| Document | Document Title |
|---|---|
| US08500384B2 |
Cargo loader for an aircraft with an articulate scissor assembly
This invention concerns an aircraft cargo loader comprising a deck platform; a front and a rear wheel assembly units; and a scissor assembly extending under the platform for supporting it and move it between an open and close position. The scissor comprises a first and a second elongated arm pivotally connected by a swivel joint. Each of the first and second elongated members have an upper end pivotally attached to the deck platform and a lower end pivotally connected to the rear and front wheel assembly unit respectively. One of the first and second elongated members is articulated and comprising an upper segment pivotally connected to a lower segment. The loader comprises a first controllable actuator to move the scissor assembly between the open and close positions and a second controllable actuator to actuate the upper segment relative to the lower segment so as to tilt the deck platform longitudinally. |
| US08500381B2 |
Dividing print data for processing for bookbinding
Proposed is an image processing apparatus in which the data processing method is changed over in suitable fashion in accordance with job settings when binding is performed. To accomplish this, the image processing apparatus is such that when stored image data is processed, the output format is determined from a job ticket and processing for dividing image data is controlled in accordance with the output format determined. In accordance with the output format determined, the apparatus changes over the output timing of divided page image data. |
| US08500378B1 |
Large tower railroad transportation system and method
A system for transporting tower with a first end, a second end, and an elongated portion, using a railcar with a deck for carrying a load. The system includes a first support means for disposition between the railcar and the tower at a first location, and that is adapted to support the tower above the deck. The system also includes a first saddle assembly with a base for resting upon the deck of the railcar, and a saddle that conforms to the shape of a large tower. The saddle assembly is adapted to support the tower above the deck. The system also includes a plastic spacer assembly, for disposition between the saddle of the first saddle assembly and a second location along the elongated portion of the tower, and that has a saddle rest that conforms to the shaped of the saddle, and that has a spacer saddle that conforms to the shape of the elongated portion of the tower at the second location. |
| US08500376B2 |
Cutting insert
The invention relates to a cutting insert for chip-forming machining, of which at least the top surface, on one side, forms the face (1) and the peripheral, planar side surface, which are located at right angles to one another, form the flanks (2), wherein, downstream of a planar face portion (3) which is adjacent to the flanks and is arranged at a rake angle of 0°, the face terminates, via downwardly sloping planar wall portions (4), in a lower-level, planar chip-forming base (5) and, in the direction of the centre, it slopes up, via upwardly sloping planar wall portions (6), to a central, planar face plateau (7). In order to ensure specific chip formation over the entire region of the cutting insert, it is proposed that a plurality of raised chip-forming elements (8) are arranged parallel to one another, and at equal spacings, on two mutually opposite, upwardly sloping wall portions (6) of the face plateau (7), and these chip-forming elements have a roof surface (9), which slopes down to the chip-forming base (5), and downwardly sloping flanks (10). |
| US08500374B2 |
Cutting tool and cutting insert having clamping recess therefor
A cutting insert includes opposing first and second major surfaces and two side surfaces extending therebetween, two side abutment surfaces, each located on a respective side surface and a clamping recess which opens out to the second major surface and/or to the insert front surface. The side abutment surfaces converge towards the first major surface and the side surfaces converge in a direction away from an insert front surface which extends between the major surfaces and the side surfaces. The clamping recess does not extend beyond a mid plane, which is located midway between the first and second surfaces. |
| US08500373B1 |
Pneumatic delivery system with braking
A pneumatic transport system is used to transport an object through a conduit extending between a first location to a second location by generating a pressure differential in the conduit. Based on detection of the movement of the object through the conduit, the pressure differential in the conduit is reduced in a controlled manner to slow the movement of the object and safely land it at the second location. |
| US08500365B1 |
Autonomous, adaptive, concealed flood protection system
Among all natural disasters, flood is the most frequent and devastating. It can be caused by variety of natural and man-made reasons at any time. Therefore, there is a need for permanent protection of commercial and residential buildings, and infrastructures, against flood. Typical permanent flood protection constructions, e.g., levees, embankments and concrete dams, cannot be used for this purpose because they are expensive and inconvenient for protection of a specific building. Once installed, they permanently block access to the area being protected. The claimed invention is aimed at solving this problem. It offers a reliable flood protection system that is 1) concealed, i.e., appears only when water is present and invisible otherwise, 2) adaptive, i.e., adjusts its height to match the approaching water level, 3) autonomous, i.e., does not require any human actions to enable the protection, and 4) can operate without any power source, such as electricity. |
| US08500364B2 |
Method and apparatus for installing tidal barrages
A method is provided for installing a barrage across a body of water for generating electricity or current flow, the barrage being formed from a series of modules, each of which comprise a base structure carrying a number of substantially vertical pipe structures in a spaced, side-by-side arrangement, and a deck structure extending across the top of the pipe structures and supported by at least two pipe structures, the method comprising: preparing a series of foundation terraces across the bed of the body of water substantially perpendicular to the direction of flow, each foundation terrace providing a substantially flat base on which the base structure of one or more modules on the terraces side by side such that the base section of each module rests on a terrace and the deck structure of each module is located at substantially the same height as that of its neighboring modules. |
| US08500362B2 |
Molded brick for laying ground coverings
A molded brick, in particular made from concrete, for laying ground coverings (10, 30), the molded brick (11, 12, 31, 32, 33) having an upper side (13) which is delimited in the transition to upright side faces (15, 16, 17, 18) by a side edge (20) which frames the upper side (13). The course of the side edge (20) of the molded brick is of curved configuration at least in regions and to correspond to a mathematical function, the course of the side edge (20) preferably corresponding at least in regions to the function ƒ(x)=a*ln(x)+b. |
| US08500361B2 |
Artificial flagstone for providing a surface with a natural random look
An artificial flagstone for use in combination with other similar flagstones for covering a surface with a natural random look, the flagstone having a generally hexagonal body comprising a first, second, third, fourth, fifth and sixth consecutive vertices; a first pair of first and second sides extending radially from the first vertex; a second pair of third and fourth sides extending radially from the third vertex; a third pair of fifth and sixth sides extending radially from the fifth vertex; wherein the sides of at least one of the first, second and third pair of sides have at least one split deviation along their length and are respectively rotational images of each other, and the artificial flagstone has no rotational symmetry when rotated about a central axis. |
| US08500357B2 |
Telescopic lock
A locking device interacting with a drive member and including an inner tube and an outer tube; where the inner tube has a first free end that projects from, and is axially displaceable from, a first end of the outer tube; where there is a locking member on the other end of the inner tube, said locking member providing the means whereby the inner tube and the outer tube can be releasably locked in various axial positions relative to each other; where the locking member includes a tubular locking sleeve that is slotted by at least one axially aligned slot and a wedge that includes wedge surfaces, the wedge surfaces being, when acted upon by a drive member, displaceable along and relative to interacting wedge surfaces of the locking sleeve, such displacement pressing the locking sleeve against the outer tube, the inner tube and the outer tube. |
| US08500350B2 |
Cutter device and recording apparatus
A cutter device includes: a first cutter provided on a front surface side of a medium being fed to be cut; a second cutter that is provided on a back surface side opposite the front surface side and cuts the medium in cooperation with the first cutter; a carriage that retains the first and second cutters and moves in a width direction of the medium; a guide portion that guides the carriage in the width direction; and a post-cut guide portion that is provided on the carriage and comes into contact with the back surface to guide the medium on the downstream side of the first and second cutters in a medium feed direction after cutting to the front surface side. |
| US08500347B2 |
Keyboard
The present disclosure provides a keyboard. The keyboard includes a number of buttons set on a pedestal. The pedestal includes a number of resisting members and a number of returning members. Each of the resisting members is arranged between two of the buttons, the inclined sidewalls of each of the resisting members is capable of respectively engaging with the buttons adjacent to the resisting member, each of the returning members corresponding to one of the resisting members returns the corresponding resisting member to its original state after the movement. When a button is pressed, the depressed button drives the adjacent resisting members to the point under the adjacent buttons to stop the adjacent buttons being depressed. |
| US08500339B2 |
Locking device and method for use with a multi-fiber push on (MPO) connector module to prevent the MPO connector module from being decoupled from a receptacle
A locking device is provided that is configured to be attached to the MPO connector module and placed in a locking state that prevents the MPO connector module from being decoupled from the receptacle. The locking device may be a locking clip that is configured to be inserted into a keying slot formed in an MPO connector module. When the locking clip is inserted into the keying slot and placed in a locking state, the locking clip prevents the MPO connector module from being decoupled from the receptacle. If the locking clip is placed in an unlocking state, a tool or fingers can be used to extract the locking clip from the keying slot, thereby making it possible to decouple the MPO connector module from the receptacle. |
| US08500333B2 |
Self aligning oil film bearing
An oil film bearing for rotatably supporting a shaft comprises a spherical housing having a bore in which the shaft is rotatably supported, and an outer spherical surface. A chock contains the spherical housing. The chock is internally configured with an inner spherical surface coacting with the outer spherical surface of the spherical housing to define a raceway configured to accommodate angular rotation of the shaft about a central point. |
| US08500332B2 |
Self pumping oil film bearing
A system is disclosed for use in a rolling mill oil film bearing to remove a laminar flow of oil exiting tangentially from between a rotating sleeve and a fixed bushing surrounding the sleeve. The system comprises confinement surfaces cooperating with the sleeve and the bushing to define an annular chamber arranged to receive the exiting laminar flow of oil. Impellers project into the chamber and are rotatable with and at the velocity of the sleeve to thereby propel the oil around the annular chamber. An outlet communicates tangentially with the annular chamber for removing oil being propelled around the chamber by the rotation of the impellers. The size of the outlet in relation to the volume of oil received in the annular chamber is such that the chamber remains filled with oil during steady state operation of the bearing. |
| US08500329B2 |
Medical examination or treatment device
A medical examination or treatment device including a C-arm operable to be moved along a trajectory on a holder is provided. First magnet elements or magnetic field generation elements are provided on the C-arm, and second magnetic field generation elements are provided on the holder. The first magnet elements or magnetic field generation elements and the second magnetic field generation elements interact with one another to establish a magnetic field guiding the C-arm in a non-contact manner. The magnetic field moves the C-arm along the trajectory. |
| US08500327B2 |
Safety thermometer
A safety thermometer in which power is automatically turned on when a sensor rod for measuring a temperature is taken out. The sensor rod is easily taken in the housing when a force is applied to the sensor rod. A sensor rod slider opposes a tip of the sensor rod and has a sensor contact point for connecting a sensor signal of the sensor rod to a circuit. The housing has a space for receiving the sensor rod, a partition wall and a second space to receive circuit devices. A temperature measurement unit is turned on by receiving a power from a power source unit when it contacts the sensor contact point of the sensor rod slider, the temperature measurement unit being connected to the temperature sensor of the sensor rod through the sensor rod slider to process and output a value detected by the temperature sensor. |
| US08500325B2 |
Buffer member, shock buffering structure of electronic device, and electronic device
The present invention relates to a buffer member, a shock buffering structure of an electronic device, and an electronic device. A buffer member interposed between a wristwatch case and a watch module therein is composed of a viscoelastic body which, when the wristwatch case receives shock, reduces shock to be transmitted to the watch module by changing its shape while converting the kinetic energy to heat energy, and quickly reduces elastic force on the watch module by reducing the conversion of the kinetic energy to elastic energy accompanying the shape change. The viscoelastic body includes a first viscoelastic body section formed to cover the top and side surfaces of the module, a second viscoelastic body section arranged in predetermined portions of the first viscoelastic body section, and a third viscoelastic body section arranged along the inner peripheral edge of the top surface of the first viscoelastic body section. |
| US08500323B2 |
Timepiece including a high frequency mechanical movement
The invention pertains to the field of high frequency watch movements. The invention relates to a timepiece including a movement that has a resonator of the type with a balance and balance spring and an escape system of the type with a wheel and Swiss lever. According to the invention, the balance oscillates at more than 36,000 vibrations per hour and the escape system is at least partially pierced to decrease the inertia thereof. |
| US08500322B2 |
Disposable vortex breaker for plastic bag
The present invention consists of a closed presterilized bag having a disposable mixing element within it, a drive mechanism outside of the bag for rotating the mixing element without voiding sterility and a vortex breaker in the form of one or more plastic sheet materials that are attached to various inner surfaces of the bag and disrupt the formation of vortices within the bag. Preferably the sheet(s) are formed of the same material as the bag and are sealed to the bag surfaces. More preferably, the sheet(s) extend across a diameter of the bag. Most preferably, the sheet(s) are perforated with one or more slits or openings to allow for good flow and mixing without a vortex being formed. |
| US08500321B2 |
Collapsible water circulation system for enclosed tanks
A collapsible water circulation system for relatively small, enclosed tanks such as used by municipalities, fire districts, and industries. The system in its collapsed configuration is designed to fit through the often small access opening in the tank and then to automatically expand to its extended operating configuration, all without the need for any personnel to enter the tank. The system includes a draft tube extending downwardly from a distribution dish to an inlet anchored on the floor of the tank. The system also includes at least three, elongated flotation arms that can be deployed to extend substantially horizontally and outwardly of the dish. An impeller within the dish is operated to draw water up from the anchored inlet through the draft tube to the dish. The water subsequently passes upwardly through the dish over its upper lip and substantially radially outwardly of it. The flotation arms are pivotally mounted to the system above the dish and are free to pivot between their collapsed and predetermined deployed positions. |
| US08500318B2 |
Light guide plate and manufacturing method thereof
The present invention provides a light guide plate and a manufacturing method thereof. The manufacturing method firstly forms a plurality of spherical recesses arranged at intervals on a light-emitting surface of a light guide plate body when the light guide plate body is formed by pressing, and then applies a diffuser particle with corresponding shape on a surface of each of the spherical recesses, so as to complete the manufacture of the light guide plate. When being mounted in a backlight module, the light guide plate benefits the backlight module of reducing the use of diffuser films, so as to reduce the thickness and weight of the backlight module. |
| US08500314B2 |
Combination of a bulb holder and a locking apparatus therefor
Provided is a bulb holder locking apparatus, comprising a fixing mount, a bulb holder, a spring and a ratchet mechanism comprising a ratchet bar having a plurality of ratchets, a pawl and a movable cam having a curve contour; wherein the bulb holder is flexibly connected to the fixing mount; the spring is connected to the fixing mount, so as to force the bulb holder to move downwards; the ratchet bar is connected to the bulb holder; the pawl is connected to the fixing mount and elastically contacted with the ratchet bar; the movable cam is slidingly connected to the ratchet bar and elastically contacted with the pawl; and the curve contour comprises a plurality of crests engaged with the pawls. |
| US08500313B2 |
Integrated light fixture and night light
A light fixture assembly having a plurality of sockets to receive a plurality of electrically powered sources of illumination, and a plurality of receptacles to receive a plurality of LED lights, the assembly including a housing. The plurality of receptacles are mounted on the fixture housing and a logic board is mounted in the housing, the logic board being electrically connected to a switch, and the switch is electrically connected to a source of electrical power. Separate electrical connections extend between the logic board and the sockets, and between the logic board and a voltage reduction device. The voltage reduction device is electrically connected to the receptacle to provide a lower voltage to the LED receptacles compared to the voltage of the electric power supplied to the light bulb. The switch is operable between off and on positions; and the logic board activates and deactivates the electrical energy provided to the sockets and to the LED receptacles upon operation of the switch. |
| US08500312B2 |
Light assembly
A light assembly includes a fixing unit and a lighting unit located within a lamp cover. The fixing unit includes a substrate board with a recessed shape, and an elastic steel ring is engaged with the hook flange of the substrate board in order to increase the tightness between the substrate board and the lamp cover so as to prevent water vapor and salt mist from entering into the light assembly, and thereby the corrosion of light source and circuit can be avoided. The light emitting diode is used as a light source instead of the conventional halogen lamp. |
| US08500306B2 |
Slim type backlight unit with through-hole adhesive heat dissipating means
A backlight unit of the invention is reduced in thickness, weight and manufacturing costs but improved in heat releasing efficiency. In the backlight unit, a flexible printed circuit board has at least one through hole perforated therein. An LED package is disposed on a top portion of the flexible printed circuit board corresponding to the through hole. The backlight unit of the invention employs the flexible printed circuit board in place of a metal printed circuit board as a means to conduct current to the LED package. This produces a slimmer and lighter backlight unit and also saves manufacturing costs. In addition, the LED package is directly bonded onto a bottom plate by a heat conducting adhesive, thereby ensuring heat generated from the LED package to be released more quickly. |
| US08500305B2 |
Active thermal management systems for enclosed lighting and modular lighting systems incorporating the same
A thermal management apparatus includes a lighting assembly and a cooling module that is removably coupled to the lighting assembly. A recessed downlight fixture includes a housing having an open end, an electrical power access port, a cooling module in the housing that is removably coupled to the electrical power access port, and a light source in the housing that is removably coupled to the electrical power access port. The light source is operable to project light through the open end of the housing. A cooling device is provided that includes a male Edison or GU24 port interface and a female Edison or GU 24 port interface. |
| US08500304B2 |
LED bulb
An LED bulb includes a connector for electrically connecting with a power supply, a heat sink disposed on the connector, an LED module mounted the heat sink, and an envelope secured to the heat sink and covering the LED module. The heat sink includes a tubular body, a plurality of first fins extending outwardly from an outer circumference of the tubular body, and a plurality of second fins extending inwardly from an inner circumference of the tubular body. |
| US08500302B2 |
Display panel apparatus, display apparatus, and method of manufacturing display panel apparatus
A display apparatus includes a substrate, organic electroluminescence units, and a lens sheet. The lens sheet includes a sheet base and lenses protruding from a surface of the sheet base. A transparent substrate is above the lens sheet, and a bonding layer that includes a resin bonds the lenses to the transparent substrate. Either the substrate or the organic electroluminescence units include an alignment mark. The lens sheet includes a groove formed between the lenses in the sheet base. The groove is used for alignment with the alignment mark. The resin covers a surface of each of the lenses and is filled into the groove. A boundary area between the sheet base and each of the lenses, which is located between a surface of a lens and the groove, is covered by the resin. |
| US08500297B2 |
Light emitting diode module with three part color matching
A light emitting diode module is produced using at least one LED and at least two selectable components that form a light mixing chamber. First and second selectable components have first and second types of wavelength converting materials with different wavelength converting characteristics. The first and second wavelength converting characteristics alter the spectral power distribution of the light produced by the LED to produce light with a color point that is a predetermined tolerance from a predetermined color point. Moreover, a set of LED modules may be produced such that each LED module has the same color point within a predetermined tolerance. The LED module may be produced by pre-measuring the wavelength converting characteristics of the different components selecting components with wavelength converting characteristics that convert the spectral power distribution of the LED to a color point that is a predetermined tolerance from a predetermined color point. |
| US08500294B2 |
Light having at least one LED
A luminaire may include at least one LED; a solar module; an accumulator; an electronic charger coupled between the solar module and the accumulator; and a drive circuit coupled to the accumulator, for the at least one LED; a fastening device that is configured to fasten the luminaire at an operating location; and an LED holding device that is configured to hold the at least one LED; wherein the luminaire may further include a position varying device that is coupled between the fastening device and the LED holding device and is configured to vary the position of the at least one LED in relation to the fastening device. |
| US08500293B2 |
Personal video lighting system
A personal video lighting system to provide enhanced facial illumination for use with a personal computer and video communication. |
| US08500288B2 |
Rear-projection type display device for performing distortion detection and distortion correction
A rear-projection type display device has a projection device, a transmission type screen, a housing, and input means. The projection device projects a light from a light source, as an optical image. The optical image is projected to the transmission type screen. The housing accommodates the projection device and the transmission type screen. A user operation is inputted to the input means. The rear-projection type display device includes a storage section, a distortion amount detection section, a correction amount calculation section, and a correction section. The storage section stores a distortion detection image to be displayed on the transmission type screen. The distortion amount detection section changes the distortion detection image in accordance with an operation inputted from the input means, and detects a distortion amount of the image based on operations inputted by the input means until the distortion detection image displayed on the transmission type screen is brought into a predetermined state. The correction amount calculation section calculates a correction amount based on the distortion amount. The correction section corrects an image projected by the projection device, based on the calculated correction amount. |
| US08500287B2 |
Projection unit having speckle suppression device based on piezoelectric actuating
A projection unit comprising a coherent light source such as a laser diode and a beam shaping element forming a light beam which is directed towards a display, characterized in that it comprises a laser speckle suppression device which is positioned between the laser source and the display and wherein the laser speckle suppression device is a diffusing element actuated randomly by a piezoelectric vibrating structure. |
| US08500284B2 |
Broad viewing angle displays and user interfaces
Disclosed are methods and systems for displaying images, and for implementing volumetric user interfaces. One exemplary embodiment provides a system comprising: a light source; an image producing unit, which produces an image upon interaction with light approaching the image producing unit from the light source; an eyepiece; and a mirror, directing light from the image to a surface of the eyepiece, wherein the surface has a shape of a solid of revolution formed by revolving a planar curve at least 180° around an axis of revolution. |
| US08500280B2 |
Optical imaging apparatus and method for imaging an optical image
To provide an optical imaging apparatus capable of providing a high lateral resolution in a wide region and easily adjusting prior to imaging for imaging an optical image of an eye to be inspected which is an object, and a method for imaging an optical image. The optical imaging apparatus in which a beam from a light source is used as a measuring beam, and an image of an object is imaged based on intensity of a return beam formed of the measuring beam irradiated to the object has the following: first, an optical device for focusing the measuring beam on the object; next, a aberration detecting device for measuring a aberration of the return beam; and a focus adjusting device for adjusting the optical device based on the aberration detected by the aberration detecting device. |
| US08500279B2 |
Variable resolution optical coherence tomography scanner and method for using same
The invention relates generally to optical tomographic imaging and in particular to systems and methods for adapting the resolution of imaging. One embodiment of the present invention is an apparatus for optical coherence tomography imaging, characterized by its ability to vary the axial resolution and scanning speed during imaging. |
| US08500278B2 |
Apparatus and method for objective perimetry visual field test
Apparatus for testing a subject's visual field includes a data processor, which can be provided by a general purpose computer, coupled to a pupil tracking system. The data processor is programmed to cause targets to be displayed at different locations on a display screen and to determine from the pupil tracking system whether the subject's pupil has moved in response to display of each target. In some embodiments, the pupil tracking system comprises an infrared camera. |
| US08500277B1 |
Objective traumatic brain injury assessment system and method
A system and method for determining the neurological function of a patient by examining ocular responses. |
| US08500274B2 |
Dual-filter ophthalmic lens to reduce risk of macular degeneration
An improved dual-filter lens for protective eyewear that combines a first filter for blocking essentially 100% of UV light, and second filter for filtering blue light. The first filter may comprise a multi-layered dielectric mirror layer 14 or Rugate filter 50, and the second filter may comprise dye-impregnated lens layer(s) 16, 18 or Rugate filter 50. The first filter blocks essentially 100% of UV light, while the second filter establishes an increasing transmission profile that cuts on sharply at approximately 415 nm, and establishes an increasing transmission profile between approximately 415 nm to about 475 nm. The cut-on slope rises approximately 0.15% in transmissivity for every nanometer of increasing wavelength change, with a maximum filtering effect within the 440-465 nm range. These dual filters provide a balanced light transmission profile that reduces harmful light transmission and prevents macular degeneration, cataracts and other ocular injuries, while still preserving visual acuity. |
| US08500273B2 |
Soft contact lenses for treating ametropia
A soft contact lens for treating ametropia having an optical zone, a pressure control zone, an alignment zone, and a peripheral zone. |
| US08500271B2 |
Eyewear supporting after-market electrical components
Techniques for providing eyewear with electrical components are disclosed. The electrical components can provide electrical technology to eyewear (e.g., eyeglasses) without having to substantially compromise aesthetic design principles of the eyewear. Often, the electrical components can be attached to the eyewear as an after-market enhancement. The electrical components can operate independently or together with other electrical components provided elsewhere. |
| US08500269B2 |
Image forming method and image forming apparatus for forming an image on an intermediate transfer medium
Disclosed is a recording method in which an image is first formed on an intermediate transfer medium by ejection of ink and is then transferred to a printing medium. The present invention solves a problem regarding insufficient transfer of the image to the printing medium, which is caused by roughness on a surface of the ink image formed on the intermediate transfer medium due to non-uniform application amounts of ink. A transferability improving agent is applied in a controlled manner to an ink image which has been formed on a transfer drum by application of ink. The transferability improving agent is applied in a larger amount to regions with a relatively small application amount of the ink as compared with regions with a relatively large application amount of the ink. |
| US08500262B2 |
Inkjet recording device
An inkjet recording device, wherein air can be retained in an ink supply pipe by using a simple structure without applying substantial changes to the inkjet recording device, a variation in an ink supply pressure is mitigated by the retained air, and ink can be ejected with high stability. An inkjet recording device is provided with an inkjet head for ejecting ink, an ink flow path for supplying the ink, which is supplied from an ink supply source, to a pressure chamber of the inkjet head and having at least a portion thereof constructed from an ink supply pipe, and an air retaining member inserted in the ink supply pipe, with the ink allowed to pass through the air retaining member, and retaining air in at least a portion of a space formed between the air retaining member and the inner surface of the ink supply pipe. |
| US08500261B2 |
Printer utilizing pressure control of air in sump
An inkjet printer includes a printhead for printing onto a media substrate, the printhead defining a plurality of nozzles from which ink is expelled; an ink tank provided upstream of the printhead; a sump provided downstream of the printhead for collecting unused ink from the printhead, the sump having a lower portion for holding the unused ink and an upper portion defining a headspace of air above the unused ink; a first fluid conduit extending between the printhead and the sump for communicating the unused ink from the printhead to the sump, the first fluid conduit connecting the sump to a position in the printhead upstream of the plurality of nozzles; and a pump connected to the sump, the pump for drawing air from the headspace of the sump into atmosphere and effecting a negative pressure in the printhead upstream of the nozzles. Communication of ink from the ink tank to the printhead is effected by the negative pressure generated by the drawing of air from the headspace of the sump. |
| US08500260B2 |
Ink compositions incorporating substituted oxazoline compounds or substituted oxazoline derivatives
An ink composition including one or more oxazoline compounds or oxazoline derivatives having either crystalline, amorphous or even semi-crystalline properties for use in a particular printing application, such as in a direct-to-paper print process. |
| US08500259B2 |
Cartridge for printer having fluid flow arrangement
A cartridge for a printer is provided having a body defining a number of fluid reservoirs, a lid covering the body to seal fluid inside the reservoirs, and a printhead operatively fed with fluid from the reservoirs. A base of each reservoir is provided with a raised portion which surrounds a fluid outlet through which fluid flows for supply to the printhead. Each raised portion being molded in the body to separate the outlet from the base of each reservoir to ensure a sufficient flow rate of fluid from the reservoir. |
| US08500257B2 |
Ink pressure regulator with liquid-retaining structure
An ink pressure regulator for regulating a hydrostatic pressure of ink supplied to an inkjet printhead. The regulator includes an ink chamber having an ink outlet for fluid communication with the printhead via an ink line. A roof of the ink chamber includes: an air inlet; a regulator channel having a first end communicating with the air inlet and a second end communicating with a headspace of the chamber; and a liquid-retaining structure in fluid communication with the regulator channel. The liquid-retaining structure is positioned and configured for capturing ink from the headspace of the ink chamber. The regulator channel is dimensioned to regulate a hydrostatic pressure of the ink supplied to the printhead. |
| US08500252B2 |
Liquid ejection head and method of manufacturing the same
A liquid ejection head includes an ejection element substrate having an energy generating element, an ejection orifice for ejecting a liquid, and a liquid supply port communicatively connected to the ejection orifice; and a support member supporting the ejection element substrate and having a liquid guide path for supplying the liquid to the liquid supply port. The support member is formed by baking a laminate including at least one guide path plate having a through-hole for constituting a part of the liquid guide path, a filter plate having an opening for disposing a filter member for filtering the liquid, and a filter member disposed in the opening. |
| US08500249B2 |
Printhead module for an inkjet printhead assembly
A printhead module is provided for an inkjet printhead assembly. The printhead module includes a support. An elongate carrier is mounted to the support. The carrier defines a plurality of transverse ribs and an ink channel located between the ribs. A subassembly includes a micro-electromechanical integrated circuit (IC) configured to eject ink. The subassembly is mounted to the carrier so that the support, carrier and subassembly define a plurality of sealed ink chambers which can feed ink to the IC via the ink channel. |
| US08500246B2 |
Inkjet print head and manufacturing method thereof
An inkjet print head including a substrate and a first film member stacked on the substrate to form an ink path, and a manufacturing method thereof. The first film member includes a path-defining layer made of a photosensitive material and formed with the ink path, and an adhesive layer made of a photosensitive material and used to stably bond the path-defining layer to the substrate. With this configuration, the path-defining layer and the adhesive layer can be simultaneously stacked on the substrate and also, can be patterned simultaneously. |
| US08500245B2 |
Liquid ejecting head unit and manufacturing method thereof
A sub-carriage includes a first head mounting portion and a second head mounting portion. The second head mounting portion includes at least a portion of constitution members of an adjustment mechanism which adjusts a position of the second head, a first recording head of one side of the same set is fixed in a state of being positioned to the first head mounting portion so that the nozzles are disposed in a defined position, and a second recording head of the other side is fixed to the second head mounting portion in a state where the relative position to the first recording head is defined by the adjustment mechanism based on a landing position in a recording medium of ink ejected from predetermined nozzles of the second recording head with respect to a landing position in a recording medium of ink ejected from predetermined nozzles of the first head. |
| US08500244B2 |
Printhead support structure with cavities for pulse damping
A structure for an inkjet printhead is disclosed. The printhead structure has an elongate support structure for supporting a printhead integrated circuit, and ink conduits formed in the elongate support structure for supplying ink to an array of nozzles of the printhead integrated circuit. Each ink conduit includes cavities distributed along a roof of the ink conduit. An opening to each cavity has an upstream edge and a downstream edge. The upstream edge contacts the ink before the downstream edge during initial priming of the ink conduits from an ink supply. The upstream edge has a transition face between the ink conduit and the cavity interior, the transition face being configured to inhibit ink from filling the cavity by capillary action during initial priming of the ink conduit. This causes gas to be trapped within the cavity. The gas acts to compress pressure pulses in the ink. |
| US08500242B2 |
Micro-fluid ejection head
A micro-fluid ejection head for a printer is disclosed. The micro-fluid ejection head comprises a plurality of printhead modules. Each of the plurality of printhead modules comprises an ejection chip for ejecting fluid. The micro-fluid ejection head further comprises a support frame to mount the plurality of printhead modules for creating a lengthy array of the plurality of printhead modules. The support frame is electrically coupled with the plurality of printhead modules for allowing the plurality of printhead modules to receive data and electrical power. |
| US08500238B2 |
Cap device and liquid ejecting apparatus
A cam roller is engaged with a first engaged surface facing downward in a lifting and lowering direction of a cap and moves so as to follow the rotation trajectory about a shaft in the upward direction approaching a liquid ejecting head and in the downward direction separating from the liquid ejecting head. In addition, in the lifting and lowering direction of the cap, the cam roller is engaged from above with a second engaged surface which faces upward at a position lower than the first engaged surface and the first engaged surface has a plane portion as a non-overlapped area which does not overlap the second engaged surface in a direction perpendicular to both of the lifting and lowering direction and the direction of the shaft in a range that the cam roller follows the rotation trajectory about the shaft. |
| US08500234B2 |
Registering patterns on multiple media sides
A method of determining a relative location of a first pattern and a second pattern includes providing a fiducial including a fiducial origin, a first camera, a second camera, and an image registration controller. A first fiducial image of the fiducial origin is captured using the first camera. A second fiducial image of the fiducial origin is captured using the second camera. A first pattern image of a first pattern is captured using the first camera. A second pattern image of a second pattern is captured using the second camera. A first location of the first pattern relative to the fiducial origin is determined using the image registration controller. A second location of the second pattern relative to the fiducial origin is determined using the image registration controller. A relative location of the first location and the second location is determined using the image registration controller. |
| US08500226B2 |
System for sensing capacity state of liquid container
A system for sensing a predetermined pressure change at a port of a liquid container for supplying liquid to a printer, the system having a liquid delivery apparatus connected to a liquid container via a fluid line and a sensing arrangement connected to the fluid line, wherein the liquid container has an internal fluid pressure changing member configured so that contact with liquid being delivered by the liquid delivery apparatus causes the predetermined pressure change in the fluid line, and the sensing arrangement is configured to sense the predetermined pressure change in the fluid line. |
| US08500217B2 |
Vehicle braking appartatus
In a vehicle braking apparatus, a pressure control valve is controlled according to a brake operation amount of a brake pedal to thereby regulate hydraulic pressure and supply it to wheel cylinders. By controlling the pressure control valve by using hydraulic pressure output from a master cylinder as pilot pressure, the hydraulic pressure can be regulated and supplied to the wheel cylinders. A master cut valve capable of opening and closing a first hydraulic pipe that supplies the hydraulic pressure from the master cylinder to the wheel cylinders is provided. An external pressure supply pipe that supplies the pilot pressure to the pressure control valve is connected to the first hydraulic pipe on a side of the master cut valve closer to the wheel cylinders. |
| US08500215B2 |
Hydraulic unit for slip-controlled braking systems
A hydraulic unit for slip-controlled braking systems has a plurality of receiving holes for transport devices associated with a plurality of hydraulic circuits bundled into groups, wherein the receiving holes are disposed at a distance from each in parallel with the upper side and a drive shaft having eccentrics located at the plane spacing for driving the transport devices. In order to provide a compromise optimized for manufacturing a small, convenient hydraulic unit, it is proposed that three theoretical planes (E1, E2, E3) are arranged in parallel to the upper side, each receiving two V-shaped receiving holes for transport devices disposed at an angle to each other, and that the drive shaft includes three separate eccentrics for driving the transport devices. |
| US08500211B2 |
Cleaning cloth
Cleaning cloth includes a cleaning surface and an attachment surface of loop type arranged to allow attachment of the cleaning cloth to a cleaning instrument. The cleaning cloth includes a single textile layer having an activated arming yarn stiffening the cloth. There is also provided a method of producing such a cleaning cloth. |
| US08500209B2 |
Manually rotatable tool
A degradation assembly comprises a rotary portion and a stationary portion. The rotary portion includes a cemented metal bolster bonded to a tip. The tip comprises a symmetric, substantially conically shaped tip formed of diamond and a cemented metal carbide substrate. The stationary portion comprises a holder configured to be coupled to a block mounted to a driving mechanism. A compressible element is disposed intermediate, or between, and in mechanical contact with both the rotary portion and the stationary portion. |
| US08500208B1 |
Coal cutter drum assembly
A coal cutter drum assembly includes a cutter drum having an inner diameter and mounted for rotation about a cutter drum shaft, along with multiple bit retainers secured to an external surface of the cutter drum, each retainer receiving a cutting bit. The coal cutter drum assembly further includes first and second bit and bearing retainer subassemblies, each of which is joined to the cutter drum and further joined to a sprocket that is used to rotate the cutter drum. A bearing supporting the cutter drum is positioned in each of the first and second bit and bearing retainer subassemblies, and each bearing has an outer diameter that exceeds the inner diameter of the cutter drum. |
| US08500206B2 |
Mechanical tailgate
A mechanical tailgate (3) for a dump body (1) of an underground truck, the purpose of the mechanical tailgate is to increase the loading capacity of the dump body, which mechanical tailgate is pivotably arranged between an opened and a closed position, comprising a tailgate sheet (4) attached to two lifting arms (5), which are pivotably arranged to the dump body (1), the dump body (1) comprises also a controlled tailgate (2) arranged to be controlled between opened and closed position of the dump body, the opening and closing movement of the controlled tailgate (2) is effected in the form of a circular movement. In the closed position of the mechanical tailgate (3) and the controlled tailgate (2), the tailgate sheet (4) and the controlled tailgate (2) are arranged to be positioned overlapping each other in such a way that a lower edge of the tailgate sheet (4) is placed on the inside of an upper edge of the controlled tailgate (2) for locking the tailgate sheet (4) towards the controlled tailgate (2). |
| US08500205B2 |
Stay for dump body
A dump truck has a dump body and a stay to hold the dump body selectively in multiple raised positions. |
| US08500204B2 |
Knock-down furniture assembly
A ready to assemble article of furniture includes a connecting assembly to enable shipment of the article in a partially assembled condition. By the use of the connecting assembly, the user can quickly assemble the article of furniture. The connecting assembly includes brackets which are attached to the disassembled components of the article of furniture. The brackets are mateable with each other during the assembly process to secure the components together. |
| US08500203B2 |
Dynamic furniture
Dynamic furniture having platforms in dynamic attachment to an actuator assembly that in turn is in dynamic attachment to a base. Use of motional platforms supported by a motional actuator assembly permits an article of the furniture to conform to the many and varied body positions a user wants, and allows a user to more easily change body positions while remaining within the furniture, and in medical scenarios may obviate most needs to transfer a patient from one article of furniture to another. |
| US08500202B2 |
Piece of furniture such as a bed or a chair
An item of furniture includes a frame mounting two adjustable sections which each includes a pivot shaft to cause pivoting of the respective section relative to the frame. Each pivot shaft mounts a claw-shaped arm having two legs. A dual linear actuator having openings at its opposite ends is suspended from the two claw-shaped arms and is operable to rotate the pivot shafts by engagement of sliding spindle nuts therein with the respective claw-shaped arms. |
| US08500201B2 |
Electromagnetic rocking chair
As shown in FIGS. 1-3, the permanent magnet 8 is fixed on the one of the suspension rods 9 and located between the two coils 6 of the two electromagnets 1. To make the chair seat 12 which is originally at rest rock, the electromagnetic rocking chair will be powered on first, and then a rocking button on the control panel (not shown) will be pressed down. After that, the wires a, b will alternately produce higher and lower electric levels (triodes Q1, Q2, Q3 and Q4, Q5, Q6 work alternately) to produce an alternately changing magnetic field within the coils 6 of the electromagnet 1, and the alternately changing magnetic field will push and pull the permanent magnet 8, making the chair seat 12 move back and forth. When the chair seat 12 rocks to a predetermined check point, the corresponding displacement sensor 3 will send a signal to the control circuit provided on the circuit board 2, at this moment, the control circuit provided on the circuit board 2 will change the mode of supplying power to the wires a, b, making the wires a, b produce a constant electric level instead of the previous alternate electric level. Therefore, the coils 6 of the electromagnet 1 will produce a constant magnetic field to keep pushing and pulling the permanent magnet 8, thus gradually adding force to the chair seat 12 to make the chair seat 12 have greater amplitude and ensure the chair seat 12 to swing more freely. |
| US08500197B2 |
Towel seat cover
A seat cover apparatus comprising: a nylon stretch portion; a terry cloth towel portion, where said terry cloth towel portion extends over the nylon stretch portion; and an attachment means, where said attachment means enables the attachment of the nylon stretch portion to a seat portion. In one particular embodiment, the attachment means includes at least four Velcro straps, wherein the Velcro straps are used to secure the seat cover over a boating seat. The nylon stretch portion covers the seat and the terry cloth towel portion extends downwardly beyond the seat. The terry cloth portion supplies a means to wipe one's hands while enjoying boating activities. |
| US08500196B2 |
Child seat having a crush zone
A child safety seat is provided. The safety seat includes a generally L-shaped shell having a seat bottom and a seat back, a harness assembly carried by the shell for restraining an occupant in the seat, a restraining member for receiving a latching assembly for securing the safety seat into a support position on a vehicle seat in a manner, and at least one area of predetermined reduced material thickness formed into the shell in the rearward portion of the seat bottom. The area of reduce material thickness defines a crush zone of reduced capacity to resist a downward movement-induced load on the seat bottom indicative of the sudden forward travel deceleration of the vehicle. |
| US08500191B1 |
Frangible connector for a vehicle
A frangible vehicle sub-frame joint between a sub-frame and compartment pan. The sub-frame defines a clearance area forward of a collar. In a collision event, the collar is separated into a breakaway portion and a portion that is retained by the sub-frame. The breakaway portion breaks into a clearance area defined in front of the frame joint when the sub-frame is subjected to a front end impact. |
| US08500182B2 |
Vacuum wafer carriers for strengthening thin wafers
An apparatus for supporting a wafer includes a base, and a gas-penetration layer. The gas-penetration layer and a portion of the base directly underlying the gas-penetration layer form a gas passage therebetween. The gas passage is configured to be sealed by the wafer placed directly over the gas-penetration layer. The apparatus further includes a valve connected to the gas passage. |
| US08500181B2 |
Vacuum lifting tool
A suction lifter comprises a suction cup to be placed against a fixing surface and having a deformable suction disc, the suction lifter being designed for forming a hollow space subject to a partial vacuum between the suction disc and the fixing surface, wherein the suction disc is arranged between the suction cup and the fixing surface, wherein the suction cup further has a circumferential cup rim surrounding the hollow space, and wherein a circumferential supporting area of an upper side of the suction disc facing the cup rim is supported against the cup rim under a vacuum condition. The suction cup rim and/or the suction disc rim are provided with projections which under a vacuum condition of the suction lifter and under a shearing force exerted on the suction disc impede a lateral displacement of the suction cup rim with respect to the suction disc rim. |
| US08500176B2 |
Interlocking engagement mechanism for an adjustable bent housing
An adjustable bent housing includes a tubular member with a first engagement means and an adjustment ring with a second engagement means. The first engagement means has a plurality of sockets in a first region of the annular end face of the tubular member, and a plurality of locking pins projecting from a second region of the end face. The second engagement means has a plurality of sockets in an annular end face of the adjustment ring, configured to receive the locking pins. The second engagement means further includes an indexing pin projecting from the adjustment ring end face, and receivable within any socket of the first engagement means when the locking pins are disposed within corresponding sockets of the second engagement means. The adjustment ring is longitudinally movable relative to the tubular member to permit relative rotational adjustment therebetween and configured to prevent over-rotation of the adjustment ring. |
| US08500175B2 |
Plastic male screw connector using injection molding
A connector is used to connect pipes for conveying a fluid. A plastic male screw connector is manufactured through injection molding of a plastic material to replace a conventional screw connector made of a costly metallic material so that the manufacturing costs can be reduced. Since the screw connector is manufactured through injection molding, mass production of the screw connector becomes possible and the manufacturing costs can be significantly reduced. Also, the plastic material of the screw connector allows for the connector to handle high pressure, resist corrosion and reduce fluid friction. |
| US08500173B2 |
Medical-engineering coupling mechanism for connecting two medical instruments
A medical-engineering coupling mechanism for connecting two medical instruments having a coupling plug and a coupling socket for inserting the coupling plug, so that the coupling socket and the coupling plug can be secured to one another by at least one spring-loaded notching connection. To produce a medical-engineering coupling mechanism that is easy to manipulate and ensures a secure notching connection of the components that are to be connected to one another, it is proposed with the invention that the notching connection consists of at least two notching hooks that are positioned on one of the components and are in active engagement with at least one spring element configured as a spring washer, and at least one notching recess positioned on the other component for insertion of the at least two notching hooks. |
| US08500172B2 |
Double cover-center cushion decoupler
A sealed coupling for connecting two pipe ends include two operating covers for respective connection to respective pipe ends, and elongated bellows having respective ends and a damping element supported by respective rims of said covers, said damping element disposed radially outwardly of said bellows and oriented centrally of said respective bellows ends for dissipating forces on said coupling uniformly across said bellows. |
| US08500171B2 |
Fluid distributor and collection device with collapsible laterals and knuckles
A lateral for use in connection with a fluid distributor and collection device is provided. The lateral includes an elongated tubular conduit having a first end and a second end, a plurality of slots disposed along at least a portion of the conduit, and a connecting mechanism disposed proximate to the second end. Each of the slots is angled relative to the conduit to redirect a flow of fluid exiting the conduit. |
| US08500163B2 |
Airbag vent assembly
An airbag cushion of flexible sheet material has a vent opening with a vent cover of flexible sheet material stitched to an interior surface of the airbag cushion aligned with the vent opening in the airbag cushion to form a pocket. The vent cover has a vent opening therein allowing inflation gas to escape from the cushion via the vent opening. A vent flap of flexible sheet material is disposed at least partially within the pocket and inboard of the vent openings in the airbag cushion and vent cover. A tether extends inboard from vent flap to a tether end that is fixed in a releasable manner to a tether end securing device fixed to a module housing. The tether end is released in response to a sensor signal. |
| US08500162B2 |
Inflatable curtain airbag with an integrated pillar guide
Inflatable curtain airbags deploy smoothly with an integrated pillar guide that minimizes interference with a vehicle pillar. The integrated pillar is a thin piece of semi-flexible, semi-rigid material housed in a pocket that is coupled to a curtain airbag. |
| US08500160B2 |
Knee airbag apparatus
Provided is a knee airbag apparatus including an airbag cushion that develops upward without sagging downward to protect the passenger's knee. |
| US08500157B2 |
Knee airbag assemblies and related methods
An airbag assembly can include a stabilizer strap attached to an airbag, and the stabilizer strap can cooperate with a housing to prevent undesired rotation or skewing of the airbag during deployment. In some arrangements, a portion of the airbag is secured to the housing via an inflator. |
| US08500156B2 |
Steering wheel having airbag apparatus attached thereto
An elastic wire which is linearly moved in an assembling direction parallel with an orthogonal surface perpendicular to an axial line of a steering shaft and thus assembled to a core member includes an attaching part that is attached to a core member and an engaging part that is engaged into a pin in a through-hole. The core member is provided with a surface restraint part that permits the attaching part to linearly move in the assembling direction and restrains the engaged attaching part from moving in a direction parallel with the orthogonal surface. The surface restraint part includes a restraining protrusion that permits the bent part 58 of the attaching part 56 to surmount the restraining protrusion as the elastic wire is linearly moved and restrains the bent part having surmounted the restraining protrusion from moving in an opposite direction to the assembling direction. |
| US08500155B2 |
Inflatable airbag assembly with an integral cover
Inflatable airbag cushions can be rolled and/or folded into a housing assembly. The housing assembly aids in coupling an inflator to the airbag and a vehicle structure. The housing also couples the airbag to a vehicle structure. The housing can be mounted behind an knee bolster or steering wheel of a vehicle and has a cover that can be flush with the cabin side of the mounted position. The housing cover can be a cosmetically finished piece or a cosmetically unfinished piece. The housing cover can be an integral part of the housing, and may be used in combination with a one-piece inflator mounting bracket and heat shield. |
| US08500151B2 |
Foot support device
A foot support device configured for use on a snowboard includes a base having a bottom surface and an upper surface, with the bottom surface being configured to attach to a top of a snowboard. The device further includes a strap adapted for removable attachment to the upper surface of said base. In certain arrangements, the base comprises at least two loops, so that the strap is configured to be selectively routed through at least one of the loops. In one embodiment, the strap generally defines a longitudinal axis that passes through the at least two loops when said strap is secured to the base. The base and the strap can define an opening for at least partially receiving a boot therein. In other arrangements, the base comprises a plurality of upwardly extending protruding members configured to provide traction to a boot positioned thereagainst. In some embodiments, the base is generally symmetrical about the longitudinal axis, thereby permitting the foot support device to be properly functional in either a regular or a goofy orientation. |
| US08500148B2 |
Device for reducing roll motion in motor vehicles
A device for reducing roll in motor vehicles. The device includes a first and second traction mechanism and at least a first and second deflecting and rebounding suspension part connected to different vehicle sides of a vehicle body, the first and second traction mechanisms connected at one end to the first suspension part at a first connecting point and at the other end to the second suspension part at a second connecting point. Furthermore, the first traction mechanism is guided deflectably between the first and second connecting points by a first guide means mounted on the vehicle body above the first connecting point and below the second connecting point, and the second traction mechanism is guided deflectably between the first and second connecting points by a second guide means mounted on the vehicle body below the first connecting point and above the second connecting point. |
| US08500144B2 |
Interlocking fastened scooter head tube
A modular interlocking design for a scooter. The present invention introduces a design for a scooter providing modular parts of a scooter that allows for easy assembly. The detent design of the present invention also provides for stronger joints unlike the traditional scooter with weak and brittle welded joints. |
| US08500143B2 |
Walking assistance device with detection members
The present invention relates to a walking assistance device with detection function, which includes a movable frame, a power transmission device mounted under the frame, a detachable power unit mounted on the frame, at least one signal transmitter and at least one signal receiver for detecting the distances from a first portion and a second portion on the user's body to a correspond position of the frame respectively. According to the distances detected, a control unit sends signals to the power transmission device to maintain the distance between the user and the frame within a preset range, therefore to provide supporting forces when the user needs. |
| US08500139B1 |
Attachable scooter
A scooter 1 is disclosed that may be linked to a child buggy or perambulator 100. A linking mechanism 200 is also disclosed for releasably linking the scooter 1 to the child buggy 100 thereby allowing the scooter 1 to be used as a scooter 1 or instead, to be linked to a buggy 100 and used in a linked configuration. The combination of a child buggy 100 and scooter 1 using the linking mechanism 200 is described along with a method of use of the mechanism 200. |
| US08500137B2 |
Coupler device for in-line skate for all-terrain surfaces
An exemplary embodiment of the present invention includes a first coupler device configured to couple to the frame of an in-line skate. The first coupler device includes a linear portion and an angled portion where the linear portion and the angled portion have different lengths. The linear portion includes a first hole configured to couple to the frame of the in-line skate and the first hole is located near the end of the linear portion that is opposite the angled portion. The linear portion includes a second hole located at an area where the linear portion meets the angled portion. The angled portion has an angle greater than zero and includes a third hole near the end of the angled portion that is opposite the linear portion. |
| US08500136B2 |
Speed control system
Skateboard speed control is achieved by improved application of a mechanism to provide even force to the wheels by a simplified speed control system. The speed control system is durable, compact, simple, uses minimal components, is ergonomic, and has speed control pads that move in sync while simultaneously tolerating variations in wheel orientation and position while a rider is maneuvering the skateboard. |
| US08500132B2 |
Rotating coupling for robotic tool changer with one-way clutch and dual-button handle mechanism
A manual robotic tool changer provides a compact, lightweight means to manually selectively couple a robotic tool, such as a surgical tool, to a robot arm. The tool changer includes numerous safety features to prevent inadvertent decoupling of the robotic tool. These include a dual-button handle locking mechanism operative to lock the tool changer closed in the fully coupled position, and requiring simultaneous actuation of both of two latch buttons to unlock; a one-way clutch mechanism that prevents rotation of the coupling mechanism towards the decoupled position, unless the handle is actuated to unlock the tool changer; and a spring biasing the tool changer to an at least partially coupled state when no force is applied to the handle, thus requiring a positive force against the spring, moving the handle to a fully open position, to insert or remove a robotic tool. |
| US08500129B2 |
Slide ring seal arrangement for high circumferential velocities
A slide ring seal for high circumferential velocities for sealing liquids with little or no electrical conductivity, such as low-salt feed water for feed water pumps including a pair of slide rings, one of which is rotationally fixed and the other of which rotates with a rotating component. The slide rings have interacting sliding surfaces which form a region loaded with the liquid to be sealed relative to a sealing gap. One ring is formed of material with satisfactory electrical conductivity and the other of low conductivity material. The seal is arranged in a dead-end circuit of a rotating component to be sealed and is connected to a cooling system. A metering device is provided in the circuit for introducing a substance as a function of a slide ring seal leak to maintain the electrical conductivity of the liquid between 3 and 500 μS/cm. |
| US08500123B2 |
Sheet processing apparatus and method of adjusting a vertical position of a sheet input of a sheet processing apparatus
A sheet processing apparatus and method of adjusting a vertical position of a sheet input of a sheet processing apparatus includes a support of the apparatus having first vertically elongated guiding members and second vertically elongated guiding members. The second guiding members are slideably arranged at the first guiding members. The first guiding members are connected to at least one base member, and the second guiding members are connected to a support frame. A vertical position of at least one of the second guide members is adjustable relative to a corresponding one of the first guide members in order to adjust a vertical position of the sheet input. |
| US08500120B2 |
Media transport system with coordinated transfer between sections
A media transport apparatus and method includes a first media transport having a first drive unit, configured and operative to convey the substrate media through a marking zone to be marked by a print head. A first motion encoder is operatively connected with the first media transport, configured and operative to output a first signal dependent upon the motion of the first media transport surface. A second media transport with a second drive unit and second motion encoder is configured and operative to receive the substrate media from the first media transport and to convey the substrate media. The second drive unit drives the motion of the second media transport with substantially the same surface velocity as the first media transport. The first and second media transports are each operative to hold the substrate media in contact therewith, with respective first and second hold-down forces that may be different magnitudes, including the first hold down force of the first media transport having a greater magnitude than the second hold down force of the second media transport while the substrate media is at least partially within the marking zone and is subjected to both the first and second hold down forces. |
| US08500119B2 |
Sheet conveying device and image processing apparatus
A sheet conveying device includes a conveying path along which a sheet is conveyed. First and second conveying roller pairs are arranged on the conveying path at a predetermined distance from each other. Overlapping conveyance sensing devices are located between the first and second conveying roller pairs and include opposing transmission device and reception device. A distance between the first and second conveying roller pairs is shorter than a length of a minimum size sheet in a conveying direction. In the conveying path between the conveying roller pairs, guide members are disposed to sandwich the transmission device and reception device. The guide members are configured to project upward or downward from a sheet conveying line by a predetermined amount with respect to the conveying path, the sheet conveying line extending through nip points of the first and second conveying roller pairs. |
| US08500117B2 |
Sheet feeding apparatus and image forming apparatus with locking portion provided in the cassette body
A sheet cassette has a lock lever that engages a lock projection in an engagement portion of an stacking plate located in a lower position to enable the stacking plate to turn in a locked position in which the stacking plate is locked in a cassette body and an unlocked position in which the lock projection is separated from the engagement portion in lifting the stacking plate. In a state in which the sheet cassette is mounted on the apparatus body, the lifting and lowering device turns the lock lever to the unlocked position in lifting the stacking plate locked in the lower position by the lock lever. |
| US08500116B2 |
Image processing device and sheet feeder mechanism
A drop in performance can be easily resolved when the retard roller becomes worn. A hopper disposed to a main unit stores sheets in a stack. A conveyance path conveys sheets from the hopper. A feed roller is disposed facing the conveyance path. A retard unit has a retard roller is disposed opposite the feed roller with the conveyance path therebetween, and a torque limiter connected coaxially to the retard roller. An urging means urges the retard unit so that the retard roller presses against the feed roller. The retard unit is removably installed to the main unit. |
| US08500115B2 |
Feed assembly and image forming apparatus incorporating feed assembly
A feed assembly configured to feed a sheet, including: a feed roller configured to convey the sheet; a support element configured to rotatably and detachably support the feed roller; a base including a guide surface configured to guide the sheet; a frictional element configured to generate a frictional force on the sheet guided by the guide surface; and an elastic member provided between the frictional element and the base; wherein a recess is defined in the guide surface to accommodate the frictional element; and the elastic member causes the frictional element to project from the guide surface when the feed roller is detached from the support element. |
| US08500110B2 |
Panel mount
A panel mount for non penetrative fastening of a panel (such as a glass pane). The panel mount has clamp jaws defining an elongate slot in which an edge of a panel can be received. A foot is provided for mounting and fastening the clamp jaws to a structure. At least one of the clamp jaws carries at least one threaded fastener that can be actuated by a user, including when the foot is fastened to the structure. The threaded fastener(s) of the at least one clamp jaw, in cooperation with the other clamping jaw, is capable of operatively clamping the panel to hold it in the slot, irrespective of any non-parallel disposition of the plane of the panel to the elongate direction of the slot. |
| US08500109B2 |
Vibration damping support apparatus
A first load transmission surface 54 and a second load transmission surface 56 are each formed as a flat surface extending parallel to a load input direction. Therefore, elastic deformation occurring in each of an outer body part 66 and an inner body part 68 in a stopper elastic body 64 includes a main component of a shear deformation component, and a secondary component of a compressive and tensile deformation component that is small relative to the shear deformation component. Consequently, a sharp increase in deformation resistance and dynamic spring constant when a high load is input can be effectively suppressed. |
| US08500107B2 |
Aeration device for the introduction of gas bubbles into a liquid medium
An aeration device adapted for the introduction of gas into a liquid medium is provided, including an elongated primary distribution member with a proximal end adapted to be connected to a gas source and a distal end adapted to be immersed into the medium. Additionally, at least one aeration member is connected to the primary distribution member at a location on the distribution member spaced from the proximal end thereof and being in fluid communication with the distribution member, adapted for bringing the gas into a state entrappable within the liquid medium. Also, a flotation member is provided, mounted onto the primary distribution member and adapted to assume various positions along the distribution member according to the level of the liquid medium. An aeration system is also provided, the system including an array of aeration devices as described above. |
| US08500105B2 |
Contact tray and method employing same
A contact tray is provided with a tray deck and dividing walls which form groupings of one or more cans and one or more downcomer inlets distributed across the tray deck. The cans have walls that surround vapor openings in the tray deck that permit upward passage of a vapor stream into the cans. Downcomers extend downwardly from the downcomer inlet and are positioned for delivering a liquid stream into the center of cans positioned on a tray deck of an underlying contact tray. Discharge openings are provided in the walls of the cans to allow the liquid stream to exit the cans. The dividing walls direct the exiting liquid stream into the downcomer inlets in the same grouping and prevent or impede the liquid stream from flowing to a low side of the tray deck. |
| US08500104B2 |
Pressurized liquid stream with dissolved gas
A system and method of injecting a gas enriched and/or emulsified first liquid into a second liquid is disclosed. The injection can cause generation of a high density of bubbles having a mean diameter of a selected size. The mean diameter of the bubbles can be selected and varied based on the characteristics of the injection system. |
| US08500096B2 |
Vehicle jack stand
A jack stand for a vehicle includes a plurality of walls joined together to form a body, the body being hollow. A base is formed by lower edges of the walls and a top surface joins top edges of the walls. One of the walls includes a wall opening and the top includes a top opening, the wall opening and the top opening extending towards one another, meeting proximate the top edge of one of the walls, thereby forming a single, continuous opening extending from the top into one of the walls. |
| US08500092B2 |
Secondary seat for gas regulator
A fluid regulating device includes a valve disc and a valve port adapted to provide a secondary seal during an obstructed closing operation, whereby the valve disc directly engages a housing component of the valve port to maximize the integrity of the secondary seal and advantageously reduce the size and complexity of existing valve ports. The valve port comprises a housing and a cartridge slidably disposed in the housing. The valve disc directly engages a primary seat carried by the cartridge during a normal closing operation. During an obstructed closing operation, however, the cartridge is pushed into the housing such that the valve disc directly engages a secondary seat carried by the housing at a location that is downstream of the cartridge. |
| US08500091B2 |
Opening and closing valve including a packing gland and a yolk sleeve
A valve stem is journaled in a journaling portion of a valve box in an upwardly and downwardly movable manner; a packing is interposed between the journaling portion and the valve stem; a packing gland is arranged above the packing; a yoke sleeve is provided above the packing gland; and a valve seat in the valve box is opened and closed with a valve element provided at the lower end of the valve stem by rotating a handle fitted into the yoke sleeve to move the valve stem upward and downward. A protective tube formed integrally with the packing gland is provided between the packing gland and the yoke sleeve around the valve stem. A guide projection with which the inner periphery of the upper end of the protective tube comes into contact is provided on the lower surface of the yoke sleeve. |
| US08500085B2 |
Method for manufacturing a composite fiber component for aerospace
Method for manufacturing a composite fiber component (1) the method comprising the following method steps: forming a moulding core (4) comprising a hollow profile (15) made of segments (16a . . . d) in order to establish an external geometry of the moulding core (4), wherein the segments (16a . . . d) of the moulding core (4) each extend in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the moulding core (4) and are each constructed so as to be pivotable about an axis running in the longitudinal direction of the moulding core (4), between a folded position (A), and an unfolded position (B) of the hollow profile (15) of the moulding core (4), wherein the segments (16a . . . d) are constructed so as to be coupled to one another via connections (18a . . . d, 19a . . . c) in one piece in order to form the hollow profile (15); at least one fiber semifinished product (3) is positioned at least in certain sections on the constructed moulding core (4) in order to shape at least one moulded section (14) of the composite fiber component (1) to be manufactured; and heat and/or pressure is applied to the at least one moulded section (14) in order to manufacture the composite fiber component (1). |
| US08500084B2 |
Modular support structure and module thereof for container handling machines
A module (4) in a support structure (5) for container handling machines (2), comprises a connecting bar (6) provided with bearing expansions (7) at its ends, each of the bearing expansions (7) being detachably connectable with a corresponding bearing expansion of another module in such a way as to define a support (8) for a star wheel conveyor (3). |
| US08500082B2 |
Seat base sliding apparatus
The present disclosure discloses a seat base sliding device applied to a seat of a heavy machinery such as a loader, an excavator, or the like. The seat base sliding device includes: a seat base with a lower part is fixed to a floor of a vehicle body and an upper part at which a seat is installed; a sliding plate slidable inwards and outwards in a lateral direction of the seat base at both left and right sides of the seat base and in which a control stand is fixed to one side thereof; and at least one adjustment unit selectively fixing the sliding plate of which the position is determined by sliding movement to the seat base. The present disclosure is capable of preventing a cabin from knocking against both control stands of a seat device at the time of assembling the cabin around the seat device and in addition, preventing the corresponding control stands from interfering in a thigh of a driver at the time of operating a control lever of each control stand laterally after assembling the cabin. |
| US08500080B2 |
Rod securing device
A rod securing device includes a securing plate and a first driving arm. The securing plate is capable of receiving a rod. The first driving arm is located in the securing plate. The first driving arm is capable of moving along a first direction. The first driving arm includes a first engaging portion and is capable of moving from a securing position, where the first engaging portion of the first driving arm is capable of engaging the rod received in the securing plate, to a release position, where the first engaging portion is capable of being disengaged from the rod received in the securing plate. |
| US08500079B2 |
Sprinkler mounting device
Disclosed therein is a sprinkler mounting device having a mounting bracket that includes a tightening member mounted on the front of a bracket body for opening and closing an open portion by a lever, so that the tightening member can firmly hold a reducer, to which a head is joined, once a worker bends the lever back after inserting the reducer into the bracket body. |
| US08500078B2 |
Bracket and bracket assembly
A modular bracket (10) comprising a mounting portion (11) adapted to be mounted to a vertical or horizontal surface and an arm (13) extending from the mounting portion (11), the arm (13) having a coupling formation (23) at its free end for coupling to a further member having a complementary coupling (28). The further member may comprise a hook member (25) which may extend substantially linearly from the arm (13) or be inclined downwardly. In another embodiment the further member includes an arm having a plurality of hooks for supporting fishing rods. |
| US08500075B2 |
Loading and carting system
In one aspect, the present invention includes loading and carting system having support mechanisms each including pairs of telescoping members extending away from each other and an object sling extending between the pairs. The system further includes a reversible platform to which the support mechanisms are mounted, where the platform includes on a first side thereof a set of base portions in which the support members are mounted and on a second side thereof wheel mounts to which wheels can be mounted. The first side may be configured to support a bulky object during a carting process and the second side configured to support the object during a loading or unloading process. |
| US08500071B2 |
Method and apparatus for bi-directional downstream adjacent crossing signaling
First and second crossing predictors communicate with each other, and each predictor transmits signals to instruct downstream adjacent predictors to activate their warning devices at a constant warning time (referred to as DAXing) by using train detection information from the other predictor. The communications between the predictors may be rail based, wireless or wired using conductors other than rails. Multiple predictors may be present between the first and second crossing predictors, and each such predictor may be DAXed by one of the outer predictors based on the train's direction. The predictor also transmits a signal to inform the other predictor of the presence of the train so that the other predictor may determine whether to suppress DAXing. Detecting an incoming train direction at a predictor may also occur by utilizing a second receiver attached to the track rails at a location offset from the first receiver. |
| US08500070B2 |
Personal spacecraft
The present invention relates to a spacecraft structure that comprises a flat-wide body center fuselage, right and left side arch-wings and rocket propulsion power plant compartments, wherein the arch-wing is anchored to the fuselage via a foldable hinge mechanism. The fuselage structure is constructed as a single solid structure body of the spacecraft. A top portion at the rear of fuselage comprises a jet propulsion power plant to provide thrust during take-off from the airport. Both the left and right side arch-wings are anchored to a front and a rear portion of the center fuselage structure. Both the front and rear wing portions enable spacecraft lift and superior maneuverability during flight. The spacecraft is air tight and water tight and includes floatation devices. |
| US08500069B2 |
Device for moving objects, intended in particular for luggage in a hold of an aircraft
The invention relates to a device for moving objects, particularly luggage, in an aircraft hold, said device including a moving wall (10) and at least one belt. One end of the belt (20) is connected to a roller (24) around which the belt (20) is wound. The other end of the belt (20) is attached to the moving wall (10). A lower section of the belt (20) extends from the moving wall (10) to a threshold element (22) and an upper section of the belt (20) extends from the threshold element (22) to the moving wall (10). |
| US08500066B2 |
Method and apparatus for wireless aircraft communications and power system using fuselage stringers
A method and apparatus for transmitting wireless signals. An apparatus comprises a stringer having a channel and a waveguide located within the channel. The waveguide is capable of carrying a number of wireless signals. |
| US08500065B2 |
Device for supplying loads in the overhead area of a passenger cabin, in particular in commercial aircraft
Corresponding to reducing the number of components that need to be separately installed, in addition to a weight reduction and a reduction in the cable loom volume, improved system reliability is obtained if the loads relating to a seating space in a passenger cabin (12), in particular in an aircraft, are combined on an overhead panel (17) which is connected, via line connections which are now only short, to a spatially associated supply module (19), which is operated in cutouts (20) in a stub frame (13), in order to anchor a hat rack (11) in the fuselage structure (16) of the cabin (12). |
| US08500059B2 |
Helicopter rotor blade tie down system
A solution to the problem one person tying down the rotor blades of a helicopter when the rotor blades are too high to be reached by a person standing on the ground involves a rotor blade tie down having a flat structure of two adjacent layers attached along three sides and open on one side to facilitate the placement of an end of the rotor blade in an interior of the device. An exterior surface of each of the layers of the flat structure has a member fixed thereto adjacent the open side of the tie down for receiving a rotor blade tie down installation tool. A tether has one end fixed to the tie down and a free end for attachment to a structural member of the helicopter. A helicopter rotor blade tie down installation tool is a pole having a pair of spaced apart substantially parallel arms fixed to the pole that extend away from the pole and are oriented substantially perpendicular to the pole to be received in the members on the exterior of the rotor blade tie down device. |
| US08500056B1 |
Self-compensating filament tension control device with eddy current braking
A self-compensating tension control device for regulating the payout of filamentary material from a spool includes a fixed support and a spindle assembly rotatably carrying the spool. A tension force applied to the filamentary material, in opposition to a biasing force, moves the spindle assembly linearly in relation to the fixed support. An eddy current braking system includes a conductive member rotatable with the spindle assembly and a magnetic member carried by the fixed support. The spindle assembly and the conductive member move linearly toward a side-by-side relationship with the magnetic member when the tension force applied to the filamentary material is reduced and unable to overcome the biasing force. Linear movement of the spindle assembly and the associated conductive member can be obtained by either a straight line mechanism or a linear ball bushing mechanism. A supplemental brake may also be used. |
| US08500055B2 |
Coil tubing system
A coil tubing system including a reel having a core rotatable about a horizontal axis, the core having a surface defining an interior cavity about the horizontal axis and a tubing having an inlet end positioned proximate the horizontal axis. A bend is formed in the tubing between the inlet end and a core point of the tubing positioned proximate the core surface, the permanent bend positioned substantially within the interior cavity. |
| US08500051B2 |
Power cable management system
An articulating flexible overhead boom disposed on one aggregate processing plant and configured to pivot so as to hold a power cable connecting two adjacent aggregate processing plants at an elevation above the ground so as to permit walking and/or driving a vehicle between the adjacent plants while the connection power cable remains overhead. |
| US08500049B2 |
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. |
| US08500046B2 |
Turbulence control assembly for high pressure cleaning machine
An assembly for controlling water turbulence through a high pressure cleaning machine includes a nozzle body, which has an inlet, an outlet, and a flow path. The nozzle body has a fastening end that is designed to couple the nozzle body to a pressure washer, at an end of a spray gun shaft, for example. The nozzle body also includes a plurality of conduits (e.g., an array of tubules) arranged in parallel with each other along the flow path and located between the inlet and the outlet. Additionally the nozzle body may include a screen or screens positioned along the flow path. The plurality of conduits and the screens are designed to reduce a turbulence of a water flowing through the assembly. |
| US08500045B2 |
Parallel circuit fuel filtration for fuel injectors
A fuel injector that comprises a parallel circuit fuel filtration circuit providing filtered fuel to the control valve. Specifically, a fuel filter is positioned inside the injector within the passage leading to the control valve. Debris is removed from the fuel and filtered fuel is allowed to pass through to the control valve. Unfiltered fuel may be purged from the fuel injector during injection. Alternatively, unfiltered fuel may be removed from the injector via the drain. |
| US08500044B2 |
Multiple nozzle differential fluid delivery head
A multiple nozzle differential fluid delivery head is disclosed. The fluid delivery head includes a body that defines a fluid chamber having a longitudinal axis. The body includes an inlet for connection to a fluid source, and the inlet is in fluid communication with the fluid chamber. The fluid delivery head includes a plurality of outlet ports connected to and extending away from the body. Each outlet port has an interior space in fluid communication with the fluid chamber. The fluid delivery head includes a nozzle insert removably secured in an outer end of each outlet port. At least one nozzle insert has a fluid delivery aperture in fluid communication with the interior space of its associated outlet port for delivering fluid out of the interior space of its associated outlet port. One or more of the outlet ports is angled away from a plane normal to the axis of the fluid delivery head. |
| US08500037B2 |
Adjustable water jet device
An adjustable water jet device that allows for the arc of the jet of water to be adjusted while the water is still flowing through the device. A multipurpose tool is disclosed which has a central hollow cavity surrounded by a grip. The multipurpose tool can be used to adjust the arc of the water jet, allowing the water to flow through the central hollow cavity of the tool. The multipurpose tool can also be used to adjust the flow rate of water through the device and to disassemble the device for maintenance purposes. |
| US08500034B2 |
Temperature controller for direct mounting to the object to be controlled
An integrated solid-state temperature controller that is mountable to an object the temperature of which is controlled by the solid-state temperature controller, or is mountable in a space in which the temperature is controlled by the solid-state temperature controller. The solid-state temperature controller able to withstand and continue to operate in extremes of temperatures at which the object or space is controlled, and able to withstand and continue to operate in extremes of temperatures of the object or space when the temperature is not being controlled. |
| US08500033B2 |
Transponder, RFID system and methods of operation
A transponder for a radio frequency identification system, the transponder comprising a UHF antenna, an LF antenna, an HF antenna, a charge storing device and an electronic circuit comprising UHF, LF and HF antenna ports; a UHF RFID protocol engine; a DF RFID protocol engine; shared memory for the two protocol engines; a UHF receiver, rectifier and data extractor; an LF receiver, rectifier and data extractor; a UHF modulator; an HF modulator; a decision circuit for selecting either the UHF energy source or the LF energy source; and a digital controller capable of selecting either the UHF protocol engine or the DF protocol engine or both, depending on which energy source is present and the strength of that energy source. |
| US08500026B2 |
Dual resolution two-dimensional barcode
A grayscale two-dimensional barcode may be converted to a two-dimensional color barcode. The color barcode includes a set of sub-regions, and the cells in each sub-region exhibits a color pattern that corresponds to pattern of binary, grayscale cells. The two-dimensional color barcode may be decoded by comparing the pattern for each sub-region to a known grayscale pattern. The two-dimensional color barcode may be used for error correction by first decoding the barcode in grayscale form based on the luminance without reference to color, then decoding the barcode based on its color and comparing the results. |
| US08500025B2 |
Compact bar code scanner assembly
A bar code scanner module is disclosed that may include a chassis housing an optical transmission system therein, the optical transmission system including a laser diode and a motor; a first circuit board coupled to the motor; and a second circuit board disposed within the chassis and in communication with the first circuit board. The module may further include a third circuit board disposed in proximity to the chassis and in communication with at least one of the first circuit board and the second circuit board. |
| US08500023B2 |
System and method for providing sufficient illumination quality for barcodes captured with a color image sensor
A barcode scanner device for reading a target barcode having a plurality of feature sections in a first color and a plurality of background sections in a second color. The device comprises: a light source for providing incident illumination onto the target barcode during reading of the target barcode, the light source having a plurality of independently selectable color wavelengths; a photodetector for receiving at least a portion of the incident illumination when reflected off the target barcode as reflected illumination, the reflected illumination used by the photodetector to capture a first color image of the target barcode when a first color wavelength is selected as the incident illumination and to capture a second color image of the target barcode when a second color wavelength is selected as the incident illumination. |
| US08500022B2 |
Confidentiality packaging system
A packaging system uses marked, specially designed packaging to enable confidential purchasing of consumer goods. Products having a first configuration normally labeled for sale are convertible into a second configuration which conceals the identity of the goods, other than perhaps having a confidentiality brand. The confidentiality package is bar-coded for price and purchase scanning but does not identify the type of good(s) being purchased either at the cash register or on the customer's receipt. The confidentially packaged items are primarily sold at a retail location immediately next to a normally marked, identical (except for the outer packaging shell) item, and have a brief description of what the item is directly under it (Tampons for example) located in the shelf strip next to the re-order shelf tag. |
| US08500020B2 |
Writing and reading data system, starting from a chromatic printed information that modifies patterns emited by an electromagnetic waves source, introducing biases that conform new patterns, giving place to new data categories matched to a code
The present invention allows setting information into a support (paper, cardboard, plastics, etc.) by printing process or different kinds of chromatic settings (like chemical reactions),which could be read and decoded in controlled and repetitive conditions, matching with a known code. The process makes it possible the production of a low cost and high security level data support, due to the impossibility of visual access to the information. At the time, the system presents strong barrier for going through the information by means of other technological resources (of optical nature, for example) due to the impossibility of knowing the chromatic parameters settings involved in the scanning procedure for each cluster, which can change from one bit to another one. At the same time, the physical access results also impossible because of the destruction of the support that would be done in the will of doing it. The data clusters are characterized by the particular bias introduced at the constitutive patterns of the electromagnetic waves projected through the chromatic deposits at the molecular level of the support, which read by a proper scanner are after processed and assigned to data categories. Those inputs categories, finally produce outputs for interfaces and external requirements. |
| US08500019B2 |
Electronic cards and methods for making same
A method for communicating with a magnetic stripe reader which has a magnetic read head by activating the electronic apparatus from an off state to a reduced power mode, then detecting the magnetic stripe reader, then activating the electronic apparatus from the reduced power mode to a full power mode after detection of the magnetic read head, and then broadcasting a signal that contains a transaction specific data packet that is read by the magnetic read head. The signal is broadcast without using a static magnetic stripe and it is a time varying and spatial varying magnetic field that is interpreted by the magnetic read head as originating from a standard magnetic stripe. A monitoring system can be used to identify what type of point-of-transaction terminal is being used to read the electronic apparatus and choose a timing of the magnetic stripe broadcaster to accommodate it. |
| US08500017B2 |
Scanner and weigh scale with self-centering surface
An optical scanner comprising a weigh scale is presented with a self-centering top plate. The design of the top plate creates a horizontal gravitation vector on objects placed on and away from the center of the top plate. The force vector is directed toward the center of the top plate and diminishes to zero as the object approaches the center of the top plate. |
| US08500016B2 |
Rifle sight analog template
An analog ballistic system calculator for long range shooting is constructed of a pair of rugged, waterproof rotatable transparent discs superimposed over a base member on one side and a single transparent rotatable disc on the opposite side of the base. The hand held calculator device provides a wind speed and direction and air temperature adjusted calculator device for long distance rifles. |
| US08500015B2 |
Method and system for deterring product counterfeiting, diversion and piracy
A method and system for authenticating goods and thereby detecting and deterring counterfeits are disclosed. According to one aspect of the invention, a client utilizes data received from a host to generate a plurality of security codes and to direct a printing device to print the plurality of security codes on a plurality of products, without retaining the plurality of security codes after the printing device has printed the plurality of security codes on the plurality of products. After the security codes have been printed, a person can communicate the security code to the host, which can verify its authenticity. |
| US08500011B2 |
Confidential common subject identification system
A computerized method and apparatus are established to identify a subject of common interest among multiple parties without releasing the true identity of any subject. Furthermore, a computerized network provides different parties at different locations with a mechanism to conduct cooperative activities concerning such a subject of common interest without exposing that subject to possible identity theft. |
| US08500008B2 |
Method and system of electronic payment transaction, in particular by using contactless payment means
A method of electronic payment transaction is characterized by the fact that during processing of one payment transaction, a communication link (3) between the card (1) and the terminal (2) is interrupted and the ARPC answering file is received to the card (1) after the original communication link (5) is interrupted. Two phases are separated by a reset of the card (1) where in the second phase initial payment data (ARQC) are used.Electronically signed ARQC payment file is stored in the card's (1) memory for at least until the corresponding time ARPC answering file is of received and processed. The solution enables to place the mobile phone with a payment card (1) near to the terminal's (2) reader twice. The first time, a request for on-line authorization is generated and during the second touch the information from the payment processor (5) is recorded into the payment application. |
| US08500007B2 |
System and method for merchant interaction with and tracking of the secondary gift card marketplace
Disclosed herein are systems, methods, and non-transitory computer-readable storage media for tracking a secondary gift card marketplace. A system configured to practice the method collects data related to a secondary market, which includes a transaction associated with a gift card, the transaction not involving an issuer of the gift card, processes the collected data, and presents at least a portion of the processed collected data to a merchant in a user interface. Gift cards can include at least one of gift cards and gift codes. The collected data can further include a plurality of transactions associated with gift cards. In one aspect, each gift card transaction in the plurality of gift card transaction does not involve an original issuing merchant of a gift card. The collected data can further include at least one of pricing, demographic, geographic, and other information related to the gift card transactions. |
| US08500002B2 |
Display control based on bendable display containing electronic device conformation sequence status
A system includes, but is not limited to: one or more conformation sensor modules configured to direct obtaining information associated with one or more sequences of two or more conformations of one or more portions of one or more regions of a bendable display containing electronic device and one or more display control modules configured to direct controlling display of one or more portions of the bendable display containing electronic device regarding display of second information in response to the information associated with the one or more sequences of two or more conformations of the one or more portions of the one or more regions of the bendable display containing electronic device. In addition to the foregoing, other related method/system aspects are described in the claims, drawings, and text forming a part of the present disclosure. |
| US08500000B2 |
Device for locking and unlocking the jalousie of a container
The invention relates to a device for locking and unlocking the roller shutter (12, 15) of a container (10) that can be inserted into a rack (11) and removed therefrom. The roller shutter (12, 15) is pulled open by a stationary pin engaging therewith during insertion of the container (10), it is pulled shut by the same engagement of the pin (14) when the container (10) is pulled out of the rack (11). In the closed position, the roller shutter (12, 15) shall be locked reliably and accurately. Two locking pins (21, 22) that can be actuated by cam tracks (35, 36) extending in longitudinal direction of the rack (11) and provided at the rack (11) serve for this purpose. The first locking pin (21) serves to lock the roller shutter (12, 15), the second locking pin (22) keeps the roller shutter (12, 15) in its exactly defined closed position during the locking by the first locking pin (21). As a result thereof, position errors of the roller shutter (12, 15) during locking and unlocking are prevented. |
| US08499999B2 |
Folding box with inner chamber
A folding box for the storage and presentation of products is provided, which includes an outer packaging body with a front wall, a rear wall, at least two side walls, a top element, and a bottom element, and which also includes a hollow inner chamber with a polygonal cross section in the interior of the outer packaging body. The inner chamber is formed by a front wall element, a rear wall element, and two side wall elements, and holds a product securely in the folded-open state of the folding box. The folding box is formed from a one-piece blank, and the outer packaging body and the inner chamber are glued to each other, providing the width of the inner chamber being less than the width of the outer packaging body, such that, between at least one side wall in the interior of the outer packaging body and at least one side wall element of the inner chamber, an empty space is formed. At least part of only one of the outer surfaces of the inner chamber elements, namely, either part of the front wall element or part of the one of the two side wall elements, is glued to only one of the inner surfaces of the outer packaging body. The inner chamber is formed by folding the front wall element, the rear wall element, and the side wall elements toward the outer side of the blank. |
| US08499997B2 |
Cartridge for the generation of hydrogen for bonding materials
The present invention provides assembly for use with a cartridge for the generation of hydrogen and a method for bonding metals with the cartridge. The cartridge includes a case, an igniter, and a structural component. The case defines an interior cavity and the igniter is positioned within the cavity. The structural component is also positioned within the cavity and is formed of a particulate embedded in a matrix and the particulate includes a metallic material. An oxidizing agent is positioned within the cavity. The structural component is configured such that the metallic material and the oxidizing agent react together to generate hydrogen after the igniter generates sufficient heat to remove the matrix from the structural component and to initiate the reaction between the metallic material and the oxidizing agent. The cartridge is positioned within the assembly relative to a metal flyer such that when the cartridge is discharged, the flyer is bonded to a metal anvil. |
| US08499996B2 |
Method for the quantitative determination of soldering agent residues
A method for quantitatively determining flux material residues remaining on a heat exchanger after a preceding soldering process is provided. To this end, a fluid is applied to the heat exchanger, wherein the remaining quantity of flux material on the heat exchanger after the preceding soldering process is derived from the concentration of soldering agent in the fluid. |
| US08499995B2 |
Systems and methods for joining metal
A metal joining system having a first burner assembly configured to selectively heat a first zone and an assembly support at least partially vertically lower than at least a portion of the first heat zone and a first hood vertically above at least a portion of the assembly support. |
| US08499993B2 |
Surgical staple cartridge
A surgical staple cartridge can comprise a cartridge housing having a longitudinal axis, the cartridge having a knife channel disposed along the longitudinal axis dividing the cartridge into a first side and a second side, a first, a second and a third row of staple pockets located on the first side of the cartridge housing having staples therein, wherein the first, the second and the third row of staple pockets are aligned parallel to the knife channel, a first fastener driver oriented to drive at least three fasteners out of the staple pockets in the first, the second and the third row of staple pockets, respectively, and a second fastener driver oriented to drive at least four fasteners out of the staple pockets in at least the second and third row of staple pockets, respectively. |
| US08499992B2 |
Device and method for controlling compression of tissue
A method and device for controlling the compression of tissue include clamping tissue between a first clamping member and a second clamping member by driving at least one of the clamping members with an electric motor toward a predetermined tissue gap between the clamping members and, during the clamping, monitoring a parameter of the electric motor indicative of a clamping force exerted to the tissue by the clamping members. The method and device include, during the clamping, controlling the electric motor, based on the monitored parameter, to limit the clamping force to a predetermined maximum limit. |
| US08499990B2 |
Landing net holster
The present invention provides a stabilized belt mounted fish landing net holster for anglers. The holster includes a belt-mounted base to which a cylindrical sleeve, which holds the handle of a landing net, is mounted in a vertical plane when the holster is worn on the belt of an angler or mounted to other gear such as back packs. The holster keeps the landing net secure, out of the way while fishing or walking and is easily withdrawn for use. |
| US08499989B1 |
Motorcycle mounted helmet carrier
A motorcycle mounted helmet carrier device includes a pair of linear support members each having first and second ends, each support member with a helmet receiving support plate member at the first end thereof. A linear connecting rod member is secured at each end to one linear support member to maintain the pair of support members in parallel register. The second end of each linear support member attaches to a motorcycle. Each linear support member includes at least one aperture adjacent the helmet receiving support plate at the first end thereof. Each linear support member with aperture therein is adapted for locking a helmet supported upright upon the support plate to the linear support member. |
| US08499988B2 |
Roof rack crossbar
A vehicle roof rack assembly comprises a pair of rails defining retention channels therein. A locking slot is disposed on an inboard surface of the rails and is in communication with the retention channels. The rook rack assembly further comprises a crossbar having a rotatable locking cam with retention tabs. The locking cam is designed to frictionally engage the locking slot during rotation and the retention tabs are adapted to extend into the retention channels, thereby securing the crossbar to the rails. |
| US08499986B2 |
Quick-release arrangement
A quick-release arrangement for a hand-held device (30) comprising a belt clip (10) and an engagement element (20), wherein the belt clip is adapted to fit on a user's belt or waistband, the engagement element is attachable to a hand-held device, and the belt clip has a retaining portion (17, 18) shaped to slidably accept the engagement element to a limit point and to form an interference fit with the engagement element at said limit point. |
| US08499982B2 |
High velocity foam pump
Embodiments of foam pumps and refill units for foam dispensers are disclosed herein. An exemplary embodiment of a foam pump includes a housing, a mixing chamber located within the housing, an inlet into the mixing chamber and an outlet valve located downstream of the mixing chamber. In addition, a sealing member movable in a first direction and a second direction is included and provided in the housing, the sealing member being movable in the first direction by pressurized air. The pressurized air causes the sealing member to move in the first direction and open a pathway for pressurized air to travel through the inlet and enter the mixing chamber. Upon a decrease in the air pressure, the sealing member moves in the second direction and closes off the inlet from pressurized air. |
| US08499980B2 |
Dispenser for a flowable medium having a valved removable container for receiving an exchangeable reservoir
A dispenser for a flowable medium has a container with an outlet on the bottom. A pump is connected to the outlet. A replaceable reservoir is placed on top of the receptacle. The container is removably disposed within the dispenser base and includes a valve inside the outlet. The valve closes the outlet when the container is removed. |
| US08499979B2 |
Chemical dispensing apparatus and methods
Improvements in modular dispenser and chemical source cabinets include field-replaceable door hinges, field-serviceable dispenser manifolds, removeably mounted in the modular dispenser cabinets, and rotating water inlet fittings to facilitate interconnection to a water source and the placement of chemical cabinet modules in close proximity. These features are used together or separately and preferably with customizable rail mounting elements. |
| US08499978B2 |
Water dispenser device at different temperatures
A device receives water from a source (S), to be dispensed, by a single nozzle (18), in a container (R) at a final value of a plurality of temperature values. A first feed conduit (25a) is arranged between source (S) and includes a first heat exchanger (26) to cold water, yet been provided a second feed conduit (25b) and a third feed conduit (25c), this latter including a heat exchanger (46) which heats water. A control valve (24, 34, 44) is provided in each feed conduit (25a, 25b, 25c) and operated to supply water to the nozzle (18), at either conditions of cold water, normal water and hot water. Control valves (24, 34, 44) can be operated automatically, to dispense water at a predetermined temperature in a range defined from cold water to hot water. |
| US08499976B2 |
Multichamber dispensing device
A multichamber dispensing device for dispensing a mixture consisting of a plurality of substances includes a receptacle unit (10) with several chambers that are aligned parallel in relation to each other. Each chamber has an open first end for inserting a piston and a second end having an outlet opening. A dispensing unit (30) including a dispensing channel and an adapter section (36) is connected to the receptacle unit (10). The adapter section includes at least one detachable separating element (38) which protrudes radially to the inside and interacts with at least one locking means of the receptacle unit (10), so that after loosening the separating element (38), the dispensing unit (30) opposite the receptacle unit (10) can be shifted in an axial direction. |
| US08499975B2 |
Refrigerator beverage flavor dispenser with flavor strength adjustment
A refrigerator includes a refrigerator cabinet, a door for providing access to within the refrigerator cabinet, and a beverage dispenser. The beverage dispenser may be positioned at the door. The beverage dispenser includes a water source for supplying water, a beverage flavor source containing a flavor medium and having a flavor source opening with and adjustable size, and a user interface. The user interface is connected to the beverage flavor source to control the amount of flavor medium dispensed by the beverage flavor source through the flavor source opening. The amount of flavor medium dispensed will determine the flavor strength of a flavored beverage after the flavor medium has mixed with water or another liquid. |
| US08499973B2 |
Tube dispensing device
This invention provides a deformable dispensing tube (1) with an internal device (8). The device is contained within the deformable dispensing tube but is a separate physical entity to the deformable dispensing tube and has the ability to move within the deformable dispensing tube. The object of the device is to aid the dispensing of part or all of the contents (16) of the deformable dispensing tube by the user. |
| US08499965B2 |
Dispenser for an orally dissolvable strip
A dispenser for an orally dissolvable strip includes a pair of receiving spools for receiving respective layers of wrap material that sandwich the orally dissolvable strip. A rotatable knob is coupled to the spools for actuating the spools. A force transfer apparatus is configured to rotate the second spool when the first spool rotates. A housing contains the receiving spools, force transfer apparatus, orally dissolvable strip, and layers of wrap material, the housing having a slot sized for the dissolvable strip to pass through. A coupling element is connected to a housing side wall configured connect the housing laterally to another housing side wall. A channel extends between a knob input aperture and a housing rear plate output channel. A drive shaft is positioned in the channel and configured to extend from the output channel and operatively couple the rotatable knob with a rotatable knob of another dispenser. |
| US08499958B2 |
Kind of packing box of wet wipes
A packing box of wet wipes, which includes a body and a cover connected to the body. The cover includes: a cover body having a press button mounted therein, a top lid having a fastening part mounted thereon and mated with the press button, and a resilient connection part having a first end secured to a side of the top lid opposite to the fastening part and a second end protruding through a through hole of the top lid and secured to the cover body. The packing box of wet wipes of present invention has a simple structure, and can be used repeatedly and easy to open. |
| US08499956B2 |
Cellular container
A collapsible container assembly comprising a folding container having at least four walls, with the at least four walls being pivotable relative to each other to allow the folding container to collapse in a parallelogram motion, and an inside cellular structure connected to the at least four walls. The cellular structure comprises a plurality of interconnected panels forming a plurality of cells, with the panels being formed of soft, deformable material. The folding container can be folded with the inside cellular structure therein such that the collapsible container assembly will be substantially flat when the folding container is moved to a collapsed position. |
| US08499950B2 |
Tamper evident closure
A tamper evident closure (TEC) includes a closure cap and at least one tamper evident ring forming a recessed space therein. The ring has a body attached by at least one frangible bridge member to the cap. The ring includes at least one protrusion member spaced there around such that the protrusion members are formed by being stamped to protrude into the recessed space. There is also a related protrusion member forming apparatus. The apparatus includes a base end and a forming end. The forming end includes shaped protuberances which during use cause a stamping or deforming action with respect to a holding action on an inner ring member and outer ring member of a tamper evident ring of a tamper evident closure, to form the protrusion members in the inner ring member. There is also a method of manufacture of a tamper evident closure (TEC). |
| US08499935B2 |
Fixed seat for a tool
A fixed seat for a tool has a sleeve joint pillar set into a polygonized pillar, of which the circumference side part contains abutment surfaces and edges. The abutment surface can abut the groove wall of the sleeve's square casing groove, and said edge or margin part permits spanwise locking of the sleeve during its rotation. A positioning convex part is protruded from an abutment surface on the circumference side part of the sleeve joint pillar, and interlocked with the positioning concave camber on the groove wall of the square casing groove. A lateral through-hole is set onto one side of the sleeve joint pillar. Both ends of the lateral through-hole pass through separately the abutment surface on the circumference side part of the sleeve joint pillar. A wall rim is formed between the abutment surface and the lateral through-hole, so that the positioning convex part could be squeezed flexibly. |
| US08499932B2 |
Software media packaging apparatus
Software media packaging apparatus and associated method for manufacturing. The software media packaging apparatus may include first and second panels. The first and second panels may be connected to each other on three edges to define an enclosure. A media storage flap may be attached to the second panel and may be adapted to hold one or more software media. The media storage flap may be perforated with one or more perforations. Each perforation may be adapted to hold a software medium. The media storage flap may be foldable across the second panel. First and second sealer flaps may be connected to at least two edges of the first panel. The first and second sealer flaps may be adapted to fold over and attach to the enclosure and the media storage flap, thereby holding the media storage flap adjacent to and substantially coplanar with the second panel. |
| US08499931B2 |
Nesting wheel packaging system
A nesting wheel packaging system is provided. The system includes an arrangement whereby a smaller wheel is nested substantially within a larger wheel. The wheels have a partition disposed therebetween to prevent damage. A plurality of sets of nested wheels is provided on a lower panel and an upper panel is positioned over the wheels to define a first layer or segment of wheels. Thereafter another layer of nested wheels is placed on top of the first layer or segment. The panels may have recessed areas defined therein for retaining the wheels. The arrangement is repeated until multiple layers of nested wheels are provided and are positioned on a pallet. |
| US08499929B2 |
Slide and shell container
A slide and shell container comprising a shell, and a slide, which is movable in the shell along a sliding path from a closed position to an open position, wherein in the closed position the interior of the container is inaccessible, and wherein in the open position the interior of the container is accessible. The shell comprises a guide slit, extending along the sliding path, wherein a guide means of the slide engages with the guide slit. Further, a single blank for forming a slide and a single blank for forming a guide means is disclosed. |
| US08499928B1 |
Chain boards of a metal filings conveyer
The chain boards of a metal filings conveyer are respectively formed with a rectangular base plate having two short sides respectively bent inward to form a side plate. The base plate has two broadsides respectively provided along a lengthwise axis with plural pivotal tubes arranged in stagger, and the pivotal tube abutting upon the side plate is cut short to form a notch for the chain board for facilitating the base plate to be compressed and bent to form the side plates. A filling collar with a central insert hole is positioned in the notch of the chain board to fill up the notch for preventing metal filings from dropping into a location between two chain boards and protecting the chain boards from being worn off by the metal filings. |
| US08499927B2 |
Material moving system
A pin assembly for a chain of a material moving system includes a pin having a first end and a second end, the first end having a threaded portion extending to a guide region having a reduced cross-section compared to the threaded portion, the threaded portion being at least partially modified during fabrication of the pin, the guide region extending to a transition region of increasing cross-section with respect to the guide region from the first end toward the second end, the transition region terminating at a shoulder. A fastener is configured to engage the threaded portion during construction of the chain. During construction of the chain, the pin and the fastener form a compression fit therebetween in response to a predetermined torque applied to the fastener, damaging at least a segment of the fastener, substantially limiting reuse of the fastener after the fastener has been disassembled from the pin. |
| US08499925B2 |
Conveying roller and method of making the same
A conveying roller facilitates conveyance of a sticky material in the form of sheet or web to be conveyed. An outer peripheral layer of the convey roller is formed on its rolling surface with a plurality of pits at a predetermined occupancy ratio defined by an occupancy ratio of a total area occupied by all of the pits to an area of the rolling surface of the outer peripheral layer. The outer peripheral layer is formed on the rolling surface thereof with a plurality of pits at the occupancy ratio set depending on a degree of stickiness expressed by the sheet material to achieve peel properties of the outer peripheral layer which is compatible with the stickiness of the sheet material and thereby to prevent the sticky sheet material from twining around the conveying roller. |
| US08499924B2 |
Chip component carrying method and system, and visual inspection method and system
A method and a system for stabilizing the sight line of a chip component being carried on two discs, for stabilizing delivery of the chip component between the two discs, and improving and stabilizing the inspection accuracy in the visual check of the chip component. This is achieved by employing a mechanism for carrying the chip component while supporting it on the horizontal plane of the first rotary disc and then carrying the chip component while suction-holding it on the vertical plane of the second rotary disc. When the chip component is carried on the first rotary disc, the upper surface and one side face of the chip component are imaged by first and second cameras. When the chip component is carried on the second rotary disc, the lower surface and the other side face of the chip component are imaged by third and fourth cameras. |
| US08499923B2 |
Device and method for channeling containers
A method for channeling upright containers, which are loosely queued in a row, into a transport device is performed by a rotatable separating device, which has the purpose of separating the loosely queued containers, and a stationary accumulating device for the containers downstream of the separating device. The accumulating device has a plurality of stoppers arranged in a row in the transport direction, which can be extended individually in the direction transverse to the transport direction and, in the extended state, define holding positions for the containers. The stoppers are extended one-by-one based on sensor results to sequentially fill the holding positions of the accumulating device starting from the holding position arranged farthest from the separating device. |
| US08499922B2 |
Chip discharge device of machine tool
Scraping plates include: a first scraping plate 11 attached to chains 10, with an end surface 11c′ thereof facing a receiving plate 14 being deviated from an attachment point c′ where the first scraping plate 11 is attached to the chains 10, by a distance L1 to an opposite side of an advance direction a of the chains 10; and a second scraping plate 12 attached to the chains 10, with an end surface 12c′ thereof facing the receiving plate 14 being deviated from an attachment point d′ where the second scraping plate 12 is attached to the chains 10, by a distance L2 smaller than the distance L1 of the first scraping plate 11 to the opposite side of the advance direction a. |
| US08499918B2 |
Paper treating apparatus
A paper sheet processing apparatus capable of preventing conveyance failure. A bill processing apparatus includes a bill insertion slot, a bill conveyance mechanism capable of conveying the bill inserted from the bill insertion slot, a bill reader reading the conveyed bill, a converter which converts an image read by the bill reader into data for each pixel as a unit of a predetermined size including color information having brightness, an authenticity judging mechanism determining an authenticity based on a density value for each pixel converted by the converter and a density value for each pixel of a reference bill, a bill determination processing part for determining a damage of the bill, before the bill reader completes reading, and a controller controlling the conveyance of the bill based on a determination result by the bill determination processing part. |
| US08499917B2 |
Foreign object detector
A foreign object detector for a note validator, the detector includes means defining a note path and gate means in the note path operable between an open position for allowing a note to pass the gate means and a fully closed position for preventing a note from passing the gate means. The gate means is biased towards the fully closed position. The foreign object detector also includes sensing means for detecting when the gate means is in the fully closed position. In the fully closed position, a leading edge of the gate means extends outside the note path and is received within a recess in the means defining the note path, whereby a foreign object in the note path obstructing the recess prevents the gate means from reaching the fully closed position, the sensing means thereby detecting the presence of the foreign object in the note path. |
| US08499910B2 |
Device for transmitting electrical energy
The invention relates to a device for inductively transmitting electrical energy to or from a mobile object (3) that is located on a roadway or rail, is at a standstill or in motion, and comprises a load and/or an energy store, comprising a floor inductor (5) that is associated with the roadway (1) and comprises a plurality of first induction coils (4) that are arranged along the roadway (1) or rail, are connected to a current source, and have a magnetically conductive iron core (6) for generating a magnetic field directed toward the moving object (3). An inductive wheel (8) attached to the moving object (3) comprises a stationary second induction coil (9) having a magnetically conductive iron core (10) and magnetically conductive wheel disks (11, 12) that are directed toward the roadway (1) or rail and connected to said magnetically conductive iron core on both sides. Elastic, magnetically conductive tires (13) rotating with the motion of the object (3) are associated with the wheel disks for contacting the roadway (1) and for ensuring a low-loss magnetic flux between the induction coils (4, 9), wherein in the flattened state, said tires securely bridge an air gap between the roadway and wheel disks. The device can be used advantageously in connection with electric vehicles for comfortably and quickly recharging the batteries during driving or parking. |
| US08499906B2 |
Bicycle suspension having stroke and damper adjustment
A bicycle suspension includes a stroke adjustment unit, a suspension damper, a damper adjustment unit, and a control mechanism. The stroke adjustment unit is configured to adjust a stroke of the bicycle suspension, which is configured to expand and contract within the stroke. The suspension damper is configured to apply damping force to the bicycle suspension. The damper adjustment unit is configured to adjust the damping force applied by the suspension damper. The control mechanism operatively couples the stroke adjustment unit to the damper adjustment unit and is configured to sequentially adjust the stroke and the damping force. |
| US08499905B2 |
Front fork
A front fork for easily optimizing an oil quantity in a damper cylinder with a relatively simple structure without affecting operability of a free piston even in an assembled state. An escape portion is formed on an outer periphery of a piston rod at a position where a seal member mounted on a sealing cap faces in an opposed manner when a front fork extends to the maximum. |
| US08499903B2 |
Suspension device
In a suspension device (S) comprising a motion transforming mechanism (T) for transforming a linear motion of a linear motion member (1) into a rotational motion of a rotating member (2) and a motor (M) connected to the rotating member (2) in the motion transforming mechanism (T), an air spring (AS) is provided, the air spring (AS) including a tubular air chamber (22) connected to the motor (M), an air piston (37) connected to the linear motion member (1) and being tubular and smaller in diameter than the air chamber (22), and a diaphragm (27) interposed between the air chamber (22) and the air piston (37), a stopper (38a) is provided on an outer periphery of the air piston (37), and a stopper seat (46) is provided on an inner periphery of the air chamber (22) so as to be put in abutment against the stopper (38a) upon maximum extension of the suspension device involving relative separation of the air chamber (22) and the air piston (37) with respect to each other. |
| US08499899B2 |
Over-center clamping wheel chocks
A wheel chock system for preventing movement of one or more wheels. The system may include a pair of chocks for clamping onto one or more wheels. The chocks may be connected through a linkage mechanism that can be rotated to draw the chocks together or move the chocks further apart. A handle may be attached to the linkage mechanism for moving the chock system from a blocking position to a released position. The handle may be configured to stand upright such that the chock system can be installed and removed by a user in a standing position without the need to bend or crouch. One embodiment of the chock system may be attachable to two different wheels in a tandem wheel arrangement, whereas another embodiment of the chock system may be configured to clamp onto a single wheel. |
| US08499897B2 |
Manual wheel chocks with enhanced bracing upon deployment
An example wheel restraint includes a wheel chock that is manually movable between a retracted or release position clear of a wheel of a vehicle at a loading dock and an operative position to block the path of the wheel. In the release position, the chock can be manually moved freely along a track that is mounted to a driveway of the dock. When the chock is manually moved from its release position to its operative position, a locking feature automatically restricts the movement of the chock relative to the track. When the chock is manually moved back to its release position, the locking feature automatically disengages. Although the wheel chock is connected to a track, much of the force exerted by the wheel against the chock can be transmitted directly from the chock to the driveway. |
| US08499895B2 |
System and method for pre-programmable elevator operation
A system and method for pre-programming operation of an elevator to automatically service particular floors of a building at a designated future interval. A remote user may input instructions over a network to be relayed to an elevator controller including a future interval during which an elevator is to automatically make continuous or periodic trips to and from a particular floor or floors of a building, such that during the designated future interval the elevator automatically and without a user's instructions, reaches the designated floor, opens the door, waits a pre-set time period, closes the door and travels to another floor or floors. |
| US08499891B2 |
Component assembly comprising a sheet metal part and a nut element attached thereto and also a method for the manufacture of such a component assembly
A component assembly comprising a sheet metal part and a nut element attached thereto, the nut element being arranged in an opening of the sheet metal part and being adapted to receive a bolt element having a shaft part with a thread and a head part of larger radial dimensions is wherein the sheet metal part has at least one hole adjacent to the nut element which is not covered over by the nut element but can be covered over by the head part of the screwed-in bolt element. A component assembly of this kind is in particular suitable for an oil pan since the oil can flow through the holes. A method is also claimed. |
| US08499889B2 |
Adjustable work surface for large irregularly shaped objects
An adjustable work platform comprises a fixed platform carrying a multiplicity of adjustable members designed to slide out of the fixed platform to variable lengths as needed. A large irregularly shaped object, such as an aircraft, may be driven into the interior of the platform with the adjustable members retracted. Once in place, the adjustable members are extended to form a heavy duty work platform conforming to the irregular shape of the exterior of the object. |
| US08499886B2 |
Expander ear tip
Methods and apparatuses for wearing audio products are disclosed. In one example, an apparatus for delivering sound to an ear includes a flexible material shaped to fit within an outer ear. The apparatus includes a movable member in contact with an inner surface of the flexible material, the flexible material configured to expand or retract responsive to movement of the member. |
| US08499883B2 |
Bracket fastening structure
A first fastening portion (100) for fastening a cylinder block (20) and a bracket (50) to each other and a second fastening portion (200) for fastening a crank case (30) and the bracket (50) to each other are so provided as to have interposed therebetween a fastening bolt (40) for fastening the cylinder block (20) and the crank case (30) to each other. |
| US08499882B2 |
Utility vehicle
A utility vehicle comprises a vehicle body frame including a main frame including a floor member and a pair of right and left side members and a sub-frame for reinforcing the main frame, each of the side members includes a side pipe element, a first pillar pipe element, a second pillar pipe element and a third pillar pipe element, the sub-frame includes a first cross member provided between and coupled to second pillar pipe elements, one end portion of the first cross member is detachably coupled to one of the second pillar pipe elements and an opposite end portion of the first cross member is detachably attached to the other second pillar pipe element. |
| US08499879B2 |
System and method for classifying a vehicle occupant
A system for classifying an occupant using a reduced quantity of force sensors. The system includes one or more force sensors, an electronic control unit (“ECU”), and a vehicle safety system. The force sensors are, for example, i-Bolt™ sensors, or other suitable force sensors or force sensing systems. The ECU includes, among other things, an occupant classification module and a safety monitoring module. The occupant classification module receives signals from the force sensors, determines one or more moments about a fixed point of a vehicle occupant control volume, and determines an occupant classification metric based on a mass of the control volume and a center of gravity of the control volume. The occupant classification module uses the occupant classification metric to classify an occupant into one of a plurality of occupant classifications. Based on the occupant classification, the safety monitoring module controls one or more vehicle safety systems. |
| US08499878B2 |
Motorcycle rear portion structure
A rear portion structure (100) of a motorcycle (1) comprises a chassis frame (5); a rear wheel (17) positioned below the rear portion of the chassis frame (5); a fender main body portion (110) anchored to the rear portion of the chassis frame (5) and positioned above the rear wheel (17); a fender hanging portion (120) configured separately from the fender main body portion (110) and covering at least a portion of the rear wheel (17); and a support stay (130) anchored to the rear end portion of the chassis frame (5) (rear end frame portion (5a), extending aft approximately horizontally from the rear end portion, and supporting the fender hanging portion (120). |
| US08499874B2 |
Gas turbine energy storage and conversion system
The present invention combines the principles of a gas turbine engine with an electric transmission system. A method and apparatus are disclosed for utilizing metallic and ceramic elements to store heat energy derived from a regenerative braking system. The subject invention uses this regenerated electrical energy to provide additional energy storage over conventional electrical storage methods suitable for a gas turbine engine. The subject invention provides engine braking for a gas turbine engine as well as reducing fuel consumption. |
| US08499870B2 |
Work vehicle with engine, air cleaner, and battery
A work vehicle includes: a seat disposed between front wheels and rear wheels; an engine disposed between the right and left rear wheels rearward of the seat; a battery disposed in a container space positioned downward of the seat disposed frontward of the rear wheels; an air cleaner disposed in the container space and arranged proximally to the battery in a vehicle longitudinal direction; and an opening-closing lid unit for covering the air cleaner and the battery from outside in a vehicle transverse direction. An element of the air cleaner is disposed in the air cleaner so that the element is insertable and removable in the vehicle transverse direction, and a position of the air cleaner is set so that the element is accessible from outside the vehicle body. |
| US08499869B2 |
Cooling system for a vehicle with hybrid propulsion
A cooling system for a vehicle with hybrid propulsion, the cooling system including a hydraulic circuit, within which a refrigerant flows, with a main branch to cool of a thermal engine, and a secondary branch to cool electrical components and at least one common radiator, which comprises a first portion, that is normally used by the main branch of the hydraulic circuit and has at least two trays arranged at the ends, and a second portion that is normally used by the secondary branch of the hydraulic circuit and has at least two trays arranged at the ends. |
| US08499865B2 |
Friction drive device and omni-directional vehicle using the same
Heat generated by a drive source of a friction drive device such as an electric motor is allowed to efficiently dissipate to the atmosphere, and the friction drive device and an omni-directional vehicle using the same is designed in a highly compact manner. Left and right electric drive devices are placed on a central axial line of left and right rotatable drive members, and external teeth members serving as output members of the electric drive devices are directly connected to the respective rotatable drive members in a torque transmitting and heat transmitting relationship. |
| US08499864B2 |
Wheel, and friction drive device and omni-directional vehicle using the same
[Task] To allow a wheel that provides a performance required for use in an omni-directional vehicle to be manufactured in an efficient manner.[Solution] An annular member (51) comprises a C-shaped main body (61) and a complementary member (62) defining an endless annular shape jointly with the main body (61), a joint (63) between the main body (61) and complementary member (62) includes mating surfaces that are non-perpendicular to the cross sectional center line of the annular member, and the main body (61) and the complementary member (62) are fixedly joined to each other by using a threaded bolt (64) passed radially through the mating surfaces. |
| US08499863B2 |
Friction drive device and OMNI-directional vehicle using the same
In a friction drive device comprising first free rollers and second free rollers contacting each other at the outer circumferential surfaces thereof to frictionally transmit power from the second free rollers to the first free rollers, in order to minimize the slippage between the first and second free rollers, minimize the power loss and cause the first free rollers to move as designed, an outer peripheral part of each first free roller defining an outer circumferential surface thereof has a different stiffness from that of an outer peripheral part of each second free roller defining an outer circumferential surface thereof. |
| US08499862B2 |
Spherical vehicle
A vehicle has a rotation-symmetrical, particularly spherical housing which is disposed about a rotational axis and has a convex drive and running surface. The housing is composed at least partially of transparent material, and has at least one door for at least one person to enter and exit. In the interior of the housing there is a seat for the at least one person, a drive for rotating the housing, and a device for control purposes. Bearings are provided in the rotational axis of the housing for rotatably mounting a lower seat structure receiving the seat. The drive is disposed on the lower seat structure and connected thereto. In order to improve the handling characteristics of such a vehicle, the seat is disposed displaceably laterally with respect to the lower seat structure. |
| US08499859B1 |
Drill bit having rotational cutting elements and method of drilling
A rotary drill bit is disclosed. The rotary drill bit may include a bit body, a cutting pocket defined in the bit body, and a cutting element rotatably coupled to the bit body. The cutting element may be positioned at least partially within the cutting pocket. The rotary drill bit may also include a rotation-inducing member adjacent to the cutting element for inducing rotation of the cutting element relative to the cutting pocket. The rotation-inducing member may include a resilient member or a vibrational member. The rotary drill bit may also include protrusions extending from an interior of the cutting pocket adjacent to an outer diameter of the cutting element. A method of drilling a formation is also disclosed. |
| US08499858B2 |
Modular top drive lubrication system and methods
A top drive system with a plurality of top drive modules, which are configured to be quickly exchanged. The top drive modules may include any or all of the following: a main body module, a gearbox module, a drive motor module, a pipe handler module, an upper fluid module, a lower well control valve module, a block interface module, a retract system interface frame module, a cooling system module, a work platform guard module, and a quill saver sub module. Alternatively, the top drive may comprise a first top drive and a second top drive which are configured to be quickly exchanged. |
| US08499857B2 |
Downhole jack assembly sensor
A drilling apparatus which includes a drill bit attachable to the drilling end of a drill string, the drill bit including a bit body being attached to a shank and having a working face with at least one cutting element. The drilling apparatus also includes a jack element positioned within a bore of the bit body having a working tip substantially protruding from the working face, and which jack element is also adapted to move with respect to the bit body. One or more position feedback sensors are positioned proximate the jack element and are adapted to detect the axial and/or angular position of the jack element with respect to the bit body. |
| US08499854B2 |
Rotating control device, cool fluid circulation system and methods of operation
Systems and methods for cooling a Rotating Control Device (RCD) and RCD insert during drilling operations are described. The system includes a body for connection between the RCD and a hot drilling fluid return outlet of a well head, the body including an inlet for injecting cool drilling fluid adjacent the RCD insert and an outlet for removing partially warmed drilling fluid. During operation, cool drilling fluid is circulated through the inlet and outlet such that cool drilling fluid is in direct contact with hot drilling fluid recovered from the well in a buffer zone adjacent the hot drilling fluid return outlet. |
| US08499852B2 |
Switch for pneumatic tool
Used in a pneumatic tool, a switch includes a valve seat set in an air intake passage and movable into contact with or away from a gas control member and defining an air hole, and a valve rod inserted through the air hole of the valve seat. When the positioning portion of the valve rod is stopped against the valve seat and the valve seat is stopped against the gas control member, the air intake passage is blocked. When the valve rod is biased relative to the valve seat, the positioning portion is moved away from the air hole of the valve seat for allowing a compressed gas to pass through the air hole, and when the valve rod is biased further to carry the valve seat away from the gas control member, the compressed gas is allowed to pass between the valve seat and the gas control member. |
| US08499851B2 |
Fixed structure of an eccentric rod, and vibration generator
An electric toothbrush as a vibration generator is provided with a case, a motor, an eccentric rod, a stem, and an oral hygiene member. The eccentric rod has an eccentric weight portion and a rod portion connected to a drive shaft of the motor. The angle between the first central axis of the eccentric weight portion and an extension line, defined by extending the second central axis of the rod portion towards the eccentric weight portion, is greater than 0 degrees and equal to or less than approximately 10 degrees in a state in which one end of the eccentric rod is not inserted into a shaft receiving portion. In this way, a fixed structure of an eccentric rod and a vibration generator are obtained which reduce noise generated by vibration when run at high as well as at low rotation speeds. |
| US08499848B2 |
Gas tiller
A gas tiller including a frame defining a first pivot axis and a second pivot axis spaced a distance from the first pivot axis, a motor coupled to the frame, a set of rotary tines coupled to the frame and operatively coupled to the motor, a swing arm pivotably coupled to the frame and rotatable about the first pivot axis between a first and second arm positions corresponding to travel and tilling configurations, respectively, of the tiller, the swing arm including one or more wheels coupled thereto, and a drag stake pivotably coupled to the frame and rotatable about the second pivot axis between first and second stake positions. Movement of the swing arm between the arm positions moves the drag stake between the stake positions. |
| US08499840B2 |
Downhole release joint with radially expandable member
A downhole releasable tubular connection includes a joint between two tubing strings, wherein one of the two tubing strings is radially expanded and plastically deformed by an expansion device. When the expansion device is moved adjacent to the joint, a threaded connection mechanism in the joint reacts to the radially outward forces of the expansion device and releasably expands, thereby decoupling the tubing strings. |
| US08499839B2 |
Connection device
A connection device comprises a lock component of non-circular cross-sectional shape, the lock component being both angularly and axially moveable relative to a housing, stop means operable to limit angular movement of the lock component relative to the housing, the lock component having a threaded drive region, and a drive nut in threaded engagement with the drive region, wherein angular movement of the drive nut relative to the housing when the stop means are not engaged is able to drive the lock component for angular movement, rotation of the drive nut when the stop means are engaged causing axial displacement of the lock component relative to the housing. |
| US08499836B2 |
Electrically activating a jarring tool
A method of using jarring tool in a wellbore, where the jarring tool is electrically activated to apply an impact force transmitted to at least another tool in the well. The method may further comprise operating a hydraulic mechanism in response to electrical activation of the jarring tool to cause a first member of the jarring tool to be moved to collide with a second member of the jarring tool to apply the impact force. Also, the method may involve electrically activating the jarring tool by communicating at least one command over at least one electrical conductor to the jarring tool. |
| US08499833B2 |
Zero-leakoff emulsified acid
Disclosed herein are an acid emulsion fluid for use in sealing target portions of a hydrocarbon producing formation penetrated by a wellbore and the method of use thereof for fluid loss control. |
| US08499832B2 |
Re-use of surfactant-containing fluids
The components of surfactant-laden fluids, such as those used in hydrocarbon recovery operations such as for stimulation, e.g. hydraulic fracturing, may be re-used and re-cycled into components for subsequent use in a wide range of similar or different operational fluids. In particular, aqueous fluids gelled with viscoelastic surfactants and having components therein to pseudo-crosslink the elongated VES micelles and for internal breaking may be separated into its component parts by relatively inexpensive methods such as filtration. One filtration method includes contacting the surfactant-containing fluid with a particle pack having particulate additives therein which filter out or extract fine solids from the fluid. In an alternate embodiment the surfactant-laden fluid is a nano- and/or micro-emulsion wellbore cleanup fluid. |
| US08499830B2 |
Method to detect casing point in a well from resistivity ahead of the bit
Methods are described using resistivity measurements obtained while drilling one or more offset wells using a drilling mud to guide drilling of one or more uncased intervals of a well to identify a casing point or points in the uncased intervals of the well. Resistivity data is gathered during drilling the offset well and prior to penetrating a region of interest of a known subterranean formation. The drill string in the uncased interval of the well progresses toward the region of interest, using resistivity data at similar depths to identify a casing point while the drill bit advances toward but does not penetrate the region. In certain embodiments resistivity may also be obtained in front of the drill bit in the uncased interval of the well and used in conjunction with the offset well resistivity data to identify casing points in the uncased intervals of the well. |
| US08499827B2 |
Sand control screen assembly and method for use of same
A sand control screen assembly (170) is operably positionable within a wellbore (48). The sand control screen assembly (170) includes a base pipe (172) having at least one opening (176) and an internal flow path (174). A swellable material layer (182) is disposed exteriorly of the base pipe (172). A fluid collection subassembly (184) and a sensor (192) are disposed exteriorly of the swellable material layer (182). The fluid collection subassembly (184) is in fluid communication with the internal flow path (174). A filter medium (188) is disposed in a fluid path between the exterior of the sand control screen assembly (170) and the internal flow path (174). In response to contact with an activating fluid, radial expansion of the swellable material layer (182) causes at least a portion of the fluid collection subassembly (184) and the sensor (192) to be displaced toward a surface of the wellbore (48). |
| US08499822B2 |
System for cooling and adjusting the temperature of apparatuses in the propulsion assembly of an aircraft
A system for cooling and adjusting the temperature of apparatuses in the propulsion assembly of an aircraft, that includes first means for heat exchange between lubrication circuits of at least two of the aforementioned apparatuses and a heat-carrier fluid contained in a closed circuit, a second means for heat exchange between the heat-carrier fluid and at least one coolant, the first heat exchange means being arranged locally at each of the aforementioned apparatuses, the second heat exchange means being remote from the aforementioned first means, the closed circuit extending between at least two of the aforementioned apparatuses and the aforementioned second means. |
| US08499817B2 |
Method for making carbon nanotube metal composite
A method for making a carbon nanotube metal composite includes the following steps. A number of carbon nanotubes is dispersed in a solvent to obtain a suspension. Metal powder is added into the suspension, and then the suspension agitated. The suspension containing the metal powder is allowed to stand for a while. The solvent is reduced to obtain a mixture of the number of carbon nanotubes and the metal powder. |
| US08499816B2 |
Sectional door particularly for garage
A sectional door for controlling the access opening to a compartment, includes a fixed portion including two pairs of vertical guides extending in a direction substantially parallel to a respective shoulder of the opening; and a movable portion including a leaf having a lower panel and an upper surrounding panel, extending over the entire width of the leaf and having its lateral sides in sliding engagement along a respective side guide, a pair of side support arms each having one end thereof articulated in correspondence to the top of a respective pair of vertical guides and the other end thereof pivoted in correspondence to an intermediate zone of a respective lateral side of the upper panel, and articulated and slidable connection elements between the lower panel and the upper panel, whereby the lower and upper panels are movable between a closed, and an open position. |
| US08499806B2 |
Pneumatic tire having an asymmetric tread profile
A tire having (i) an asymmetric tread profile with a shoulder drop difference of 0.3 to 0.9; and (ii) an asymmetric tread pattern so as to have a ratio between the inner void/solid ratio and the outer void/solid ratio of 1.1 to 1.50. By the above combination of features, handling and aquaplaning performance is remarkably improved even at high operating speeds without negatively affecting the wear resistance of the tread band. |
| US08499803B2 |
Protective routing of delimb cylinder hosing
A timber-working head comprises a frame, first and second delimb arms pivotally coupled to the frame, a delimb cylinder, and delimb cylinder hosing. A torso of the frame comprises a box enclosure, and a hosing channel extending through a cavity of the box enclosure. The delimb cylinder is mounted to both the first delimb arm and the second delimb arm and operable to pivot the first and second delimb arms relative to the frame to open and close them. The delimb cylinder is oriented in its longitudinal dimension laterally relative to the torso, and is positioned in front of and floatable laterally relative to the torso. The delimb cylinder hosing is routed from the delimb cylinder through the hosing channel. The hosing channel expands laterally relative to the torso as the hosing channel extends along its length forwardly through the box enclosure. |
| US08499795B2 |
Solenoid valve device
An integrated body comprises an upper body, a lower body, and a plurality of valves, and an intermediate plate is interposed between the upper body and the lower body. A plurality of linear solenoid valves are attached to one side surface and a plurality of directional control valves are attached to other side surface on the upper body. The lower body has a plurality of shift valves for shifting a flow of an output fluid output from the linear solenoid valves. Also, the lower body is provided with a plurality of accumulators and an input-output port portion. |
| US08499793B2 |
Valve unit and reaction apparatus having the same
Provided are a valve unit and a reaction apparatus having the valve unit. The valve unit includes a phase transition material, which melts and expands upon an application of the electromagnetic waves to the valve filler, and the valve filler is directed into the channel through the connection passage and closes the channel. The valve unit also includes heat generation particles, which are dispersed in the phase transition material and generate heat upon an application of electromagnetic wave energy. |
| US08499789B2 |
Mobile gas supply system
A valving arrangement for a mobile gas supply system includes a primary inlet port, a primary outlet port, a regulator, a secondary inlet port, and a secondary outlet port. The primary inlet port is adapted to be connected to a gas cylinder. The primary outlet port is in fluid communication with the primary inlet port and is adapted to be connected to one or more accessories for delivering gas from the gas cylinder. The regulator is disposed between the primary inlet port and the primary outlet port for reducing the pressure of the gas delivered by the gas cylinder to the primary inlet port. The secondary inlet port is in fluid communication with the primary outlet port. The secondary outlet port is in fluid communication with the primary outlet port and the secondary inlet port. The secondary inlet and secondary outlet ports are adapted for connecting the valving arrangement to one or more additional gas cylinders. |
| US08499786B2 |
Mass flow controller with enhanced operating range
A mass flow controller among other embodiments and method is described. The mass flow controller including a thermal mass flow sensor including at least two sensing elements coupled to a sensor tube of the mass flow controller, the thermal mass flow sensor being designed to provide a first signal indicative of flow of a gas within a first flow-rate-range and a second signal indicative of flow of the gas within a second flow-rate-range; and a control portion figured to control a valve position of the mass flow controller responsive to the first signal when the flow of the gas is within the first flow-rate-range and control the valve position of the mass flow controller responsive to the second signal when the flow of the gas is within a second flow-rate-range. |
| US08499785B2 |
Overflow valve for prevention of water vapor loss
A system and valve for regulating the level of a fluid. The valve having a floating head member that is connected via a rotatable member to a drain member, where fluid may drain from the valve. The system having the valve and a tank, where the fluid drains from the tank once the fluid level reaches the level of the drain member of the valve. |
| US08499784B2 |
Lock valve in particular for a strip processing unit
An air-lock valve (1), especially for a band processing plant, provided for closing a gap-like opening (3), traversed by a flexible band substrate (4), between two different plant sections, featuring at least one moveable sealing body (7), cooperating with a sealing surface (5), when it closes said opening (3), and eventually said band substrate (4) is being firmly mounted between said body (7) and sealing surface (5) during the closing operation of said air-lock valve (1), is characterized, according to the invention, in that the sealing surface (5) surrounds opening (3) in frame-like fashion, and in order to close opening (3), said body (7) may be pressed in such a fashion upon sealing surface (5) and/or upon band substrate (4), traversing said opening (3), that it obstructs said opening (3) at least due to indirect juxtaposition at the edges of said sealing surface (5). |
| US08499781B2 |
Flush control valve core assembly
A flush control valve core assembly is provided including a valve core body, a back spring accommodated in the valve core body, a valve piece and a valve shaft. The valve piece includes a discharge hole. A portion of the back spring extends as a pin structure, which is able to slidably move in the discharge hole. The pin structure is formed by a free end of the back spring horizontally bending towards the center, and then bending downwards vertically. The back spring of the flush control valve core assembly has a smaller size, which is more reliable and more easily mounted. |
| US08499779B2 |
Systems, methods and apparatus of a nitinol valve
Systems, methods and apparatus are provided through which in some embodiments a non-pyrotechnic valve includes an inlet piece, an actuator comprising a shape-memory metal, and an outlet attached to the inlet piece. In some examples, the shape-memory metal includes Nitinol. |
| US08499777B2 |
Foldable tent structure articulated around at least one axis, and tent including said structure
Foldable tent structure that includes the assembly of a number of curved half-poles that are connected to one another in their upper part according to a general radial arrangement to form, in the deployed state, the frame that supports the fabric of the tent and that can be folded against one another to store the frame. Each half-pole includes at least one lower section and one upper section divided into two branches that go—by separating from one another—toward their distal ends and are kept separated to constitute a lower arch and an upper arch arranged one below the other, the distal ends of the branches being mounted to pivot around at least one vertical axis of rotation located close to the central part of the structure, with the branches kept separated by at least one bracket, arranged along the axis of rotation, the lower sections of the half-poles each extending in their lower part by a holding element of their lower ends relative to one another in the deployed state and forming the base of the structure designed to rest on the ground. |
| US08499772B2 |
Vacuum cleaner roller nozzle
The present invention includes a vacuum cleaner nozzle assembly that has protective rollers that glide along the surface to be cleaned without interfering with the function of the vacuum cleaner nozzle. The nozzle comprises a tubular nozzle conduit in fluid communication with a vacuum conduit on a first end of the tubular nozzle and a nozzle mouth at the second end of the tubular nozzle opposite the first end. The nozzle conduit has a circumferential roller assembly collar attached to the outside of the tubular nozzle, the collar is formed with a plurality of radially spaced apart seats that are sized and configured to securely receive a plurality of respective balls that are rotatable inside the respective seats. |
| US08499770B2 |
Device for the application of a hair treatment composition to a hair bundle
The device (1) for creating hair bundle effects to a hair bundle (11) described herein comprises a first portion (10) movably joined to a second portion (20) by means of a connection (30). The second portion (20) is associated with a system (70) for bending a hair bundle (11) within a cavity (12) provided in the first portion (10). The system (70) for bending the hair bundle (11) consists of at least a first fin (71) and of a second fin (72). The free distal edge (712) of the first fin (71) points toward the free distal edge (722) of the second fin (72). The device (1) preferably comprises a first metering layer (81) and more preferably also a second metering layer (82) to achieve evenness during the application of a hair treatment composition (15) to hair. |
| US08499769B2 |
Applicator for applying a hair treatment composition to a bundle of hair strands
The present invention relates to an applicator (1) for applying a hair treatment composition. The applicator (1) comprises a plate (10) and a containment portion (20) movably joined by a connection (30) so that said applicator (1) may alternate between a closed state and an open state. A first fin (50), preferably a first (50) and a second (60) fin, projects from the substantially flat internal surface (101) of the plate (10) and bend the hair strand into the containment portion (20) while the applicator (1) is in use. The hair treatment applicator according to the invention allows for precise, non-messy and even application of a hair treatment composition to the hair, in particular to a hair strand and preferably to a bundle of hair strands. |
| US08499768B1 |
Nail tool holder and kit
A nail tool holder includes a container having a container base and a lid assembly that together form a storage chamber for nail tools. The container preferably includes a cleaning solution at the bottom of the chamber, means for supporting at least one nail tool from the lid assembly so that the nail tool can be supported at a handle thereof and with the lid assembly including an intermediate piece and a cover piece. A support bar extends outwardly from a container sidewall in a pivotal manner. |
| US08499767B2 |
Smoking article
A smoking article comprises a rod of smokable material circumscribed by a rod wrapper and a filter comprising at least one filter segment circumscribed by a filter wrapper. The rod of smokable material and the filter are attached to one another by tipping paper and the smoking article comprises a tear ribbon between the at least one filter segment and the tipping paper. The tear ribbon is affixed to at least one of the tipping paper and the filter wrapper. |
| US08499766B1 |
Electronic cigarette with function illuminator
An electronic cigarette with an illumination function, and that generates an aerosol of a fluid when air is drawn through it, includes a housing with a translucent tip, a mouthpiece, and a battery. A fluid reservoir and an atomizer assembly selectively generate an aerosol of the fluid. A draw pressure sensor generates a draw signal in response to a pressure change induced while air is drawn out of the mouthpiece. A draw control circuit activates the atomizer assembly in response to the draw signal. The draw circuit also outputs a lamp signal in response to the draw signal. A lamp circuit with an actuator, a first color lamp, and a second color lamp that are both aligned to illuminate the tip. The lamp circuit selectively, and alternatively in response to subsequent actuations of the actuator, selects between illuminating the first color lamp and the second color lamp in response to the lamp signal. |
| US08499762B2 |
Apparatus for alleviating pressure on ears while using oxygen
An oxygen tubing holder may support oxygen tubing away from a person's ears by providing a clip that may attach to a hat, headband or the like. The oxygen tubing holder may be placed near the ears, thereby permitting standard oxygen tubing to be used with the oxygen tubing holder. The oxygen tubing holder may include a clip end for attaching onto, for example, a hat or headband, and a U-shaped tubing holding end. |
| US08499759B2 |
Broad-band, low frequency, high-amplitude, long time duration, oscillating airway pressure breathing apparatus and method utilizing bubbles
It has been discovered that high amplitude, low frequency, broadband spectrum pressure oscillations of sufficient time duration can help stabilize lung volumes and improve gas exchange in a patient receiving ventilation assistance by helping to recruit and stabilize alveoli. A novel device is presented which can produce pressure oscillations having high amplitudes, a low broad-band frequency spectrum and long time duration. Additionally, the device can maintain a patient's mean airway pressure at one or more controlled levels. The device can control the oscillatory amplitude, frequency range and composition, time duration, and mean airway pressure levels by adjusting certain device parameters, such as the angle and depth of the device in a fluid. A device and mechanical system for remotely adjusting and measuring the angle of the device in a fluid are also disclosed. Furthermore, a device and system are disclosed that can deliver pressure oscillations having high amplitudes, a low broad-band frequency spectrum, long time duration, and multiple mean airway inspiratory and expiratory pressure levels. The device and system also provide means for controlling respiration timing in a patient, including: breaths per minute, inspiratory time, and the ratio of inspiratory to expiratory time. |
| US08499756B2 |
Thermal-mechanical positioning for radiation tracking
The invention relates to systems and methods for controlling angular position of a pivotable platform relative to a radiation source. In one embodiment, an apparatus for controlling angular position of a pivotable platform relative to a radiation source includes a frame, a thermal actuation element coupled to the frame, a pivotable platform positioned between the radiation source and the thermal actuation element so as to at least partially block energy from the radiation source from impinging on the thermal actuation element, and apparatus for pivoting the pivotable platform in response to a thermally controlled deformation of the thermal actuation element. |
| US08499752B2 |
Method to adapt the O2 signal of an O2 sensor during overrun
A system for compensating for changes in behavior of an oxygen sensor. In one embodiment, the system includes an oxygen sensor configured to produce an output indicative of an oxygen level in an exhaust stream produced by an internal combustion engine. An electronic control unit receives the output of the oxygen sensor and is configured to cause the internal combustion engine to operate in an overrun mode. The electronic control unit is programmed or otherwise configured to determine whether a change in oxygen level over time is approximately zero. When the change in oxygen level is approximately zero or near zero, the electronic control unit determines a compensation factor for the oxygen sensor. |
| US08499747B2 |
Method and device for operating an internal combustion engine
The invention relates to a method for operating an internal combustion engine in the form of a spark-ignition engine (2) having the following method steps: pre-compressing the air supplied to the combustion chambers (15A-15D) of the internal combustion engine (2), directly injecting fuel into the combustion chambers (15A-15D) of the internal combustion engine (2), and adjusting the valve overlap of the gas exchange valves corresponding to the load range in which the internal combustion engine (2) is operated, characterized by the following method step: carrying out the pre-compression in a charging device in the form of an exhaust-gas turbocharger having a turbine (5) with variable turbine geometry (VTG), wherein the engine exhaust gas is supplied to the turbine (5) via separate spiral ducts (17A, 18A; 17B, 18B) of a multi-flow turbine housing (16A; 16B). |
| US08499738B2 |
Control systems for a variable capacity engine oil pump
An oil circulating control system for an engine includes an engine speed module and a mode selection module. The engine speed module determines a speed of the engine. The mode selection module is configured to select a first pressure mode and a second pressure mode of an oil pump of the engine for the speed. The selection module selects one of the first pressure mode and the second pressure mode based on at least one mode request signal. The mode selection module signals a solenoid valve of a variable oil pressure circuit of the oil pump to transition to a first position when operating in the first pressure mode and to a second position when operating in the second pressure mode. |
| US08499736B2 |
Engine for vehicle
A vehicle engine in which a water temperature sensor can be protected against debris or foreign matter such as earth and sand, flying stones, etc., from impacting the temperature sensor without taking any protective measure for exclusive use. A vehicle engine includes a head portion of the cylinder fitted with a water temperature sensor for detecting water temperature in a water jacket. The head portion of the cylinder is provided on one side thereof with a sensor mounting hole opening directly under an upstream end opening portion of an intake port. The water temperature sensor is mounted in the sensor mounting hole. Further, the head portion of the cylinder is formed with a left-right pair of hanger bosses which are opposed to each other, with the water temperature sensor therebetween. Engine hanger brackets extend from the body frame and are firmly attached to the hanger bosses. |
| US08499727B1 |
Parallel cycle internal combustion engine
The disclosed invention includes a heat engine where combustion, expansion, and compression are independent, continuous, parallel cycles. Compression and expansion ratios are continuously controllable variables. The disclosed engine includes a crankcase situated between two axially-aligned, opposed cylinder blocks. Each opposed cylinder block contains four zero-clearance cylinders. An oscillating piston head separates each cylinder into external expansion and internal compression chambers. A single connecting rod rigidly connects the piston heads of opposed cylinder pairs, and articulates with a central, linear-throw, planetary crank mechanism. A single, rotary disk valve mates with each external expander face of the paired, opposed cylinder blocks and regulate all expansion and exhaust functions. Controllable intake and outlet valves, integrated within each internal compressor face of the paired, opposed cylinder blocks and regulates intake, compression, and regenerative engine braking functions. A separate combustion chamber with heat regeneration capabilities and at least one compressed-air storage reservoir are included. |
| US08499724B2 |
Engine that is provided with water pump
An engine that is equipped with a water pump, may include a pump housing that is mounted on one side of a cylinder block with an impeller rotatably mounted on a front side thereof to pump coolant, an inlet fitting that is mounted on the cylinder block at a predetermined distance from the pump housing such that the coolant flows through the inlet fitting, and a connecting body that integrally connects the pump housing with the inlet fitting to form one body. |
| US08499722B2 |
Hydrogen supplemental system for on-demand hydrogen generation for internal combustion engines
A portable, on-demand hydrogen generation system producing hydrogen and injecting the hydrogen into the air intake of internal combustion engines. Hydrogen and oxygen is produced with an electrolyzer from nonelectrolyte water in a supply tank. The hydrogen and oxygen is passed back thru the supply tank for distribution and water preservation. The gases are kept separate by a divider in the tank. The device is optionally powered by the vehicle battery, a stand alone battery, waste heat of the internal combustion engine or solar energy. The system utilizes a vacuum switch or other engine sensor that permits power to the device and therefore hydrogen production only when the engine is in operation. |
| US08499719B2 |
Automated system for controlled distribution of substances to animal containment devices in an animal housing facility
An automated system for the distribution of substances to animal containment devices in an animal housing facility. The present invention also relates to a dosing device of substances, such as solid or liquid feed, which is part of said system, and to the method for dispensing feed implemented by said system. Furthermore, the present invention also relates to a method for automated dispensing of substances to animal containment devices in an animal housing facility. |
| US08499718B2 |
Systems and methods for processing eggs
A method for laser marking eggs is disclosed which comprises laser marking information onto one or more eggs while the eggs are in a package disposed on a conveyor of a packing station. Additionally, an apparatus for laser marking eggs on a conveyor of a packing station is disclosed which comprises a laser source and one or more optical steering elements configured and arranged to direct energy from the laser source so as to mark information onto one or more eggs in packages of eggs disposed on the conveyor. |
| US08499717B2 |
Rotary parlour with delivery lines
A portable apparatus (1) for milking of animals (11-16) which are permitted to go loose is described. The apparatus (1) comprises a plurality of stalls (2) with at least one local milk tank (4) in each stall. The apparatus (1) comprises at least two separate lines (19, 20) arranged to receive the milk from the local milk tanks (4) in dependence of the quality of the milk. |
| US08499710B2 |
Breast point docking system
Docking system for securing a craft to a dock or slip using a single line secured to the middle cleat of the boat. The system includes a mounting system, a docking car assembly slideably mounted on the mounting system; at least one bumper mounted on the docking car assembly; a biasing system which urges the docking car assembly is a first direction on the mounting system; and a docking line connected to the docking car assembly, a docking line connected to said docking car assembly, wherein when a force is placed on the docking line, the docking car is urged in a direction opposite to the first direction. Adjustable bumpers are provided which prevent the craft from rotating about the point of attachment. |
| US08499709B2 |
Mooring system for a vessel
A mooring system for a vessel includes an attachment unit configured to be detachably attached to a hull of the vessel; a robot arm including a plurality of arms, the arms being coupled to each other to turn in a vertical direction, the robot, arm extending by an arm actuator provided thereto to transfer the attachment unit to an attachment position of the hull; a rotation unit connected to the robot arm and allowing the robot arm to turn in a horizontal direction; and a mooring winch for winding a mooring cable to draw the attachment unit. A floating body or a quay wall may include the mooring system. |
| US08499707B2 |
Rescue boat
A multi-purpose boat has a two angle V hull with a rounded fore-aft profile and slightly convex deck. The hull has steeply angled edge portions and shallowly angled center portions. The edge portions are sufficiently sloped away from vertical to allow the boat to be lifted and not pushed by waves. The rounded fore-aft profile allows the boat to slide over waves, especially during a beach entry. The boat includes a keel having a horizontal base and separating downward from the hull at the fore and aft of the boat to resist yawing. The dry weight of the boat is about 25 pounds with a foam core with a resin coating and the keel is preferably hollow and includes ports to allow water to enter the keel to add about 25 pounds after entering the water. Approximately four inches of freeboard is provided separating riders from cold water and predators. |
| US08499704B2 |
Motor pulley for overlock sewing machine
A motor pulley for an overlock sewing machine is provided. The motor pulley includes a frame which forms a body of the pulley, and a plurality of ribs which are integrally formed with the frame. Each rib is oriented in a radial direction at a predetermined angle displaced from an axial center line of the pulley. The motor pulley further includes a ramp which is formed on one side surface of each of the ribs, and a slot which is formed in the pulley so that outside air can enter the motor pulley. The motor pulley of the present invention increases the flow rate of air that is blown from the pulley to a motor of the overlock sewing machine. Furthermore, the path of air flow of the motor pulley is improved, thus reducing a loss of air flow and increasing the flow rate of air. |
| US08499703B2 |
Seed tube mounting assembly for agricultural seeder
An opener assembly for an agricultural seeder has an opener disc attached to an opener subframe. The opener disc is angled to the direction of travel to create a furrow for depositing seeds. A boot is mounted to the opener subframe beside the opener disc for preventing loose soil from falling into the furrow ahead of seed deposited therein. A seed tube is mounted to the opener subframe by a two-part bracket. The bracket includes a first part attached to the opener subframe and a second part fixed to the seed tube. The first part has a channel structure for receiving and partially surrounding the seed tube, and a pair of slots formed in sidewalls of the channel structure. The second part has an L-shaped structure with a portion that mates with the pair of slots. A key ring mechanism is used to lock the first and second parts together. |
| US08499699B2 |
Dual height workstation configuration
A worksurface arrangement comprising at least a first support member, a first worksurface forming member supported by the first support member at a first vertical height, a second worksurface forming member supported by the first support member at a second vertical height and extending to a first side of the first support member where the second vertical height is different than the first vertical height, the second worksurface forming member including an undersurface, a first cover extending downward below the first worksurface forming member to a lower edge below the second vertical height, a second cover extending downward from a height proximate the undersurface of the second worksurface forming member and spaced from the first cover wherein the first and second covers bound a housing cavity width. |
| US08499696B2 |
Cable transport system
A method and system of devices facilitate the uninterrupted transport of a payload of persons (110) or cargo along a multi-segmented guide cable (180), or zip line, suspended from a series of support structures (120). Transfer mechanisms (800, 810) allow the cable to loop to a starting location or to transport between discrete endpoints. A trolley (200) carrying the payload may be powered by gravity alone, or a motorized assist may allow the cable course to be traversed without regard to relative elevations of cable supports. Safety mechanisms (300) prevent the trolley from leaving the cable (180) unintentionally. The system enables one or more riders (110) to travel along the guide cable (180) at velocities desired for recreational purposes while assuming many body positions, such as prone, sitting or standing, to provide the sensation of flying like a bird. |
| US08499694B2 |
Two-fin stackable flechette having two-piece construction
A flechette has a forward body (20) containing its center of gravity which is connected to a tail section (24). The tail section has a pair of fins (24A, 24B) each having a preselected longitudinal angle and radial angle. When the two fins are viewed from the aft of the flechette, the pair of fins demonstrate a S-shaped orientation. The size, shape and orientation of the pair of fins provide aerodynamic stability to the flechette while allowing the flechette to be stacked with like-shaped flechettes. The two-piece assembly of the flechette easily accommodates the use of different density materials for the respective pieces. |
| US08499691B2 |
Printing unit, printing press and process for producing labels in a printing press
A printing unit of compact construction includes an impression cylinder and a printing form cylinder to be pivoted around the impression cylinder about a pivot axis running parallel to an axis of rotation of the impression cylinder. A spacing between the axes of rotation of the printing form cylinder and of the impression cylinder can be varied and the printing form cylinder and the impression cylinder can be set against each other, to form a press nip in which a substrate can be printed. A first drive for producing a rotational movement of the printing form cylinder is connected to the printing form cylinder through a drive train. At least one component of the drive train has a torque axis running through the impression cylinder. A printing press having at least one printing unit and a process for producing labels or self-adhesive labels in a printing press, are also provided. |
| US08499690B2 |
Method and apparatus for forming an ink pattern exhibiting a two-dimensional ink gradient
There is described a method and an inking apparatus (50) for forming an ink pattern (80) on the surface of a form cylinder (15b) of a printing press, which ink pattern (80) exhibits, at least in part, a two-dimensional ink gradient extending in an axial direction and a circumferential direction on the surface of the form cylinder (15b). At least first and second chablon cylinders (20, 25) are placed one after the other along an inking path of the ink train (20, 25, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35a, 35b, 36, 37) inking the form cylinder (15b) for distributing ink in the axial and circumferential directions and means (200, 201, 210, 211, 212, 250, 251, 260, 261, 262) are provided for subjecting the first and second chablon cylinders (20, 25) to cyclical oscillation movements in the axial direction and the circumferential direction. |
| US08499687B2 |
Cylinder body for orienting magnetic flakes contained in an ink or varnish vehicle applied on a sheet-like or web-like substrate
There is described a cylinder body (10) for orienting magnetic flakes contained in an ink or varnish vehicle applied on a sheet-like or web-like substrate, which cylinder body (10) has a plurality of magnetic-field-generating devices (50, 60) disposed on an outer circumference of the cylinder body (10). The cylinder body (10) comprises a plurality of distinct annular supporting rings (40) distributed axially along a common shaft member (20), each annular supporting ring (40) carrying a set of magnetic-field-generating devices (50, 60) which are distributed circumferentially on an outer circumference of the annular supporting rings (40). |
| US08499683B2 |
Hot and cold food holding appliance
A hot and cold food holding appliance including (1) Positioning a heat transfer plate above the top of food holding pans forming the top surface of each food holding compartment. (2) Providing a heat transfer module to transfer energy to/from the food holding pans in each compartment. (3) Thermally isolating each heat transfer module from an adjacent heat transfer module. (4) Removable heat transfer partitions that can used to subdivide each food holding compartment into sections providing additional heat transfer capability along the sides of each food holding pan and blocking the flow of ambient air between the food holding pans. (5) A control system that regulates the temperature of each food holding compartment by sensing the temperature of each heat transfer module and adjusting the amount of heat energy to be transferred. |
| US08499681B2 |
Actuating mechanism for fluid displacement and pressurizing device
A fluid displacement device, particularly for use of the device to pressurize balloon catheters, or the like. The device includes a plunger which is displaceable through a housing, and an actuating mechanism which engages the plunger. The actuating mechanism includes a nut member that is biased into engagement with a threaded portion of the plunger. The device has a press-to-release feature wherein the plunger is instantly releaseable by simply depressing a control surface to overcome a restorative spring force. Subsequently, the plunger can be translated using macro movements (i.e., by pushing or pulling the plunger). |
| US08499677B2 |
W-shaped hull
The present embodiments relate to hull have a geometric shape where a first wall, second wall, and third wall are designed to mitigate the effects of an explosion. In an exemplary embodiment, the hull may have a double-vertex shape. |
| US08499675B2 |
Systems and method for igniting explosives
Systems and methods are presented herein that provide for ignition of explosive devices through electric and/or electromagnetic discharge. In one embodiment, an electrostatic discharge is directionally propagated through air to conduct electric current to the explosive device. The electric current may ignite the explosive device via heat, via triggering of ignition circuitry, via induced electric current conduction to the explosive material therein and/or via direct electric conduction to the explosive material therein. Alternatively, or in addition to, electromagnetic energy may be directionally propagated to the device through a waveguide. Such electromagnetic energy may be in the microwave region and may heat and/or induce electric current in the explosive device. In either instance, the directionally propagated energy may be time varying. In one embodiment, a system is configured with a vehicle to distally position the directionally propagated energy to the explosive device such that damage caused by the device is inhibited. |
| US08499670B2 |
Modular blind cutting center
A blind cutting apparatus includes a support surface adapted to support a window covering, a frame disposed at the end of the support surface and a rack movable within the frame. A plurality of die assemblies are fastened to the rack, in which each die assembly includes a fixed die that has openings sized to receive the ends of the window covering and a movable die that is movable relative to the fixed die. The fixed dies and the movable dies are adapted to cut the ends of the window covering. The rack is adapted to move relative to the support surface such that a selected die assembly is adjacent the support surface and the moveable die of the selected die assembly is independently moveable of the moveable dies of the other die assemblies. |
| US08499668B2 |
Discharging workpiece parts
A machine tool that includes a workpiece support and a punching die. The punching die includes a support surface, for supporting a workpiece to be processed, and a discharging slope. The discharging slope is configured such that a workpiece part, severed from a workpiece supported on the support surface of the punching die, is displaced, in at least one of a rotational, tilting, or linear movement, from a processing position at least partially overlying the discharging slope toward a removal position on the discharging slope. The discharging slope is also configured such that a workpiece part, severed from a workpiece supported on the support surface of the punching die, is directed, in a sliding movement, toward a discharging position located beneath the support surface and adjacent the punching die. |
| US08499664B2 |
Axle shaft cover plate with bearing assembly
A cover plate for a drive assembly that includes a bearing housing having a bearing cavity, a thrust bearing axially disposed within the bearing cavity that includes a cup, cone and plurality of rollers disposed between cup and cone raceways, a thrust plate with an axle engaging surface disposed perpendicular to a central axis and coupled for rotation to the cone. The cover plate may be connected to a final drive housing of a final drive that includes a plurality of gears operatively connected to an axle shaft, the end of the axle shaft positioned to rotationally engage the thrust plate and cone. |
| US08499663B2 |
Brake pedal stop
A braking assembly includes a depressible brake pedal. The brake pedal remains in a neutral position when not depressed. A link arm is mechanically linked with the brake pedal. The link arm moves as a function of a position of the brake pedal. A bell crank is mechanically linked with the link arm. The bell crank moves as a function of a position of the link arm. A stop member moves with the bell crank. The stop member abuts against the link arm to prevent the brake pedal from over-travelling beyond a predetermined distance past the neutral position after the depressed brake pedal is released. |
| US08499651B2 |
Detecting device
A detecting device including a pressure sensor that is deformed by a load from an outside and causes stress dispersion includes a slip detecting unit that calculates a pressure center position using a pressure value detected by the pressure sensor, calculates a movement value of the calculated pressure center position using a temporal change of the pressure center position, and detects a slip on the basis of the calculated movement value of the pressure center position. The pressure sensor has a multilayer structure in which two detecting units that detect pressure are arranged to hold a viscoelastic body made of a viscoelastic material that is deformed by a load from the outside. |
| US08499648B2 |
Gas meter
A gas meter comprising a housing (2) with a gas inlet connection (5) and an inflow chamber (16) which is arranged downstream of the latter and into which gas flows via an inflow opening (14), arranged downstream of which inflow chamber (16) is a measuring section (19) arranged upstream of a gas outlet connection (6) and having a measuring device (20), in which the gas flow is measured, wherein projecting into the inflow chamber (16) there is a tube (15) which merges into the measuring section (19) or forms the latter and runs substantially perpendicularly to the gas flow direction through the inflow opening (14) and overlaps the inflow opening (14), at least in a certain section. |
| US08499644B2 |
Vehicle collision stress wave sensor
A sensor configured to detect a stress wave propagating through a vehicle frame member caused by a vehicle collision is provided. The sensor includes a sensor body configured to be rigidly coupled to the vehicle frame member, a first strain sensing device and a second strain sensing device attached to the sensor body. The sensor body is configured to exhibit stress in response to transverse and torsional stress wave propagating along the vehicle frame member. The first strain sensing device generates a first signal indicative of stress in the sensor body and the second strain sensing device generates a second signal indicative of stress in the sensor body. A first end portion of the sensor body is characterized as trapezoidal prism shaped and a second end portion of the sensor body is characterized as trapezoidal prism shaped. |
| US08499641B2 |
Apparatus for determining and/or monitoring ( {A} ) pressure
An apparatus for determining and/or monitoring pressure. The apparatus comprises at least one pressure transducer, which transduces pressure into an electrical signal. The invention includes the features that at least one acoustic sensor is provided, that the acoustic sensor registers acoustic signals and transduces such into electrical signals, and that the acoustic sensor is mechanically and/or acoustically coupled with the pressure transducer. |
| US08499637B1 |
Laser based acousto-optic sensing enhancement using tailored retro-reflectors
A device and system is provided for amplifying vibrations resulting from underwater acoustic signals. In operation, a laser interrogation beam is directed along an axis at the retro-reflector device and is responsive to reflections directed along the axis of the interrogation beam. The retro-reflector device reflects a signal back to a source and a tracking signal superimposed on an interrogation beam enables continuous sensing of the reflected signal to reduce signal dropout. A glint tracker is provided for tracking the tracking beam on the surface. A tracker system superimposes the tracking and interrogation beams and is responsive to reflected glints in order to establish a directional location. An interferometer responsive to the reflected interrogation beam produces an interference signal for enabling continuous measurement of surface vibrations. |
| US08499636B2 |
Ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus and image processing apparatus
An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus that performs high acoustic pressure and low acoustic pressure ultrasonic transmissions by switching at predetermined timing in the enhanced ultrasonography, and displays concurrently a replenishment image obtained through the low acoustic pressure transmission in real time like a moving picture, and a pre-flash image obtained through the low acoustic pressure transmission immediately before switching to the high acoustic pressure transmission like a still image to allow the operator to understand the structure at the level of capillaries. It is also possible to display a selected image obtained through the low acoustic pressure transmission at an arbitrary timing instead of the pre-flash image. |
| US08499630B2 |
Piezoelectric sensor dynamic range improvement
A MEMS piezoelectric sensor comprises a plurality of capacitors some of which may be used for sensing and others used for feedback. The capacitors may be switched to connect or disconnect selected capacitors from the sensor. Embodiments convert a two port sensor into a four port sensor without significant changes in hardware design and improve SNR and correct for offset and out-of-axis errors due to process mismatch and variations. |
| US08499624B1 |
Method to determine performance characteristic of an engine exhaust system
A method to determine a performance characteristic of an exhaust system of an engine, where the exhaust system includes an exhaust gas sensor that outputs an exhaust gas signal. A combustion event in a cylinder is fueled at an air-fuel ratio selected to produce exhaust gas that is expected to be distinguishable by the exhaust gas sensor from exhaust gas produced by other combustion events, and used to determine the performance characteristic. The performance characteristic may be an exhaust gas transport time of the exhaust system, a sensitivity characteristic of the exhaust gas sensor, or a fueling correction value necessary to restore fueling to, for example, stoichiometry. Such a method is useful to detect physical changes in the exhaust system such as relocating the exhaust gas sensor, or detect if the exhaust gas sensor is damaged or not operating properly. |
| US08499623B2 |
Abnormal combustion detection method for internal-combustion engines from combustion indicator distribution modelling
An abnormal combustion detection method for spark-ignition internal-combustion engines, from combustion indicator distribution modelling is disclosed. At least one combustion indicator such as CA10 is determined. The distribution of N values of this indicator, acquired over N cycles preceding the cycle in progress, is modelled by determining coefficients of a theoretical distribution law. Modelling is repeated by removing extreme values from among the N values or for various working points of the engine, to obtain an evolution of the coefficients. At least one parameter characterizing evolution of at least one of these coefficients is determined. The start of an abnormal combustion is detected by comparing the parameter with a predetermined threshold, and the course of the abnormal combustion detected in the combustion chamber is controlled. |
| US08499621B2 |
Scanning probe microscopy inspection and modification system
A scanning probe microscopy (SPM) inspection and/or modification system which uses SPM technology and techniques. The system includes various types of microstructured SPM probes for inspection and/or modification of the object. The components of the SPM system include microstructured calibration structures. A probe may be defective because of wear or because of fabrication errors. Various types of reference measurements of the calibration structure are made with the probe or vice versa to calibrate it. The components of the SPM system further include one or more tip machining structures. At these structures, material of the tips of the SPM probes may be machined by abrasively lapping and chemically lapping the material of the tip with the tip machining structures. |
| US08499618B2 |
Device for automatically measuring viscosity of liquid
A device for automatically taking out a sample liquid contained in a reservoir and measuring the viscosity of the liquid is described herein. In one embodiment, the device includes a base body and a transferring part provided on the stage of the base body for taking the sample liquid out of the reservoir and supplying the sample liquid to a viscosity measuring part. The viscosity measuring part is provided on the stage for measuring the viscosity of the sample liquid supplied from the transferring part. The device also includes a control part for controlling operations of the transferring part and the viscosity measuring part. Additionally, the device includes a display part for displaying the results measured by the viscosity measuring part. |
| US08499617B2 |
Dual submarine leak detection system
The dual submarine leak detection system provides for controllable in-pipe leak detection. The dual submarine leak detection system includes first and second submarines joined to one another by a tether. Each of the submarines includes a housing and at least one leak detector mounted thereon. A communication transceiver is mounted in the housing for remotely communicating the leak condition and a location of the leak condition, as well as receiving control and communication signals. Each submarine further includes at least one selectively retractable leg mounted on the housing and selectively extending therefrom, and a motor mounted within the housing for driving a propeller to propel the submarine through a fluid-filled pipe. A control system further allows for controllable or programmable steering of the submarine through the fluid-filled pipe and any pipe joints associated therewith. |
| US08499616B2 |
Fault detection and mitigation in hybrid drive system
Fault detection and response systems and processes can be used for pumps, e.g., pump/motors used in hybrid vehicles. The fault detection systems determine when certain operating conditions, which may affect the proper operation of the system, occur. The response systems take appropriate action based on which fault conditions are triggered. Example fault detection systems and processes include detection systems for different types of leaks, sensor malfunctions, or operation errors. |
| US08499613B2 |
Integrated chemical sensor for detecting odorous matters
A cartridge-like chemical sensor is formed by a housing having a base and a cover fixed to the base and provided with an input opening, an output hole and a channel for a gas to be analyzed. The channel extends in the cover between the input opening and the output hole and faces a printed circuit board carrying an integrated circuit having a sensitive region open toward the channel and of a material capable to bind with target chemicals in the gas to be analyzed. A fan is arranged in the housing, downstream of the integrated device, for sucking the gas after being analyzed, and is part of a thermal control system for the integrated circuit. |
| US08499606B2 |
Refractory metal pots
In accordance with various embodiments, plates are formed via a plurality of upset-forging and forging-back cycles followed by a plurality of rolling passes. |
| US08499604B2 |
Duct making apparatus and method
A duct making apparatus bends a metal web to form a duct blank having a lock tab at a forward end and having a Z-fold at a rearward end. Prior to shearing off the duct blank from the metal web, the apparatus bends the duct blank to insert the lock tab into the Z-fold, and further bends the Z-fold to form a clinch tab holding the lock tab into the Z-fold. After shearing off the duct blank from the metal web, the apparatus clinches the clinch tab over the lock tab to form a completed duct blank. |
| US08499603B2 |
Modular rolling mill
A modular rolling mill has a mill pass line along which products roll. The rolling mill comprises first gear units arranged along a first line parallel to the mill pass line. Each first gear unit is driven individually by a motor and has a pair of mechanically interconnected first shafts. Second gear units are arranged along a second line between and parallel to the first line and the mill pass line. Each second gear unit has a pair of mechanically interconnected second shafts. Rolling units are arranged along the mill pass line, which are driven by an input shaft and has a pair of roll shafts carrying work rolls. First couplings connect the first shafts of each first gear unit to second shafts of two successive gear units, and second couplings releasably connect the second shafts of the second gear units to the input shafts of two successive rolling units. |
| US08499600B2 |
Clutch assembly with formed retention ring
A clutch assembly for a vehicle transmission includes a housing defined by a wall having an annular configuration circumscribing a clutch axis. The wall extends between an open end and a floor. The floor extends inwardly from the wall toward the clutch axis. A plurality of splines formed in the wall and each is spaced from the open end of the housing. A snap ring retains clutch plates in the housing. The open end of the wall is deformed inwardly toward the clutch axis defining a retainer for retaining the snap ring within the housing. |
| US08499599B2 |
Laser-based three-dimensional high strain rate nanoforming techniques
A laser nanoforming system and method for forming three-dimensional nanostructures from a metallic surface. A laser beam is directed to hit and explode an ablative layer to generate a shockwave that exerts a force on the metallic surface to form an inverse nanostructure of an underlying mold. A dry lubricant can be located between the metallic surface and mold to reduce friction. A confinement layer substantially transparent to the laser beam can confine the shockwave. A cushion layer can protect the mold from damage. A flyer layer between the ablative layer and metallic surface can protect the metallic surface from thermal effects of the exploding ablative layer. The mold can have feature sizes less than 500 nm. The metallic surface can be aluminum film. The dry lubricant can be sputtered Au—Cr film, evaporated Au film or a dip-coated PVP film or other dry lubricant materials. |
| US08499597B2 |
Device and method for the surface peening of a component of a gas turbine
A device for surface peening, in particular for ultrasonic shot peening, of a component of a gas turbine, having at least one vibration device that includes a surface that impinges the blasting material, and having a holding device by which a surface area of the component can be positioned relative to the surface of the vibration device, the surface of the vibration device being subdivided into at least two adjacent partial surfaces, each including an overlapping part by which a part of the surface area of the component can be treated by blasting material impinged both by the one and by the other partial surface. |
| US08499596B2 |
Antitheft device for the steering column of a vehicle having superlockout provided by an intermediate rocker bar
The invention relates to an antitheft device (2) for the steering column of a vehicle, comprising: a locking portion including a bolt for locking the steering column, and a mobile member capable of controlling the locking-in-position of the bolt; and an access portion including a latch, wherein said device includes a rocker arm for converting a movement of the mobile control member into the release of a super-lockout element. |
| US08499595B2 |
Cable wrap security device
A security device includes a plurality of cables which are securable about an item of merchandise with a lockable cable-linking member and a cable-tightening mechanism each connected to the cables in a spaced apart manner. The cable-linking member may include a key member for unlocking the tightening mechanism. The tightening mechanism includes an internal spool and other internal members some of which are related to the locking and unlocking of the tightening mechanism. The tightening mechanism carries sense loops which typically include the cables and which if compromised actuate an onboard audible alarm. The device is configured to sound a security gate alarm upon passing through the gate and upon simply reaching a certain distance from the gate. The tightening mechanism may include a flip-up handle for rotating the spool to tighten the cable. |
| US08499593B2 |
Apparatus for waking up a user
An apparatus for waking up a user, the apparatus (1) comprising a light source (3) that is adapted to produce a light effect (L), such as a light beam, that is directed to a user, or at least to a user's head, wherein the apparatus (1) comprises means for displacing the light effect (L) in an upward (Ru) or downward (Rd) direction during a period of time, in order to change a position of the light effect with respect to the user, or at least to the user's head, wherein the means to displace the light effect (L) is adapted to displace the light effect (L) gradually along an amount of displacement during the time period, for instance during a wake-up period until reaching a final wake-up time. |
| US08499592B2 |
Washer/dryer
The present invention relates to the items required to be close by while the washer/dryer (1) operates and which are stored in different places by the user can be stored on the washer/dryer (1) by saving space thereby providing easy access. |
| US08499591B2 |
Drum type laundry machine
A drum washing machine includes a tub installed in a housing to receive wash water therein, a drum rotatably installed in the tub, a rotor having a rotating shaft connected to the drum, a bearing housing having at least one bearing for supporting the rotating shaft of the rotor, the bearing housing being located at the tub, and a stator spaced apart from the rotor by a predetermined distance and directly connected to the tub. |
| US08499588B2 |
Apparatus for treating clothing
The present invention relates to a clothing treating apparatus. The clothing treating apparatus includes a cabinet, a clothing holding unit in the cabinet for holding clothing, and a steam generator for generating steam or superheated steam to supply to the clothing holding space, thereby permitting to remove rumples from the clothing and microbes from the clothing possible to remain thereon. |
| US08499587B1 |
Method for knitting a windproof fabric
A method for knitting a windproof fabric, wherein the fabric is knitted by a yarn which is made of two types of fibers which have different BWS values, so that the fabric knitted by this method is not only comfortable to wear, but also water resistant. Furthermore, the yarn is knitted at a predetermined knitting speed which is faster than the feeding speed, so as to increase the density of the knitted windproof fabric, and consequently achieving the function of windproof and water resistance. |
| US08499586B1 |
Ergonomic crochet hook
One or more ergonomic crochet devices are provided herein. A crochet device may comprise a curved elongated shaft and/or a grip anchor. The curved elongated shaft may be configured to provide a depressed resting angle of the crochet device when held by the user at rest. The depressed resting angle may result in a hook of the curved elongated shaft being positioned at a lower position than conventional crochet devices when held at rest. In this way, reduced wrist flexing may be used to lower the hook into a crocheting angle and/or maintain the hook at the crocheting angle during crocheting activity. The grip anchor may be configured to create a pivot point of the crochet device near the grip anchor. In this way, small wrist motion may translate into large positional change of the hook in order to easily rotate and/or manipulate the crochet device during crocheting activity. |
| US08499584B2 |
Molten glass delivery apparatus for optical quality glass
A molten glass delivery system is modified to match it with the overflow downdraw process. A substantial number of defects not removed by the finer are diverted to the unusable inlet and distal edges of the sheet. In one embodiment, the stirring device is relocated from the outlet to the inlet of the finer. In another embodiment, the basic shape of the finer is preferably changed from a cylindrical shape to a Double Apex (or Gull Wing) shaped cross-section, whereby the apexes of the finer contain the glass that will form the unusable inlet end of the glass sheet. The finer vent or vents are preferably located at these apexes such that any homogeneity defects caused by the vents are diverted to the unusable inlet end of the glass sheet. The finer cross-section has a high aspect ratio for increased fining efficiency as compared to a cylindrical finer. |
| US08499578B2 |
Water product dispensing system
A water product dispensing system includes a dispenser mounted for selectively releasing a water product, a display provided on the dispenser and a sensor operatively coupled to the dispenser. The dispensing system also includes a sensor for determining a fault condition. In the event that a fault condition exists, the fault condition is presented upon the display only upon operation of the dispensing system. The water product dispensing system also includes a water filter, with the fault condition indicating a need to replace the water filter. |
| US08499574B2 |
Inside temperature control device for cold storage
While an inverter compressor 32 is driven in a control range, an actual temperature drop S is calculated based on a detected inside temperature TR at every predetermined sampling time. Further, a target temperature drop Ac for the inside temperature TR is taken out of data on a cooling characteristic Xc. If the actual temperature drop S is smaller than the target temperature drop Ac, the inverter compressor 32 is controlled to increase a speed thereof. If it is larger, the inverter compressor 32 is controlled to decrease the speed. Inside of a cold storage is cooled down along the cooling characteristic Xc through those controls. Especially after the inside temperature TR has decreased from an upper limit temperature TH and reached the target temperature To, the speed of the inverter compressor 32 is controlled such that the target temperature drop remains at substantially zero (cooling characteristic Xc2). |
| US08499572B2 |
Refrigerator and control method thereof
A refrigerator and a control method thereof to control a rotational direction of an ice making motor to detect an ice full state of an ice storage without separating the ice from the ice maker. The refrigerator includes an ice making tray making ice therein, an ejector separating the ice, an ice storage storing the separated ice, an ice full state sensing lever detecting the ice full state of the ice storage, an ice making motor driving the ejector and the ice full state sensing lever, and a controller detecting the ice full state by driving the ice full state sensing lever by rotating the ice making motor in an ice moving direction, and detecting release of the ice full state by driving the ice full state sensing lever by rotating the ice making motor in the opposite direction after the ice full state is detected. |
| US08499570B2 |
Method and apparatus for providing additive fluids to refrigerant circuit
A refrigerant additive supply device can include an outer rigid container, an inner flexible bag positioned in the outer rigid container and defining a space therebetween where the inner flexible bag contains an additive without a refrigerant, a valve in fluid communication with the inner flexible bag, an actuator operably coupled to the valve, and a propellant sealed within the space, where the inner flexible bag has a device pressure that allows flow of the additive into a refrigerant circuit when the actuator is depressed. Other embodiments are disclosed. |
| US08499567B2 |
Hybrid fuel tank inerting system
A self-regulating system for reducing concentration of hydrocarbon vapor in a container may be performed by introducing air into the container and extracting a mixture of air and vapor from the container. The extracted mixture may be compressed with a compressor to produce a flow of compressed mixture of air and vapor. The compressed mixture may be passed through an oxidation reactor that may be either catalytic or thermal to produce a flow air and CO2. A turbine may be driven with the flow of air and CO2. The compressor may be driven with the turbine. Extraction from the container may continue until vapor concentration is low enough so that flow of CO2 and air from the reactor is insufficient to drive the turbine. |
| US08499566B2 |
Combustor liner cooling system
A combustor liner is disclosed. The combustor liner includes an upstream portion, a downstream end portion extending from the upstream portion along a generally longitudinal axis, and a cover layer associated with an inner surface of the downstream end portion. The downstream end portion includes the inner surface and an outer surface, the inner surface defining a plurality of microchannels. The downstream end portion further defines a plurality of passages extending between the inner surface and the outer surface. The plurality of microchannels are fluidly connected to the plurality of passages, and are configured to flow a cooling medium therethrough, cooling the combustor liner. |
| US08499561B2 |
Method and apparatus for controlling moisture separator reheaters
A system and a method are provided that may be used to control the temperature of steam being reheated by a moisture separator reheater (MSR). The temperature of a steam being reheated by a MSR may be sensed, and controller embodiments may use the sensed temperature to control the transfer of heat from various MSR components into the reheated steam. By using such control embodiments, the MSR may provide optimally heated steam to other power plant components, thus increasing the performance, efficiency, and safety of a power plant. |
| US08499560B2 |
Autonomous pyrotechnical method and device for injecting a fluid
The invention relates to a method and to an autonomous device (10d) for injecting a fluid (F), that uses pyrotechnical means (1d). The invention can be used in particular for injecting a protection fluid (F) into a system that is subject to overheating (8d). The method is characterized in that it uses a thermally triggered charge (1d). |
| US08499557B2 |
Variable flow wastegate
A wastegate for a turbocharger wherein the valve is provided with a horn to provide a more progressive, optimally near linear, curve of turbocharger boost-to-valve opening than possible with the typical flat wastegate valve. The addition of a three-dimensional horn in the flow path is a far more cost-effective solution to acquire linear flow than an approach involving very finite, accurate control of the valve position. |
| US08499555B2 |
Charge-cooled valve
A valve for use with a turbocharger is disclosed. The valve may have a valve element movable to selectively direct a flow of fluid. They valve may also have a control portion connected to move the valve element, and a cooling portion configured to receive a pressurized cooling medium from the turbocharger. |
| US08499554B2 |
Stable power-output device with a linear long-shaft driven by waves
A stable power-output device driven by waves includes buoys and a scaffold with the buoys, guiding tracks and rotating shafts installed. The scaffold floats on the waves, and wheels are installed at two sides of the buoys. Each two of the roller wheels are sandwiched between the related guiding track and the related side of each buoy, so that the roller wheels and the guiding tracks can work together. Guiding devices are installed on top of the buoys, and rotating shafts are connected to the guiding devices and float horizontally on the waves. Ratchets are installed on the short shafts in contact with the guiding devices. A shaft connector is adapted to connect each two of the rotating shafts together and form a long shaft. |
| US08499553B2 |
Piston type pneumatic engine
A piston type pneumatic engine, including a cylinder block, a piston, a cylinder, a crankshaft, a connecting rod, a camshaft, and a device for controlling the opening or closing of a gas valve. A cylinder cover arranged on the cylinder block is provided with an inwardly-opened type compressed-gas intake valve and an exhaust valve. An intake cam and an exhaust cam are arranged on the camshaft. The opening or closing of the intake and the exhaust valves is controlled by a rocker arm which is driven by the camshaft. The camshaft is driven by the rotated crankshaft via a timing chain or belt. |
| US08499540B2 |
Device for de-icing the air intake of a gas turbine
A de-icer device for de-icing an air inlet of a gas turbine, such as a helicopter turbine engine. The de-icer device includes an essentially metallic enclosure for admitting air into the engine, the enclosure including a first opening for admitting air into the enclosure, the first opening including a first essentially metallic grid, the enclosure further including a second opening for directing the air towards a compression stage of the gas turbine. The de-icer device further includes a wave generator for generating electromagnetic waves in the enclosure at a frequency suitable for causing ice to melt. |
| US08499534B2 |
Method and system for loading tablets into containers
A system for packaging a plurality of tablets is disclosed that includes a container. The container comprises a generally elongated channel having a first end and a second end positioned below the first end. The first end has an aperture for receiving a plurality of tablets in series into the channel. The system also includes a container holding and vibration apparatus operable to hold the container and concurrently apply linear vibration in a direction to the container. A tablet delivery system is provided that is operable to deliver the tablets in series to the container in a direction that is substantially in alignment with the direction of linear vibration of the container. The linear vibration of the container provided is operable to align the tablets in a stacked formation within the channel of said container. |
| US08499533B2 |
Method and apparatus for wrapping a shipment
Embodiments of the invention relate to a cover, a method of covering, and a cover system to be used with shipments of products transported by air with ULDs. The dimensions of the cover system can vary depending on the ULD they are designed to be used with. The cover system can also be adapted to any individual skid such as wooden or plastic pallets used for smaller loads used in air transport or any other mode of transportation. The cover system can include one or multiple parts that wrap the shipment. Each part of the cover system can be made of one or more layers. Each layer can be made of a single material or a combination of different materials, and different layers can incorporate different materials. The different parts of the cover can be made of different materials or different combination of materials. In specific embodiments, materials used for the cover system are Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) friendly. The cover system provides thermal protection to temperature-sensitive products in or on the ULD. The cover system maintains the proper relative humidity level and gas concentrations (oxygen, carbon dioxide and ethylene) for horticultural product loads. The cover system can also have antimicrobial properties. In addition, the cover system decreases the amount of water vapor released in the cargo holds which is known to affect the reliability of the aircraft smoke detection system and to cause false fire alarms. |
| US08499528B2 |
Balustrade having metal balusters with ornamental ends
A metal baluster is provided which has first and second metal segments, where each of these metal segments comprises a first end and a second end. The first ends of the first metal segments include extension portions from mating engagement with one another and the second end of each metal segment is adapted for attachment to the underside of an elongated handrail or to a tread or floor. The second end of each of the metal segments further comprises an ornamental portion which is proximate the elongated handrail or the tread or the floor. Connection apparatuses provided for securing the engagement of the extension portions of the first metal segment and the second metal segment. In another embodiment, a metal baluster of the present invention may comprise three metal segments where the first two metal segments are adapted for attachment to the underside of an elongated rail or to tread or floor and has an ornamental portion proximate the first end. These first and second metal segments are joined together by a third metal segment which has two ends which are adapted from mating engagement with the second ends of the first and second segments. A balustrade is also provided which comprises a plurality of balusters as described above. |
| US08499526B2 |
Method of producing a heavy modular unit and a modular unit produced according to the method
The present invention encompasses a method, on a building site, of forming a stable and, in terms of weight, heavy modular unit under the utilization of prefabricated, in terms of weight considerably lighter, modular unit (12) transported to the building site, where said heavy modular unit (12a) can be adapted to serve as a complete modular-built cellar unit. Said modular unit displays a base slab (14) and double-walled wall sections (10, 11) anchored to the base slab. Inner and outer wall portions (10, 11) are mutually coordinated and secured to one another via supports (18) oriented within a free space formed and structured between the wall portions. The free space is completely filled with a concrete mass, which is caused to cure or set, in order in such instance to form the in terms of weight heavy modular unit. The present invention also discloses a heavy modular unit thus produced. |
| US08499521B2 |
Mechanical locking of floor panels with vertical snap folding and an installation method to connect such panels
Floor panels (1, 1′) are shown, which are provided with a mechanical locking system on long and short edges (5a, 5b, 4a, 4b) allowing installation with vertical snap folding that could be accomplished automatically without tools and where the short edge (4a, 4b) locking system comprises a tongue (10) made in one piece with the panel. |
| US08499517B2 |
Insulated fiber cement siding
Disclosed herein are embodiments of foam backing panels for use with lap siding and configured for mounting on a building. Also disclosed are lap siding assemblies and products of lap sidings. One such embodiment of the foam backing panel comprises a rear face configured to contact the building, a front face configured for attachment to the lap siding, alignment means for aligning the lap siding relative to the building, means for providing a shadow line, opposing vertical side edges, a top face extending between a top edge of the front face and rear face and a bottom face extending between a bottom edge of the front face and rear face. |
| US08499509B2 |
Jamb assembly for door
Disclosed is a jamb assembly for a door having a novel structure, capable of representing a wooden feel and reinforcing the strength for a specific region by improving the structure of the jamb assembly coupled with an opening of a wall surface for the installation of the door. The jamb assembly is installed along an inner peripheral surface of an opening of a wall surface for installation of a door and constituting a door frame. The jamb assembly includes an outer skin section constituting an outer portion of the jamb assembly and having a surface molded with various patterns such as a wooden pattern, and a body core section surrounded by the outer skin section, constituting an inner frame portion of the jamb assembly, and fixedly coupled with the opening of the wall surface for the installation of the door. |
| US08499508B2 |
Panel element comprising a frame with a panel unit
The panel element (1) comprises a frame made up of a number of frame members (2-5) as well as a panel unit (6) including at least one vacuum multi-layer pane and at least one single-layer sheet element. A spacing element is placed between the vacuum multi-layer pane and the single-layer sheet element. The spacing element is made integrally with the corresponding frame member or as a separate spacing profile. |
| US08499505B2 |
Pultruded trim members
The present invention is an improved method of making cornice assemblies and other trim members utilizing the process of pultrusion. The cornice assemblies and the other trim members made by the method of the present invention exhibit superior strength to weight ratios, low expansion and contraction due to changes in temperature and humidity, as well being less labor intensive to install. |
| US08499503B2 |
Thermoregulation equipment for patient room
An architectural system adaptable to patient acuity level has a headwall unit with a cavity, a ceiling unit, and a column coupled to the ceiling unit. The column is movable between a first position in which at least a majority of the column is situated in the cavity and a second position in which the column is situated outside the cavity. Various types of patient-care equipment is also disclosed. The patient-care equipment is included in, or is coupleable to, one or more of the ceiling unit, the headwall unit, or the column. |
| US08499501B2 |
Portable manway cover hinge device
A method of handling the removal and installation of a manway cover to a manway flange includes removing a plurality of manway cover bolts, assembling a portable manway cover hinge device having a pair of hinge plates having a hinge aperture alignable with an existing bolt opening or a user formed bolt opening, forming one or more bolt openings in a peripheral portion of one of the manway cover and the manway flange, aligning a hinge aperture of the support member of each of the pair of hinge plates with the one or more bolt openings formed in the peripheral portion of the one of the manway cover and the manway flange or the plurality of existing bolt openings, inserting a pin into each hinge aperture of the hinge plates, and removing the remaining manway cover bolts from the manway cover. |
| US08499499B2 |
Weather strip for motor vehicle
A weather strip having a trim portion capable of decreasing an insertion load of a flange and increasing a removal load thereof where the thickness of the flange varies, thereby preventing its turn against a flange. The weather strip has a trim portion and a seal portion. The trim portion has a generally U-shaped cross-section. An inner holding lip includes a base part, a main lip formed along an end of the base part, and a sub-lip formed from a side surface of the end of the base part so as to project obliquely with respect to the main lip in a direction of the opening of the trim portion. The sub-lip is made shorter than the main lip, and an end of the sub-lip is located on the opening side of an interior surface of a joint between the base part and the inner side wall. |
| US08499498B2 |
Self-draining threshold assemblies including a reservoir chamber
Low-profile, self-draining panel threshold assemblies are discussed. The threshold assemblies comprise an interior sill portion, an exterior sill portion, and a drop-down chamber therebetween. The interior sill portion may include a condensation channel, which in one example, includes a roller track centrally positioned therein. The exterior sill portion includes a drain chamber and a reservoir chamber, where the reservoir chamber is positioned below and optionally to the exterior of the drain chamber. The drop-down chamber is partially defined by an elongate exposed weather-strip and an elongate covered weather-strip. In varying examples, a reservoir chamber height is equal to or greater than a water head height at a preselected wind load pressure. In certain examples, an effective threshold assembly height is less than or equal to ¾-inch, such as less than or equal to ½-inch. Methods and apparatuses related to the threshold assemblies are also discussed. |
| US08499497B1 |
Crawl space vent cover assembly
A crawl space vent cover assembly seals a crawl space vent during cold weather. The assembly includes a panel and an aperture extending through the panel. A line is slidably inserted through the aperture. A hook is coupled to a first end of the line for coupling to a louvered vent coupled to a vent opening. A second end of the line extends from a second surface of the panel. Pulling the second end of the line urges the hook towards a first surface of the panel such that the panel is drawn to abut a wall surface surrounding the vent opening. A retention member is coupled to the line between the second end of the line and the second surface of the panel and is positionable against the second surface of the panel to hold the panel against the wall surface. |
| US08499496B2 |
Sliding door system
A door is secured in spaced relation to a wall panel by a support assembly which includes a tubular housing secured to the wall and an elongate guide bar secured to the door at its bottom. The door is retained, at its top, between extruded aluminum abutments which allow the door to slide with respect to the wall panel, but prevent the door from pivoting about the guide bar. |
| US08499491B2 |
Method and apparatus for landscape edging
A landscape edging system has edging strip material with ends having a laterally extending projection and adapted for overlapping relation when assembled and having end edges disposed in edge to edge relation. A stake clip member is mounted to each of the laterally extending projections and defines a stake receptacle. An installation stake extends through the vertically aligned stake receptacles and secures the end portions of adjacent strips of landscape edging material in said overlapping edge to edge relation and supports the landscape edging strip material in upright position. The installation stake and stake receptacles have interacting wedge shaped geometry that locks the ends of the strip material in assembly. |
| US08499488B1 |
Tilt ramp trap having bosses
A rodent trap includes a box having one or more entrance tubes provided therein. The entrance tubes are in communication with a mouse hole in the side wall of the box. Within each tube is a tilt ramp that tilts in response to a weight of 4 grams at a distance of one and 5/16 inches from the pivot axis to the tilt ramp. |
| US08499486B1 |
Propelling device for bait and lures
A propelling device for propelling bait and lures featuring a tube, a bracket is disposed on the tube, and a mounting plate disposed on the bracket. The mounting plate and tube sandwich a fishing rod. A wing extends upwardly from the mounting plate to engage the reel seat base of a reel. A spring is disposed in an inner cavity of the tube. The spring can move between a relaxed position and a compressed position. A plunger extends out of the first end of the tube and is attached to an outer end of the spring. When the plunger is pulled backwardly away from the tube the spring moves to the compressed position and when the plunger is released the spring moves back to the relaxed position such that an object in front of the outer end of the spring is propelled out of the second end of the tube. |
| US08499480B2 |
Electrostatically mounted display system for magnetic tokens
Apparatus and associated methods involve a system to electrostatically mount a display system with a number of visible indicators that define regions and magnetically mount a number of tokens that correspond to the defined regions. In an illustrative example, the display system may include a flexible vinyl carrier of between 0.004 and 0.010 inches which may be sufficient thickness to facilitate removal of air bubbles but sufficiently thin to support magnetic tokens on a wide variety of target surfaces. One surface of the carrier may provide a retention force generated by electrostatic forces between the first surface and a target surface. In an example implementation, the target surface may be the exterior of a residential appliance. An opposite surface of the carrier may include visible indicia, for example, of a map. |
| US08499477B2 |
Plow wing blade
A plow, including a center blade and a wing blade coupled to each end of the center blade. Each wing blade is pivotally connected to the center blade about an axis. The plow includes a first pair of wear strips, with one wear strip coupled to the first end of the center blade and the other wear strip coupled to one wing blade. A second pair of wear strips is included, with one wear strip coupled to the second end of the center blade and the other wear strip coupled to the other wing blade. A wing pivot tube is coupled to the wing blades and center blade at each end of the center blade. The wing blade, wear strips, and wing pivot tube at each end of the center blade minimize a gap between the blades throughout the range of movement of each wing blade. |
| US08499476B2 |
Athletic or other performance sensing systems
Articles of footwear and other devices include modules, e.g., for sensing physical and/or physiological characteristics associated with use of the footwear or other devices. Such devices include: (a) a housing, optionally an asymmetrical housing, for receiving an electronic module; (b) release mechanisms for removably mounting the module in the housing; and/or (c) activation/authentication systems for selectively activating the module. Additionally, methods of making articles of footwear or other structures that include such housings, electronic modules, release systems, activation systems, authentication systems, etc. are described. Performance sensing systems and methods of using the above devices for sensing performance characteristics also are described. |
| US08499474B2 |
Hands-free step-in closure apparatus
A hands-free fastening mechanism for releasably securing a user's foot to footwear is disclosed. The fastening mechanism comprises at least one pivotable strap which is coupled to a hinge mechanism which, in turn, is secured to the footwear. The hinge mechanism allows the strap to pivot between an open and a closed position. The strap is further coupled to a lever which is engageable by a user's foot so as to cause the strap to move from the open position to the closed position. When the strap moves to the closed position, a catch will engage, thereby securing the user's foot within the footwear. The footwear may then be removed by using the other foot to apply pressure to a protruding member or by striking the heel on a hard surface and then withdrawing the secured foot such that the catch is disengaged and the foot is released. |
| US08499473B2 |
Laundry dryer with rear wall cavity
An upper cabinet of a rotary-drum laundry dryer outer casing can include a rear wall. The rear wall can include a sink-shaped bulge or recess. The bulge or recess can project outwards of the upper cabinet, be roughly centered to a rear rim of a dryer drum, and include a through opening. The upper cabinet can also include a substantially circular, basin-shaped lid or cover fixed to the inner face of the cabinet rear wall substantially coaxial to the drum. The lid or cover can be shaped so as to completely cover and close the outwards-projecting bulge or recess on the cabinet rear wall. This can form, on that rear wall, a cavity which communicates with the inside of drum and also with a hot-air generator via the through opening. |
| US08499466B2 |
Ruler for tool
A ruler tool is provided comprising a main guide frame 2 having guide portions 2a and 2b, a first guide frame 3 having a guide portion 3a to guide a tool in cooperation with the guide portion, a second guide portion frame 4 having a guide portion 4a to guide a tool in cooperation with the guide portion 2a, and a pair of fences each securing each of the guide frames with a predetermined interval being set among the guide frames so as to hold the tools, in a sandwiched manner, and being mounted in a manner to face each other so as to be apart by a distance more than a range of working by the tools and having an abutment surface to support a member to be worked at a predetermined angle inside one of the fences and positioning grooves 5a and 6a. |
| US08499462B2 |
Cutting members for shaving razors
A cutting member for a shaving razor includes an elongated blade portion that tapers to a cutting edge, an elongated base portion that is integral with the blade portion, and a bent portion, intermediate the blade portion and the base portion. In some implementations, at least part of the cutting member has a thickness of at least about 0.005 inch (0.127 millimeter). |
| US08499460B1 |
Spring assisted knife having separate cam insert
A spring-assisted folding knife, including a one-piece knife blade having a proximal end and including a receiver on one side of its proximal end having a through bore; a blade insert made of a separate piece of material than the blade having a rear surface configured to be seated into the receiver, an opposite front surface, and a central bore extending between the rear surface and the front surface; and a coil spring received on the rear surface of the blade insert, the coil spring having a first end secured to the blade insert and an opposite second end secured to a fixed rigid surface of the knife. |
| US08499454B2 |
Steering wheel of vehicle and manufacturing method of steering wheel of vehicle
A steering wheel of a vehicle includes a steering wheel main body. The steering wheel main body includes a rim part, a boss part, a core metal, and a resin layer. The core metal includes a ring part and an offset part such that a distance from a center of the boss part to the offset part is smaller than a distance from the center of the boss part to the ring part. The resin layer includes a ring part resin layer covering the ring part, and an offset part resin layer covering the offset part. A thickness of the offset part resin layer at an outer side of a radial direction with respect to the offset part is thicker than a thickness of the ring part resin layer at the outer side of the radial direction with respect to the ring part. The resin layer is a complete circle. |
| US08499452B2 |
Method for connecting at least two heat exchanger plates
The invention relates to a method for connecting at least two heat exchanger plates so as to form a plate packet for a heat exchanger, said plate packet being provided with at least one passage defined by through holes in the heat exchanger plates. With the aid of this method, the heat exchanger plates are to be braced well to one another so that high-quality welding seams having a high strength can be produced. To this end, the invention suggests that two respective heat exchanger plates should be clamped together in the proximity of the edge of the future through hole, and that the respective heat exchanger plates should be welded to one another in pairs with at least one circumferentially extending welding seam marking the edge of the future through hole, the diameter of at least one circumferentially extending welding seam being at least as large as the diameter of the future through hole, and that the through hole should subsequently be cut out of the heat exchanger plates that have been welded together. |
| US08499451B2 |
Method for assembling heat sink
A method for assembling a heat sink with radial fins is disclosed. The heat sink includes a thermo-conductive base and a fin set. The base is provided with a plurality of troughs and guiding grooves. Each guiding groove is located between two adjacent troughs. The fin set is composed of a plurality of fins. The method provides a mold having a star shaped inner space and edges. The heat sink is compressed into the inner space and the guiding grooves are inserted by the edges to make the troughs deformed. The fins are firm pinched by deformed troughs. |
| US08499445B1 |
Method of forming an electrically conductive printed line
Printed conductive lines and a method of preparing them using polymer nanocomposites with low resistivity and high current carrying capacity. Plasma treatment selectively removes polymers/organics from nanocomposites. Subsequent selective metal is deposited on top of the exposed metal surface of the printed conductive lines in order to improve current carrying capacity of the conductive printed lines. The printed conductive lines use a conductive ink or printing process and are then cured thermally and/or by a lamination process. Next, the printed conductive lines are treated with the plasma for 5-15 minutes in order to remove organics. E-less copper (Cu) is selectively deposited only at the conducting particle surface of the printed conductive lines. If desired, e-less gold, silver, tin, or tin-lead can be deposited on top of the e-less Cu. |
| US08499439B2 |
Positioning apparatus and pressing apparatus
A positioning apparatus has a pilot holder having a hold face, a positioning pin having a tapered tip and supported by the pilot holder so that the tapered tip protrudes from the hold face of the pilot holder, a pad having a pad face that opposes the hold face of the pilot holder, and a movable member having a stop face that opposes the positioning pin and a relief hole for avoiding the tapered tip of the positioning pin from hitting the stop face, the movable member resiliently supported on the pad. The pilot holder and the pad in which the thin plate material is set between the hold face and the pad face relatively move to insert the tapered tip of the positioning pin into the positioning hole of the thin plate material. The stop face is flush with or protruding from the pad face of the pad. |
| US08499438B2 |
Systems and methods for joining wires of a motor stator
An apparatus for joining a wire pair of a stator coil. The apparatus includes a tool having a pair of electrodes and control equipment. The control equipment is configured to control the electrodes to apply force to the wire pair to push adjacent wires of the wire pair toward each other and cause current to pass between the pair of electrodes, and so through the wire pair pushed together, at a time at which the force is being applied to the wire pair. |
| US08499435B2 |
Method of manufacturing a thin-film magnetic head
A thin-film magnetic head is constructed such that a main magnetic pole layer, a lower shield layer, an upper shield layer and a thin-film coil are laminated on a substrate. A method of manufacturing the thin-film magnetic head has a lower shield layer forming step. This step comprises a step of forming a first lower shield part in a lower shield planned area, including a planned line along the medium-opposing surface, a step of forming a partial lower seed layer having a partial arrangement structure in which the partial lower seed layer is arranged on a lower formation zone except a lower exception zone including the planned line, a step of forming a second lower shield part on the partial lower seed layer. |
| US08499434B2 |
Method of making a capacitive sensor
A method of creating an improved sensitivity capacitive fingerprint sensor involves forming vias from a first side of a sensor chip having an array of capacitive sensors, making the vias electrically conductive, and attaching a cover plate over the first side of the sensor chip spaced from the sensor chip by a distance of less than 25 μm. An improved sensitivity capacitive fingerprint sensor has a capacitive sensor array including multiple sensor cells and electrically conductive, through-chip vias extending from connection points for sensor cell circuitry to a back side of the capacitive sensor array, a chip including active detection circuitry and electrical connection points, the electrical connection points being respectively connected to corresponding ones of the sensor cell circuitry connection points, and a cover plate, disposed above the sensor cells at a spacing of less than 25 μm. |
| US08499433B2 |
Reconfigurable clamping system
A clamping system can be reconfigured to clamp any of multiple workpieces having differing shapes. The system includes a retention assembly for retaining an inflatable bladder that applies a clamping force to the workpiece. The retention assembly includes a flexible chain of pivotally connected links that can be locked in place to form a rigid assembly that conforms to the shape of the workpiece. The links can be unlocked to allow reconfiguration of the retention assembly into shapes matching other workpieces. |
| US08499429B2 |
Method for applying a surface structure to a solid body and solid body provided with such a surface structure
In a method for applying a surface structure to a solid body, a structured surface is placed directly or indirectly onto the surface of the solid body and the structure of this structured surface is reproduced in the surface of the solid body, in that an explosive structured layer is arranged on the surface of the solid body and the structure of the explosive structured layer is explosively disseminated into the surface of the solid body. According to the invention, the surface of the solid body is provided with a surface pre-structure before the actual dissemination, at least in regions, wherein the structure of the explosive structured layer is disseminated on at least one partial region of the surface pre-structure so that the surface structure produced results from overlapping of the surface pre-structure with the explosively disseminated structure. |
| US08499426B2 |
Methods of making thin film capacitors
An apparatus including a first electrode; a second electrode; a first and second ceramic material disposed between the first electrode and the second electrode, the second ceramic material having a greater electrical conductivity than the first ceramic material. A method including forming a first ceramic material film and a different second ceramic material film on a first electrode; and forming a second electrode on the second ceramic material film to form a capacitor structure having the first ceramic material film and the second ceramic material film disposed between the first electrode and the second electrode, wherein the first ceramic material has a conductivity selected to dampen undesired oscillations in electrical device operation to which the capacitor structure may be exposed. An apparatus including a first electrode; a second electrode; and a composite dielectric including a plurality of dielectric films including a different Curie temperature. |
| US08499420B2 |
Strap buckle
A strap buckle made from a single piece of bent material, the bent material forming a first generally U-shaped portion; a second generally U-shaped portion; and an elongated intermediary portion between the first and second generally U-shaped portions; the first generally U-shaped portion having a distal leg, a proximal leg shorter than the distal leg, and an intermediate bight between the distal and proximal legs; the second generally U-shaped portion having a distal leg, a proximal leg shorter than the distal leg, and an intermediate bight between the distal and proximal legs, such that the distal legs are located in the same plane, are parallel to one another, and extend perpendicularly to the elongated intermediary portion. The interweaving of these portions provides the buckling functionality as well as the non-slippage feature. |
| US08499418B2 |
Anti-trap device for a door frame
In this device, the frame has, facing a rounded edge of the leaf B, an inclined surface, the distance of which from the frame A increases from the inside to the outside and which is connected to the internal surface of a covering strip, this strip being positioned parallel to the wall of the frame and at least in front of the rounded edge of the leaf B in order to prevent any access into the external gap between leaf B and frame A, while each of the hinge plates comprises, firstly, a male element fitting into a housing in the leaf, so as to be aligned therewith, and, secondly, a female element composed of: a cylindrical hinge body fitting into the male element so as to come into alignment with the rounded part; and a fastening base fitting into a housing recessed into the inclined surface of the frame so as to come into alignment with this surface. |
| US08499416B2 |
Door check link apparatus for vehicle
A door check link apparatus includes a check link formed by molding a synthetic resin on a surface of a core plate, and including a full open stopper including a projecting portion located at a tip end portion of the core plate, and having a width larger than a width of a detent surface, a bending piece formed at a first end portion of the projecting portion, and having a stopper surface confronting the stopper receiving surface, and a protruding portion formed on the projecting portion at a position farther apart from the stopper receiving surface relative to the stopper surface, and protruding in a direction substantially parallel to the stopper receiving surface, the full open stopper being formed by molding the synthetic resin on the tip end portion of the core plate including the projecting portion, the bending piece, and the protruding portion. |
| US08499415B2 |
Floor spring and assembly method thereof
A floor spring includes a case, a damper assembly received in the case, and mixed powder filling a space inside the case covering the damper assembly. The damper assembly includes a spindle extending outwardly from the case. The mixed powder can prevent water, dust, or insects enter the case, such that the damper assembly is not tend to rust or fail. |
| US08499412B2 |
Electric blower and electric cleaner with same
An electric blower includes a stator, a rotor, a bracket, rotary fan, air guide, a fan case covering air guide and rotary fan. Air guide includes a partition plate, a diffuser, a partition slope, and a guide vane. Diffuser vanes configure closed passages. Passage lengths of closed passages include a first passage length and a second passage length that is different from the first passage length. |
| US08499411B2 |
Cyclonic vacuum cleaner with improved collection chamber
A vacuum cleaner with a cyclone module assembly comprises a cyclone separation chamber for separating dust and debris from air and a collection chamber for collecting dust and debris that is separated from the air in the cyclone separation chamber. The cyclone module assembly further includes at least one feature for directing contaminants downwardly, such as a circumferential fin that extends from the inside wall of the collection chamber or a helical step dividing the separation chamber from the collection chamber. |
| US08499408B2 |
Windshield wiper device
A windscreen wiper device comprising an elastic, elongated carrier element, as well as an elongated wiper blade of a flexible material, a connecting device pivotally connected to the connecting device about a pivot axis near one end. The connecting device comprises at least a first part and a second part and first and second retaining means for retaining the connecting device onto the oscillating arm. The first retaining means comprises at least one first protrusion on the second part engaging in a correspondingly shaped hole provided in the oscillating arm, and wherein the second retaining means comprise at least one second protrusion provided on the first part engaging the oscillating arm. |
| US08499401B2 |
Toothbrush and method using the same
A toothbrush is provided having an elongated handle and a brush head supported by the handle. The brush head has a base and a plurality of bristles that are arranged in sections. Each section has bristles that extend from the base to form a contact surface elevated from the base. One or more of the sections include bristles that extend to varying lengths from the base to form a contact surface that inclines or declines relative to the base. The sections of bristles further include a first outside section having a contact surface that declines inwardly, an inside section, adjacent the first outside section, having a contact surface that declines outwardly toward the first outside section, and a second outside section positioned adjacent an opposite side of the inside section from the first outside section. The second outside section has a contact surface that declines inwardly toward the inside section. |
| US08499398B2 |
Surface cleaning apparatus
A surface cleaning apparatus with a removable compartment is provided that allows a dust cup in the removable compartment to be emptied while minimizing handling by the user. The removable compartment is removably secured within the surface cleaning apparatus. The removable compartment can be removed by activating a first trigger device. The dust cup can be emptied by activating a second trigger device. |
| US08499393B2 |
Loading wharf
A loading wharf includes a compact structure secured to the perimeter of an access opening formed in a wall of a building. The compact structure defining between the inner and outer faces of the wall, an intermediate space for placement of protective members and a folding ramp both of which move between an operational position in which protective members and ramp project from the intermediate space towards the outside, in order to interact with the body or trailer of the vehicle to be loaded or unloaded, and a non-operational position in which the protective members and ramp are positioned inside the intermediate space and are oriented vertically. The compact structure includes, corresponding to the outer and inner faces of the wall, frames for the mounting of an exterior closure door and of an interior door. |
| US08499392B2 |
Apparatus and method for detecting unbalanced loads in a washing machine
An apparatus and techniques for detecting unbalanced load in a washing machine are provided. A clothes basket containing a load of clothing and rotatable about an axis is accelerated. As the clothes basket passes a first predetermined rotational speed, one of power and torque applied to the clothes basket is limited. It is determined whether the clothes basket accelerates from the first predetermined to a second predetermined rotational speed within a predetermined time. Failure to reach the second predetermined rotational speed within the predetermined time signifies an out-of-balance condition as to the load of clothing. No resonance of the machine lies between the first and second predetermined rotational speeds. In another aspect, a similar technique can be employed, with or without limiting power or torque, wherein a resonance does lie between the first and second predetermined rotational speeds. |
| US08499391B2 |
Laundry machine and method of controlling operation thereof
Disclosed is a laundry machine, which washes laundry using rotation of a drum, and a method of controlling an operation thereof. The laundry machine is operated in consideration of information about a floor, on which the laundry machine is installed, and thus the optimized operation of the laundry machine is performed according to a state of the floor, thereby minimizing noise and sagging of the floor due to vibration. |
| US08499390B2 |
Multi-purpose waiter's tool
A multi-purpose tool for waiters that allows a waiter to carry and use as a single instrument for multifarious purposes. The multi-purpose tool comprises a housing to hold a lighter, a blade, a bottle cap opener, a corkscrew, a pen, and an LED light. These tools may be secured to the housing via mount, preferably, a U-mount. The housing may be designed with a tapered end to provide an ergonomic grip when using the multi-purpose tool. |
| US08499382B2 |
Companion sleeping bag
A companion sleeping bag (A) having an enclosure (1) formed of a shell (6) having opposing folds (6A, 6B) joined together at least along a head portion (12) and forming an interior sleeping space (11) defined by an interior liner (8) therebetween. One of the opposing folds (6A, 6B) is formed with an opening (5) therethrough into the interior space (11) with a collar (2) is positioned around the opening (5). A mating means (10), such as a zipper, is coupled to the opposing folds (6A, 6B) of the shell (6) adjacent to one or both sides (15, 16) of the enclosure (1). The mating means (10) is securable between the opposing folds (6A, 6B). The mating means (10) is further matable to a cooperating mating portion (D) of a separate conventional sleeping bag (B) or another for joining the companion sleeping bag (A) thereto. |
| US08499378B2 |
Pedestal end for patients bed
A hollow pedestal bed end for a rise and fall patient's bed is made of reduced width to fold over the mattress frame and pass through a door opening. The inner faces of the paired bed ends each have a slot through which a mattress frame bracket projects. A wheeled carriage inside the bed end rides on an upright guide and the bracket projects from the guide. The rise and fall motion is supplied by a linear actuator whose small movements are multiplied by a third order lever. The frame is thus lifted by a pair of such pedestal ends. |
| US08499367B2 |
Cooling garment having phase change material in its extremity portions
A cooling garment comprises a phase change material and at least one of: at least one leg portion and at least one arm portion. The phase change material may have a transition temperature between solid and liquid phases of between about 60° F. to about 90° F. The at least one arm portion has the phase change material disposed therein, and the at least one leg portion has the phase change material disposed therein. The arm and leg portions may be attached to a torso portion and shorts portion, respectively, and may be removable therefrom. The cooling garment may include a sensor configured to indicate a cooling capacity of the phase change material. A portable container having a reactivation substance stored therein may be provided to reactivate the phase change material. In one embodiment, the portable container is part of a self-contained breathing apparatus. In another embodiment, the phase change material is submerged in the reactivation substance in the container. |
| US08499362B2 |
Armor vest with mechanical quick release mechanism
Bulletproof vests, body armor, and other tactical vests with quick release buckle mechanisms are described along with methods of their use. The multi-point buckle mechanisms release upon rotating a shaft, allowing the vest panels and straps to fall cleanly to the ground without knocking the wearer off balance. Waist belt clips allow a wearer to put the vest on over his or her head without engaging the emergency release, or the multi-point buckle mechanism can release only the waist straps upon rotating the shaft in the opposite direction. A flap protects the rotatable quick release mechanism from inadvertent activation. |
| US08505111B2 |
Cantilever excitation device and scanning probe microscope
Provided is a cantilever excitation device capable of preventing complication of resonance characteristics by a simple configuration. A cantilever excitation device (1) is provided with a cantilever (7), a cantilever holder (3) for holding the cantilever (7), and a piezoelectric vibrator (5) attached to the cantilever holder (3). The cantilever holder (3) includes a holder main part (11) (first part) having an acoustic impedance different from that of the piezoelectric vibrator (5) for transmitting vibration of the piezoelectric vibrator by elastic deformation and an attachment piece (13) (second part) having the acoustic impedance different from that of the first part for forming a material boundary to block propagation of an acoustic wave between the same and the first part. The first and second parts are interposed between the piezoelectric vibrator (5) and the cantilever (7). |
| US08505108B2 |
Authentication using a digital watermark
A method and apparatus for identifying an object include encoding physical attributes of an object where the encoded information is utilized as at least one element for composing a digital watermark for the object. In another embodiment the physical attributes of the object are utilized as a key for accessing information included in a digital watermark for the object. |
| US08505100B1 |
User account level anti-malware exclusions
Exclusions to anti-malware scanning are managed at a user account level. On a computer on which an anti-malware product provides anti-malware scanning, at least one user account to exclude from the anti-malware scanning is specified. Specifying a user account to exclude can comprise adding the name of the user account to the exceptions policy of the anti-malware product. Specified user accounts are excluded from the anti-malware scanning. Excluding a user account from anti-malware scanning comprises excluding all applications that are run by the specified account. Non-specified user accounts and applications run by the non-specified user accounts, are allowed to be scanned. User accounts to exclude from the anti-malware scanning can comprise virtual user accounts. When a virtual user account is excluded from the anti-malware scanning, the system service associated with the virtual user account is excluded. |
| US08505098B2 |
Method for recording, recovering, and replaying real traffic
A recording, recovering, and replaying method for real traffic is used for processing a plurality of network packets of a plurality of network connections. A recording procedure of the method includes the following steps. A recording parameter (N, M, P) is received. A header and a payload of each network packet of the network connections are completely recorded, and a payload accumulation value of each network connection is accumulated. When one of the payload accumulation values exceeds N, the header of each network packet and first M bytes of the payload are recorded for P consecutive network packets corresponding to the payload accumulation value. When one of the payload accumulation values exceeds N and after the P consecutive network packets of the network connection corresponding to the payload accumulation value are recorded, the header of each network packet is recorded for the network connection corresponding to the payload accumulation value. |
| US08505097B1 |
Refresh-and-rotation process for minimizing resource vulnerability to persistent security threats
A processing device comprises a processor coupled to a memory and implements a refresh-and-rotation process to protect a system comprising information technology infrastructure from a persistent security threat. The processing device is configured to replace one or more identified resources of a resource pool of the information technology infrastructure with one or more corresponding refreshed resources so as to provide a refreshed resource pool, and to remap elements of a set of workloads running on the information technology infrastructure to elements of the refreshed resource pool in order to deter the persistent security threat. The processing device may maintain within the resource pool a set of reserve resource pool elements that have no workload elements mapped to them, and can add resource pool elements to and remove resource pool elements from the set of reserve resource pool elements in conjunction with the remapping of workload elements to resource pool elements. |
| US08505096B2 |
Methods of, and apparatus for, monitoring traffic emanating from a source in a network
One embodiment of an apparatus for monitoring from a first location in a computer network traffic emanating from a source at a second location in the network, the apparatus comprising means at the first location for detecting traffic emanating from the source and means for monitoring the number, per unit time, of distinct destinations of the traffic that lie outside a first set specifying familiar destinations of the traffic. This monitoring process can trigger various responses such as the isolation of the source from the network. Other systems and methods are also provided. |
| US08505095B2 |
System and method for monitoring and analyzing multiple interfaces and multiple protocols
The present invention is a system and method for providing security for a mobile device by analyzing data being transmitted or received by multiple types of networks. The invention can provide security for many types of network interfaces on a mobile device, including: Bluetooth, WiFi, cellular networks, USB, SMS, infrared, and near-field communication. Data is gathered at multiple points in a given processing pathway and linked by a protocol tracking component in order to analyze each protocol present in the data after an appropriate amount of processing by the mobile device. Protocol analysis components are utilized dynamically to analyze data and are re-used between multiple data pathways so as to be able to support an arbitrary number of network data pathways on a mobile device without requiring substantial overhead. |
| US08505090B2 |
Archive of text captures from rendered documents
A facility for storing a text capture data structure for a particular user is described. The data structure comprises a number of entries. Each entry corresponds to a text capture operation performed by the user from a rendered document. Each entry contains information specifying the text captured in the text capture operation. |
| US08505089B2 |
Image forming apparatus and control method for image forming apparatus
An image forming apparatus includes a display unit, a login information storage unit, a login information reception unit, a login authentication unit, an authorization limitation information storage unit, an execution instruction reception unit, a control unit and an execution permission determination unit. The authorization limitation information storage unit stores functions permitted to be executed by the logged-in user and a default user, who is a non-logged-in user. The control unit executes a function in accordance with an execution instruction received by the execution instruction reception unit. The execution permission determination unit determines whether the function indicated in the received execution instruction is a default function that is permitted to be executed by the default user, causes the control unit to execute the function if the function is the default function, and displays the login screen on the display unit if the function is not the default function. |
| US08505087B2 |
Signal transfer point front end processor
In an SS7 network, each of a plurality of Signal Transfer Points is fronted by a front-end processor (STP-FEP) that has a network presence. The STP-FEP implements at least the MTP2 layer of the SS7 protocol stack and implements security rules at the MTP2 and MTP3 layers. |
| US08505085B2 |
Flexible authentication for online services with unreliable identity providers
A flexible authentication system is described herein that fluidly switches between a federated authentication model and a local short-lived token model that does not require sophisticated authentication infrastructure at the relying party site. Upon detecting an event that causes the identity provider to be unavailable for authentication, the relying party switches to a temporary token model. The system generates a bearer token or challenge associated with the user's identity and (optionally) associated with time data that limits the period during which the token is valid. The relying party communicates the short-lived token to the user using contact information associated with the user and already stored by the relying party. Upon receiving the short-lived token, the user provides the short-lived token to the relying party, and the relying party processes the token to validate the user's identity and then allows the user to access the relying party's online services. |
| US08505082B2 |
Information processing system and processing method thereof
When a plurality of information processing apparatuses having an authentication function executes a cooperative job, user authentication information is transmitted from a cooperative information source processing apparatus to a destination cooperative information processing apparatus that executes the cooperative job. It is determined whether or not a user account with authentication information that is the same as the transmitted authentication information exists in the destination cooperative information processing apparatus. The determined result is then notified to the cooperative information source processing apparatus. In this case, when the cooperative information source processing apparatus is notified that a user account with the same authentication information does not exist, the cooperative information source processing apparatus creates a user account based on the authentication information. Authentication is performed using the created user account, and the cooperative job is executed by the cooperative information source processing apparatus and the destination cooperative information processing apparatus. |
| US08505081B2 |
Method and apparatus for identity reuse for communications devices
An apparatus and method for identity reuse operable in a communications system, the method comprising selecting an identity value for a device; registering the device onto a network with the selected identity value; determining if the registration of the device is successful; and establishing a communication session for the device and deregistering the selected identity value upon termination of the communication session if the registration is successful, or determining whether to try a different identity value if the registration is not successful. In one aspect, the apparatus and method further comprising waiting a predetermined time period before either re-registering with the selected identity value or registering with the different identity value. |
| US08505080B2 |
Method for generating cross-site scripting attack
A method for generating a cross-site scripting attack is provided. An attack string sample is analyzed for obtaining a token sequence. A string word corresponding to each token is used to replace the token for generating a cross-site scripting attack string. Accordingly, a large number of cross-site scripting attacks are generated automatically, so as to execute a penetration test for a website. |
| US08505077B2 |
Acquisition of authentication rules for service provisioning
Described are methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer program products for providing authentication for service provisioning. One or more executable authentication rules are provided for determining access by a user to one or more services. At least a first executable authentication rule is selected from the one or more executable authentication rules. The first executable authentication rule is for determining access by the user to at least a first service from the one or more services, wherein selecting the first executable authentication rule is based on: a characteristic of the user, a characteristic of a request, a characteristic of an acquisition point, or any combination thereof. A rules credential is generated. The rules credential includes the first executable authentication rule. |
| US08505075B2 |
Enterprise device recovery
An administrator of an enterprise can recover a user secure storage device in conjunction with a third-party service without the administrator knowing a user secure storage device password. The administrator secure storage device is communicatively coupled with a host computer. A user secure storage device is communicatively coupled with a host computer. The administrator secure storage device is authenticated to the third-party service. One or more decryptions are performed on an encrypted portion of data with an enterprise private key and a shared administrator private key to produce information associated with the user secure storage device password. The administrator is logged into the user secure storage device using the information associated with the user secure storage device password without the administrator knowing the user secure storage device password. |
| US08505074B2 |
Selective web content controls for MFP web pages across firewalls
Devices, methods, and computer-readable media for tagging web page content according to a content access level for entry into a web page content database, and filtering in response to a dynamic web page construction request based on the access level of the requesting source. |
| US08505072B2 |
Network apparatus, assessment method, program, and integrated circuit
A network device restricts functions thereof in a special case such as theft, and comprises: an acquisition unit for acquiring one or more identification information pieces corresponding to one or more local devices in a communicable state; a calculation unit for calculating an index value for each local device; a holding unit for holding, for each local device whose identification information piece was acquired in the past, the identification information piece of the local device and the index value thereof; a difference specifying unit for specifying a difference between (i) one or more identification information pieces currently acquired and (ii) the one or more identification information pieces acquired in the past, thereby specifying a local device as the difference; and a judgment unit for judging whether to restrict the access based on the index value of the local device specified as the difference. |
| US08505068B2 |
Deriving express rights in protected content
The present invention extends to methods, systems, and computer program products for deriving express rights in protected content. Embodiments of the invention provide mechanisms to convert implicit rights to express rights for entities, including applications, inside and outside of an organizational (e.g., enterprise) boundary. The conversion can occur dynamically, based on the information protection policies defined by a policy administrator, granting entities express access to perform tasks on protected content. |
| US08505067B2 |
Service level network quality of service policy enforcement
Embodiments of the invention provide systems and methods for providing service level, policy-based QoS enforcement on a network or networks. According to one embodiment, a system can comprise at least one communications network, a first endpoint communicatively coupled with the communications network, and a second endpoint communicatively coupled with the communications network and can monitor traffic on the communications network between the first endpoint and the second endpoint. A policy enforcer can be communicatively coupled with the network monitor. The policy enforcer can apply one or more policies based the traffic between the first endpoint and the second endpoint. The one or more policies can define a Quality of Service (QoS) for the traffic between the first endpoint and the second endpoint and can apply the policies to affect the traffic between the endpoints to maintain the QoS defined by the one or more policies. |
| US08505066B2 |
Security audit system and method
Methods, apparatuses and a system are provided for performing a security audit of, for example, a multi-function device. |
| US08505058B2 |
Synchronization and automation in an ITV environment
A synchronization mechanism embeds synchronization triggers into a television signal or stream at regular intervals. The triggers include an accurate representation of the time in which the triggers were embedded. A receiving device decodes the triggers and synchronizes its internal timer based on the triggers. In this regard, the receiving device obtains a reference time from the internal timer and computes an offset between the reference time and the trigger time. The computed offset is then applied to the reference time. With the receipt of each new trigger, the application compares the trigger time to a new reference time with the most recently computed offset value applied. If there is any variance between these two values, the application creates a new smoothed offset. |
| US08505056B2 |
Updating properties of remote A/V performance nodes
Aspects include systems, computer readable media and methods for remotely updating properties of Audio/Visual (A/V) performance nodes that can receive A/V content through a wireless network from a central content source. The central content source can maintain information about properties of such nodes, providing such information to a device configured with remote control software, upon request. The remote control device can accept user inputs relating to properties updates, indications of such being provided to the central content source for distribution to nodes whose properties were updated. Examples of updatable properties include on/off toggling, and volume controls. Updating such properties can be protected by passwords. The central content source can be configured as software executing on a personal computer operable to communicate over the Internet for obtaining access to streaming and/or downloadable A/V content. Remote control device examples include phones that can be networked to receive node properties data, obtain user inputs affecting such data, and transmit that data back to the central source. |
| US08505052B2 |
Broadcasting system and reception apparatus
A broadcasting system 1 provides a digital content to be broadcast with an attribute vector A thereof. A filter 12 is assigned with a selection vector S indicating user's taste. The filter 12 performs a standardized inner product operation between the selection vector S and the attribute vector A for selecting and recording broadcast programs. A = ( a 1 , a 2 , a 3 , … , a n ) S = ( s 1 , s 2 , s 3 , … , s n ) P = A · S A S |
| US08505051B2 |
Method for outputting content information and display system enabling the method
A method for outputting content information and a display apparatus enabling the same are disclosed. The method for outputting contents information of a display apparatus includes identifying whether predetermined contents are series or single, generating a content information display object according to the result of the identification, and outputting the content information display object in a display screen, wherein a content information display object corresponding to the series contents is different from a content information display object corresponding to the single contents. |
| US08505045B2 |
Systems and methods for providing advertisements in a fantasy sports contest application
Systems and methods are presented for presenting advertisements to users of a fantasy sports contest application. Advertisements are displayed in conjunction with fantasy sports contest information and may be interactive in nature. The advertisements may be used to inform the user of prizes being awarded for performance in the fantasy sports contest, including prizes being awarded for performing in an instant scoring opportunity based on real-time action in a related sports broadcast. The advertisements may be intelligently scheduled around certain events in a related sports broadcast to take advantage of user purchasing habits. The advertisements may be selected according to a user profile. The user profile may include information on the user's demonstrated interests, which may be determined using the user's preferences in the fantasy contest, prior television viewing habits, and other suitable information. The advertisements may be targeted to the user's specific geographic location. The advertisements may also be used to inform a user of an awarded prize, and to enable the user to claim the awarded prize. |
| US08505044B2 |
Method and apparatus for receiving broadcasting signal, and broadcasting system using the same
A broadcast receiving method and apparatus and a broadcasting system using the same are provided. The broadcast receiving method receives a broadcasting signal of a broadcasting channel. The broadcast receiving method receives application data for a data broadcasting service by using a data channel. The broadcast receiving method combines the received broadcasting signal with the received application data, in order for an image of the broadcasting channel and an image of the data broadcasting service in the hotel to be displayed on screen at the same time. |
| US08505037B2 |
Communicating with devices in an ATM
A method of operating a self-service terminal is described, along with software for performing the method. The self-service terminal has a number of service providers installed on it. According to the method, a call from a self-service terminal application to open a session with a service provider is received by a manager module. The call includes details of a device related parameter, such as a logical service name or device class. Those service providers which can support the device related parameter are identified and then queried to determine if an associated device is present. Based on the results of the query, one of the service providers is selected and a session is opened between the self-service terminal application and the selected service provider module. |
| US08505032B2 |
Operating system notification of actions to be taken responsive to adapter events
Notification of hardware actions to be taken responsive to hardware events is facilitated. An operating system coupled, but external to, the hardware notifies firmware of the hardware action to be taken. |
| US08505027B2 |
Elective data sharing between different implementations of a software product
The present invention is directed to a system and method for selectively sharing data between different implementations of the same software program in a network environment. The program implementations are otherwise independent with each executing its own private memory space in a single computer or on multiple computers in the network. The present invention enables a first implementation of a program to borrow or utilize data collected, derived or otherwise utilized by a second implementation of the same program. |
| US08505026B2 |
Service enablement based upon microformats
Computer applications commonly have various services that improve application functionality for a user. Different services can be applied to other sources, such as other applications, and users can perform functionality upon the other sources. This not only provides a user with greater options in using a source, but can also provide a user with a more familiar context when using the source. |
| US08505024B2 |
Storing state in a dynamic content routing network
A dynamic content routing network routes update messages containing updates to properties of live objects from input sources to clients. The clients receive a web page having live objects, identify the object IDs associated with the objects, and contact an object state storage to obtain update messages specifying the objects' initial properties. The clients register the object IDs with the routing network. The routing network maintains a registry of object IDs and clients. The input source provides an update messages to the routing network containing the object ID and data for updating a property of the object. The routing network routes update messages from the input source to the clients registered for the object ID contained in the message. Upon receipt of the message, a client updates the specified property of the live object. The update messages are also provided to, and stored by, the object state storage. |
| US08505023B2 |
Method and system for analyzing a sequence relation between a plurality of jobs across a plurality of time segments
A job analyzing method includes classifying jobs in log data in accordance with a time segment to which an end time of each of the jobs belongs; generating, for first jobs included in a first time segment, first data indicating an execution sequence relation between the first jobs based on end time of the jobs, and generating, for second jobs included in a second time segment succeeding the first time segment, second data indicating an execution sequence relation between the second jobs based on end time of the second jobs; and analyzing an execution sequence relation between the first and second jobs based on the end time of the first jobs and the end time of the second jobs, and generating data indicating the execution sequence relation between the first and second jobs across the first and second time segments. |
| US08505022B2 |
Centralized planning for real-time self tuning of planned actions in a distributed environment
Automatic programming, scheduling, and control of planned activities at “worker nodes” in a distributed environment are provided by a “real-time self tuner” (RTST). The RTST provides self-tuning of controlled interoperation among an interconnected set of distributed components (i.e., worker nodes) including, for example, home appliances, security systems, lighting, sensor networks, medical electronic devices, wearable computers, robotics, industrial controls, wireless communication systems, audio nets, distributed computers, toys, games, etc. The RTST acts as a centralized “planner” that is either one of the nodes or a dedicated computing device. A set of protocols allow applications to communicate with the nodes, and allow one or more nodes to communicate with each other. Self-tuning of the interoperation and scheduling of tasks to be performed at each node uses an on-line sampling driven statistical model and predefined node “behavior patterns” to predict and manage resource requirements needed by each node for completing assigned tasks. |
| US08505021B2 |
Efficient management of computer resources
System, method, and computer-readable medium for managing removal of unused objects on a subject computer system that includes a plurality of computing resources. Current configuration and operational state information of a subject computer system are analyzed to detect a presence of unused objects on the subject computer system. An estimated degree of impact that unused objects have on the workload of at least one computing resource of the plurality of computing resources is obtained. A measure of the exigency of taking action to remove the unused objects is determined based on the estimated degree of impact and on the current degree of workload of the at least one computing resource. Instructions are generated for removing specific ones of the unused objects for which the exigency of taking action is sufficiently great. |
| US08505017B1 |
Method and system to protect multiple applications in an application server
A method for processing a first request including receiving the first request, determining a first application associated with the first request, determining a first filter instance parameter associated with the first application, instantiating a first filter instance using the first filter instance parameter, and processing the first request using the first filter instance. |
| US08505012B2 |
System and method for scheduling threads requesting immediate CPU resource in the indexed time slot
A method is described that comprises suspending a currently executing thread at a periodic time interval, calculating a next time slot during which the currently executing thread is to resume execution, appending the suspended thread to a queue of threads scheduled for execution at the calculated time slot, and updating an index value of a pointer index to a next sequential non-empty time slot, where the pointer index references time slots within an array of time slots, and where each of the plurality of time slots corresponds to a timeslice during which CPU resources are allocated to a particular thread. The method further comprises removing any contents of the indexed non-empty time slot and appending the removed contents to an array of threads requesting immediate CPU resource allocation and activating the thread at the top of the array of threads requesting immediate CPU resource allocation as a currently running thread. |
| US08505011B2 |
Method of optimizing job distribution process by analysis of transmission time and processing time
An information processing device includes an image forming device, an execution sub-job determining unit, a sub-job execution destination determining unit and an execution instructing unit. The image forming device is designated as a destination and executes at least a sub-job executed N-th as the last sub-job out of N sub-jobs in a case where a job is divided into N sub-jobs. The execution sub-job determining unit determines a sub-job other than the executed N-th sub-job within a range of the occupiable time of the image forming device in a case where there is an available capacity in the image forming device. The sub-job execution destination determining unit determines the execution destination of each sub job. The execution instructing unit instructs a calculation resource to execute the first to (i−1)-th sub-jobs and instructs the image forming device to execute the i-th to N-th sub-jobs. |
| US08505009B2 |
Managing exclusive access to system resources
Presented is a method of managing exclusive access to a resource. The method includes determining anticipated wait time, for a task to obtain exclusive access to a resource, and processing the task, depending on the anticipated wait time required to obtain exclusive access to the resource. |
| US08505008B2 |
Portable information terminal having control for executing a task via dedicated access points, and method for controlling execution of a task in a portable information terminal via dedicated access points
First, one or more tasks each representing process contents of transmission or reception of data are set. Next, an access point is searched for, and a connection to the access point is performed if the access point is found. Then, before the one or more tasks are executed via the access point, an execution control parameter, for at least one of the one or more tasks, which indicates at least one of an execution instruction, whether or not to execute the task, and an execution priority, is obtained in accordance with an access point identifier. Then, transmission or reception of data is performed via the access point by executing at least one of the one or more tasks on the basis of the execution control parameter. |
| US08505007B2 |
Method and system for instantly creating an IT environment
A method to provide instant duplication of the machine images of an IT environment. The method is implemented by a system that includes a management server to oversee all operations, a storage controller, at least one host target machine of the IT Environment and at least one simple storage disk controlled by the storage controller. The method includes configuring each host target machine to access a logical drive as its hard drive, managing by the storage controller of the information inside each logical drive and storing the information on each of the at least one disks. The method also includes implementing the storage controller of two duplication algorithms. A third algorithm is provided for choosing between the first and the second duplication algorithms for each of the at least one disk elements in the IT environment. |
| US08505002B2 |
Translation of SIMD instructions in a data processing system
A data processing system is provided having a processor and analysing circuitry for identifying a SIMD instruction associated with a first SIMD instruction set and replacing it by a functionally-equivalent scalar representation and marking that functionally-equivalent scalar representation. The marked functionally-equivalent scalar representation is dynamically translated using translation circuitry upon execution of the program to generate one or more corresponding translated instructions corresponding to a instruction set architecture different from the first SIMD architecture corresponding to the identified SIMD instruction. |
| US08504999B2 |
System and method for transferring code to a data producer
One embodiment of the present invention provides a system that selectively transfers code to a data producer in a networked system. In this system, the data producer generates data and then sends the data to a device. The device receives the data from the data producer, and then uses code on the device to perform a processing operation on the data. Next, the system analyzes characteristics of the data to determine whether performing the processing operation on the data producer can reduce resource usage. If so, the system transfers the code from the device to the data producer, and subsequently executes the code on the data producer. By executing the code on the data producer, the system can optimize resource usage in the networked system. |
| US08504998B2 |
Extracting training scenarios from test cases for user-interface component recognition
In one embodiment, a method includes accessing a set of use cases of a software application and selecting, from the set of use cases, a subset of use cases that has a goodness-to-cost ratio that satisfies a predetermined requirement. Computing the goodness-to-cost ratio for the subset of use cases includes: for each use case from the subset of use cases, computing a second cost as a sum of the first costs associated with the user actions of the use case; computing a third cost as a sum of the second costs; for each user-interface component that is acted upon by at least one of the user actions of at least one of the use cases from the subset of use cases, computing a first goodness measure that indicates a level of user-action coverage that the subset of use cases provides on the user-interface component; computing a second goodness measure as a sum of the first goodness measures; and computing the goodness-to-cost ratio as a ratio between the second goodness measure and the third cost. |
| US08504995B2 |
Process flow analysis based on processing artifacts
A plurality of reporting elements are applied to a process, which reporting elements, during operation of the process, generate processing artifacts each including a coordination identification (relative to a specific item flowing through the process), a service identification and a time stamp. Thereafter, flow of the item through the process may be analyzed based on the processing artifacts. The processing artifacts may be stored locally at each reporting element or centrally. In the presently preferred embodiment, the analysis of the flow of an item through the process includes generating an industry-standard representation of the flow based on the processing artifacts. In this manner, the present invention provides for a complete analysis of a given process, particularly business processes, through the collection of relatively simple, easily-generated processing artifacts. |
| US08504994B2 |
System and method for software diagnostics using a combination of visual and dynamic tracing
A software system is disclosed that provides remote troubleshooting and tracing of the execution of computer programs. The software system includes an information-gathering module that gathers run-time information about program execution, program interaction with the operating system and the system resources, monitors user actions and captures screen output, and passes the gathered information to an information-display module, the gathered information allowing a support technician (e.g., a software developer, a help desk person, etc.) to see the user interactions with the program and corresponding reactions of the system, and/or to remotely view environment variables, file access operations, system interactions, and user interactions that occur on the user's computer and locate failed operations that cause execution problems. |
| US08504993B2 |
Virtualization of micro-code patches for probe less debug
In some embodiments a method includes storing a micro-code patch stub in a micro-code patch memory, storing a micro-code patch corresponding to the micro-code patch stub in a system memory, in response to an event and in response to the stored micro-code patch stub, loading the stored micro-code patch from the system memory to the micro-code patch memory, and processing the micro-code patch from the micro-code patch memory. Other embodiments are described and claimed. |
| US08504992B2 |
Method and apparatus for establishing a quality of service model
In general, methods and apparatus for implementing a Quality of Service (QoS) model are disclosed. A Quality of Service (QoS) contract with an initiating network device may be satisfied. A request may be received from the initiating network device in a first time less than or equal to an ordinal number times an arrival interval. The ordinal number signifies a position of the request among a group of requests. The request that has been serviced may be returned to the initiator in a second time less than or equal to a constant term plus the ordinal number times a service interval. |
| US08504984B1 |
Modifying grammars to correct programming language statements
In general, the subject matter described in this specification can be embodied in methods, systems, and program products for selecting a first grammar rule in a programming language grammar. The grammar is used for determining a syntax validity of a programming code statement in a text editor and the first grammar rule includes a hard-to-type symbol that is syntactically correct for the programming code statement. A second grammar rule for the grammar is created. The created second grammar rule is substantially identical to the first grammar rule but the hard-to-type symbol is replaced with an easy-to-type symbol that is syntactically incorrect for the programming code statement. An action is associated with the grammar and is performed upon satisfying the second grammar rule. Performance of the second grammar rule causes the easy-to-type symbol in the programming code statement in the text editor to be replaced with the hard-to-type symbol. |
| US08504978B1 |
User interface for timing budget analysis of integrated circuit designs
In one embodiment of the invention, a method includes reading an automatically generated timing budgeting file, including timing budget information for a plurality of partitions of an integrated circuit design; graphically displaying a time budgeting debug window on a display device; and graphically displaying a timing budget analyzer window on the display device in response to selection of a selected signal path in a path list window pane. The timing budget analyzer window graphically displays timing budgets and timing delays of a selected path for visual comparison. The time budgeting debug window includes a button with a path category menu to display one or more signal paths meeting a selected path category, and a path list window pane to display a list of one or more signal paths through one or more ports of the plurality of partitions in response to the selected path category in the path category menu. |
| US08504977B1 |
Electronic device and method for generating electrical rule file for circuit board
A method of generating electrical rule file for circuit board by using an electronic device. The electronic device acquires a component file, a wiring file, a wiring group file, a first electrical rule file, and a second electrical rule file from a storage device. The electronic device integrates the component file and the wiring file to be an integrated file according to wire names, acquires group names and inserts the group names into the integrated file according to the wire names, acquires first electrical rules and inserts the first electrical rules into the integrated file according to the group names, acquires second electrical rules and inserts the second electrical rules into the integrated file according to the group names, to complete the integrated file, and saves the completed file to the storage device. |
| US08504974B1 |
Analysis of circuit designs
In one embodiment, a method is provided for analyzing a circuit design. For each sub-circuit of a plurality of sub-circuits specified in the circuit design, a logic level probability is determined for each output of the sub-circuit. The logic level probability indicates the probability that an output of the sub-circuit will have a first value in response to possible values of inputs to the sub-circuit. Each logic level probability is converted to a switching probability that indicates a probability that a switching event will occur at the respective output of the sub-circuit within a time period. The switching probability is stored in a memory. |
| US08504968B2 |
Method to determine high level power distribution and interface problems in complex integrated circuits
A computer software implemented method of automatically determining adequacy of an integrated circuit electrical power distribution and signal protection schemes, based on netlist data, which does not rely on other a-priori data. The method determines which nets are power supply nets, their connectivity to different types of power supplies. The method automatically traverses the nested block structure of the circuit, ascending and descending in block hierarchy as needed, and automatically determines (often based on an inspection of the power needs of the individual block devices) the type of power supply needed to power that block, power supply adequacy, and adequate protection of signal interfaces to other blocks. The method can present the analysis in a high level report, such as a graphical map, that can make root cause sources of power and power related signal interface problems immediately evident, and which suppresses most irrelevant details. |
| US08504963B2 |
Application-specific integrated circuit equivalents of programmable logic and associated methods
Providing ASIC equivalents of FPGAs is facilitated and made more efficient and economical by using an ASIC architecture including a plurality of so-called hybrid logic elements (“HLEs”), each of which can provide a portion of the full functionality of an FPGA logic element (“LE”). The functionality of each FPGA LE implementing a user's logic design can be mapped to one or more HLEs without re-synthesis of the user's logic. Only as many HLEs as are necessary are used to perform the functions of each LE. The one-for-one equivalence between each LE and either (1) one HLE or (2) a group of HLEs facilitates mapping (without re-synthesis) in either direction between FPGA and ASIC designs. |
| US08504958B2 |
Method and apparatus for thermal analysis
Some embodiments of the invention provide a method for performing thermal analysis of an integrated circuit (“IC”) design layout that includes numerous circuit modules. The method divides the IC design layout into a set of elements, where at least one element includes several wires. The method computes a set of conductivity groups of values for the set of elements. The method identifies a temperature distribution for the IC design layout based on the set of conductivity groups of values. In some embodiments, each of these elements corresponds to a particular portion of a particular layer of the IC design layout. Each element includes several nodes. Each conductivity group of values is defined by entry values. Each entry value describes how heat flow at a particular node of the element is affected by a temperature change at another particular node of the element. |
| US08504954B1 |
Methodology for automatically generating series-approximated components
In an embodiment, hardware implementing a transcendental or other non-linear function is based on a series expansion of the function. For example, a Taylor series expansion may be used as the basis. One or more of the initial terms of the Taylor series may be used, and may be implemented in hardware. In some embodiments, modifications to the Taylor series expansion may be used to increase the accuracy of the result. In one embodiment, a variety of bit widths for the function operands may be acceptable for use in a given implementation. A methodology for building a library of series-approximated components for use in integrated circuit design is provided which synthesizes the acceptable implementations and tests the results for accuracy. A smallest (area-wise) implementation which produces a desired level of accuracy may be selected as the library element. |
| US08504946B2 |
Portable device, method, and graphical user interface for automatically scrolling to display the top of an electronic document
A computer-implemented method for use in conjunction with a computing device with a touch screen display comprises displaying a portion of a web page in a web browser application without concurrently displaying a Uniform Resource Locator (URL) entry area for inputting URLs of web pages. A gesture is detected in a predefined area at the top of the touch screen display. In response to detecting the gesture in the predefined area at the top of the touch screen display, the URL entry area is displayed. |
| US08504945B2 |
Method and system for associating content with map zoom function
Various methods, systems and apparatus for displaying content associated with a point-of-interest (“POI”) in a digital mapping system, or a region within the digital map, are disclosed. One such method may include detecting a change in the zoom level of an electronic map displayed on a computing device, determining if the new zoom-level is at a pre-determined zoom level (e.g. at maximum zoom), identifying a POI on the map, retrieving content associated with the POI (“POI content”) and displaying the POI content. The method may further include detecting a change in the zoom, or pan, of the digital map while POI content is displayed, and removing the POI content in response. |
| US08504943B2 |
Displaying group icons representing respective groups of nodes
Information is displayed regarding an arrangement of nodes coupled by a communications network. The nodes are associated with corresponding characteristics. Plural groups of the nodes are defined based on the characteristics associated with the nodes. Group icons representing the respective groups of nodes are displayed. |
| US08504940B1 |
Smooth hardware accelerated scrolling
Disclosed herein are methods and systems for displaying animated objects smoothly on a mobile device. A scrollable list may be displayed on a touch sensitive display device, and a user may make a gesture on the device to cause the list to appear as an animated scrolling list. The user may then make a halting gesture to cause the list to stop. While the list is animated, a screen distance adjustment value is calculated to determine the time taken for a command to be executed by a graphics processing unit. The list may then stop at a location corresponding to the a current position of the list and taking into account the screen distance adjustment value. |
| US08504937B2 |
Computer interface having a single window mode of operation
A computer-human interface manages the available space of a computer display in a manner which reduces clutter and confusion caused by multiple open windows. The interface includes a user-selectable mode of operation in which only those windows associated with the currently active task are displayed on the computer monitor. All other windows relating to non-active tasks are minimized by reducing them in size or replacing them with a representative symbol, such as an icon, so that they occupy a minimal amount of space on the monitor's screen. When a user switches from the current task to a new task, by selecting a minimized window, the windows associated with the current task are automatically minimized as the window pertaining to the new task is displayed at its normal size. As a result, the user is only presented with the window that relates to the current task of interest, and clutter provided by non-active tasks is removed. |
| US08504935B2 |
Quick-access menu for mobile device
A computing device displays a multi-button menu icon and a group of application icons associated with one of the buttons of the multi-button menu icon. User input is received to activate the multi-button menu icon and to identify a first button of the multi-button menu icon associated with a location of the user input. A group of application icons, associated with the identified first button of the multi-button menu icon, is displayed. A second button of the multi-button menu icon is identified based on a changed location of the user input, and a different group of application icons associated with the identified second button are displayed. The multi-button menu icon is deactivated upon removal of the user input, allowing one of the application icons to be selected with a second user input. |
| US08504933B2 |
Translating overlapping states into representative states
A computer application program can comprise multiple overlapping states associated with functionality or components of the application program. Simultaneous output of all such states can be impractical. Representative states can be defined in terms of the statuses of individual states relevant to a particular representative state. Additionally, representative states can be ranked, where multiple representative states that share the same ranking can overlap with each other, but not with other representative states. To avoid transitioning between states too quickly, and presenting output for too short a time, hysteresis mechanisms can be applied in the form of a set delay, a reset delay or a combination thereof. The duration of the set and reset delay can be established independently of each other and independently for each state. The output can be in accordance with the representative state associated with the current statuses of individual states, accounting for selected hysteresis mechanisms. |
| US08504927B2 |
E-mail processing apparatus, e-mail processing method and recording medium
An e-mail processing apparatus, comprising: a communication part that receives e-mails; an accumulator that accumulates the e-mails received via the communication part; a display; and a controller that makes the display display in tree structure, cross relationships between the accumulated e-mails, based on past data of the accumulated e-mails. |
| US08504924B2 |
Method and system for providing social network service interlocking with phone book of portable terminal
A method and system of providing a Social Network Service (SNS) interlocking with a phone book of a portable terminal are provided. The method includes searching for an item that corresponds to subscriber information of the SNS, extracting information that corresponds to the searched item from the phone book of the portable terminal, converting the information into a specified data format, transmitting the information to an SNS server, searching for values that coincide with the received information converted into the specified data format, converting the searched values and corresponding SNS IDs into the specified data format, and transmitting the converted values and the corresponding SNS IDs to the portable terminal. |
| US08504923B2 |
System and method of skinning themes
A method and media engine for rendering a graphical interface on a device is disclosed. A skinning theme document describing rendering characteristics of the graphical interface is parsed. The document comprising at least one data element representing data generated by an application and at least one custom event representing events generated by the application. The parsed information is stored in a template including at least one named data element and at least one custom event describing the graphical interface using a markup language. Updated data element or custom event information is received from an application through an interaction interface. The template is updated with the received updated data element or custom event information. The template is rendered as the graphical interface wherein the graphical user interface presents one or more data elements from each application is rendered. |
| US08504918B2 |
Identification of video segments
Video content, such as broadcast television, may be divided into segments, and each segment may be assigned a distinguishing Uniform Resource Locator (URL). The URL assigned to a segment allows a user to access the segment via the Internet. For example, a television news program may be broken into segments (e.g., each interview on the program might constitute a segment). For each segment, a code may be assigned, and may be appended to the broadcaster's domain name to create a distinct URL for the segment. While the segment is being broadcast, the URL may be displayed with the segment, thereby allowing a viewer to identify the segment and to locate an Internet version of the segment. Entering the URL into a browser may access an Internet version of the broadcast segment to which the URL pertains. |
| US08504916B2 |
Managing presentation and storing of multi-language fonts
Methods and structures for improved font management providing for selection of one or more subsets of a selected typeface font in a font management program. A user is presented with information identifying one or more subsets of related code points in a selected typeface in a font management program. By selecting one or more subsets from the presented information, the user may reduce wasted presentation or management of code points in the typeface that are not presently of interest to the user. For example, when managing a Unicode typeface, a user may be prompted to select one or more language subsets prior to printing/displaying a matrix of the glyphs of the selected typeface. The presentation of glyphs or other code point information may then be limited to only the selected one or more subsets. |
| US08504905B1 |
Audience segment selection
A user interface for selecting an audience segment from a pool of tracked entities based on an aggregate similarity of the audience segment to an archetypical audience. A graphical representation illustrating a relationship between a composite index for the audience segment and an audience segment size are displayed to the user. User input indicating the archetypical audience and the audience segment is received by a system and the audience segment is assembled. The composite index and the audience segment size associated with the audience segment, are determined and displayed. |
| US08504903B2 |
Data error check circuit, data error check method, data transmission method using data error check function, semiconductor memory apparatus and memory system using data error check function
Various embodiments of a memory system are disclosed. In one exemplary embodiment, the memory system may include a semiconductor memory apparatus configured to generate error check signals in a column direction and a row direction of data groups to be transmitted through a plurality of data input/output terminals in a read operation and output the error check signals together with the data groups, and a memory controller configured to control data read/write operations of the semiconductor memory apparatus, generate error check signals by performing error check in a column direction and a row direction of data groups to be transmitted in a write operation, and provide the error check signals to the semiconductor memory apparatus together with the data groups. |
| US08504901B2 |
Apparatus, method, and computer program product for detecting embedded information
A control unit extracts partial information containing embedded information from a partial area of a content, and controls decoding of the embedded information. A decoding unit performs a decoding process of decoding a plurality of code words contained in the embedded information from the partial information. When the decoding process is successfully performed, the decoding unit notifies the control unit of completion of the decoding process so that each of the control unit and the decoding unit perform a parallel processing in an asynchronous manner. The control unit repeatedly extracts the partial information and sends extracted partial information to the decoding unit until the decoding process is successfully performed. |
| US08504899B2 |
Data transfer method and information processing apparatus
A data transfer method transfers data encoded with a loss correction code by using a protocol having no error correction function. The method includes acquiring a data size of transfer target data; acquiring a relationship between a code length of the loss correction code and a transfer time for the acquired data size of the transfer target data; determining an optimum code length of the loss correction code for encoding the transfer target data based on the acquired relationship between the code length and the transfer time for the acquired data size; and encoding the target data with the loss correction code having the optimum code length. |
| US08504897B2 |
Memory controller
A memory controller carries out error detection on a wide range of area of a memory cell array, which includes not only readout addresses but also non-readout addresses. Thus, by carrying out error detection at an address at which an error occurs without accessing the address for readout, it is possible to detect occurrence of an error at the address. Accordingly, it is possible to prevent a “read disturb phenomenon” in which repetition of access to a readout address for readout may probably cause an error at a non-readout address other than the readout address. |
| US08504895B2 |
Using damping factors to overcome LDPC trapping sets
To decode a representation, imported from a channel, of a codeword that encodes K information bits as N>K codeword bits, estimates of the codeword bits are updated by exchanging messages between N bit nodes and N−K check nodes of a graph in a plurality of iterations. In each of one or more of the iterations, some or all values associated with the bit nodes, and/or some or all values associated with check nodes, and/or some or all messages are modified in a manner that depends explicitly on the ordinality of the iteration and is independent of any other iteration. Alternatively, the modifications are according to respective locally heteromorphic rules. |
| US08504894B1 |
Systematic encoding for non-full row rank, quasi-cyclic LDPC parity check matrices
Encoding is performed by putting a low-density parity-check (LDPC) generator matrix into partial quasi-cyclic form comprising an identity matrix, a parity generator matrix, a zero matrix and a remainder matrix. The parity generator matrix is quasi-cyclic and the remainder matrix is not quasi-cyclic. An encoder is used to generate LDPC encoded data using the parity generator matrix and without using the remainder matrix. |
| US08504893B1 |
Error detection or correction of a portion of a codeword in a memory device
Example embodiments described herein may relate error detection and correction on a portion of a codeword in a memory device. |
| US08504892B2 |
LDPC decoder and method for LDPC decoding based on layered algorithm applied to parity check matrix
A low density parity check decoder for performing LDPC decoding based on a layered algorithm applied to a parity check matrix, the decoder including a channel memory, a metrics memory, first and second operand supply paths each arranged to provide operands based on channel values and metrics values; a processor block including a plurality processing units in parallel and arranged to receive operands from the first supply path and to determine updated metric values, a buffer arranged to store at least one of the operands from the first supply path; and an adder coupled to an output of the processor block and arranged to generate updated channel values by adding the updated metrics values to operands from a selected one of the buffer and the second supply path. |
| US08504891B2 |
Apparatus, systems and methods including nonbinary low density parity check coding for enhanced multicarrier underwater acoustic communications
Advantageous underwater acoustic (UWA) apparatus, systems and methods are provided according to the present disclosure. The apparatus, systems and methods employ nonbinary low density parity check (LDPC) codes that achieve excellent performance and match well with the underlying modulation. The nonbinary LDPC codes of the proposed apparatus, systems and methods are formed, at least in part, from a generator matrix that has a high density to reduce the peak-to-average-power ratio (PAPR) with minimal overhead. The disclosed apparatus, systems and methods employ nonbinary regular LDPC cycle codes if the constellation is large and nonbinary irregular LDPC codes if the constellation is small or moderate. The nonbinary irregular and regular LDPC codes enable: i) parallel processing in linear-time encoding; ii) parallel processing in sequential belief propagation decoding; and iii) considerable resource reduction on the code storage for encoding and decoding. |
| US08504888B2 |
Communication devices and methods with online parameter change
Methods and devices are provided where when an online parameter change is requested a data transfer unit is stopped, a parameter change is communicated and the data transfer unit is started with changed parameters to generate new data transfer units. |
| US08504885B2 |
Methods and apparatus for approximating a probability density function or distribution for a received value in communication or storage systems
Methods and apparatus are provided for approximating a probability density function or distribution for a received value in communication or storage systems. A target distribution is approximated for a received value in one or more of a communication system and a memory device, by substantially minimizing a squared error between the target distribution of the received values and a second distribution obtained by mapping a predefined distribution, such as a Gaussian distribution, through a mapping function, wherein the second distribution has an associated set of parameters. The mapping function can be, for example, a piecewise linear function. The second distribution has a plurality of segments and each of the segments has an associated set of parameters. The associated set of parameters can be used to compute probability values, soft data values or log likelihood ratios. |
| US08504884B2 |
Threshold voltage techniques for detecting an imminent read failure in a memory array
A technique for detecting an imminent read failure in a memory array includes determining whether a memory array, which does not exhibit an uncorrectable error correcting code (ECC) read during an initial array integrity check at a normal read verify voltage level, exhibits an uncorrectable ECC read during a subsequent array integrity check at a margin read verify voltage level. The technique also includes providing an indication of an imminent read failure for the memory array when the memory array exhibits an uncorrectable ECC read during the subsequent array integrity check. In this case, the margin read verify voltage level is different from the normal read verify voltage level. |
| US08504880B2 |
Mechanism for facilitating efficient error handling in a network environment
In accordance with embodiments, there are provided methods and systems for facilitating efficient error handling in a network environment. A method of embodiments includes receiving a validation request having configuration parameters of error dialogs relating to errors, and validating the configuration parameters and the errors. The validating includes mapping each error with a corresponding dialog. The method further includes transmitting a validating report having results of validation of the configuration parameters and the errors. The validation report is used to assign an order to each error and its corresponding dialog. |
| US08504879B2 |
Connection based anomaly detection
A system for detecting network intrusions and other conditions in a network is described. The system includes a plurality of collector devices that are disposed to collect data and statistical information on packets that are sent between nodes on a network. An aggregator device is disposed to receive data and statistical information from the plurality of collector devices. The aggregator device produces a connection table that maps each node on the network to a record that stores information about traffic to or from the node. The aggregator runs processes that determine network events from aggregating of anomalies into network events. |
| US08504877B2 |
Method and system for platform independent fault management
A method for fault management. The method includes generating, in firmware of a computer system, a physical resource inventory (PRI) of a plurality of hardware components of the computer system, wherein the PRI defines a hierarchy of the hardware components. The method further includes traversing, by an enumerator executing in a fault manager, the PRI to generate a topology of the plurality of hardware components. The topology is used for fault management of the computer system. |
| US08504876B2 |
Anomaly detection for database systems
Methods, systems and computer program products for detecting anomalies for a database system are provided. A method may include extracting workload features from a query optimizer based on a query workload and generating feature models for the extracted workload features. The method may also include extracting instance features from the query optimizer based on a query instance. Instance feature values may be obtained. The method may further include applying a query instance to the workload feature models to produce a prediction value for each workload feature. Anomalies may be reported based on a comparison of each instance feature value with a corresponding prediction value. A system for detecting anomalies for a database system may include a query optimizer, a feature modeler and an anomaly detector. |
| US08504871B2 |
Safety output device
A safety output includes an output controller to make an instruction to output normal output data and first self-diagnosis pattern data synchronously with a control cycle, a normal output unit to output the normal output data synchronously with the control cycle, a test pattern generating unit to encode the self-diagnosis pattern data into a pulse train signal having a pulse width not larger than a preset value and output the pulse train signal in accordance with a baseband transmission system, a combination output unit to combine the pulse train signal with the normal output signal and output the resultant signal, a reconfiguration unit to decode the inputted operation-terminal-portion output signal to reconfigure the operation-terminal-portion output signal as second self-diagnosis pattern data, and a comparator to compare the first self-diagnosis pattern data with the second self-diagnosis pattern data to judge the presence or absence of a difference. |
| US08504869B2 |
Kernel swapping systems and methods for recovering a network device
In certain embodiments, a method is disclosed for recovering a failed client device in a network. The method includes booting a failed one of a plurality of client devices in the network with a generic image having a generic kernel usable with each of the plurality of client devices. The method further includes downloading, using said generic kernel, from at least one backup server an abbreviated kernel uniquely associated with the failed client device, the abbreviated kernel comprising substantially less data than an original kernel of the failed client device immediately prior to failure of the failed client device, the abbreviated kernel comprising a boot kernel image and at least one device driver. The method includes swapping the abbreviated kernel with the generic kernel; restoring, using said abbreviated kernel, remaining backup data from the at least one backup server to the failed client device; and rebooting the failed client device. |
| US08504866B2 |
Supplying hysteresis effect mitigated clock signals based on silicon-test characterized parameter
Embodiments of systems and methods are described for reducing the effects of hysteresis in the operation of data processing circuitry. In this embodiment of the invention, adaptive control circuitry is used to reduce the effects of hysteresis. The embodiment disclosed herein provides significant reduction in the effects of hysteresis and, therefore, a significant reduction in the amount of guard band needed to compensate for hysteresis effects in SOI processes and thereby improving the performance/power characteristics of the circuit. |
| US08504864B2 |
Data sensor coordination using time synchronization in a multi-bus controller area network system
A method is provided for synchronizing time in an unsynchronized vehicle controller area network system. A master control unit receives a global time from a time synchronization source. The master control unit estimates a respective time delay in transmitting messages by electronic control units on each controller area network bus. The time delay is a difference between a time when a message is generated by a respective electronic control unit for transmission on a respective controller area network bus and a time when the message is transmitted on the respective controller area network bus. The global time is adjusted for each respective controller area network bus based on the estimated time delays associated with each respective controller area network bus. Global time messages from the master control unit are transmitted to each electronic control unit that include the adjusted global times for an associated controller area network bus. |
| US08504861B2 |
Data processing system having power capping function in response to output state of power supply module
A data processing system includes a plurality of power supply modules each having a comparing unit for comparing an output-current value supplied to a computer with a threshold value, the plurality of power supply modules continue the comparison when the output-current value is equal to or less than the threshold value and outputs an output-current excess signal to a plurality of server blades when the output-current value is equal to or greater than the threshold value, and the plurality of server blades control respectively power consumptions of the server blades to make a power consumption value of the server blades to an equal to or less than a predetermined value on a power source non-redundancy. |
| US08504856B2 |
Communication apparatus with power saving
A communication apparatus that is to be connected to a network includes: a first processing unit configured to transition between a sleep state and a non-sleep state and configured to process a packet received via the network when the first processing unit is in the non-sleep state; and a second processing unit configured to process a packet when the first processing unit is in the sleep state, wherein the second processing unit is capable of executing packet-processing for sequentially processing of unprocessed packets, wherein the second processing unit includes a detecting section that detects a reception of the unprocessed packet, wherein, when the first processing unit is in the sleep state and the reception of the unprocessed packet is detected, the second processing unit starts the packet-processing, and wherein, the second processing unit terminates the packet-processing if a continuous packet-processing period exceeds an allowable time period. |
| US08504853B2 |
Method, apparatus, and computer program product for cable detection and power negotiation
Method, apparatus, and computer program product embodiments of the invention are disclosed for negotiation protocols for power delivery from a first device to a connected second device. In example embodiments of the invention, a method comprises: determining whether a connector includes a cable indication that indicates its cable is capable of conducting an elevated power level above a level of a legacy cable; transmitting an offer to a device connected by the cable, to provide one or more supported power capabilities above the level of a legacy cable, if the cable indication is determined to indicate that the cable is capable of conducting an elevated power level above the level of a legacy cable; and transmitting an offer to a device connected by the cable, to provide the power level of a legacy cable, if the cable indication is determined to indicate that the cable is not capable of conducting an elevated power level above the level of a legacy cable. |
| US08504852B2 |
Battery powered device with dynamic power and performance management
A computing device operates over a range of voltages and frequencies and over a range of processor usage levels. The computing device includes at least a variable frequency generator, a variable voltage power supply and voltage supply level and clocking frequency management circuitry. The variable frequency generator is coupled to the processor and delivers a clock signal to the processor. The variable voltage power supply is coupled to the processor and delivers voltage to the processor. The voltage supply level and clocking frequency management circuitry adjust both the voltage provided by the variable voltage power supply and the frequency of the signal provided by the variable frequency generator. The computing device includes a temperature sensor that provides signals indicative of the temperature of the processor and the voltage supply level and clocking frequency management circuitry adjusts the voltage and/or the clocking frequency provided by the variable voltage power supply. The computing device may also include a fan controlled by the voltage supply level and clocking frequency management circuitry, the fan adjusting the temperature of the processor when activated. In cold weather applications, the computing device may further include a heater controlled by the voltage supply level and clocking frequency management circuitry that raises the temperature of the processor when activated. |
| US08504844B2 |
System, method, and computer-readable medium for cryptographic key rotation in a database system
A system, method, and computer-readable medium that facilitate key rotation without disrupting database access are provided. Generation identifiers that specify a particular encryption key are stored in association with cipher text of encrypted columns in database tables. When data is to be read from an encrypted column, the cipher text is read along with the associated generation identifier. An encryption key corresponding to the generation identifier is then read to decrypt the cipher text. When data is to be written to the encrypted column, a most recent encryption key is retrieved from the key repository to encrypt the data. The cipher text is then written to the encrypted column in association with the generation identifier of the key used to encrypt the data. Advantageously, the key rotation may be performed without requiring that the table or database to be taken offline or otherwise unavailable during key rotation. |
| US08504843B2 |
Process and apparatus for automatically identifying user of consumer electronics
A user of a device may be uniquely identified using a metric that is contingent upon the user using the device for its intended purpose without the user having to perform a separate step, function, or operation for the express purpose of identifying the user. Context sensitive content may be provided to or from the device based on the user's patterns of use of the device without requiring the user's personal information. The context sensitive content depends on the user's identity. |
| US08504842B1 |
Alternative unlocking patterns
Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on computer storage media, for receiving, by a computing system that is locked, input from a user that provides an unlocking pattern. During entry of the unlocking pattern, a display of the computing system does not provide a visual indication of an action that will be performed upon the user completing the unlocking pattern. The computing system compares the provided unlocking pattern to a plurality of stored unlocking patterns to determine whether the provided unlocking pattern matches any of the stored unlocking patterns. The stored unlocking patterns are associated with respective actions that are performed upon completion of the respective unlocking patterns. The unlocking patterns are associated with a same level of unlocked security access to the computing system. The computing system responds by unlocking the computing system and performing the action that is associated with the matching unlocking pattern. |
| US08504841B1 |
Systems and methods for software application security management
Apparatus and method for managing password information associated with a service account are disclosed. In some embodiments, a service account management system is configured to include a security account utility and a password information data store. In some embodiments, a security account utility is used when registering, tracking, and adjusting password change information. In some embodiments, notification of a password change date is transmitted to a service account owner and a security auditor for enforcement. Use of a security account management system with a middleware application is also disclosed. |
| US08504839B2 |
Method, apparatus, and device for protecting against programming attacks and/or data corruption
The method and accompanying apparatus and device protects against programming attacks and/or data corruption by computer viruses, malicious code, or other types of corruption. In one example, signature verification policy information that identifies a plurality of policies associated with a plurality of target memory segments is programmed during a secure boot process. The programmed signature verification policy information associated with each of the plurality of target memory segments is then evaluated during run-time. Signature verification is then repeatedly performed, during run-time, on each of the plurality of target memory segments based on the programmed signature verification policy information associated with each target memory segment. |
| US08504836B2 |
Secure and efficient domain key distribution for device registration
A domain key is securely distributed from a device in an existing network to a device outside the network. Each device generates the session key on its own using the first random number, the second random number, the Personal Identification Number, and the same key generation function. The device in the existing network sends the domain key encrypted with the session key to the other device. |
| US08504833B2 |
Relay device, wireless communications device, network system, program storage medium, and method
A relay device first uses latest authentication data to determine whether request-authentication data transmitted from a wireless communications device is valid. If the latest authentication data is used to determine that the request-authentication data is valid, the relay device carries out relayed communications with the wireless communications device. If the latest authentication data is used to determine that the request-authentication data is invalid, the relay device next uses a former authentication data to determine whether the request-authentication data is valid. If the former authentication data is used to determine that the request-authentication data is valid, the relay device provides the wireless communications device with the latest authentication data to update authentication data in the wireless communications device. |
| US08504832B2 |
Mobile terminal for sharing resources, method of sharing resources within mobile terminal and method of sharing resources between web server and terminal
Provided are a mobile terminal for sharing resources, a method of sharing resources within a mobile terminal and a method of sharing resources between a web server and a terminal. The mobile terminal for sharing resources includes a web browser using a web standard protocol to display a first random value, an authentication number, and a Distinguished Name (DN) of web server transferred from the web server after it has been determined that there is no key information in a cookie; and a resource when the first random value and the DN are received from the web browser, being terminated after storing the first random value and the DN, and when the resource is re-executed and the authentication number is input by a user, verifying the first random value, generating a second random value and a shared key from the first random value and generating a symmetric key using a part of the shared key, wherein the shared key is generated from the second random value based on the symmetric key, and the symmetric key is identical to a symmetric key of the web server generated from a part of the symmetric key, and the web browser and the resources are operated by an execution unit. |
| US08504828B2 |
Surface profile tracing of a document
A method for providing an indication of authenticity of an electronic image of a document comprises generating a signal corresponding to a profile of at least one of a number of surfaces of the document, converting the signal into a profile signature, and correlating the profile signature with the electronic image of the document. A method for authenticating an electronic image of a document comprises receiving the electronic image of the document and a profile tracing signature of a surface of the document that is associated with the electronic image, and comparing the profile tracing signature with an exemplar profile tracing signature associated with the document. A document processing system comprises a pickup, a signal processing circuit, and a scanning module and is used for producing a profile tracing signature and electronic image of a document and for correlating the profile tracing signature with the electronic image. |
| US08504826B2 |
Client and host validation based on hash of key and validation of encrypted data
A data security protection method generates dynamic encryption keys and dynamic decryption keys for a host and a client during data transmission between the host and the client. The host stores a host initial key K0, and determines a host key Kn using a one-way hash function based on the host initial key K0. The client stores a client initial key K′0, and determines a client key K′n using the one-way hash function based on the client initial key K′0. Original data Rn is encrypted as encrypted data Xn using the host key Kn before being sent to the client. The client decrypts the encrypted data Xn using the client key K′n, to obtain the original data Rn. |
| US08504825B2 |
System and method for providing searchable data transport stream encryption
A packetized transport stream for protecting viewing content from unauthorized access and methods for manufacturing and using same. The transport stream includes a plurality of content frames, each having a frame header and a frame payload. Each frame header includes information for handling the content frame; whereas, the frame payload includes selected viewing content for which protection from unauthorized access is desirable. By encrypting only the frame payload, the header remains unencrypted and can be applied to prepare the encrypted frame payload for presentation. The viewing content thereby can be stored in an encrypted format and can be decrypted on-the-fly as the viewing content is needed for presentation. The combination of the unencrypted frame header and the encrypted frame payload advantageously enables the viewing content to be protected against unauthorized use, copying, and dissemination without impairing the presentation of the viewing content. |
| US08504824B1 |
One-time rotating key for third-party authentication
Systems, methods, and computer program products are provided for secure authentication of third-parties accessing a network system (e.g., a website or the like) through an intermediary entity (i.e., a trusted caller). A session token having a predetermined time-out period (i.e., an expiration time) is implemented in conjunction with a rotating key that is generated for each request and response pair associated with each call/interaction between the third-party entity and the network system. In this regard, the third-party entity must authenticate themselves each time they interact (i.e., call-in) into the network system by presenting the assigned session token and rotating key communicated in response to the previous interaction. As such hijacking of the third-party's network session with the network system is prevented by implementing tokens that expire, in unison with, encrypted rotating keys that are valid only until the next third-party call-in/interaction with the network entity. |
| US08504822B2 |
Transparent proxy of encrypted sessions
In one embodiment, a proxy device located between a first device and a second device intercepts a security session request for a security session between the first device and the second device. The proxy device obtains security information from the first device that includes at least a subject name of the first device. The proxy device creates a dynamic certificate using the subject name of the first device and a trusted proxy certificate of the proxy device. The proxy device establishes a security session between the proxy device and the second device using the dynamic certificate. Further, the proxy device establishes a security session between the first device and the proxy device using the trusted proxy certificate of the proxy device. The two security sessions collectively operate as a security session between the first device and the second device. |
| US08504819B2 |
Wireless LAN relay device, wireless communication system, and method for controlling wireless LAN relay device
A wireless LAN relay device connecting an outer device to a network includes a communication section for controlling wired communication and wireless communication performed between the wireless LAN relay device and the outer device using a packet. The communication section performs, in an initial state, wireless communication without encrypting the packet, and encrypts, upon reception of a setting instruction from the outer device, the packet by using a predetermined encryption key and a predetermined encryption method which are preliminarily defined in the wireless LAN relay device. |
| US08504809B2 |
Automated communication configuration
A method for use at a user device of a communications network include utilizing a configuration file obtained from a remote device to configure a communication of an application executed at the user device without requiring user input, the configuration file including logic applied by the application to identify, from a plurality of data bearers available to the user device, a select data bearer for use in conducting the communication based on one or more parameters representative of the current operational context of the user device. The user device includes a storage module to store a configuration file obtained from a remote device and a processing module to execute an application, wherein during execution the application is to utilize logic of configuration file to identify, from a plurality of data bearers available to the user device, a select data bearer for use in conducting a communication of the application. |
| US08504807B2 |
Rotate instructions that complete execution without reading carry flag
A method of one aspect may include receiving a rotate instruction. The rotate instruction may indicate a source operand and a rotate amount. A result may be stored in a destination operand indicated by the rotate instruction. The result may have the source operand rotated by the rotate amount. Execution of the rotate instruction may complete without reading a carry flag. |
| US08504806B2 |
Instruction for comparing active vector elements to preceding active elements to determine value differences
The described embodiments include a processor that executes a ValueCheck instruction. In the described embodiments, the processor receives an input vector and a predicate vector, each including N elements. The processor then executes a ValueCheck instruction, which causes the processor to generate a result vector. When generating the result vector, for each element in a set of elements in the input vector for which a corresponding element of the predicate vector is active, the processor determines if at least one of the elements in the set of elements precedes the element in the input vector and contains a different value than the element in the input vector. If so, the processor writes an identifier for a closest preceding active element that contains the different value into a corresponding element of a result vector. Otherwise, the processor writes a zero in the corresponding element of the result vector. |
| US08504804B2 |
Managing multiple threads in a single pipeline
In one embodiment, the present invention includes a method for determining if an instruction of a first thread dispatched from a first queue associated with the first thread is stalled in a pipestage of a pipeline, and if so, dispatching an instruction of a second thread from a second queue associated with the second thread to the pipeline if the second thread is not stalled. Other embodiments are described and claimed. |
| US08504801B2 |
Semiconductor device and data processing system selectively operating as one of a big endian or little endian system
A semiconductor device correctly switches endian modes regardless of the current endian mode of an interface. The semiconductor device includes a switching circuit and a first register. The switching circuit switches an interface tote used in big endian or little endian mode. The first register holds control data of the switching circuit. The switching circuit sets the interface in little endian mode when first predetermined control information is supplied to the first register, and sets the interface in big endian mode when second predetermined control information is supplied to the first register. The control information can be correctly inputted without being influenced by the endian setting status. |
| US08504800B2 |
Self-similar processing network
Self-similar processing by unit processing cells may together solve a problem. A unit processing cell may include a processor, a memory and a plurality of Input/Output (IO) channels coupled to the processor. The memory may include a dictionary having one or more instructions that configure the processor to perform at least one function. The plurality of IO channels may be used to communicably couple the unit processing cell with a plurality of other unit processing cells each including their own respective dictionary. The unit processing cell and the plurality of other unit processing cells may be independent of one another and may perform together without a centralized control. The processor may update the dictionary so that the unit processing cell builds a different dictionary from the plurality of other unit processing cells, thereby being self-similar to the plurality of other unit processing cells. |
| US08504787B1 |
Techniques for determining data protection storage requirements
Described are techniques for determining storage requirements for data protection. An initial size of a data protection area is determined. The data protection area provides storage for data obtained as a result of performing a data protection process for a first data area. The initial size is determined as a mathematical product of a first size of the first data area for which data protection is performed, a retention time, and a rate of change. Monitoring for an occurrence of one of a plurality of trigger events is performed. In response to an occurrence of one of the plurality of trigger events, it is determined whether an adjustment to a current size of the data protection area is needed. |
| US08504786B2 |
Method and apparatus for backing up storage system data
A method for backing up data of a storage system, where at least two mirroring channels are provided between a first mainboard and a second mainboard of a storage system, and the method includes: transmitting data through at least one effective mirroring channel if all the mirroring channels are effective; and transmitting the data through remaining mirroring channel(s) if at least one of the mirroring channels for transmitting the data fails. The method enables traffic to be transmitted evenly on normal mirroring channels, and ensures maximized utilization of the bandwidth of mirroring channels. |
| US08504780B2 |
Computer, computer system, and data communication method
A computer includes first and second processors, first and second I/O devices, a shared memory, and an interrupt controller. The first processor issues a control command for causing the first I/O device to read target data from the first apparatus and store the target data in the shared memory. The first I/O device reads the target data from the first apparatus and, transfers the target data to the shared memory, and generates an I/O complete interrupt. The interrupt controller delivers the generated I/O complete interrupt to the second processor. When the second processor receives the I/O complete interrupt, the second processor issues a control command for causing the second I/O device to read the target data from the shared memory and send the target data to the second apparatus. The second I/O device reads the target data from the shared memory and sends the target data to the second apparatus. |
| US08504778B2 |
Multi-core active memory processor system
In general, the present invention relates to data cache processing. Specifically, the present invention relates to a system that provides reconfigurable dynamic cache which varies the operation strategy of cache memory based on the demand from the applications originating from different external general processor cores, along with functions of a virtualized hybrid core system. The system includes receiving a data request, selecting an operational mode based on the data request and a predefined selection algorithm, and processing the data request based on the selected operational mode. The system is further configured to delegate computational or memory resource needs to a plurality of sub-processing cores for processing to satisfy application demands. |
| US08504774B2 |
Dynamic cache configuration using separate read and write caches
Data from storage devices is stored in a read cache, having a read cache size, and a write cache, having a write cache size. The read cache and the write cache are separate caches. Cache configuration of the read cache and the write cache are automatically and dynamically adjusted based, at least in part, upon cache performance parameters. Cache performance parameters include one or more of preference scores, frequency of read and write operations, read and write performance of a storage device, localization information, and contiguous read and write performance. Dynamic cache configuration includes one or more of adjusting read cache size and/or write cache size and adjusting read cache block size and/or write cache block size. |
| US08504773B1 |
Storing dynamically sized buffers within a cache
A system and method for buffering intermediate data in a processing pipeline architecture stores the intermediate data in a shared cache that is coupled between one or more pipeline processing units and an external memory. The shared cache provides storage that is used by multiple pipeline processing units. The storage capacity of the shared cache is dynamically allocated to the different pipeline processing units as needed, to avoid stalling the upstream units, thereby improving overall system throughput. |
| US08504772B2 |
Method and apparatus for wireless digital content management
A memory card to be used in an apparatus having an inbuilt processor incapable of independently exporting digital data externally of the apparatus, the digital data being captured by the apparatus, the memory card comprising a central processor configured to control the export of data from the apparatus, a storage module operably connected to the central processor and being configured to store the data to be exported, and a wireless module configured to export the digital data from the storage module and being operably connected to one of: the central processor, and the memory. A corresponding method is also disclosed. |
| US08504765B2 |
Method of improving efficiency of capacity of volume used for copy function and apparatus thereof
Provided is a computer system including: a host computer; a first storage system connected to the host computer; and a second storage system connected to the first storage system; in which the first storage system sets a first logical volume recognized by the host computer as a logical storage area; the first logical volume includes a plurality of first storage areas; a first real storage area on the first disk drive is allocated to at least one of the first storage areas. In the computer system, the second storage system sets a second logical volume corresponding to the first logical volume, and the first storage system transmits data stored in the first storage area allocated to the first storage area to the second storage system when the first real storage area is allocated to the first storage area. |
| US08504760B2 |
Method and apparatus for managing erase count of memory device
A non-volatile memory device having a hidden cell located separate from data storage cells, and a method of effectively managing an erase count of the non-volatile memory device. The method includes preparing the non-volatile memory device that includes a hidden cell located separate from data storage cells and is not accessible to users of the data storage cells, and increasing an erase count stored in an erase count storing region of the hidden cell corresponding to at least one erased data storage cell when the at least one data storage cell is erased. |
| US08504758B1 |
System and method for logical deletion of stored data objects
Systems and methods for providing object versioning in a storage system may support the logical deletion of stored objects. In response to a delete operation specifying both a user key and a version identifier, the storage system may permanently delete the specified version of an object having the specified key. In response to a delete operation specifying a user key, but not a version identifier, the storage system may create a delete marker object that does not contain object data, and may generate a new version identifier for the delete marker. The delete marker may be stored as the latest object version of the user key, and may be addressable in the storage system using a composite key comprising the user key and the new version identifier. Subsequent attempts to retrieve the user key without specifying a version identifier may return an error, although the object was not actually deleted. |
| US08504757B1 |
Method for translating virtual storage device addresses to physical storage device addresses in a proprietary virtualization hypervisor
A method to translate virtual storage device addresses to physical storage device addresses without the cooperation of the proprietary virtualization hypervisor is disclosed herein. The method of the present invention allows additional functionality to be added to the I/O processing of a closed/proprietary virtualization hypervisor by third party software or physical storage devices on the basis of individual virtual storage devices. |
| US08504750B1 |
System and method to process event reporting in an adapter
Method and system for an adapter is provided. The adapter includes a plurality of function hierarchies, with each function hierarchy including a plural functions and each function being associated with an event. The adapter also includes a plurality of processors for processing one or more events generated by the plurality of functions. The adapter further includes a first set of arbitration modules, where each arbitration module is associated with a function hierarchy and receives interrupt signals from the functions within the associated function hierarchy and selects one of the interrupt signals. The adapter also includes a second set of arbitration modules, where each arbitration module receives processor specific interrupt signals and selects one of the interrupt signals for processing an event associated with the selected interrupt signal. |
| US08504746B2 |
Analog data generating and processing device for use with a personal computer
An interface device (10) provides fast data communication between a host device with input/output interfaces and a data transmit/receive device, wherein the interface device (10) comprises a processor means (13), a memory means (14), a first connecting device (12) for interfacing the host device with the interface device, and a second connecting device (15) for interfacing the interface device (10) with the data transmit/receive device. The interface device (10) is configured by the processor means (13) and the memory means (14) in such a way that, when receiving an inquiry from the host device via the first connecting device (12) as to the type of a device attached to the host device, regardless of the type of the data transmit/receive device, the interface device sends a signal to the host device via the first connecting device (12) which signals to the host device that it is communicating with an input/output device. |
| US08504744B2 |
Lock-less buffer management scheme for telecommunication network applications
A buffer management mechanism in a multi-core processor for use on a modem in a telecommunications network is described herein. The buffer management mechanism includes a buffer module that provides buffer management services for one or more Layer 2 applications, wherein the buffer module at least provides a user space application interface to application software running in user space. The buffer management mechanism also includes a buffer manager that manages a plurality of separate pools of tokens, wherein the tokens comprise pointers to memory areas in external memory. In addition, the buffer management mechanism includes a custom driver that manages Data Path Acceleration Architecture (DPAA) resources including buffer pools and frame queues to be used for user plane data distributing. |
| US08504743B2 |
Information processing system and data transfer method
An information processing system includes a master module for outputting a transfer state signal in correspondence to a data read instruction when the data read instruction is successively output plural times, the transfer state signal indicating that at least one data read instruction succeeds some one of the data read instructions; and a memory controller for, when receiving the some one of the data read instructions and the corresponding transfer state signal from the master module, supplying data corresponding to the some one of the data read instructions to the master module, while reading data corresponding to the at least one data read instruction, which succeeds the some one of the data read instructions, from a memory and holding the read data in accordance with the received transfer state signal. |
| US08504739B2 |
USB driver interface functions to interface USB client function drivers
In embodiments of extensions for USB driver interface functions, a set of USB driver interfaces are exposed by a USB core driver stack, and the USB driver interfaces include USB driver interface functions to interface with USB client function drivers that correspond to client USB devices. A composite device driver registers itself and requests a function handle for each function of a client USB device. The USB client function drivers are enumerated and the function handles generated for each function of the client USB device. A check first protocol is enforced that directs a USB client function driver to check for availability of a USB driver interface function before interfacing with the USB core driver stack via the USB driver interfaces. A contract version identifier is received that indicates a set of operation rules by which a USB client function driver interfaces with the USB core driver stack. |
| US08504738B2 |
Media management and routing within an electronic device
A method and apparatus for intelligently routing and managing audio signals within an electronic device is disclosed. The routing is responsive to a set of logical and physical policies which are stored in data tables which can be updated as needed. |
| US08504735B2 |
Output system and method for restoring location arrangement of output devices
A docking device for restoring location arrangement of output devices is provided according to an aspect of the present invention. The docking device includes a transmission module configured to obtain output information from an information generation module and transmit it to an output device and an identifier storage module configured to store an identifier corresponding to the output device. An output system and method for restoring a location arrangement of output devices are also provided. |
| US08504734B2 |
Hybrid tree/mesh overlay for data delivery
Hybrid tree/mesh overlays for data delivery involve using a tree overlay network and a mesh overlay network to delivery a data stream via a push mechanism and a pull mechanism, respectively. In an example embodiment, a network node enters a mesh overlay network and attaches to a tree overlay network. In operation, the network node receives data blocks of a data stream over the tree overlay network via a push mechanism. The network node ascertains if a data block is not received over the tree overlay network. If a data block is missing, the network node retrieves the missing data block over the mesh overlay network via a pull mechanism. In another example embodiment, the tree overlay network includes a subset of nodes forming a tree-based backbone. Network nodes that are identified as being stable may join the backbone and provide the data stream to other nodes. |
| US08504732B2 |
Administering connection identifiers for collective operations in a parallel computer
Administering connection identifiers for collective operations in a parallel computer, including prior to calling a collective operation, determining, by a first compute node of a communicator to receive an instruction to execute the collective operation, whether a value stored in a global connection identifier utilization buffer exceeds a predetermined threshold; if the value stored in the global ConnID utilization buffer does not exceed the predetermined threshold: calling the collective operation with a next available ConnID including retrieving, from an element of a ConnID buffer, the next available ConnID and locking the element of the ConnID buffer from access by other compute nodes; and if the value stored in the global ConnID utilization buffer exceeds the predetermined threshold: repeatedly determining whether the value stored in the global ConnID utilization buffer exceeds the predetermined threshold until the value stored in the global ConnID utilization buffer does not exceed the predetermined threshold. |
| US08504731B2 |
Network for interconnecting computers
In a parallel computer system including a plurality of processors, processors are classified into a plurality of groups including a prescribed number of processors, and processors are connected to each other in a complete connecting manner in the groups. Those groups are connected to each other as the respective processors are connected in linear to each other. |
| US08504725B2 |
Adaptive compression and decompression
Adaptive compression and decompression techniques are described. In at least some embodiments, compression techniques include adaptively compressing a plurality of input words into a plurality of compression codes and outputting the compression codes upon encountering an end-of-file signal. In at least some embodiments, the compression codes are fewer in number than the number of unique bit patterns requiring unique compression codes under LZW (Lempel Ziv & Welch) compression. In at least some other embodiments, decompression techniques include adaptively decompressing a plurality of compressed code words into a plurality of decompressed words and outputting the decompressed words upon encountering an end-of-file signal. |
| US08504723B2 |
Routing proxy for resource requests and resources
A device receives, from a client device, a request for a resource, where the request provides an identifier of the client device. The device selects a target device for the resource, connects with the selected target device, and provides a proxy of the request to the selected target device, where the proxy of the request hides the identifier of the client device. The device receives the resource from the selected target device, where the resource provides an identifier of the target device. The device provides a proxy of the resource to the client device, where the proxy of the resource hides the identifier of the target device. |
| US08504714B2 |
Method of processing non-real time service and broadcast receiver
A method of receiving and process a broadcast signal including a Non-Real Time (NRT) service and a broadcast receiver are disclosed herein. A method of processing a broadcast signal including a Non-Real Time (NRT) service, the method comprises receiving and processing a signaling information table including access information of the NRT service, receiving and storing data of the NRT service based on the signaling information table in non-real time, extracting access information of additional information relating to the NRT service from the signaling information table, and downloading the additional information relating to the NRT service based on the extracted access information. |
| US08504710B2 |
System and methods for accelerated data storage and retrieval
Systems and methods for providing accelerated data storage and retrieval utilizing lossless data compression and decompression. A data storage accelerator includes one or a plurality of high speed data compression encoders that are configured to simultaneously or sequentially losslessly compress data at a rate equivalent to or faster than the transmission rate of an input data stream. The compressed data is subsequently stored in a target memory or other storage device whose input data storage bandwidth is lower than the original input data stream bandwidth. Similarly, a data retrieval accelerator includes one or a plurality of high speed data decompression decoders that are configured to simultaneously or sequentially losslessly decompress data at a rate equivalent to or faster than the input data stream from the target memory or storage device. The decompressed data is then output at rate data that is greater than the output rate from the target memory or data storage device. The data storage and retrieval accelerator method and system may employed: in a disk storage adapter to reduce the time required to store and retrieve data from computer to disk; in conjunction with random access memory to reduce the time required to store and retrieve data from random access memory; in a display controller to reduce the time required to send display data to the display controller or processor; and/or in an input/output controller to reduce the time required to store, retrieve, or transmit data. |
| US08504708B2 |
Method and system for generic IP multimedia residential gateways
A common IP layer client device interface within an IP multimedia gateway (IMG) is configured to connect client devices to broadband IP networks such as the Internet based on determined device capabilities. Broadband IP network interfaces within the IMG are configured to enable communication between the IMG and broadband IP networks based on the determined device capabilities. Content provided by various service managers are communicated with the client devices utilizing the common IP layer client device interface and the configured network interfaces. Network capabilities may be determined during the device and network discovery. Protocol translation, media transcoding and/or dynamic device configuration may be performed based on the determined device capabilities, and based on the determined network capabilities. The IMG may adjust system timing and manage power consumptions for service deployment over corresponding client devices. Information may be routed or distributed by the IMRG among the client devices when needed. |