and method to detect a denial of service attack on an internet server by a hacker or malevolent software while effectively distinguishing an attack from a spike in demand by legitimate users of the server. In preferred embodiments, the kernel's TCP implementation is modified to hold back sending a reset (RST) to terminate the connection and to make an entry into a dead connection list when a connection attempt is dropped off of an overflowing accept queue. The entries are removed from the dead connection list when they become stale or an ACK is received corresponding to the entry. Additional TCP kernel parameters include a monitor enable to turn on or off the DoS monitor, a monitor threshold to determine when to send an alarm, and a stale time that is a timeout value to determine when to remove entries from the dead connection list. |
| US08429740B2 |
Search result presentation
A data presentation system for a search engine may use classified or tagged elements in a resulting document to create a search result document that has portions redacted, modified, or changed based on the tags or classifications of elements within the document. The document may be rebuilt from the search engine database at presentation time with one or more elements changed or modified. The permission settings for a user or other factors may be used to determine which elements within the document are permitted to be accessed. |
| US08429734B2 |
Method for detecting DNS redirects or fraudulent local certificates for SSL sites in pharming/phishing schemes by remote validation and using a credential manager and recorded certificate attributes
Certificate information associated with a received certificate, such as a Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) certificate is stored in a trusted local cache and/or in one or more remote trusted sources, such as a single remote trusted source and/or a trusted peer network. When a site certificate is received on a host computer system, certificate information associated with the received site certificate is obtained and compared with the stored certificate information to determine whether or not the site certificate indicates malicious activity, such as a malicious DNS redirection or a fraudulent local certificate. When a site certificate is not found indicative of malicious activity, the site certificate is released. Alternatively, when a site certificates is found indicative of malicious activity protective action is taken. In some embodiments, a user's log-in credentials are automatically obtained from a trusted local cache and automatically submitted to a web site. |
| US08429733B2 |
Authentication system, terminal and information processing device, having function of performing stable authentication
To provide an authentication system allowing stable determination as to whether a user is a registered user while saving user's trouble, an information processing device capable of data communication with a plurality of image forming apparatuses extracts an image forming apparatus connected to an IC card reader from the plurality of image forming apparatuses, based on reply signals transmitted from the plurality of image forming apparatuses, and transmits user account information of registered users to the extracted image forming apparatus. The image forming apparatus connectable to the IC card reader performs, if it is determined that the IC card reader is connected to the image forming apparatus, the authentication process based on the user account information of registered users received from the information processing device and on the information read by the IC card reader. |
| US08429732B2 |
Data communication method and data communication system
A first server in a system includes confirmation requesting unit 110 that receives an authentication request from a predetermined apparatus 400 coupled through a public line and that sends a user confirmation request to a second server in the case where user authentication is successful. A second server includes a user facility identifying unit 210 that receives the user confirmation request from the first server and identifies location information of the user facility of the user and a confirmation result notifying unit 211 that receives a utilization request from a measuring apparatus linked through a dedicated line and identifies disposition location information of the measuring apparatus and that sends a notification of success of user confirmation including the identification information of the user to the first server 100 if the disposition location information of the measuring apparatus is identical to the user facility location information. |
| US08429728B2 |
Pre-registration security support in multi-technology interworking
Pre-registration security support in a multiple access technology environment is disclosed. For example, a method is disclosed for use in a computing device of a communication system. The communication system supports two or more access technologies for permitting a communication device to access the communication system, and at least part of a first security context is generated at the computing device for a given communication device permitting the given communication device to access the communication system via a first access technology. The method comprises generating at the computing device at least part of at least a second security context for the given communication device such that the given communication device is pre-registered to access the communication system via at least a second access technology while maintaining the first security context such that the given communication device continues to access the communication system via the first access technology and is pre-registered to subsequently access the communication system via the second access technology. |
| US08429726B2 |
Service provider invocation
A service provider may provide one or more services to and/or for a client. Providing a service may involve receiving a service request including a security token at the service provider and determining whether the security token is valid. Providing the service may also involve determining a session security token if the security token is valid and generating a service response including the session security token. Providing the service may further involve receiving a service request including the session security token, determining whether the session security token is valid, and, if the session security token is valid, generating a second service response. |
| US08429723B2 |
Method and system for role-based access control to a collaborative online legal workflow tool
A computer system and method for distributed legal workflow security provides role-based access control to a collaborative online workflow tool. The system includes a computer network having one or more computers operably programmed and configured to receive input defining computer system access privileges for a plurality of distributed legal workflow participants. The system receives input associating one or more legal workflow role types defined by users with one or more of the distributed legal workflow participants to define the role-based access. Permission privileges are input and associated with a plurality of legal workflow graphical interface functions based on the one or more legal workflow role types. Based on the permission privileges associated with the role type of the participant, the system provides legal workflow graphical interface functionality to the one or more distributed legal workflow participants. |
| US08429718B2 |
Control production support access
A device creates a group for accessing a front door program that enables access to a secure resource, assigns, to the group, one or more permissions to perform one or more tasks associated with the secure resource, and adds a user to the group using identification information associated with the user, wherein the user is permitted to perform the one or more tasks based on the addition of the user to the group. |
| US08429708B1 |
Method and system for assessing cumulative access entitlements of an entity in a system
A method and system is provided for assessing the cumulative set of access entitlements to which an entity, of an information system, may be implicitly or explicitly authorized, by virtue of the universe of authorization intent specifications that exist across that information system, or a specified subset thereof, that specify access for that entity or for any entity collectives with which that entity may be directly or transitively affiliated. The effective system-level access granted to the user based upon operating system rules or according to access check methodologies is determined and mapped to administrative tasks to arrive at the cumulative set of access entitlements authorized for the user. |
| US08429707B2 |
Method and apparatus for interacting with a set-top box based on sensor events from a user device
An approach is provided for controlling a set-top box based on sensor triggered events on a user device. A set-top box receives a control message from a user device, wherein the control message specifies an event corresponding to one or more sensors of the user device. The set-top box maps the event to an activity associated with an application that is executed by the set-top box. Also, the set-top box presents media content provided by the application according to the mapped activity. |
| US08429705B2 |
System and method for transmitting interactive services associated with broadcast contents, in real time or off line
A system is dedicated to the transmission of additional contents (CA) accessible in interactive mode and associated with contents (CP) broadcast to primary communication terminals (TP1, TP2), connected to a broadcasting network (R1) and associated with programming information (PI). This system comprises i) an equipment (ST) required to associate a data set (ES) with each additional content (CA), including a content definition, an address to access it and a broadcast date, depending on programming information (PI), and to transmit each set (ES) through the broadcasting network before the broadcast date contained in it, ii) primary communication terminals (TP1, TP2) required to store each transmitted set (ES) and to enable loading of the definition and the address contained in it during a time interval including the broadcast date contained in it, and iii) secondary communication terminals (TS11-TS23) each being capable of loading each definition and the associated address, stored by a neighboring primary communication terminal (TP1, TP2), during the associated time interval so as to immediately display and/or broadcast it and thus enable its user to select it to request transmission of the additional content associated with it to the associated address through a communication network (R2). |
| US08429703B2 |
Video distribution apparatus, viewer apparatus, video distribution system including these apparatuses, control method for the video distribution apparatus, control method for the viewer apparatus, and computer program for the apparatuses
A video distribution system which is enhanced in flexibility in distribution mode switching. In a camera server connected to a viewer via a network, a video capture board captures a video image. A CPU processes the captured video image according to an electronic PTZ mode for cutting out a part of the captured video image and a mechanical PTZ emulation mode for cutting out parts of the captured video image and interpolating the cut-out images. The CPU distributes the processed video image to the viewer via the network. The CPU performs mode switching between the electronic PTZ mode and the mechanical PTZ emulation mode based on control information transmitted from the viewer. |
| US08429700B2 |
Delivering an audio video asset
A method of delivering an audio video asset is described. The method includes: receiving an order specifying an audio video asset to be delivered and a delivery destination for the audio video asset, wherein a delivery destination represents one or more physical delivery recipients; determining delivery paths representing different delivery technologies that could be used to deliver the audio video asset to the delivery destination; retrieving a set of path capacity timelines for the delivery paths, wherein path capacity timelines in the set of path capacity timelines each model a quantity of available capacity varying over time; processing the path capacity timelines to yield delivery path capacities; applying an allocation algorithm to the delivery path capacities to yield candidate delivery allocations, wherein candidate delivery allocations each includes one or more time periods during which one or more time periods a defined quantity of capacity can be allocated for delivery of the audio video asset; applying a cost function to the candidate delivery allocations to yield cost values, wherein the cost values each represent a cost of delivering the audio video asset according to the candidate delivery allocations; calculating scores for the candidate delivery allocations in dependence on a cost value for that candidate delivery allocation and one or more other objectives; selecting a candidate delivery allocation having a lowest score to yield a selected candidate delivery allocation; and delivering the audio video asset according to the selected candidate delivery allocation. Related apparatus and methods are also described. |
| US08429698B2 |
Digital broadcast transmission device and digital broadcast reception device
A digital broadcast transmission device generates channel combination information associating a plurality of physical channels. The digital broadcast transmission device divides a bit stream into a plurality of bit streams, the bit stream including program-related information having added thereto channel combination information, and transmits the divided bit streams on the plurality of physical channels, respectively. A digital broadcast reception device selects the plurality of physical channels using a plurality of front ends based on the channel combination information, and demodulates broadcast waves received on the plurality of physical channels, respectively. The digital broadcast reception device combines bit streams obtained from the demodulation, and outputs the combined bit stream. The digital broadcast reception device also simultaneously transmits a light bit stream on a different single physical channel, the light bit stream being a bit stream smaller in amount of information than the combined bit stream. |
| US08429696B2 |
Multimedia presentation resumption within an environment of multiple presentation systems
With at least one implementation described herein, one or more viewers are able to watch the same source multimedia content at multiple locations within an environment (e.g., a household). With at least one implementation described herein, a viewer is able to resume watching such content at a new location (or “locus”) from the point that she bookmarked the content at an original location. This abstract itself is not intended to limit the scope of this patent. The scope of the present invention is pointed out in the appending claims. |
| US08429689B2 |
Program data processing method and apparatus
A process for performing video recording and the like after obtaining electronic program data is optimized. According to the process, only program data relating to one or more predetermined preset channels of the channels which are broadcast by a broadcast service are separated from program data which guide programs broadcast by a predetermined broadcast service. Only program data relating to a predetermined channel are stored, and processes of video recording and the like can be performed according to the stored program data. |
| US08429688B1 |
Broadcast programming guide
A system and method for generating a broadcast programming guide. Based on either designation by or a habit of a user, a programming guide comprising one or more favorite channels of the user is created by a microcomputer of a receiver. The programming guide comprises programming information. Preferably, the programming information is obtained from one or more external sources. The programming guide preferably also comprises one or more suggested channels based on the favorite channels. The programming guide is presented to the user when the receiver is powered on or when the programming guide is requested by the user. |
| US08429684B2 |
Methods and apparatuses for determining preferred content using a temporal metadata table
A broadcast system, method and apparatus providing content on demand. Embodiments of the present invention provide methods and apparatuses for rating content to be broadcast or to be broadcast potentially from a server. Additional aspects of particular embodiments of the invention provide methods and apparatuses for automatically managing storage resources of client systems. For one embodiment of the present invention, a user consumes a number of data files each having an associated temporal metadata table (TMDT). Each TMDT contains a plurality of time-indexed entries, each entry containing metadata describing a segment of the corresponding data file. The TMDT and user interaction during consumption of a one or more data files are used to create a preference profile table (PPT) for the user. The PPT is stored at the client system and is used to evaluate subsequent content. Such evaluation is used to determine broadcast schedules or automatically manage storage resources. |
| US08429683B2 |
Program viewing history
A method may include tracking program viewing information via a set-top box and storing the tracked program viewing information. |
| US08429680B2 |
Disk device including disk conveyance mechanism and disk installment mechanism
There is provided a disk device having a buffer portion capable of relatively moving at least a rack at the beginning of meshing with a drive gear in an opposite direction to a moving direction of a slide cam member moved by conveyance of a disk, when the disk is conveyed to a replayable position by a disk conveyance mechanism and the slide cam member moves so that the drive gear and the rack are meshed with each other. |
| US08429678B1 |
Redirecting video to a remote client using a service processor
Technologies are provided herein for redirecting video data from a host computer to a remote client using a service processor. The service processor exposes a virtual display adapter to the host computer so that the host computer can send video data to the service processor. The service processor includes a processor, a random access memory, and a device endpoint configured to communicate with the host computer. The service processor also includes a non-volatile memory that stores a firmware that executes on the processor to expose a virtual display adapter to the host computer by way of the device endpoint. Upon exposing the virtual display adapter to the host computer, the service processor receives video data directed to the virtual display adapter from the host computer and sends the video data to a remote client. |
| US08429677B2 |
Composite solid state drive identification and optimization technologies
Technologies for an operating system identifying SSD and CSSD devices based on a corresponding descriptor, and for optimizing operating system functionalities with respect to the SSD/CSSD device. Optimizations include disabling non-SSD/CSSD functionalities, such as HDD defragmentation, and by enabling SSD/CSSD specific functionalities, such as write optimization storage functionalities. |
| US08429675B1 |
Virtual machine communication
Two or more virtual machines may be co-located on a same physical machine, and the virtual machines may communicate with each other. To establish efficient communication, memory mapping information for respective virtual machines can be exchanged between the respective virtual machines. An instance of a virtualized network interface can be established, and a direct communications channel can be mapped between respective virtualized network interfaces. Data packet routing information can be updated, such that data packets transferred between two of more co-located virtual machines can be transferred using the virtualized network interface communications channel. |
| US08429672B2 |
Method for carrying out the data transfer between program elements of a process, buffer object for carrying out the data transfer, and printing system
For implementation of a transfer of data between two program elements, a buffer object is provided between and linking the program elements. One of the program elements writes data into the buffer and the other program element reads data from the buffer, thus driving data transfer. The program element writing the data causes the buffer to call the reading program element. The program element reading the data causes the buffer object to call the writing program element. |
| US08429669B2 |
Virtual machine switching control by prefetching information out of and updating a set of processor control information based on a bitmap having update status
Provided is a virtual machine including a first virtualization module operating on a physical CPU, for providing a first CPU, and a second virtualization module operating on the first CPU, for providing second CPU. The second virtualization module includes first processor control information holding a state of the first CPU obtained at a time of execution of the user program. The first virtualization module includes second processor control information containing a state of the physical CPU obtained at the time of the execution of the second virtualization module, third processor control information containing a state of the physical CPU obtained at the time of the execution of the user program, and prefetch entry information in which information to be prefetched from the third processor control information is set, and, upon detection of a event, the information set in the prefetch entry information is reflected to the first processor control information. |
| US08429668B2 |
Workflow task re-evaluation
An occurrence of a workflow re-evaluation event during execution of tasks in a workflow is identified. In response to the workflow re-evaluation event, it is determined for each task previously executed in the workflow whether such task needs to be executed again. Those tasks in the workflow for which it was determined that the corresponding task needs to be executed again are executed again, while the tasks in the workflow that were previously executed and for which it was not determined that the corresponding task needs to be executed again are skipped. Related apparatus, systems, techniques and articles are also described. |
| US08429665B2 |
Cache performance prediction, partitioning and scheduling based on cache pressure of threads
A method is described for scheduling in an intelligent manner a plurality of threads on a processor having a plurality of cores and a shared last level cache (LLC). In the method, a first and second scenario having a corresponding first and second combination of threads are identified. The cache occupancies of each of the threads for each of the scenarios are predicted. The predicted cache occupancies being a representation of an amount of the LLC that each of the threads would occupy when running with the other threads on the processor according to the particular scenario. One of the scenarios is identified that results in the least objectionable impacts on all threads, the least objectionable impacts taking into account the impact resulting from the predicted cache occupancies. Finally, a scheduling decision is made according to the one of the scenarios that results in the least objectionable impacts. |
| US08429664B2 |
Job scheduling apparatus and job scheduling method
When allocating an unallocated queued job, by using a CDA having a mesh structure to which active jobs are allocated, a job scheduling apparatus scans an event list that includes information about allocation events and release events for jobs, determines the coordinates and the time at which submeshes corresponding to the queued jobs are reserved, and arranges the submeshes by overlapping them on the CDA. |
| US08429663B2 |
Allocating task groups to processor cores based on number of task allocated per core, tolerable execution time, distance between cores, core coordinates, performance and disposition pattern
Even if a multiprocessor includes an uneven performance core, an inoperative core or a core that does not satisfy such a performance as designed but if the contrivance of task allocation can satisfy the requirement of an application to be executed, the multiple processors are shipped. In a task group allocation method for allocating, to a processor having a plurality of cores, task groups included in an application for the processor to execute, a calculation section measures performances and disposition patterns of the cores, generates a restricting condition associating the measured performances and disposition patterns of the cores with information indicating whether the application can be executed, and, with reference to the restricting condition, reallocates to the cores, the task groups that have previously been allocated to the cores. |
| US08429656B1 |
Thread count throttling for efficient resource utilization
Methods and apparatuses are presented for graphics operations with thread count throttling, involving operating a processor to carry out multiple threads of execution of, wherein the processor comprises at least one execution unit capable of supporting up to a maximum number of threads, obtaining a defined memory allocation size for allocating, in at least one memory device, a thread-specific memory space for the multiple threads, obtaining a per thread memory requirement corresponding to the thread-specific memory space, determining a thread count limit based on the defined memory allocation size and the per thread memory requirement, and sending a command to the processor to cause the processor to limit the number of threads carried out by the at least one execution unit to a reduced number of threads, the reduced number of threads being less than the maximum number of threads. |
| US08429649B1 |
Systems and methods for data management in a virtual computing environment
Systems and methods are disclosed for performing operations on a host system with one or more virtual machines without persistently storing an agent or daemon thereon. In certain examples, a management server is configured to inject dependencies, such as binary data, over a network to the host system for performing a requested operation. For instance, systems and methods can establish a secure shell (SSH) port forwarding connection through which dependencies stored on the management server are injected into a service console of the host system. The injected dependencies can then be executed and/or used to perform the requested operation, such as a backup or compression operation on virtual machine data. Once the requested operation has completed, the injected binaries are preferably removed from the host system so as to conserve system resources. |
| US08429648B2 |
Method and apparatus to service a software generated trap received by a virtual machine monitor
A software generated trap is received by a virtual machine monitor running on a computer system, wherein the software generated trap was caused by a process or a guest operating system of a virtual machine hosted by the computer system. The virtual machine monitor performs a service in response to receiving the software generated trap. |
| US08429647B2 |
Virtual machine migration across network by publishing routes to the associated virtual networks via virtual router after the start of migration of the virtual machine
Methods, systems and computer programs for migrating a virtual machine (VM) executing on a first host to a second host are presented, where the first host and the second are on different networks. One embodiment of a method includes assigning to the VM a VM address (VMA) belonging to a VM network and publishing a first route to an associated network (AN) via a first virtual router executing on the first host. The method further includes migrating the VM from the first host to the second host, the VM maintaining the assigned VMA after migrating, and publishing a second route to the AN via a second virtual router executing on the second host. The first and second virtual routers have addresses belonging to the VM network, and network packets to and from the VM flow through the virtual router where the VM is executing. A temporary tunnel between the virtual routers allows traffic to flow to the VM while the new route to AN is propagated throughout the network. The use of the associated network, which is associated with the VM, and the publishing of a new route to the VM allow the VM to keep the original VMA network address after the migration. |
| US08429644B2 |
Image forming apparatus, and web application installing method
A web application processing method, the web application processing method including: receiving web application information regarding a web application; accessing a web page for the web application using the web application information; reading contents from the web page; generating a virtual application corresponding to the web application using the read contents; and installing the generated virtual application in an image forming apparatus. Therefore, it is possible for a user to easily install a web application using uniform resource locator (URL) information, thereby increasing user convenience. |
| US08429642B1 |
Viral updating of software based on neighbor software information
A computer-implemented method for virally updating software in a networked computer including performing neighbor computer discovery using the networked computer to ascertain neighbor computers and ascertaining, using the networked computer, whether any of the neighbor computers possesses an update package configured for updating the software. If a neighbor computer of the neighbor computers possesses the update package, the method includes retrieving the update package to the networked computer and updating the software in the networked computer using the update package. |
| US08429637B2 |
System and method for conditional expansion obfuscation
Disclosed herein are systems, methods, and computer readable-media for obfuscating code through conditional expansion obfuscation. The method includes identifying a conditional expression in a computer program, identifying a sequence of conditional expressions that is semantically equivalent to the conditional expression, and replacing the conditional expression with the semantically equivalent sequence of conditional expressions. One option replaces each like conditional expression in the computer program with a diverse set of sequences of semantically equivalent conditional expressions. A second option rearranges computer instructions that are to be processed after the sequence of conditional expression is evaluated so that a portion of the instructions is performed before the entire sequence of conditional expressions is evaluated. A third option performs conditional expansion obfuscation of a conditional statement in combination with branch extraction obfuscation. |
| US08429635B2 |
Controlling compiler optimizations
In an embodiment, a conditional branch is detected that selects between execution of a first alternative block and a second alternative block. A first count and a second count are saved, where the first count is a number of times the first alternative block was executed, and the second count is a number of times the second alternative block was executed. If the first count is greater than a threshold and the second count equals zero, the first alternative block is compiled into first alternative block object code and the second alternative block is not compiled. If the first count is not greater than the threshold, the first alternative block is compiled into the first alternative block object code and the second alternative block is compiled into second alternative block object code. |
| US08429634B2 |
Semiconductor device, memory circuit, and machine language program generation device, and method for operating semiconductor device and memory circuit
A semiconductor device has an arithmetic processing circuit provided with an arithmetic circuit and a control circuit and a memory circuit provided with a ROM and a RAM, where the arithmetic processing circuit and the memory circuit are connected to each other through an address bus and a data bus, a machine language program executed using the arithmetic processing circuit is stored in the ROM, the RAM has a plurality of banks, processing data obtained by executing the machine language program is divided into a plurality of stacks to be written to the plurality of banks, and the arithmetic processing circuit is operated in accordance with the machine language program so that, in the plurality of stacks stored in the plurality of banks, a stack of which data is not used until the machine language program is terminated is omitted and contiguous stacks are written to the same bank. |
| US08429632B1 |
Method and system for debugging merged functions within a program
A method for debugging the object code of a program is disclosed. While executing an object code segment on an information processing device, a debugger receives a location identifier associated with the object code segment and identifies a call site within a call stack of the program using the location identifier. The call site is responsible for invoking the execution of the object code segment. Next, the debugger scans a call table for an entry of the call site that includes information for locating a debugging information entry within a compilation unit of the program. The debugger retrieves the debugging information entry from the compilation unit using the location information and identifies a unique one of multiple different source code segments as the one corresponding to the object code segment using a source code segment identifier in the debugging information entry. |
| US08429629B2 |
In-kernel virtual machine for low overhead startup and low resource usage
Embodiments of the present invention provide an architecture for efficiently loading and executing byte code generated from a general programming language. In particular, a byte code interpreter implements a virtual machine that executes the byte code and is divided into a kernel component and one or more user components. The kernel component of the virtual machine is integrated into the operating system kernel. The user component runs in the same virtual address space as the applet, provides support for executing an applet and couples the applet to the operating system. In addition, the kernel component of the virtual machine may share code with multiple user components. |
| US08429623B2 |
Processing engine for enabling a set of code intended for a first platform to be executed on a second platform
A mechanism is disclosed for enabling a set of code intended to be executed on a first platform (intended platform) to be executed on another platform (target platform). In one implementation, this mechanism takes a significantly different approach than that taken by current techniques. Rather than duplicating, augmenting, or changing a platform to accommodate the set of code, this mechanism alters the set of code to accommodate the platform. By altering the set of code, the mechanism causes the set of code to compensate for the difference(s) between the intended platform and the target platform. By compensating for the difference(s) in the two platforms, the set of code, when executed on the target platform, is able to produce the same result or results as it would have produced had it been executed on the intended platform. Thus, the set of code is able to execute properly on the target platform. |
| US08429621B2 |
Component lock tracing by associating component type parameters with particular lock instances
Methods for lock tracing at a component level. The method includes associating one or more locks with a component of the operating system; initiating lock tracing for the component; and instrumenting the component-associated locks with lock tracing program instructions in response to initiating lock tracing. The locks are selected from a group of locks configured for use by an operating system and individually comprise locking code. The component lock tracing may be static or dynamic. |
| US08429618B2 |
Parametric regular object types with comprehensions for automated generation of software test fixtures
A system and method for creating abstract descriptions of general applications includes creating a library of code primitives and expressing skeletal code structures in terms of parametric regular tree types including parameterized declarations of the code primitives. Parametric values are generated using set comprehensions. The set comprehensions are applied to the skeletal code structures to generate a working application such that a parametric, regular object type system is combined with a comprehension syntax for creating abstract descriptions of a general application. |
| US08429617B2 |
Systems and methods for debugging an application running on a parallel-processing computer system
A runtime system implemented in accordance with the present invention provides an application platform for parallel-processing computer systems. Such a runtime system enables users to leverage the computational power of parallel-processing computer systems to accelerate/optimize numeric and array-intensive computations in their application programs. This enables greatly increased performance of high-performance computing (HPC) applications. |
| US08429613B2 |
Stepping and application state viewing between points
Various technologies and techniques are disclosed for providing stepping and state viewing in a debugger application. A start and end breakpoint are assigned. Source code execution begins, and upon reaching the start breakpoint, a logging feature begins storing one or more values that may be impacted upon execution of code between the start breakpoint and an end breakpoint. More lines of source code are executed until the end breakpoint is reached. When the end breakpoint is reached, the debugger is put into break mode. While in break mode, a playback feature is provided to allow a user to play back a path of execution that occurred between the start breakpoint and the end breakpoint. The playback feature uses at least some of the values that were stored with the logging feature to show how each referenced variable changed in value. |
| US08429608B2 |
Method and apparatus for providing implicit variability rules for component model and architecture design
A method and apparatus for providing variability rules for component model and architecture design are provided. The apparatus includes a category-determination unit which determines a category of implicit variability rules with respect to variability-set component model elements and elements associated with the variability-set component model elements; and an implicit-variability-rule-application unit which applies the implicit variability rules, which are given to the category, to the elements associated with the variability-set component model elements. |
| US08429607B2 |
Method and apparatus for managing variability points
Provided are a method and apparatus for managing variability points that represent variability of components of software. The method includes connecting variability points of components to each other and also connecting at least one variability point of the components to a corresponding variability point of at least one of source code and build script; receiving an input having a predetermined value and setting the predetermined value to a variability point of the components; reflecting corresponding values of the predetermined value to the connected variability point of at least one of the source code and build script. |
| US08429605B2 |
Finite state machine architecture for software development
A system for developing an application program having functionality that corresponds to a finite state machine (FSM) model includes a visual interface that generates a graphical environment on a display for displaying an FSM model representing functionality of the program, a dynamic state machine processor that uses XML descriptions associated with the FSM model to generate the program executed at run-time, and an extensible graphic user interface that provides the end-user interface features to the end-user as generated during run-time by the processor based on the FSM model. |
| US08429596B2 |
Method, and aggregation component for aggregating application components
A method and system for aggregating two or more templated components using an aggregation component is provided. Each templated component has at least one configurable element. The aggregation component comprises at least one configurable element, and an extraction mechanism operable to identify configurable elements of the components selected for aggregation. The aggregation component further comprises a mapping mechanism for mapping configurable elements of the selected components to configurable elements of the aggregation component; a storage mechanism for storing data identifying aggregated components and the corresponding mappings of the configurable elements; and a management mechanism for managing data identifying configuration settings of the aggregated selected components. |
| US08429592B2 |
N/P configurable LDMOS subcircuit macro model
A process of operating a computer system to create a subcircuit model of an N/P configurable extended drain MOS transistor in which the subcircuit model includes an npn bipolar transistor and a pnp bipolar transistor which correspond to current paths through n-channel drift lanes and p-channel drift lanes during dual mode operation. A process of operating a computer system to simulate the behavior of an electronic circuit including a N/P configurable extended drain MOS transistor in which a subcircuit model of the N/P configurable extended drain MOS transistor includes an npn bipolar transistor and a pnp bipolar transistor which correspond to current paths through n-channel drift lanes and p-channel drift lanes during dual mode operation. A computer readable medium storing an electronic circuit simulation program that generates a simulation output of the behavior of an electronic circuit including a N/P configurable extended drain MOS transistor. |
| US08429590B2 |
System-level method for reducing power supply noise in an electronic system
In one embodiment, a method for reducing power supply noise within an electronic system that includes an integrated circuit (IC), a package, and a printed circuit board (PCB) connected by a plurality of power delivery networks (PDN) is disclosed. Power supply noise within the system is reduced by defining a voltage compression limit for each PDN of the electronic system; determining a voltage compression for each PDN of the electronic system during a plurality of switching events; comparing the voltage compression of each PDN of the electronic system to the voltage compression limit for each switching event; and in response to the voltage compression of each PDN of the electronic system exceeding the limit, modifying the electronic system to reduce the voltage compression below the limit. |
| US08429587B2 |
Method for decomposing a designed pattern layout
A method for decomposing a designed pattern layout and a method for fabricating an exposure mask using the same. After the designed pattern layout is automatically decomposed to obtain a plurality of mask layouts, a problematic region is determined through simulation of the mask layout, and fed back to correct the designed pattern layout. As a result, problems can be detected in each process and corrected to reduce the process time. |
| US08429585B2 |
Three dimensional integrated circuits
A three-dimensional semiconductor device, comprising: a circuit block located in a first module layer; and a configuration circuit to control the circuit block further comprising a configurable element in a second module layer positioned above the first module layer. |
| US08429583B2 |
Circuit design and retiming
Methods and apparatuses to hierarchically retime a circuit. In at least one embodiment of the present invention, a module of a circuit is designed with a plurality of different latencies to have a plurality of different minimum clock periods (e.g., through retiming at the module level). In one example, the minimum clock periods are determined from detailed timing analyses after the placement and routing for the module; and, in retiming the circuit that contains the module, a data flow graph representation of the module is constructed based on the target clock period of the circuit and the correlation between the latencies and the minimum clock periods. In at least one embodiment of the present invention, hierarchical retiming is performed in which portions of the circuit is retimed to generate results (e.g., for different latencies), which are selectively used for the retiming of the entire circuit based on the target clock period. |
| US08429582B1 |
Methods, systems, and articles of manufacture for smart pattern capturing and layout fixing
Various embodiments are directed at methods and systems for implementing automatic fixing of a layout, implementing fuzzy pattern replacement, and implementing pattern capturing in a layout of an electronic circuit design. Various processes or modules comprise the act or module of identifying a first pattern from within an electronic circuit layout. The processes or modules also comprise identifying a fixing process or a replacement pattern for the first pattern and the act of performing pattern replacement or pattern fixing on the first pattern. The processes or modules may further comprise the act or module of searching the layout for patterns that match the first pattern, and the act or module of performing pattern replacement of pattern fixing on the patterns that match the first pattern. Some embodiments are also directed at articles of manufacture embodying a sequence of instructions for implementing the processes described here. |
| US08429580B2 |
Method for preparing for and formally verifying a modified integrated circuit design
A method for preparing an IC design that has been modified to be formally verified with a reference IC design. Because some formal verification tools cannot handle the complexity often associated with sequential equivalence checking at the top level of a circuit, the modified IC design may be instantiated into a number of different design versions, each having different levels of modification complexity. In addition, the reference IC design and the modified versions may be decomposed into a datapath and control path. The reference IC design and each of the modified IC design versions may also use wrappers to encapsulate various levels of hierarchy of the logic. Lastly, rather than having to verify each of the modified versions back to the reference IC design, the equivalence checking may be performed between each modified IC design version and a next modified IC design version having a greater modification computational complexity. |
| US08429567B2 |
Organizational tools on a multi-touch display device
A process for enabling objects displayed on a multi-input display device to be grouped together is disclosed that includes defining a target element that enables objects displayed on a multi-input display device to be grouped together through interaction with the target element. Operations are invoked that establish a relationship between a particular displayed object and a position on the target element and that causes transformations applied to the target element also to be applied to the particular displayed object while maintaining the relationship between the particular displayed object and the position on the target element. |
| US08429565B2 |
Direct manipulation gestures
The present disclosure describes various techniques that may be implemented to execute and/or interpret manipulation gestures performed by a user on a multipoint touch input interface of a computing device. An example method includes receiving a multipoint touch gesture at a multipoint touch input interface of a computing device, wherein the multipoint touch gesture comprises a gesture that is performed with multiple touches on the multipoint touch input interface, and resolving the multipoint touch gesture into a command. The example method further includes determining at least one physical simulation effect to associate with the resolved multipoint touch gesture, and rendering a unified feedback output action in a graphical user interface of the computing device by executing the command, wherein the unified feedback output action includes at least a graphical output action incorporated with the at least one physical simulation effect in the graphical user interface. |
| US08429564B2 |
Controlling method of three-dimensional user interface switchover and mobile terminal using the same
The exemplary embodiment relates to a method of controlling a three-dimensional user interface, which controls a three-dimensional user interface to follow a user's motion, and a mobile terminal using the same. The method comprising: displaying a plurality of three-dimensional menu icons; sensing movement of a user; and rotating at least one of the plurality of three-dimensional menu icons according to the sensed movement such that at least one reference face of the at least one of the plurality of three-dimensional menu icons follows the user's movement. |
| US08429554B2 |
Method and system for displaying an image instead of data
Displaying graphical indicators, instead of data, based on user-defined conditions. The user can specify conditions for displaying graphical indicators instead of actual data by specifying a test, values, and an image. The graphical indicators can be pre-assigned images that are dynamically applied based on the underlying text or numeric data values. Graphical indicators allow the user to visually represent data types or categories with graphics, based on the user's conditions. Different conditions can be specified for a given data field and each condition can be associated with a particular graphical indicator. Prioritized processing of data conditions allow for complex control of which indicator will be displayed to visually represent the data. When the underlying data in a field changes, the criteria can be reapplied and the field dynamically updated to the appropriate indicator. |
| US08429553B2 |
Debugging in a multi-processing environment by providing debugging information on computer process nodes and messages in a GUI
Technology is described for debugging in a multi-processor environment. An example system can include a plurality of process icons representing processes executing on compute nodes. A plurality of relationship arc icons between the process icons can represent messages being sent between source processes and destination processes on the compute nodes. A tabular display control can have rows to display attributes for relationship arc icons representing the messages being sent. In addition, a grouping module can be used to identify groups of messages that are related and to highlight relationship arc icons which are part of a group. |
| US08429550B2 |
Image processing apparatus that can be remotely controlled and control method therefor
An image processing apparatus that enables to distinguish whether an execution of a process in the image processing apparatus needs a user's operation on the image processing apparatus. A storage unit stores setting information for executing a function of the image processing apparatus. An execution unit executes the function according to the setting information. A determination unit determines whether a user's operation to the image processing apparatus is required when the execution unit executes the function according to the setting information. An addition unit adds attribute information, which shows whether to permit to automatically execute the function according to the setting information based on an instruction from the information processing apparatus, to the setting information according to a determination result. A sending unit sends the setting information to which the additional unit has added the attribute information to the information processing apparatus. |
| US08429549B2 |
System and method for automated color scheme transformation
Embodiments of the present invention provide a system, computer-readable medium and a method for transforming a color scheme. A processor is configured to retrieve from storage data including content elements defining a user interface screen in response to a user selection of a source color and a replacement color. For each content element of the user interface screen, a color of the content element is compared the source color. Based on the comparison, if the color of the content element falls within a predetermined threshold distance of the source color along a color palette, the color of the content element can be converting to the replacement color. After the processing of the content elements, the user interface is displayed on a display device, including the converted color element(s). |
| US08429542B2 |
Switching of emails in a conversation thread
A method is disclosed for rendering messages in an email application on a client computer. A plurality of email messages is received from a server computer, including a first email message, a second email message and a third email message. The first email message is rendered on the client computer with a first conversation icon that identifies the first email message as being part of an email conversation thread. When the first conversation icon is selected on the first email message, a view is rendered showing one or more email messages in the conversation thread. When the second email message is selected, the second email message is rendered on the client computer with a second conversation icon. When the second conversation icon is selected on the second email message, the view showing the one or more email messages in the conversation thread is rendered. |
| US08429541B1 |
Method and system for video sharing between users of an application
A method for video sharing between users of an application. The method involves generating a textual based document. Generating the textual based document includes, for each action performed by the assisting user using the application, detecting the action, identifying an action identifier uniquely identifying the action, and storing a step that includes the action identifier in the textual based document. The method further includes receiving a help request from a perplexed user, obtaining the textual based document matching the help request, generating the support video from the textual based document. Generating the support video includes, for each step in the textual based document, obtaining the action identifier from the step in the textual based document, identifying an action for the perplexed user mapped to the action identifier, and rendering the action for the perplexed user into the support video. The method further includes presenting the support video to the perplexed user. |
| US08429535B2 |
Client utility interaction analysis
A client-side user action analysis engine (“analysis engine”) identifies user interactions with a client-side utility and provides data representing the interactions to a server side online resource analytics system (“analytics system”). The analysis engine represents user interactions with the client-side utility as network addresses for presentations of online resources to a user in a browser. The analysis engine provides the network addresses to the analytics system and statistics for the user interactions with the client-side utility are computed based on the network addresses. Reporting data specifying the statistics are received from the analytics system for presentation on a display device. The statistics provide information about user interactions with features of the client-side utility. |
| US08429532B2 |
Methods and apparatuses for managing reproduction of text subtitle data
In one embodiment, the method includes, receiving at least one text subtitle stream from an external source. Each text subtitle stream includes a style segment and at least one presentation segment associated with the style segment. The style segment includes at least one set of style information, and each set of style information provides region positioning information for positioning a region in an image and a text box including information for positioning a text box in the region. The presentation segment includes at least one region subtitle information, and the region subtitle information includes text subtitle data and a region style identifier. The region style identifier identifies one of the sets of style information in the style segment to apply to the text subtitle data. The text subtitle stream is decoded using style information including region positioning information and text box positioning information. |
| US08429530B2 |
User interface for media playback
A graphical user interface made up of icons representing individual files and collectively forming the shape of a “v” is described along with methods of using and creating the graphical user interface. The v-shaped interface is useful to display detailed information about many of the items in a list and facilitates manipulation of list order and selection of the active file in the list. The interface further permits the use of a representative icon associated with the list as a whole. Manipulation of the representative icon can cause modification or replacement of the entire playlist represented by the icon. |
| US08429529B2 |
Proofreading device, method for proofreading document, and computer readable recording medium storing proofreading control program
Provided is a proofreading device capable of accepting proofreader's marks, which includes: a user attribute identification section configured to identify an attribute of a user; a storage section configured to store proofreader's mark sets and attributes of users in association with each other and to store intermediate mark set to be used to place the proofreader's marks having the same meaning among the proofreader's sets in correspondence to each other; a proofreader's-mark-set selection section configured to a proofreader's mark set corresponding to the attribute of the user; a proofreader's mark conversion section configured to convert the proofreader's marks, added to a document by a first proofreader, into intermediate marks, to convert the intermediate marks into the proofreader's marks of the proofreader's mark set selected on the basis of the attribute of a second user, and to cause a display section to display the converted proofreader's marks together with the document. |
| US08429527B1 |
Complex data merging, such as in a workflow application
Merging data for use in a workflow application may include providing a user interface that facilitates collecting information from a user such as an indication of a first document and a second document that each include multiple records, a selection of a key indicator field common to both documents, and some indication of which of the two documents is a controlling document. Without the need for the user providing programming instructions, the workflow application joins information from both documents by identifying whether any of the records from the non-controlling document has a key indicator value that matches the key value of a select record from the controlling document. Based on this identifying, the workflow application dynamically generates a merged document which it can then use to perform one or more actions. |
| US08429522B2 |
Correlation, association, or correspondence of electronic forms
Determining correspondence, association, and/or correlation between nodes of electronic forms based on schemas of those forms is described. Importing, merging, and/or annotating data from one electronic form into another electronic form based on correspondence, association, and/or correlation between nodes is also described. |
| US08429521B2 |
Scrolling in large hosted data set
A computer-implemented method of presenting an electronic document via a web browser includes maintaining on a computing device a client data model of the electronic document, the client data model comprising data that defines content of the electronic document and formatting of the content of the electronic document, and rendering a first sub-portion of content of the electronic document from the client data model to a document object model (DOM) for the web browser. The method also includes providing the DOM to the web browser, for the web browser to display a view of the electronic document from the DOM. |
| US08429520B2 |
Citation record extraction system and method
A citation record extraction system is provided for extracting citation records from publication list pages having different layouts and contents. An HTML rendering engine receives a publication list web page, parses the publication list web page to obtain layout information of the web page. A web page sequence builder generates a web page characteristic sequence for the web page according to the layout information. A web page repeated pattern analyzer analyzes repeated patterns presented in the web page characteristic sequence, screens out non-citation records therefrom, and obtains a citation record of the publication list web page. |
| US08429517B1 |
Generating and rendering a template for a pre-defined layout
Examples directed to methods and systems for generating and rendering a template for a pre-defined layout. For example, an underlying graph structure of a pre-defined layout comprising at least one pre-placed object is determined. Information from the underlying graph structure is placed into a plurality of matrices. One or more pre-placed object parameters of the pre-defined layout are also determined. The plurality of matrices are utilized in conjunction with the one or more pre-placed object parameters to determine location coordinates and size information for the one or more pre-placed objects. In so doing, a template based on the location coordinates and size information for the one or more pre-placed objects is rendered. |
| US08429516B1 |
Media player feedback
Example configurations herein include a media player that initiates playback of content (e.g., play back of a movie in a web browser). Based on input from a respective user, the media player receives selections of playback commands (e.g., play, pause, stop, rewind, fast forward, etc.) applied to the content being played back by the media player. Based on the selections, the media player creates a log report. The log report records the selections of the playback commands applied to the content and indicates, for example, a corresponding time when the playback commands were applied. According to one configuration, the media player initiates distribution of the log report to notify a publisher associated with the content which playback commands were selected during playback of the content on the media player. |
| US08429514B1 |
Dynamic load balancing of distributed parity in a RAID array
A parity pattern defines a repeated distribution of parity blocks within a distributed parity disk array (“DPDA”). The parity pattern identifies on which disks the parity block or blocks for a stripe are located. When a new disk is added to the DPDA, the parity pattern is modified so that the distribution of parity blocks within the parity pattern is even. Parity blocks within the DPDA are then redistributed to conform with the modified parity pattern. |
| US08429512B2 |
Reduced complexity LDPC decoder
To decode a manifestation of a codeword in which K information bits are encoded as N>K codeword bits, messages are exchanged between N bit nodes and N−K check nodes. During computation, messages are expressed with a full message length greater than two bits. In each iteration, representations of at least some of the exchanged messages are stored. For at least one node, if representations of messages sent from that node are stored, then the representation of one or more of the messages is stored using at least two bits but using fewer bits than the full message length, and the representation of one other message is stored with full message length. Preferably, the messages that are stored using fewer bits than the full message length are messages sent from check nodes. |
| US08429511B2 |
Equipment protection method and apparatus
Equipment protection of a switch matrix (SM) in a network node, which contains a number of matrix modules (M1.1-M4.4, E1.5-E4.6) is achieved by slicing an input signal into k parallel signal slices (x(0)-x(3)) with k>2; coding the k signal slices into a number of n coded signal slices (x(0)-x(5)) with n>k+1 using an error correcting code to add redundancy to said input signal; switching said n coded signal slices through the switching matrix (SM) via n distinct matrix modules; and decoding the n coded signal slices into k decoded signal slices to correct errors introduced while passing through said switch matrix. Preferably, the switch matrix (SM) contains a first number of matrix boards (MB1-MB4, EB5, EB6), each carrying a second number of matrix modules (M1.1-M4.4, E1.5-E4.6). The n coded signal slices are switched via matrix modules on n distinct matrix boards. |
| US08429503B2 |
Encoding device and decoding device
Disclosed are an encoding device and a decoding device which can effectively reduce the decoding failure frequency in LDPC encoding/decoding. A loss correction encoding device (120) includes a padding unit (121) which adds a padding packet to an information packet sequence; an interleave unit (122) which rearranges the padding packet and the information packet; and a loss correction encoding unit (123) which performs loss correction encoding for the packet string after the interleave. The interleave unit (122) rearranges the padding packet and the information packet according to variable nodes constituting a minimum stopping set of the inspection matrix which defines a low-density parity inspection code. The interleave unit (122) uses such a rearrangement pattern that avoids a loss correction failure by the minimum stopping set of the LDPC inspection matrix so as to reduce the probability of the loss correction failure by the minimum stopping set. |
| US08429499B2 |
Disk drive and method for data conversion process in a disk drive
A disk drive for encrypting user data. A motor configured to rotate a disk which stores encoded user data and an encryption flag which has not been encoded. An encoder/decoder processor configured to encode the user data that is written into the disk without encoding the encryption flag, and decodes the user data that is read out from the disk without decoding the encryption flag that is read out from the disk. An encryption processor configured to encrypt the user data at the encryption flag, wherein the encryption flag indicates encryption before the encoder/decoder processor starts encoding, and wherein the encryption processor obtains an encryption flag read out from the disk before the encoder/decoder processor completes decoding of the user data read out from the disk, commencing decryption of decoded data where the encryption flag indicates encryption before decoding of the user data is complete. |
| US08429498B1 |
Dual ECC decoder
A decoding apparatus includes a decoder and a control unit. The decoder includes circuitry that is configured to decode an Error Correction Code (ECC) by operating in one of a first operational mode having a first power consumption, and a second operational mode, in which at least part of the circuitry that is active during the first operational mode is deactivated and which has a second power consumption that is lower than the first power consumption. The control unit is configured to evaluate a criterion with respect to an input code word, to select one of the first and second operational modes responsively to the criterion, and to invoke the decoder to decode the input code word using the selected operational mode. |
| US08429497B2 |
Method and system of dynamic data storage for error correction in a memory device
A method of dynamic data storage for error correction in a memory device is disclosed. Data for storage is received, and the received data is then encoded and associated error correction code (ECC) is generated. The encoded data is stored in a portion of a data partition of the memory device, wherein percentage of the stored data in the data partition is determined according to an amount of corrected errors associated with the data partition or is predetermined. |
| US08429492B2 |
Error correcting code predication system and method
In memory devices that degrade with use, a memory controller may monitor and record a usage history of portions of the memory. The memory controller can then vary a strength of error correction coding to protect information written to various portions of the memory having different usage histories. More specifically, and memory can receive information to be stored in the memory, select a portion of memory to store the information, and store the information in the selected portion of the memory with an error correction coding having a strength that is based on a usage history of the selected portion of the memory. |
| US08429491B1 |
Methods and apparatus for error checking code decomposition
Methods and apparatus are provided for more efficiently implementing error checking code circuitry on a programmable chip. In one example, Cyclic Redundancy Check (CRC) exclusive OR (XOR) circuitry is decomposed to allow efficient implementation on lookup tables (LUTs) of various sizes on a device. XOR cancellation factoring is used to break up wide CRC XORs into blocks that fit in various LUTs while maintaining focus on minimizing logic depth and logic area. Simulated annealing is used to further reduce logic area cost. |
| US08429490B2 |
Method for a general near optimal turbo code trellis termination
A method of terminating two or more constituent encoders of a turbo encoder employing a turbo code, comprising the steps of: generating tail input bits at each of two or more constituent encoders, including deriving the tail input bits from each of the two or more constituent encoders separately from a contents of shift registers within each of the two or more constituent encoders, after an encoding of information bits by the two or more constituent encoders; puncturing one or more tail output bits such that 1/R output tail bits are transmitted for each of a plurality of trellis branches, wherein R is a turbo code rate employed by the turbo encoder during an information bit transmission. In yet another variation, the step of puncturing the tail output bits further comprises the step of: transmitting, during trellis termination, the tail output bits, only if they are sent from an output branch of one of the two or more constituent encoders that are used during information bit transmission. |
| US08429478B2 |
Method of supporting data retransmission in a mobile communication system
A method of supporting packet transmission in a mobile communication system is disclosed according to the present invention. A method of transmitting packets at a user equipment in a mobile communication system comprises transmitting a first packet to a network and transmitting a second packet to the network regardless of a reception status signal for the first packet, when control information for the second packet is received from the network. |
| US08429476B2 |
Systems and methods for transmitting data over lossy networks
An encoder/decoder system usable to decrease the probability of a failed transmission over a lossy wireless network. In one embodiment, data packets unsuccessfully sent over the wireless network may be retransmitted a particular number of times, depending on how important the data in the lost packet is. In another embodiment, when a number of transmission failures is determined to exceed a predetermined threshold, it may be signaled that multiple reference frames should be used for encoding predictions. |
| US08429475B2 |
State dependent advanced receiver processing in a wireless mobile device
A method for receiver processing in a 3GPP Long Term Evolution (LTE) receiver processing chain in a wireless mobile device is provided. LTE initial sub-frame transmitted from a base station is received on a LTE signalling channel. The sub-frame is received using a basic receiver. An integrity check is performed to determine if the sub-frame was demodulated and decoded correctly by the basic receiver. An advanced receiver is enabled prior to receiving an expected retransmission sub-frame based upon the integrity check failing and a hybrid-acknowledgement request (HARQ) negative acknowledgement (NAK) being sent by the wireless mobile device. The retransmission sub-frame is received using the advanced receiver. The basic receiver is enabled when the integrity check of the retransmission sub-frame passes and a acknowledgement (ACK) is by the wireless mobile device or a new data indicator (NDI) is set in a control channel indicating that the transmission is an initial transmission. |
| US08429473B2 |
Increasing PRPG-based compression by delayed justification
An improved compression technique can increase PRPG-based compression by modifying test generation so that justification of certain decision nodes, called xheadlines, is delayed and merged with PRPG seed computation. Xheadlines are defined by gate modification restrictions, dynamic value considerations, and fanout allowance. Before mapping, the xheadlines can be preprocessed. This preprocessing can include transforming XOR xheadlines having shared inputs, augmenting AND/OR xheadlines, and reducing AND/OR xheadlines with common inputs. Mapping can include determining which xheadlines are satisfied by a current seed, which xheadlines can be satisfied by a future seed, and which xheadlines can opportunistically be satisfied by the current seed. |
| US08429472B2 |
Generating device, generating method, and program
Provided are a generation device to reduce launch switching activity, yield loss risk, and power consumption of testing, even in the at-speed scan testing, even with a small number of don't-care (X) bits in input bits as in test compression, without any impact on test data volume, fault coverage, performance, and circuit design, by putting focus on internal lines in the circuit. The generation device includes a target internal line selection unit, a target internal line distinction unit, an identification unit that identifies a bit to be an unspecified bit and a bit to be a logic bit in the input bits, and an assignment unit that assigns a logic value 1 or a logic value 0 to unspecified bits in the input bits. The identification unit includes an unspecified bit identification unit and an input logic bit identification unit. |
| US08429471B2 |
Microprocessor apparatus and method for securing a programmable fuse array
An apparatus for precluding the use of extended JTAG operations, including a JTAG control chain, a feature fuse, a level sensor, an access controller, and a blow controller. The JTAG control chain enables/disables the extended JTAG operations. The feature fuse indicates whether the extended JTAG features are to be disabled. The level sensor monitors an external voltage signal, and indicates that the external voltage signal is at a legal level. The access controller determines if the feature fuse is blown, and directs the JTAG control chain to disable the extended JTAG operations if the feature fuse is blown, and directs the JTAG control chain to disable the extended JTAG operations if the external voltage signal is at an illegal level regardless of whether the feature fuse is blown. The blow controller receives a voltage, and blows a selected fuse within a fuse array responsive to a valve of the voltage. |
| US08429465B2 |
Method, device and system for managing resources in networks
A method, device and system for managing resources in networks are provided, which relate to the field of data communication. The method includes the following steps. A resource manager (RM) sends a first request message according to a received resource request message, to request an access node (AN) to perform admission control. After receiving an admission control result indicating whether a resource requested by the resource request message is admitted, the RM sends a response message of the resource request message. Therefore, when multicast/unicast connection admission control (CAC) that supports shared bandwidth is realized, flow fusions of user line configuration between the AN and a broadband remote access system (BRAS, and policy distribution between a resource and admission control subsystem (RACS) and the BRAS are guaranteed; and sharing of bandwidth resources is realized to avoid waste of the bandwidth resources. |
| US08429464B2 |
Background memory validation for gaming devices
Various embodiments are directed to a gaming device including a background memory validation system. The background memory validation system includes a background kernel thread that validates read-only pages on the gaming device. Additionally, the background kernel thread also minimizes potential timing problems because this process only validates page content in memory that is fully-loaded and functional. |
| US08429462B2 |
Storage system and method for automatic restoration upon loop anomaly
A storage system has a controller and a plurality of storage devices connected to a pair of loops, the controller diagnoses storage devices and performs automatic high-speed restoration of the loops. A storage system has a controller, a plurality of storage devices, and switch circuits having a plurality of switches to connect each of the plurality of storage devices to loops. When a loop anomaly is detected, a restoration instruction is issued to a switch circuit, the plurality of switches are operated in parallel, storage devices are diagnosed, and according to the diagnosis results, a storage device judged to be anomalous are bypassed from the loop by operating the switches. When a loop anomaly is detected, diagnosis of the disk drives connected to the loop can be performed in parallel, so that the time until automatic restoration of the loop can be greatly reduced. |
| US08429458B2 |
Method and apparatus for system analysis
A system analyzing method for analyzing a transaction system includes firstly extracting a transaction, which is processed by a plurality of servers cooperating with each other in the transaction system, from a message log in which parameters of messages have been subjected to name merge, by using a transaction model which is generated from a set of messages transmitted between the servers during processing of the transaction, and secondly extracting a transaction from a message log from which no transaction is extracted in the firstly extracting, by using a value of a parameter inherited between the servers among parameters in messages included in the message log. |
| US08429455B2 |
Computer system management method and management system
There is provided a failure analysis function capable of reducing the time required to resolve a failure in a piece of equipment to be monitored. When the failure analysis function senses that the status of a piece of equipment which had been abnormal has returned to normal, it displays, of failure analysis results, one based on an equipment abnormality which has been resolved in a GUI separately from the other analysis results. If a failure analysis result is derived based on a plurality of failure events, the failure analysis function displays the failure analysis result in the GUI separately from the other failure analysis results when all of the failure events are confirmed to be resolved (see FIG. 16). |
| US08429453B2 |
Management system for outputting information denoting recovery method corresponding to root cause of failure
A management server includes a meta rule for identifying an event to be a root cause and a failure recovery method that corresponds to the meta rule for an event capable of occurring in a plurality of node apparatuses, and also displays a cause event to be a root cause of an event detected by the management server, and a method for recovering from this cause event. |
| US08429451B2 |
Method of handling a message
A method of handling a message in a messaging system is provided. The messaging system comprises a message source, a message receiver and a message service. The message service is intermediate of the message source and message receiver, wherein a compensation component is established at the message source. The method comprises the steps of, transmitting a one way message, as part of a business transaction, from the message source, the transaction comprising a plurality of one way messages, receiving the message at the message service, transmitting the message from the messaging service, receiving the message at the message receiver, processing the message at the message receiver, transmitting a communication from the message receiver, the communication indicating success or failure of the processing of the message, receiving the communication at the messaging service, and responsive to receiving an indication of a failure of part of the transaction when the communication indicated that processing of the one way message succeeded, causing compensation logic defined by the compensation component to execute. |
| US08429446B2 |
Method and apparatus for managing virtual ports on storage systems
A storage system is configured to create and manage virtual ports on physical ports. The storage system can transfer associations between virtual ports and physical ports when a failure occurs in a physical port or a link connected to the physical port so that a host can access volumes under the virtual ports through another physical port. The storage system can also change associations between virtual ports and physical ports by taking into account the relative loads on the physical ports. When a virtual machine is migrated from one host computer to another, the loads on the physical ports in the storage system can be used to determine whether load balancing should take place. Additionally, the storage system can transfer virtual ports to a remote storage system that will take over the virtual ports, so that a virtual machine can be migrated to remote location. |
| US08429445B1 |
System and method for managing group policy backup
A method, system and program product for group policy backup management in a network having a plurality of domains including components and modules for steps of retrieving a list of group policy objects for a domain, generating a configuration initialization file including a domains section identifying a plurality of domains that are to be backed up and a setup section specifying a plurality of values that control the backup of each policy object in each domain, determining a digital signature for each policy object on a list of policies for the domain, comparing the digital signature for each policy object with a corresponding previous digital signature for each policy, determining if a current digital signature for each policy object matches the corresponding previous digital signature for a policy, and backing up a policy object having a current digital signature that does not match the corresponding previous digital signature. |
| US08429444B2 |
Multipurpose storage system based upon a distributed hashing mechanism with transactional support and failover capability
A multipurpose storage system based upon a distributed hashing mechanism with transactional support and failover capability is disclosed. According to one embodiment, a system comprises a client system in communication with a network, a secondary storage system in communication with the network, and a supervisor system in communication with the network. The supervisor system assigns a unique identifier to a first node system and places the first node system in communication with the network in a location computed by using hashing. The client system stores a data object on the first node system. |
| US08429442B2 |
Deriving accurate media position information
Various embodiments utilize different counters or clocks, working in concert, to smooth out position information that is derived for a rendering/capturing device. Specifically, in at least some embodiments, each counter or clock has a different speed. A faster counter or clock is used to determine intra-transition position offsets relative to a slower counter or clock. |
| US08429438B2 |
Method and apparatus for transferring data between asynchronous clock domains
An invention is provided for transferring data between asynchronous clock domains. The asynchronous clock domains include a source clock domain operating with a source clock signal and a receiving clock domain operating with a receiving clock signal. The invention includes determining a phase shift relationship between the source clock signal and a signal. When the phase shift relationship is below a predetermined threshold the data is transferred between the source clock domain and the receiving clock domain using a first plurality of stage operations. When the phase shift relationship is above the predetermined threshold, the data is transferred between the source clock domain and the receiving clock domain using a second plurality of stage operations that delay data transfer an additional half period of the source clock signal. |
| US08429433B2 |
Dynamically adjusting an operating state of a data processing system running under a power cap
A mechanism is provided for dynamically power capping one or more units. A power capping mechanism sets a counter value corresponding to an initial energy budget assigned to a unit for a given interval. Responsive to the unit receiving an operation to perform during the given interval, the power capping mechanism decrements the counter value by a decrement value. Responsive to the given interval expiring, the power capping mechanism sends the counter value to a power control loop in the data processing system, receives a new energy budget from the power control loop, and resets the counter value to a value corresponding to the new energy budget assigned to the unit for a next interval. |
| US08429431B2 |
Methods of achieving cognizant power management
A system and method of increasing the efficiency of overall power utilization in data centers by integrating a power management approach based on a comprehensive, dynamic model of the data center created with integrated environmental and computational power monitoring to correlate power usage with different configurations of business services utilization, with the techniques of CPU level power management. |
| US08429422B1 |
Method and apparatus for an improved access system
A method and apparatus to enable a user to send an action message including secure credential. The system comprises a receiving logic to receive the action message from a user, a repository including encrypted user-specific data, and an agent to access a resource through a network, the agent directed as specified by a connector object invoked by the action message. The agent further comprises logic to utilize the encrypted user-specific data from the repository to log into the resource through the network, and in one embodiment action logic to perform one or more actions as instructed by the connector invoked by the action message. The agent further comprises, in one embodiment, extraction logic for extracting information resulting from of the agent's access to the data resource specified by the connector, and communication logic to communicate a result to the user or to another agent for further use. |
| US08429420B1 |
Time-based key management for encrypted information
A method and apparatus are utilized to manage keys associated with encrypted stored information. Sensitive information is stored in an encrypted form, and by creating and deleting the keys needed to decrypt information according to a time-based policy, the convenient expiration of stored data can be realized. By periodically erasing old keys and creating new keys, information that has not been written recently becomes virtually deleted. A refresh policy can be utilized to cause information that is read to be re-encrypted using a newer key, thereby extending the time before it will become inaccessible. |
| US08429419B2 |
Method for securing authorized data entry and the device to perform this method
A method and device for authorized data entry and securing the authenticity of such data when entering cryptographic operations in a computer requiring authorized data entry, sends a specific command to an STM module which defines a template of input data intended to be cryptographically processed. The STM module is switched over to a secure typing mode, the STM module autonomously controls the typing of required data items of the data template by recording characters typed on the connected entry device, and the recorded characters are arranged by the STM module in its internal memory in requested data structures defined by the input data template, and such created data are sent by the STM module directly to a token where the requested cryptographic operation is called, the result of which is sent to the computer by the STM module, and subsequently the STM module switches back to the transparent mode. |
| US08429415B1 |
User-selectable signatures
Computer login may comprise any user-determined submission. A user may select among different devices for input, select the signal content, and as well select the types of signals used for a login signature. Account identification may be inferred by signature rather than explicitly stated. A plurality of discontiguous data blocks in a plurality of files may be employed for validation. The paths to data used in validation may be multifarious, regardless of the prospects for successful authorization. |
| US08429410B2 |
System and method of installing software applications on electronic devices
In at least one embodiment, there is provided a mobile wireless device comprising: a microprocessor and memory, the memory comprising a set of control settings used to control a plurality of device operations; wherein the microprocessor is configured to: receive a first digital signature key for verifying digital signatures on software applications to be installed on the device; determine if any digital signature keys for verifying digital signatures on software applications to be installed on the device exist on the device, and if not, store the received first digital signature key in the memory; receive a software application for installation on the device; verify a digital signature on the received software application using the first digital signature key; and install the software application on the device if the digital signature on the received software application is successfully verified. |
| US08429407B2 |
Digital handshake between devices
This is directed to a digital handshake for establishing a secure communications path between two electronic devices. Each device can capture an image of the other device using a camera (e.g., a front facing camera or a back facing camera) and extract, from the captured image, a key or seed associated with the other device. For example, each device can display a seed to be identified from an image taken by the other device. Using the extracted keys or seeds, each device can generate, using a same process, an identical digital handshake key. The digital handshake key can then be used to define a secure communications path between the two devices and share information securely. In some embodiments, a digital handshake key can be shared among several devices to create a multi-device secure communications path. Once a communications path has been established, the devices in the path can be identified and authenticated from the digital handshake key to receive access to secured goods, services or information. |
| US08429401B2 |
Method and apparatus for virtually erasing data from WORM storage devices
A storage device capable of selectively rendering certain data irretrievable is disclosed. The storage device includes Write Once Read Many (WORM) storage medium, a key generator, an encrypted write component, an erasable storage medium and a key deleter. The WORM storage medium is capable of storing data, and the data stored in the WORM data storage medium are unerasable and unrewritable. The key generator provides a generated key that can be stored in the erasable storage medium. The encrypted write component writes a set of sensitive data encrypted by using the generated key to the WORM storage medium. In response to a request for deleting the set of sensitive data from the WORM storage medium, the key deleter deletes the generated key from the erasable storage medium. |
| US08429400B2 |
VPN processing via service insertion architecture
In one embodiment, a method can include: (i) sending a request to join a group to a service broker; (ii) receiving from the service broker a list of key servers servicing the group; and (iii) sending registration information to a selected one of the key servers in the list. |
| US08429394B1 |
Reconfigurable computing system that shares processing between a host processor and one or more reconfigurable hardware modules
A reconfigurable computing system for enabling high performance computing includes a host platform running an operating system (OS), a reconfigurable processing kernel module, a plurality of drivers interacting with the OS, one or more reconfigurable hardware modules, and a software stack interacting with the OS and providing access to the reconfigurable hardware. The reconfigurable processing kernel module manages reconfigurable processes and coordinates data transfer to and from host. In addition, the reconfigurable processing kernel modifies the OS to utilize the software stack, thereby enabling the use of reconfigurable hardware modules through the use of hardware specific driver instructions. |
| US08429392B2 |
Function expansion apparatus for connecting an information processing apparatus to an external storage apparatus
A disclosed function expansion apparatus for expanding a function of an information processing apparatus by connecting the information processing apparatus to an external storage apparatus via a first interface includes a first storage unit that stores first setup information used for connecting the information processing apparatus to the external storage apparatus, a connection module unit that is operated based on the first setup information and connects the information processing apparatus to the external storage apparatus via the first interface, a control unit that is connected to the first storage unit, and the connection module unit or a second storage unit, and stores second setup information stored in the second storage unit into the first storage unit, wherein the second storage unit is exchangeable with the connection module unit and stores the second setup information in connecting to the connection module unit. |
| US08429391B2 |
Boot partitions in memory devices and systems
The present disclosure includes boot partitions in memory devices and systems, and methods associated therewith. One or more embodiments include an array of memory cells, wherein the array includes a boot partition and a number of additional partitions. Sequential logical unit identifiers are associated with the additional partitions, and a logical unit identifier that is not in sequence with the sequential logical unit identifiers is associated with the boot partition. |
| US08429387B2 |
Method and system for remote configuration of a computing device
A method and system for remote configuration of a computing device includes generating initialization code configured to initialize a memory and/or processor of the computing device dependent on initialization data. The initialization data is generated based on platform data, which is validate based on predetermined criteria. The platform data identifies platform-specific parameters and may be received over a network from a platform manufacturer. In response to validation of the platform data, the initialization data is generated and transmitted to the platform manufacturer for incorporation into the computing device. Upon a processor reset, the initialization code is configured to use the initialization data to perform initialization procedures to initialize the memory and/or processor of the computing device. The platform data may be updated periodically by an end-user of the computing device. |
| US08429383B2 |
Multi-processor computing system having a JAVA stack machine and a RISC-based processor
A system comprises a first processor, a second processor coupled to the first processor, memory coupled to, and shared by, the first and second processors, and a synchronization unit coupled to the first and second processors. The second processor preferably comprises stack storage that resides in the core of the second processor. Further, the second processor executes stack-based instructions while the first processor executes one or more tasks including, for example, managing the memory via an operating system that executes only on the first processor. Associated methods are also disclosed. |
| US08429374B2 |
System and method for read-while-write with NAND memory device
System, method, and program to perform simultaneous read and write operations in a NAND-type memory device, including: assigning a first partition in a NAND-type memory device, wherein the first partition is configured to perform read operations on high priority read content; assigning a second partition in the NAND-type memory device, wherein the second partition is configured to perform read operations and write operations, wherein the read operations are performed on non-high priority read content; and controlling the first partition and second partition to operate in a simultaneous manner. |
| US08429371B2 |
System and method for robust and efficient free chain management
Disclosed herein are systems, methods, and non-transitory computer-readable storage media for managing free chains of compute resources. A system configured to practice the method divides a free chain of compute resources into a usable part (UP) which contains resources available for immediate allocation and an unusable part (UUP) which contains resources not available for immediate allocation but which become available after a certain minimum number of allocations. The system sorts resources in the UP by block number, and maintains a last used object (LUO) vector, indexed by block number, which records a last object in the UP for each block. Each time the system frees a resource, the system adds the freed resource to a tail of the UUP and promotes an oldest resource in the UUP to the UP. This approach can manage free chains in a manner that is both flaw tolerant and has relatively high performance. |
| US08429368B2 |
Providing an administrative path for accessing a writeable master storage volume in a mirrored storage environment
A technique provides an administrative path for accessing a writeable master storage volume in a mirrored storage environment. Illustratively, a writeable master storage volume stores a master set of data addressable by a corresponding pathname, and zero or more read-only (e.g., load-balancing) mirrored storage volumes are configured to store a mirrored set of the master set of data, the mirrored set also addressable by the corresponding pathname. Clients may read data from either the master storage volume or one of the mirrored storage volumes (e.g., according to a configured access location, such as a local mirrored volume if one exists) by issuing read requests having the corresponding pathnames. Also, each client may specifically access the master set of data from the master storage volume by issuing an access (e.g., read/write) request having a specified master storage volume pathname prefix prepended to the corresponding pathname. |
| US08429366B2 |
Device and method for memory control and storage device
A memory control device according to an example of the invention comprises an allocation section allocating a plurality of memory regions of a memory module, an available space storage section storing data in available space of a first memory region that is one of the plurality of memory regions and, when no more space becomes available in the first memory region, store data in available space of a following second memory region, and a copying section copying a plurality of items of to-be-copied data that is stored in the first memory region but not in the second memory region to the second memory region after no more space becomes available in the first memory region in such a manner that a copying operation is divided into a plurality of times. |
| US08429363B2 |
Multiple incremental virtual copies
Provided are techniques for, in response to establishing each incremental virtual copy from a source to a target, creating a target change recording structure for the target. While performing destage to a source data block at the source, it is determined that there is at least one incremental virtual copy target for this source data block. For each incremental virtual copy relationship where the source data block is newer than the incremental virtual copy relationship and an indicator is set in a target inheritance structure on the target for a corresponding target data block, the source data block is copied to each corresponding target data block, and an indicator is set in each target change recording structure on each target for the target data block corresponding to the source data block being destaged. |
| US08429361B2 |
Information-storage system
An information-storage system storing information includes, an information-storage unit configured to store data, an encoding/decoding unit configured to encode and store input data in the information-storage unit, and decode and output the encoded data stored in the information-storage unit upon receiving a request for an information output, a transmission unit configured to output the encoded data stored in the information-storage unit, the encoded data being left undecoded, and store the encoded data in a backup spot different from the information-storage unit, a status-monitoring unit configured to monitor an unusual status of the information-storage system, and a selection unit configured to select the transmission unit between the encoding/decoding unit and the transmission unit when the status-monitoring unit confirms the unusual status of the information-storage system. |
| US08429358B2 |
Method and data storage device for processing commands
A data storage device for processing a command includes a host interface and a controller. The host interface stores program information sent within the command from a host. The controller decodes the program information that indicates a memory type to be accessed for the command. In addition, the controller determines whether the specified memory type can be accessed according to the command. The controller performs the command by accessing the memory type when the memory type specified by the program information is available for access. |
| US08429356B2 |
Write data mask method and system
A method and system for performing byte-writes are described, where byte-writes involve writing only particular bytes of a multiple byte write operation. Embodiments include mask data that indicates which bytes are to be written in a byte-write operation. No dedicated mask pin(s) or dedicated mask line(s) are used. In one embodiment, the mask data is transmitted on data lines and store in response to a write_mask command. In one embodiment, the mask data is transmitted as part of the write command. |
| US08429354B2 |
Fixed length memory block management apparatus and method for enhancing memory usability and processing efficiency
A fixed length memory block management apparatus has a plurality of processors which execute applications, a memory which is shared by the plurality of processors, an application program, an initialization program, and an access right allocation program being stored in the memory. The apparatus has an application execution unit which starts up the application program to execute the application, an initialization unit which starts up the initialization program to set a memory block management area including a plurality of sub-blocks at the memory, and an access right allocation unit which starts up the access right allocation program to allocate an access right of a memory block of the sub-block set by the initialization unit to the application execution unit. |
| US08429353B2 |
Distributed home-node hub
A method and a system for processor nodes configurable to operate in various distributed shared memory topologies. The processor node may be coupled to a first local memory. The first processor node may include a first local arbiter, which may be configured to perform one or more of a memory node decode or a coherency check on the first local memory. The processor node may also include a switch coupled to the first local arbiter for enabling and/or disabling the first local arbiter. Thus one or more processor nodes may be coupled together in various distributed shared memory configurations, depending on the configuration of their respective switches. |
| US08429350B2 |
Cache line use history based done bit modification to D-cache replacement scheme
A method of providing history based done logic includes receiving a cache line in a L2 cache; determining if the cache line has a history of access at least three times on a previous call into the L2 cache; providing the cache line directly to a processor if the history of access was less then the at least three times; and loading the cache line into an L1 cache if the history of access was the at least three times. |
| US08429349B2 |
Techniques for cache injection in a processor system with replacement policy position modification
A technique for performing cache injection includes monitoring, at a cache, addresses on a bus. Ownership of input/output data on the bus is then acquired by the cache when an address on the bus (that is associated with the input/output data) corresponds to an address of a data block stored in the cache. A replacement policy position of the data block is then modified (to increase a probability that the data block is consumed prior to ejection from the cache). |
| US08429340B2 |
Storage system comprising flash memory modules subject to plural types of wear-leveling processes
A storage system uses a plurality of flash memory modules and a storage controller. Each of the plurality of flash memory modules comprises a memory controller and at least one flash memory chip. The memory controller manages a plurality of blocks provided with the at least one flash memory chip and controls a first wear-leveling process for leveling erase counts between the plurality of blocks. The storage controller, coupled to the plurality of flash memory modules, controls data sent from a host computer to be sent to a flash memory module of the plurality of flash memory modules. The storage controller controls a second wear-leveling process exchanging data between at least one block of a first flash memory module of the plurality of flash memory modules and at least one block of a second flash memory module of the plurality of flash memory modules. |
| US08429332B2 |
Multi-channel hybrid density memory storage device and control method thereof
The present invention discloses a control method of a multi-channel hybrid density memory storage device for access a user data. The storage device includes a plurality of low density memories (LDM) and high density memories (HDM). The steps of the method comprises: first, determining where the user data transmitted; then, using one of two error correction circuits which have different error correction capability to encode or decode the user data. |
| US08429327B2 |
Mapping apparatus and method for non-volatile memory supporting different cell types
Present invention relates to a mapping apparatus and method for a non-volatile memory supporting different cell types, and more particularly, to a mapping apparatus and method for a non-volatile memory supporting different cell types capable of mapping a logical address to a physical address in the non-volatile memory supporting different cell types in which bits represented by unit cells are different from each other.A mapping apparatus for a non-volatile memory supporting different cell types according to an embodiment of the invention includes: a user request unit used for a user to request a predetermined operation by using a logical address; a non-volatile memory comprising a plurality of memory areas having different cell types; and a mapping management unit determining a physical address to be mapped to the logical address of one of the plurality of memory areas on the basis of the logical address used for the requested operation. |
| US08429323B2 |
Memory mapped input/output bus address range translation
In an embodiment, a north chip receives a secondary bus identifier that identifies a bus that is immediately downstream from a bridge in a south chip, a subordinate bus identifier that identifies a highest bus identifier of all of buses reachable downstream of the bridge, and an MMIO bus address range that comprises a memory base and a memory limit. The north chip writes a translation of a bridge identifier and a south chip identifier to the secondary bus identifier, the subordinate bus identifier, and the MMIO bus address range. The north chip sends the secondary bus identifier, the subordinate bus identifier, the memory base, and the memory limit to the bridge. The bridge stores the secondary bus identifier, the subordinate bus identifier, the memory base, and the memory limit in the bridge. |
| US08429321B2 |
Request controller, processing unit, method for controlling requests and computer program product
A request controller for controlling processing of requests by one or more semiconductor data processing unit. The resource controller includes a controller input for receiving a request for the processing unit to switch a context of the processing unit or to switch the processing unit from a current an operation to another operation. The resource controller includes a resource budget memory in which one or more budget value can be stored. The budget value represents an amount of a resource of the processing unit. The resource controller further has a budget controller which includes a first budget controller input connected to the request controller input. A second budget controller input is connected to the memory. A comparator is connected to the first budget controller input and the second controller input, for comparing a consumption value associated with the request with the budget value. The comparator includes a comparator output for outputting a request grant signal when the comparison satisfies a predetermined grant criterion and outputting a request reject value when the comparison meets a predetermined reject criterion. A data controller is connected to the resource budget memory and the comparator output, for adjusting the budget value when the request grant signal is outputted. |
| US08429320B2 |
Method and system for dynamically programmable serial/parallel bus interface
Aspects of a method and system for dynamically programmable serial/parallel bus interface may include performing in a first communication device coupled to a communication bus, attaching communication protocol information to a data signal for each data transaction with one or more other communication devices communicatively coupled to the communication bus. The one or more other communication devices may be controlled utilizing the attached communication protocol information. The communication protocol information may be dynamically adjusted and/or adaptively adjusted. The communication bus may be a serial or parallel communication bus. The serial communication bus may be a two-wire, three-wire, or four-wire bus. The attached communication protocol information comprises a multi-wire protocol, a 3-wire protocol, a Serial Peripheral Interface (SPI) protocol, a System Power Management Interface (SPMI), or an RF Bus protocol. |
| US08429317B2 |
Serial communication device with MAC that conforms to serial media independent interface (SMII) in order to reduce power consumption
A serial communication device has: a MAC (Media Access Control), a mask circuit and a buffer. The MAC conforms to Serial Media Independent Interface specification and outputs an identical segment data for plural times within a unit period. The mask circuit is configured to mask a predetermined segment data out of the plurality of identical segment data and to output the other segment data out of the plurality of identical segment data. The buffer is configured to receive the segment data output from the mask circuit and to output the received segment data to a physical layer device in synchronization with a clock signal. |
| US08429313B2 |
Configurable ready/busy control
A memory unit has a busy control system that includes a busy control register that may be written by a controller. The contents of the busy control register determine whether a signal is sent from the memory unit to the controller and, if so, which of a plurality of signals is sent. A signal may automatically be sent from a selected memory unit and masked from an unselected unit. |
| US08429304B2 |
Information processing apparatus and communication control method
Logical partitions in an information processing apparatus share an IP address and are assigned different MAC addresses. A representative logical partition communicates with an external entity on behalf of the other logical partitions. A driver is provided with a virtual interface and a physical interface. Internal communication between the logical partitions is done via the virtual interface and communication with an external entity is done via the physical interface. If a packet received from an external destination is destined to one of the other logical partitions, the protocol stack of the representative logical partition replaces the destination MAC address by the MAC address of the destination logical partition. The protocol stack provides the packet in which the destination MAC address has been replaced to the virtual interface. The virtual interface transfers the packet provided by the protocol stack to the destination logical partition. |
| US08429301B2 |
Method and apparatus for resource locator identifier rewrite
A method and apparatus for resource locator identifier rewrite have been presented. A security device receives from a resource host over a non-secure hypertext transfer protocol (HTTP) session a response to a request received from a client over a secure HTTP session. The response includes a uniform resource locator (URL) that is supposed to be for a resource host, but the URL does not designate a secure resource access protocol and the resource host requires the secure resource access protocol. The URL is located in the response and modified to designate the secure resource access protocol. After modification, the response is transmitted via the secure resource access protocol session to the client. |
| US08429292B2 |
Scheduling events from electronic messages
Scheduling an event on an electronic communications device configured for sending and receiving electronic messages over a communications network, including extracting information from an electronic message at the communications device; displaying on a display of the communications device an event scheduling interface for scheduling an event, the event scheduling interface having a plurality of input fields for receiving information about the event; and automatically populating at least one of the input fields in dependence on the extracted information. |
| US08429290B2 |
Broadband transmission system and method
Disclosed is a system that optimizes transmission bandwidth of a broadband transmission system such as a cable television, satellite system, or wireless information service. Requests for content items from users are employed to add or delete content items from a list. Content items in the list are ranked relative to the number of requests received or by rate of request. Package groups are created with most requested content items being broadcast more frequently than less requested content items. Transmit groups are produced from package groups and placed in a broadcast queue. A transmit process transmits groups retrieved from the queue. |
| US08429287B2 |
Network audio distribution system and method
Audio content distribution from audio sources to client terminals through a network. An audio source interface receives raw audio from an audio source, and converts it into a digital audio clip in a digital audio packet, containing a timestamp and a channel identity corresponding to the audio source. A network audio server formats the digital audio packet into a network compliant digital audio file, which is stored at a network address. The network audio server generates a directory packet including the address of the digital audio file, the channel identity, and the timestamp, and, couples the directory packet to a directory server located on the network. The directory server outputs a directory stream to a client terminal on the network, which selects a directory packet and sends an audio file request through the network for the digital audio file. The audio file is then sent to the client terminal. |
| US08429284B2 |
Method of transmitting/receiving digital contents and apparatus for receiving digital contents
A method of transmitting/receiving digital contents and an apparatus for receiving the digital contents are disclosed. In a system connected with an Internet protocol (IP) network, service event information may be included in a service discovery record and transmitted/received. Accordingly, the apparatus for receiving the digital contents can receive a service using the service event information in a service discovery step when receiving the service including the digital contents. Since the service event information can be processed independence of the digital contents included in the service, the service can be rapidly provided and unnecessary service event information does not need to be parsed. |