| Document | Document Title |
|---|---|
| US08517550B2 |
Phosphor-centric control of color of light
Lighting devices and/or systems offer dynamic control or tuning of color of light. The lighting systems utilize sources, such as solid state sources, to individually pump a number of different phosphors of types having relatively high degrees of color purity. The phosphor emissions, however, are still broader than the traditionally monochromatic color emissions of LEDs. The different phosphors can be independently excited to controllable levels, by individually controlled sources rated for emission of energy of the same spectrum. Adjustment of intensities of electromagnetic energy emitted by the sources independently adjusts levels of excitations of the phosphors selected to emit different colors of relatively high purity and thus the contributions of pure colors to the combined light output, for example, to enables color adjustment of the light output over a wide range of different selectable colors encompassing much of the gamut of visible light. |
| US08517549B2 |
Light keyboard
A light keyboard includes a base, a plurality of keyswitches and a backlight module. The keyswitches are disposed on the base. The backlight module includes a light shielding plate, a light guiding plate and a reflecting plate. The light shielding plate is disposed under the base. The light guiding plate is disposed under the light shielding plate. The reflecting plate is disposed under the light guiding plate. The light shielding plate, the light guiding plate and the reflecting plate are stacked with each other so as to form a middle area of the backlight module. An edge of one of the light shielding plate and the reflecting plate is folded and stacked with the other one of the light shielding plate and the reflecting plate so as to form an edge area of the backlight module. The middle area and the edge area are at equal height. |
| US08517547B2 |
Exterior rear view mirror with friction springs
The subject is an exterior rear view mirror with at least one base support and a carrier plate holding the mirror glass, adjustably arranged in relation to the base support. At least one friction bearing is provided between the carrier plate and the base support, which includes at least one friction spring arranged on the carrier plate, projecting in the direction of the base support, with at least one first guide support and at least one second guide support assigned to the base support. The first and second guide surfaces come into contact with each other. A slot, arranged on the base support, assigned to the friction spring, comprises a receiving opening, into which the friction spring is inserted. The receiving opening is bordered by at least one wall, which forms at least a second guide surface of the friction bearing. |
| US08517543B2 |
Rear projected expressive head
The subject matter disclosed herein relates to systems and methods for providing image projection and entertainment. |
| US08517538B2 |
Model eye producing a speckle pattern having a reduced bright-to-dark ratio
A model eye includes an optically transmissive structure having a front curved surface to receive a coherent light beam, and an opposite rear planar surface for directing a portion of the coherent light beam back out the model eye through the front curved surface; and a material structure adhered to the rear planar surface of the optically transmissive structure that has a characteristic to cause a speckle pattern of the portion of the coherent light beam that is directed back out the front curved surface of the optically transmissive structure to have a bright-to-dark ratio of less than 2:1. In some embodiments, the material structure may include a fabric-reinforced polyethylene tape adhered to the rear planar surface of the optically transmissive structure by an adhesive. One example material structure which may be employed is duct tape. |
| US08517535B2 |
Systems and methods of phase diversity wavefront sensing
A phase diversity wavefront sensor includes an optical system including at least one optical element for receiving a light beam; a diffractive optical element having a diffractive pattern defining a filter function, the diffractive optical element being arranged to produce, in conjunction with the optical system, images from the light beam associated with at least two diffraction orders; and a detector for detecting the images and outputting image data corresponding to the detected images. In one embodiment, the optical system, diffractive optical element, and detector are arranged to provide telecentric, pupil plane images of the light beam. A processor receives the image data from the detector, and executes a Gerchberg-Saxton phase retrieval algorithm to measure the wavefront of the light beam. |
| US08517528B2 |
Ink jet recording method for recording pattern layer and white overlaying layer on longitudinal sheet
The present invention relates to an ink jet recording method for recording a white overlaying layer and a non-white pattern layer to a recording medium, printed matters obtained by the recording method, and systems for realizing the recording method thereof. |
| US08517523B2 |
Septum assembly for fluid container
A septum assembly for a fluid container is provided having a first septum having a membrane which is piercable by a septum needle sealingly located within a fluid port of the fluid container which communicates with a fluid reservoir of the fluid container, and a second septum having a slit through which the septum needle passes sealingly located within the fluid port of the fluid container adjacent the first septum so that the septum needle passes through the slit of the second septum before piercing the first septum. |
| US08517522B2 |
Fluid circulation
Among other things, an apparatus for use in fluid jetting is described. The apparatus includes a printhead including a flow path and a nozzle in communication with the flow path that has a first end and a second end. The apparatus also includes a first container fluidically coupled to the first end of the flow path, a second container fluidically coupled to the second end of the flow path, and a controller. The first container has a first controllable internal pressure and the second container has a second controllable internal pressure. The controller controls the first internal pressure and the second internal pressure to have a fluid flow between the first container and the second container through the flow path in the printhead according to a first mode and a second mode. In either mode, at least a portion of the fluid flowing along the flow path is delivered to the nozzle when the nozzle is jetting. The first mode has the first internal pressure higher than the second internal pressure and the second mode has the second internal pressure higher than the first internal pressure. The fluid flows from the first container to the second container according to the first mode and flows from the second container to the first container according to the second mode. |
| US08517519B2 |
Liquid droplet ejection head and liquid droplet ejection apparatus
An ink jet type recording head includes a substrate, a nozzle plate having nozzles, and a sealing sheet, and the substrate and the nozzle plate are bonded to each other through a bonding film, and the substrate and the sealing sheet are bonded to each other through a bonding film. These bonding films are each obtained by drying and/or curing a liquid material containing an epoxy-modified silicone material. Further, by applying energy to each bonding film, the surface thereof is activated, and therefore, each bonding film exhibits a bonding property. By this bonding property, the substrate is bonded to the nozzle plate and to the sealing sheet. |
| US08517510B2 |
Fluid dispensing apparatus and method thereof
A fluid dispensing apparatus including a fluid ejector including a fluid reservoir having fluid, and configured to eject the fluid, a vacuum pump configured to create negative pressure in an activation mode and to create approximately no pressure in a deactivation mode, a meniscus pressure regulator configured to regulate the negative pressure received from the vacuum pump, a leaking member configured to reduce the negative pressure received from the vacuum pump towards or equal to atmospheric pressure in response to the vacuum pump being placed in the deactivation mode, and a back pressure regulator having a pressure reference port to receive the reduced negative pressure from the leaking member and the regulated negative pressure from the meniscus pressure regulator, the back pressure regulator configured to maintain a non-retraction negative pressure value to position a fluid meniscus in a non-retracted state and a retraction negative pressure value to position the fluid meniscus in a retracted state. |
| US08517509B2 |
Liquid ejection head and image-forming apparatus using the same
A liquid ejection head according to the present invention includes a plurality of ejection openings arranged in a first direction and a plurality of electro-thermal transducers for ejecting liquid from the ejection openings, the liquid ejection head and a printing medium being subjected to the relative movement, wherein an arrangement pitch of the ejection openings forming an end group located in the respective opposite end section along the first direction is longer than an arrangement pitch of the ejection openings forming a central group located in the central section along the first direction. According to the present invention, it is possible to eliminate white streaks which may generate in a solid printing. |
| US08517508B2 |
Positioning jetting assemblies
Among other things, in one aspect, an apparatus comprises features to enable mounting first and second jetting assemblies on a frame. The features comprise first and second alignment datums pre-fixed with respect to the frame for establishing respective positions of the first and second jetting assemblies, when mounted, so that at least some of the nozzles along a length of one of the jetting assemblies have predetermined offsets relative to at least some of the nozzles along a length of the other of the jetting assemblies, and an opening exposing all of the nozzles along the lengths of the first and second jetting assemblies are exposed to permit jetting of a fluid onto a substrate. |
| US08517507B2 |
Fluid ejecting apparatus
A fluid ejecting apparatus that has a nozzle row provided with a plurality of nozzles and a fluid ejection head ejecting a fluid from the nozzle row is provided. The fluid ejecting apparatus includes a linear absorption member that is provided movable and is extended along the nozzle row, and a traveling mechanism that causes the absorption member to move. The traveling mechanism includes a delivery rotating body that drives out the absorption member, a winding-rotating body that winds up the absorption member, a tension regulating member that applies a predetermined tension to the absorption member and is displaced according to the tension of the absorption member, and a sensor portion that detects the displacement of the tension regulating member and controls rotations of the delivery rotating body and the winding-rotating body. |
| US08517502B2 |
Method and system for printhead alignment to reduce or eliminate banding artifacts for interlaced printheads
A method for aligning printheads, some of which are arranged in an overlapped configuration, in a printer has been developed. The method includes identifying a stitch error for each color station in a plurality of color stations in the printer. The stitch error is identified with reference to shrinkage of a print medium as the print medium passes the plurality of color stations. A portion of the stitch error is used to move at least one printhead in the color station corresponding to the stitch error to compensate for a banding issue caused by the overlapped printhead configuration. All or part of the stitch error may also be applied to other printheads in the color station to compensate for possible color to color registration issues. |
| US08517496B2 |
Apparatus and method of printing images on a continuous sheet
A printing apparatus using a print head of an inkjet-type, in which, if a splice is detected during printing, an area of a following part of a continuous sheet that follows the splice is used to perform image-quality adjustment such as color shading adjustment, an adjustment of a gap between the print head and a sheet, and a color registration adjustment of the print head. |
| US08517495B2 |
Inkjet recording apparatus and inkjet recording system
An apparatus is configured to perform recording with at least three types of inks that are similar in color and different in pigment density. The apparatus is capable of operating in a first mode for performing recording on a first recording medium using at least one of a second ink having a pigment density that is lower than that of a first ink and a third ink having a pigment density that is lower than that of the second ink, and in a second mode for performing recording on a second recording medium, which has a lower glossiness than the first recording medium, using at least the first ink. |
| US08517493B2 |
Ink jet printing apparatus and print head recovery method
An ink jet printing apparatus and a print head recovery method are provided which effectively execute a preliminary ejection to eject ink not contributing to image printing from nozzle opening of the print head to maintain the ink ejection performance in good condition. The ink in the print head is heated to a first temperature, at which a first preliminary ejection is executed. Then, when the ink temperature falls to a second temperature, which is lower than the first temperature, a second preliminary ejection is executed. |
| US08517492B2 |
Droplet propelling device
A drive pulse P11 is turned on and off for an ink chamber to take in ink, exerting pressures thereon, and afterward, a drive pulse P12 is turned on and off. This permits, in a course of variation in pressure of ink from a value at a positive pressure peak through a value at a normal pressure to negative pressures, a negative pressure peak C to be amplified for the ink chamber to take in ink with increased power. Further, following the drive pulse P12 tuned off, a drive pulse P13 is turned on to contract a volume in ink chamber 6B, producing pressures. Then, the drive pulse P13 is turned off to enlarge the volume in ink chamber 6B, using back actions of produced pressures to have the ink chamber 6B quickly operate to take in much ink. This causes a subsequent drive pulse P11 to be turned on at a hastened timing, and the drive pulse P13 thus turned on makes a higher increase in pressure of ink in the ink chamber 6B, allowing a subsequent droplet of ink to be more quickly propelled out with an adequate pressure. |
| US08517489B2 |
Printing device and printing method
The controller of the printing device sets the printing width in the secondary scanning direction of the region of the printing medium onto which ink is deposited by a single driving of the a printing unit, on the basis of the length in the secondary scanning direction of the printing region that is specified based on the printing data, and controls the printing unit on the basis of the set printing width. |
| US08517485B2 |
Inkjet printer and flow restriction system therefor
A gutter line of a continuous inkjet printer which includes a variable flow restrictor fitted into the gutter line, and a pressure transducer for measuring the pressure in the gutter line downstream of the variable flow restrictor, where the variable flow restrictor is controlled in response to the output of the pressure transducer to maintain a downstream pressure substantially constant. Airflow along the gutter line has a lower flow resistance than a slug of ink. Accordingly, the system responds dynamically to restrict the flow of air along the gutter line when no ink is passing along it, thereby reducing the volume of air sucked along the gutter line while maintaining adequate suction to reliably clear ink away from the gutter so that the amount of solvent lost from the ink is reduced during operation of an inkjet printer. |
| US08517483B2 |
Modular system for a domestic refrigerator
A domestic refrigerator includes a housing having a refrigerated compartment defined therein, and a sliding drawer positioned in the refrigerated compartment. The sliding drawer has a storage chamber defined therein, and a mounting bracket is secured to the sliding drawer and extends into the storage chamber. The domestic refrigerator also includes a plurality of interchangeable utility modules that are configured to be positioned within the storage chamber of the sliding drawer. Each of the plurality of the interchangeable utility modules includes a mounting bracket sized and configured to be separately mated with the mounting bracket of the sliding drawer. |
| US08517477B2 |
Door hold open mechanism for a merchandiser
A merchandiser including a case defining a product display area for supporting and displaying food product. The case includes a case frame that has at least one mullion defining an opening into the product display area, a door that is positioned over the opening and pivotably coupled to the case frame for movement between a closed position and an open position, and a door hold open mechanism attached to either the mullion or the door. The other of the mullion and the door defines a channel, and the door hold open mechanism includes an engagement member that is outwardly biased from the mullion or the door to which the door hold open mechanism is attached such that the engagement member is engageable with the other of the mullion and the door within the channel to hold the door in the open position. |
| US08517471B2 |
Seat assembly having a moveable head restraint
A seat assembly having a moveable headrest assembly disposed on a support post. The headrest assembly has a latching mechanism configured to engage the support post to inhibit movement of the headrest assembly in a first direction. |
| US08517470B2 |
Fitting system for a vehicle seat
A fitting system (5) for a vehicle seat (1) includes a first fitting (10), a second fitting (50), a first transmission element (7) acting between the two fittings (10, 50), a free-pivoting device (54) assigned to the second fitting (50), a first operating element for adjusting the inclination, with the actuation thereof the two fittings (10, 50) being unlocked by using the first transmission element (7), and a second operating element for free pivoting. With the actuation of the second operating element, the first fitting (10) and the free-pivoting device (54) are unlocked. A second transmission element (80) is arranged between the two fittings (10, 50) and mounted on the fittings (10, 50), and which—independently of the first transmission element (7)—acts between the free-pivoting device (54) and the first fitting (10). |
| US08517467B2 |
Child restraint for vehicle
A child restraint includes a juvenile seat and a child-restraint harness coupled to the juvenile seat. The juvenile seat includes a seat bottom and a seat back extending upwardly from the seat bottom. The juvenile seat also includes a headrest mounted for up-and-down movement on the seat back relative to the seat bottom. |
| US08517466B1 |
Convertible boat seat
A convertible boat seat transforms from a standard bench-style seat configuration capable of accommodating multiple occupants to a lounger that allows a single occupant to comfortably lounge without impeding into the available deck space. A convertible boat seat comprises a chaise lounge type seat having a plurality of configurable components including a two-piece back rest, a configurable armrest, a hinging bench seat assembly, and an inclined chaise end forming a lounge backrest adapted with a pivoting armrest. The two-piece backrest includes first and second backrest components that are each configurable between a raised position and a lowered position. The inclined chaise end includes a pivoting armrest configurable between a stowed, out-of-the-way position, and a deployed position wherein it functions as a lounge armrest. A hinging bench seat includes first and second hingedly connected seat components that are configurable between a generally flat configuration for bench seating and a raised configuration wherein the lounger's knees are supported in a partially bent lounging position. On an opposing end of the inclined chaise end is an armrest configurable between a raised position wherein it functions as an armrest when the seat is configured for bench-style seating, and a lowered position wherein it is stowed generally flush with the bench seat surface for providing increased leg room while lounging. |
| US08517465B2 |
Canopy chair
An exemplary embodiment providing one or more improvements includes a frame which attaches to outdoor furniture, in particular to a chair, and a canopy. Embodiments can be moved from an overhead position to a behind the chair position. The frames can be moved from a collapsed to a fully extended position. In embodiments the canopy can be positioned to contain the collapsed frame and chair in the carrying position. |
| US08517461B2 |
Vehicle body structure
A vehicle body structure includes a bumper fascia panel, a fender body panel and a mounting flange attachment arrangement. The fascia panel includes a fascia mounting flange forming a first outboard abutment edge visible exterior to the vehicle body structure. The fender body panel includes a fender mounting flange forming a second outboard abutment edge visible from the exterior. The mounting flange attachment arrangement includes first and second fastening members overlying the fascia and fender mounting flanges, respectively, and a fastening element coupling the first and second fastening members together while sandwiching the mounting flanges. The fastening element (bolt) has a tool engagement portion (bolt head) at a first end on an inboard side of the attachment arrangement and a second threaded end opposite to the first end, with a center fastening axis extending from the second to first end in an upward slanted direction of the vehicle body structure. |
| US08517459B2 |
Body structure of a motor vehicle, motor vehicle and method of manufacturing a body structure
A body structure of a motor vehicle is provided that includes, but is not limited to a floor panel, that has an inner side directed toward the motor vehicle interior and an outer side directed toward the motor vehicle exterior, and also includes, but is not limited to a seat mounting for securing a motor vehicle seat. To reduce driving noise and air resistance, it is provided that on the outer side thereof, the floor panel is free from corrugations or stiffening structures running predominantly in the transverse direction of the motor vehicle. A motor vehicle is also provided having a corresponding body structure and a method is provided for the manufacture thereof. |
| US08517453B2 |
Vehicle front structure
When a load caused by a collision is transmitted from the front side of a vehicle, tire cutout portions of front side members are deformed by the load transmitted from the front side of the vehicle. Accordingly, the tire cutout portions of the front side members come into contact with a power unit formed of an engine or the like of the vehicle, switch a transmission path of the load to a direction corresponding to the power unit of the vehicle, and transmit the load to the power unit as a load. The tire cutout portion is formed between two engine mounts. Accordingly, a starting point from which the front side member begins to be deformed is set between the engine mounts that are two supported portions of the power unit, so that the stable bending and deformation of the front side member are controlled. Further, a transmission path of a load toward the power unit is newly formed. Accordingly, a load, which is caused by a collision or the like and transmitted from the front side of the vehicle, is dispersed on the power unit that is hard and has large mass. As a result, it is possible to increase efficiency of absorbing impact at the time of a collision. |
| US08517450B2 |
Safeguard for the sliding door of a motor vehicle
A sliding door arrangement for a motor vehicle is provided with a safeguard for securing and/or reinforcing the sliding door against exposure to external forces. The arrangement includes safeguard elements arranged on a column-side and door-side carrier, which in the closed position of the sliding door viewed in the transverse direction of the vehicle come to overlap each other at least regionally. At least one of the safeguard elements is arranged with a mounting plate on a column- or door-side carrier, and abuts a rear side of the carrier facing away from the opposing carrier. |
| US08517449B2 |
Motorcycle cowl structure
A motorcycle cowl structure for suppressing a flow of air flowing toward a rider and a pillion passenger when the rider travels alone or when a pillion passenger is mounted on the same vehicle. A flow of air flowing toward a rider sitting on a rider seat and a pillion passenger sitting on a pillion passenger seat is suppressed by the cowl structure that includes left and right cowl main body portions for preventing the flow of air from hitting the knee portions, thighs, waist and flanks of the rider. Left and right movable cowl portions are provided on the respective left and right cowl main body portions so as to be movable vehicle-widthwise and opened to prevent flow of air from hitting the pillion passenger. The opening and closing of the movable cowl portions can suppress flow of air flowing toward the rider and the pillion passenger. |
| US08517448B2 |
Decklid damper for a vehicle
In accordance with exemplary embodiments, a magnetic decklid damper system is provided for a vehicle. The system comprises a decklid coupled to a body of the vehicle via a hinge strap facilitating the decklid moving between a closed position and an open position. The hinge strap includes a first magnetic element coupled to the hinge strap, and a second magnetic element coupled to a body member of the vehicle. The first and second magnetic elements have a common polarity to magnetically repel each other as the decklid moves toward the open position to provide a damping effect for the decklid. |
| US08517440B1 |
Carton clamp arm with adjustable pivot block
A lift truck clamp arm assembly for engaging large cartons, which may contain large household appliances. Pivoting clamp pad support assemblies are adjustable to vary a radial spacing between a pivot pin and a clamp pad supported on the clamp arm assembly by attachment to the adjustable clamp pad support assembly, to provide desired pressure concentrations at selected parts of a carton to be gripped. |
| US08517437B2 |
Sealing fastener
A plastic sealing fastener includes a fixing member, a latching strip fixed on the fixing member and a cover mounted on the fixing member. The fixing member defines a locking hole through which the latching strip passes. The fixing member forms a plurality of elastic teeth locking the latching strip in the locking hole. The cover defines a covering hole communicating with the locking hole through which the latching strip passes. A diameter of the covering hole is less than that of the locking hole. |
| US08517436B2 |
Container door locking assembly
A locking assembly for a swinging door of a container. The locking assembly includes an axially elongated lock rod having cam structure at opposed ends thereof. The lock rod is provided, toward each end thereof, with axially spaced radial projections which are axially fixed relative to the lock rod and define a channel therebetween. The locking assembly further includes a pair of guide plates; with each guide plate rotatably accommodating a lengthwise portion of the lock rod between the plate and the door. Each guide plate further includes structure for allowing each plate to be fastened to the door. After each guide plate is fastened to the door, a portion of each plate is entrapped between the axially spaced radial projections on the lock rod whereby inhibiting axial shifting movements of the lock rod. |
| US08517432B2 |
Sand dosing and blocking device
A sand dosing and blocking device for sand spreading systems for vehicles, particularly rail vehicles with drive, has a sand supply container with an outlet opening which can be closed by a closing element for the dosed release of sand to a conveyor unit which is preferably pneumatically activated. The closing element is formed by a lifting rod of an electrically activated lifting magnet. The lifting magnet is arranged inside the sand supply container in the area of the outlet opening. Frequency control of the lifting magnet varies the dosed flow of sand, which may be varied in response to vehicle wheel speed. |
| US08517430B2 |
Pipe coupling having movable gripping bodies
A coupling for securing pipe elements together in end-to-end relation is disclosed. The coupling has segments joined end-to-end by adjustable connection members. The segments surround a central space which receives the pipe elements. One or more gripping bodies are captured between the segments. The gripping bodies are arranged opposite to each other. When the segments are drawn toward each other by the connection members, interaction between the reaction surfaces and the contact surfaces forces the gripping bodies radially inwardly. Inwardly facing arcuate surfaces on the segments and the gripping bodies engage and retain the pipe elements. |
| US08517429B2 |
Bearing apparatus and method for an irrigation pivot structure
A bearing structure for a pivoting irrigation system apparatus having a rotatable vertical section with a plurality of annular assemblies mounted thereon. The assemblies include a plurality of components that are rotatable and non-rotatable with the rotatable vertical section so as to facilitate movement with decreased friction therebetween. |
| US08517427B2 |
Information page and a method
An information page (1) and method are provided for a security document. The information page includes: an information part (3), and an attachment part (2) for attaching the information part to the security document. In order to make forgery visually detectable, the information part (3) is provided with a unique identifier (5), and the attachment part (2, 2′) is provided with the same unique identifier (5) as the information part (3). |
| US08517425B2 |
Anchor pretensioner structure for cars
An anchor pretensioner structure for cars, may include an inflator mounted on a car-body plate to pull a seat belt upon a collision, a pretensioner wire made of a flexible material and connected to the inflator, a protector mounted to the pretensioner wire coupled to the seat belt, and an angle-adjuster to selectively rotate the pretensioner wire, depending upon whether or not a passenger may be sitting on a seat, so that the pretensioner wire may be allowed to rotate by a predetermined angle. |
| US08517422B2 |
Steering wheel alignment system
A steering wheel alignment system for a vehicle having a steering wheel and steering unit that includes a first shaft operatively connected to the steering unit, a second shaft operatively connected to the steering wheel, and a coupling disposed between the first and second shafts to couple the shafts so that rotation of the steering wheel operates the steering unit to steer the vehicle. The coupling includes: a bolt, one of the shafts is hollow to telescope over the other shaft, and each shaft has a radial extending hole therethrough for receiving the bolt to attach the first and second shafts together. The radial extending hole through one of the shafts is elongated in the radial direction so that when the bolt extends through the holes of the first and second shafts the elongation of the hole defines a range of radial adjusting movement of the shafts relative one another until tightening of the bolt clamps the first and second shafts together against further relative rotation. |
| US08517421B2 |
Vehicle safety anti-collision device
Disclosed is a vehicle safety anti-collision device, which includes an outer housing, a buffer material block, a bracket, and a bracket base. Said outer housing is provided with a front end portion, a connecting portion extending from both sides of the front end portion, and a receiving opening formed by said connecting portions and said front end portion. Said bracket is in the shape of an arch bridge and is provided with an arch portion received in said receiving opening and mounting portions on both ends of the arch portion. Said buffer material block is sandwiched between said outer housing and said bracket, and the connecting portions of said outer housing are fixed to the said bracket. With the vehicle safety anti-collision device, the energy generated during a vehicle collision can be absorbed immensely, and the damage caused by collision to the vehicle and people can be reduced. |
| US08517419B2 |
Actuator subassembly
The invention relates to an actuator subassembly (10) for a vehicle safety system comprising a pyrotechnic actuator unit (12) including an igniting portion (14) as well as a receiving element (16) forming a guide for the movable igniting portion (14) after activating the actuator unit (12). Further the invention relates to an airbag module of a vehicle safety system comprising said actuator subassembly (10) and a method of mounting a releasable tether (30) on an airbag module by means of said actuator assembly (10). |
| US08517416B2 |
Airbag cover, in particular for an airbag in a motor vehicle and a method for the manufacture thereof
An airbag cover with a support component and a top-cover component, wherein the support component and the top-cover component are covered up with a covering material. A predetermined breakage line is formed between the support component and the top-cover component, which defines at least one serration or one undulation at the edge of the top-cover component, and the covering material exhibits a structural weakening, wherein the contour of the structural weakening is congruent with the contour of the breakage line at least in the area of the serration or the undulation. The breakage line between the support component and the top-cover component and the structural weakening of the covering material are formed at least in the area of the serration or the undulation by means of one or a plurality of cuts, which fully penetrate the support component and partially penetrate the covering material. |
| US08517415B2 |
Airbag apparatus
The invention provides an airbag apparatus including an airbag that is folded toward an inflator attaching part and that is accommodated within a pad functioning as a case such that the airbag is provided with first and second folded parts arranged on a cabin side from an inflator. A tear line is formed on the pad at a position deviated from a center of the inflator toward the first folded part and divides the case into a first door and a second door. In the airbag apparatus, the second folded part that is covered by the first door is folded in a bellows shape. |
| US08517414B2 |
Portable commode, shower and bath wheelchair apparatus
A portable commode, shower, and bath wheelchair apparatus comprising a first support frame, a second support frame, a mechanical interface interconnecting the first support frame to the second support frame thereby forming a first contiguous support member and a second contiguous support member. A seat assembly is slidingly attached to both the first contiguous support member and to the second contiguous support member. |
| US08517411B2 |
In or relating to trolleys
A trolley, comprising a retractable wheel assembly (31, 32) movable between stored and in-use positions. The wheel assembly comprising an assembly support; at least one wheel arm (35) operably-connected to a wheel hub, in us the wheel hub receiving a wheel; at least one control arm (36, 37) operably-connected to the wheel hub, for affecting the orientation of the wheel hub with respect to the wheel arm as the retractable wheel assembly is moved between the stored position and the in-use position; and drive means (34) connected to the assembly support and operably connected to the at least one wheel arm and the at least one control arm, for providing rotation of the at least one wheel arm and at least one control arm about a common axis between the stored position and the in-use position. |
| US08517406B2 |
Position-adjustable vehicle
A movable vehicle includes a first frame member, a second frame member, and a biasing mechanism. The first frame member includes a front wheel and a handlebar configured to turn the front wheel in various directions. The second frame member has at least one rear wheel and is coupled to the first frame member such that the first frame member can rotate with respect to the second frame member. The biasing mechanism is operatively coupled to the first and second frame members and biases the front wheel in a preferred direction, such as a straight direction. The biasing mechanism may include a resilient gasket and a cavity having at least partially corresponding polygonal cross sections. |
| US08517405B2 |
Human powered vehicle with two reciprocal pedals
A reciprocal pedal drive mechanism for human powered vehicles. The drive motion on each of the two pedals is efficiently converted to two motions, one for pedal recovery and the other for driving the vehicle forward. |
| US08517404B2 |
Toe correct bush
To provide a toe correct bush having excellent durability and a novel structure, the toe correct bush effectively achieving improvement in running stability during steering with a toe correction function and improvement in straight line performance with an intermediate restraining plate. A first intermediate restraining member is provided between opposing surfaces of an inner inclined portion and an outer inclined portion and is fixed to a compression rubber, the first intermediate restraining member spreading and being isolated from the opposing surfaces of the inner inclined portion and the outer inclined portion. A second intermediate restraining member is provided independent from the first intermediate restraining member between opposing surfaces of an inner flange and an outer flange and is fixed to a connecting rubber, the second intermediate restraining member spreading and being isolated from the opposing surfaces of the inner flange and the outer flange. |
| US08517391B2 |
Hydraulic chuck assembly
A hydraulic chuck assembly for a tool machine includes first and second valve units disposed to control flow of pressurized fluids into a cylindrical chamber so as to move an annular piston to thereby move a taper socket along a spindle axis. Each valve unit includes a ball movable along a valve axis radial to the spindle axis such that the ball can be further forced to abut firmly against a valve seat during a high-speed rotation. Oil leakage can be prevented to ensure firm engagement of a workpiece with a collet head. |
| US08517382B1 |
Game machine
A game machine has a controller with one or more consoles for recording a player's bet. The machine also has a motor-driven, concave wheel with a plurality of circumferentially spaced compartments. Each compartment can hold temporarily and release the ball. The wheel can produce an outcome signal indicating ball rest position. The controller can signal whether a player's bet has won based on the outcome signal. The base supporting the wheel has a return track for sending the ball released from the wheel to one or more elevators. The elevator can lift the ball to an associated ball striker that can propel the ball back to the wheel. The machine can have one or more stations for propelling the ball. |
| US08517380B2 |
Game of chance ensuring a single winner
A 3-number bingo game adapted to ensure there can be only a single winner. The numbers from 1 to 75 are divided into fifteen groups of five numbers each. For each group, the unique 3-number combinations of the five numbers taken three at a time are determined and printed on game cards. A single winner is determined if the unique 3-number combination on a player's game card matches a winning set of three numbers randomly determined by the House. |
| US08517377B2 |
Conveying apparatus, recording apparatus, conveying method, and recording method
A conveying apparatus includes a suction mechanism that suctions an interior of a bag, and a connecting mechanism that connects an opening of the bag and the suction mechanism. |
| US08517376B2 |
Print system with linear encoder for tray print media sizing
According to aspects of the embodiments there is provided a printing system such as a printer, a copier, and a facsimile machine having an automatic print media size determining apparatus. At least one side guide is coupled with a linear encoder and an external sensor to determine the size of media received on a support surface. According to one implementation, the support surface is provided by a paper tray. The paper tray includes a support surface configured to receive media, at least one side guide, and an encoder that moves with the side guide. The side guide is movably supported for continuously adjustable positioning relative to the tray to conform dimensionally with print media received in the tray. The print media size determining apparatus includes an external position-detecting sensor associated with the encoder and the side guide that is operative to generate a unique electrical pattern corresponding with a detected position of the side relative to the tray. The unique electrical pattern is indicative of the size of the media detected in the tray. |
| US08517373B2 |
Sheet feeder with pickup roller and image forming apparatus
A sheet feeder includes a pickup roller for feeding a sheet on a tray toward a predetermined processing position, an arm member rotatably supporting the pickup roller, a rotary shaft supported on the housing to be rotatable about an axis thereof, a coupling member for coupling the arm member and the rotary shaft, a pivoting mechanism for pivoting the arm member via the rotary shaft so that the pickup roller shifts its position between a feeding position and a retracted position, and a controller for controlling the operation of the pivoting mechanism. The controller controls the arm member to pivot in such a direction that the pickup roller moves toward the retracted position when a sheet is placed on the tray. |
| US08517370B2 |
Sheet feed device and image recording apparatus having such sheet feed device
An image recording apparatus including a first tray having a first holding portion for holding sheets, a second tray disposed above the first tray and including a second holding portion for holding sheets, a sheet feeder that selectively feeds a sheet from one of the first tray and the second tray in a sheet feed direction, a recording unit that records an image on the sheet fed by the sheet feeder, and a discharge roller that discharges the sheet on which the image is recorded by the recording unit. The second holding portion of the second tray moves above the first holding portion of the first tray. The second tray further includes a discharged sheet receiving portion for receiving the sheet discharged by the discharge roller. The second tray including the discharged sheet receiving portion pivots relative to the first tray. |
| US08517369B2 |
Printing apparatus, control method for the same, and storage medium
To suppress a drop in printing productivity due to opening of a sheet storage unit in a group by a user instruction while printing is performed by switching two or more sheet storage units registered as the group. |
| US08517366B2 |
Quick release bench vise system
A quick release vise includes a first and second jaw moveable relative to the first jaw, and a threaded shaft rotatably fixed to the second jaw. A shaft receiver is fixed relative to the first jaw and includes a boss and a boss cover that is moveable relative to the boss. The boss and the boss cover have channels which cooperatively define an at least partially threaded shaft-receiving bore. The boss cover is moveable between a first position wherein the threads of the shaft engage threads within the shaft-receiving bore, and a second position wherein the threads of the shaft are disengaged from the threads within the shaft-receiving bore. |
| US08517365B2 |
Clamp assembly
A clamp assembly including a header assembly with first and second ends and a plunger having an aperture with a portion of the aperture being threaded, the aperture forming a portion of a bore extending through the header assembly. First and second arms, in opposing spaced relationship, are connected to the first and second ends, respectively, of the header assembly. A ram assembly having first and second ends, each end having a passageway through which at least a portion of one of the first and second arms extend. A stem assembly including an upper stem end coupled to a handle, a lower stem end rotatably connected to the ram assembly, and a threaded stem portion designed to engage the aperture threaded portion. The plunger has engaged and disengaged positions in which the aperture threaded portion and the threaded stem portion are threadedly engaged and disengaged, respectively, with each other. |
| US08517364B1 |
Disk holder with replaceable inserts to retain springs
Embodiments of the present invention include a substrate holder apparatus comprising a plate configured with an opening designed to receive a substrate; and a plurality of gripper assemblies disposed around the opening and configured to hold the substrate at a predetermined position within the opening such that the substrate is substantially coplanar with respect to a surface of the plate, at least one of the gripper assemblies comprising: a support element configured to grip an outside edge of the substrate, the support element mounted to a mount assembly configured to be attached to the substrate holder apparatus such that the support element holds the substrate at the predetermined position with respect to the plate. |
| US08517363B2 |
XY stage device, semiconductor inspection apparatus, and semiconductor exposure apparatus
An XY stage device having an X-axis movable body which moves in the X-axis direction on a platen, and a Y-axis movable body which moves in the Y-axis direction on the platen and guides the movement of the X-axis movable body in the X-axis direction. The XY stage device includes a pair of actuators which can be provided so as to be separated from each other in the X-axis direction, and drives the Y-axis movable body in the Y-axis direction, a detector which detects the yawing angle that can be the angle of the Y-axis movable body in a rotational direction around the Z-axis, a controller which controls the driving of the pair of actuators on the basis of the yawing angle detected by the detector, and a pair of supporters which supports the Y-axis movable body on the platen. One of the pair of supporters can be a rolling guide which guides the movement of the Y-axis movable body in the Y-axis direction, and the other of the pair of supporters can be an air pad which supports the Y-axis movable body in non-contact with the platen. |
| US08517362B1 |
Fletching jig and method for fletching an arrow
An arrow fletching jig provides operation that adapts to various arrow shaft diameters and arrow fletching patterns. The fletching jig includes a clamp secured to a base. The clamp secures a fletch at a fixed orientation along the arrow shaft while the fletch is being glued to the arrow shaft. The clamp can be made rotatable to tilt the clamp with respect to the arrow shaft, so that the fletch forms a helicoid around the shaft. The clamp may provide semi-cylindrical notches at each end to maintain spacing of arrow shaft and clamp by contacting the arrow shaft along an inner surface of the semi-cylindrical notches when an end of the clamp is rotated around the shaft to tilt the clamp. The fletching jig may also include a notched arrow shaft clamp for securing the arrow shaft to the base, which is rotated to secure and release the arrow. |
| US08517357B2 |
Gas spring and damper assembly
A gas spring and damper assembly includes a damper and a gas spring. The damper includes a damper housing and a damper rod. The gas spring includes a first end member, a second end member and a flexible wall operatively connected therebetween. A friction-reducing element is operatively connected between the damper housing and the second end member. A sealing element is operatively disposed between the damper housing and the second end member such that a substantially fluid-tight seal is formed therebetween. |
| US08517354B1 |
Fluid dispersion unit with directional component vector
A valve-tray assembly and method for lighter fluid heavier fluid contact towers. The active area of the tray is constructed with valves having multiple lighter fluid discharge areas facilitating improved mass transfer efficiency. The valves include first and second support legs oriented in line with the heavier fluid flow with both legs and the valve top constructed with apertures wherein the heavier fluid may flow into engagement with the lighter fluid passing from beneath the tray up, through and out of the valve. |
| US08517349B1 |
Guardrail terminals
Devices and methods for supporting guardrail terminal installations that incorporate safety end treatments such as the GET and the SRT. Preferred embodiments are described wherein guardrail terminal installations are primarily anchored to the ground using weak support posts that are preferably made of metal. The ends of the guardrail installation are secured to the ground using breakaway posts. In operation, the weak posts permit the central portion of the guardrail installation to contain and redirect the vehicle during a lateral collision to the rail member. The anchorage provided by the breakaway end posts helps prevent the guardrail from being excessively displaced, thus preventing the impacting vehicle from breaking through the guardrail. In operation, guardrail terminal assemblies constructed in accordance with the present invention provide an improved support system for the rail member which is more forgiving than conventional strong post anchorages, thereby providing an improvement in safety. At the present time, the invention has particular application in some non-U.S. countries, where it is required or highly preferred that metal support posts be used either completely or primarily within guardrail installations. However, the invention is also applicable to installation within the United States. |
| US08517345B2 |
Shipboard winch with guide vanes
A shipboard winch having guide vanes includes a first drum and a second drum that are mounted on a frame so that the drums contra-rotate when the winch is activated. A plurality of guide vanes is positioned between the first drum and the second drum. Each guide vane is formed with a base and a distal lip that extends outwardly from the guide vane when the guide vane is oriented horizontally. The guide vanes are further formed with a decreasing taper from a maximum width at the base to a minimum width at the distal lip. For deployment/recovery, the cable is threaded around the first drum, through the guide vanes and around the second drum in a figure eight configuration. A feedback circuit is used to control the rotational torque of the drums to maintain a constant tension on a cable as it is deployed or retrieved. |
| US08517343B1 |
Dual purpose front motorcycle stand
The motorcycle stand is capable of lifting the front of a motorcycle from either below the front axle or from the hollow steering stem of the motorcycle with no reconfiguration. The modular design also allows components to be removed or omitted to make it capable of lifting from one location or the other with less weight and a lower purchase cost. It's unique and innovative pivot axis uses the outside diameter of two co-linear tubes to lift from the steering stem. The inside diameter of the same tubes serve as pivots for swivel components that lift from below the front axle. A unique method of index-able, height adjustability allow the user to tailor to his/her preference for leverage or to adapt to a specific motorcycle. |
| US08517335B2 |
Fail-freeze device for positioner
A fail-freeze valve positioner system is disclosed. The system has a transducer with a first type output port connectible to a valve actuator, and a second type input port receptive to a valve position signal that is proportional to an output of the first type output port. In addition, the system has a monitoring circuit that generates a pilot activation signal while predefined conditions are met. A primary piloted valve in communication with the monitoring circuit is coupled to the first valve. The first type output port is disconnected from the valve actuator while the pilot activation signal and thus the first valve are deactivated, holding the valve actuator in place. |
| US08517331B2 |
Fender mount for mirror
A mirror mount includes a one-piece molecularly continuous base member and a mirror arm. The mirror arm fastens a mirror to the base member. The base member may also have first and second ends, a side portion, and a reinforcement. The side portion extends between the first and second ends. The first end is generally vertical when the base member is affixed to a fender, and the first end receives a generally horizontal fastener that passes through the first end, through two portions of the fender, and into the base member so as to fasten the base member to the fender. The side portion has a contour that generally follows a profile of the fender. The reinforcement reinforces the first end. |
| US08517329B2 |
Easel stand mountable display board
A display board that may be supported on an easel stand includes a panel having a display surface on a front side thereof. A mounting interface is positioned adjacent a top edge of the panel and is configured for engagement with any one of a plurality of unique easel stand securing means. |
| US08517327B2 |
Support plate
A support plate for positioning containers having a base body includes at least one pressure element disposed on the base body in a spring-loaded manner, with the pressure element having at least one elongated pressure section extending parallel to a plate of the base body, and including a positioning body attached to the base body. The base body is releasably attached to the base body and has at least one opening through which the pressure element at least partly projects. |
| US08517324B2 |
Safety device for cantilevered beam and boom assembly incorporating the same
A safety device for a cantilevered beam pivotally mounted adjacent one end thereof to a support surface is adapted to bridge the beam and the support surface and is structured so that when coupled to the beam and support surface, the safety device maintains the beam in a substantially fixed cantilevered condition until a downward force exceeding a threshold is applied to the beam and thereafter controls downward pivoting of the beam. |
| US08517322B2 |
Mounting bracket
An improved mounting bracket that provides an indication to an installer when a mount is not correctly aligned. The mounting bracket comprises a mounting contact portion and at least one side portion integrally connected to the mounting contact portion, with the at least one side portion defining a receiving region for accepting one or more retaining portions of a mount. The at least one side portion includes a first ramped surface at least partially outside of the receiving region. The first ramped surface configured to contact a retaining portion when the retaining portion is misaligned with the receiving region, thereby informing an installer of the misalignment. |
| US08517320B1 |
Quick attachment bracket for securing a first item to a second item
A quick attachment bracket that permits a tool holder to be quickly secured to the sidewall of a cart is disclosed. The bracket snaps onto the cart and locks the tool holder in position without the use of any mechanical devices. |
| US08517311B2 |
Removable back shell for an aircraft seat
An aircraft seat that includes a seat bottom frame having a back, a seat back frame pivotally connected to the back of the seat bottom frame, and a seat back shell. The seat back shell has at least a front panel, a back panel opposite the front panel, and at least two side panels disposed between the front and back panels which connects the front panel to the back panel. The combination of the front, back, and side panels form a gap to receive the entire seat back frame. |
| US08517308B2 |
Storage compartment module with mobile storage compartment
A hatrack module with a moveable hatrack comprises a housing with a hatrack accommodation space, a hatrack with laterally arranged guide elements and optionally at least one passenger service unit, wherein each guide rail is arranged on one sidewall of the hatrack accommodation space, and wherein the guide elements of the hatrack can be made to engage the guide rails on the housing. |
| US08517304B2 |
Device for locking an engine on an aircraft pylon
A device for locking an engine on a pylon includes two systems attaching the engine to the pylon, located in attachment regions spaced out in a longitudinal direction of the engine. A second region is adjacent to a center of gravity plane of the engine and closer to a fan than a first region. A first system attaching to the first region is rigid towards torsional, transverse and vertical engine forces. The first region is located at a separation between two compressors of the engine or two turbines, whether the fan is at a rear or front of the engine respectively, the separation being adjacent to a node of a first engine flexural mode. A second system attaching to the second region is rigid towards transverse and vertical forces but less rigid than the first system. The device also includes a third system withstanding thrust forces in the longitudinal direction. |
| US08517300B2 |
Composite materials
A composite material, the composite material comprising a prepreg, said prepreg comprising at least one polymeric resin and at least one conductive fibrous reinforcement, electrically conducting particles dispersed in the polymeric resin and a top layer of a metal-coated carbon fiber comprising a further resin component, wherein the metal comprises one or more metals selected from nickel, copper, gold, platinum, palladium, indium and silver. |
| US08517297B2 |
Apparatus for fracturing polycrystalline silicon and method for producing fractured fragments of polycrystalline silicon
An apparatus for fracturing polycrystalline silicon having: a pair of rolls which are rotated in a counter direction each other around parallel axes; a plurality of fracturing teeth which are provided on and protruded radially-outwardly from outer peripheral surfaces of the rolls, and are made from cemented carbide or silicon material; and resin covers being wound around the roll in a state in which the fracturing teeth penetrate thereof so as to cover the outer peripheral surfaces of the rolls, and fractures fragments of polycrystalline silicon between the rolls. |
| US08517293B2 |
Waterless separation systems for coal and minerals
A waterless system for processing mined material to remove impurities therefrom includes a dryer, a pulverizer, and an air classifier. The dryer is configured to remove moisture from a batch of mined material, such as coal, and the pulverizer is configured to pulverize the dried coal into small, individual coal particles and liberate impurity particles from the coal without substantially reducing the size of the liberated impurity particles. The dryer heats an air stream containing the coal to a temperature of between about 500° F. and 1,000° F. and includes a plurality of rotating paddles. An air stream forces the coal through the plurality of rotating paddles to pulverize the coal into small, individual particles and to liberate the impurity particles. The air classifier separates the impurity particles and pulverized coal particles into respective product streams. A pelletizer pelletizes ultra fine coal particles into pellets or bricks to facilitate handling and/or storage. |
| US08517292B2 |
Particle separator
A particle separator comprises: a driving shaft and two support rings, mounted on the driving shaft, having a plurality of mounting holes, a plurality of blades, having far ends to which two holding rods are attached to be inserted in the plurality of mounting holes, so that the plurality of blades are allowed to sway while being mounted on the support rings, wherein the mounting holes of the support rings are arranged in a quantity that is a divisible number, so that, when the blades are installed, any divisor of said quantity of mounting holes serves as a guide for a number of mounting holes between mounted blades. |
| US08517291B2 |
Process of manufacturing a co-ground calcium carbonate mineral of the GCC and PCC type with a specific steepness factor, obtained products and their uses
The present invention provides a process of manufacturing co-ground calcium carbonate material made of ground calcium carbonate (GCC) and precipitated calcium carbonate (PCC). The process includes the steps of: (a) providing GCC in an aqueous suspension; (b) co-grinding the aqueous suspension of GCC and an aqueous suspension of PCC, optionally with at least another mineral material, to obtain a co-ground calcium carbonate material having a steepness factor of at least 30; (c) optionally screening and/or upconcentrating the co-ground calcium carbonate material obtained following step (b); and (d) optionally drying the co-ground calcium carbonate material obtained following step (b) or (c). |
| US08517288B2 |
Low shear swivel fitting
A swivel fitting used to connect to various components in a fluid handling system is provided. The swivel fitting incorporates an annular chamfer surface to reduce the affect that the fitting has on the flow properties of the fluid when the fluid is caused to flow through the fitting. The use of the swivel fitting in a paint supply line is also described. |
| US08517281B2 |
Circular bar-code, drug container, element carrying a circular bar-code and system of circular bar-codes
A circular bar-code for encoding information regarding at least one of a body or a content of a body is provided. The bar-code encircles a central point and is configured such that the information encoded by the bar-code is readable along a closed line encircling the central point. The circular bar-code may be used for encoding a drug container, wherein the bar-code is located at the front face of the drug container such that the information encoded by the bar-code is readable from a front view to the drug container. The circular bar-code may be applied to an element configured to be attached to the front end of the drug container. |
| US08517279B2 |
Real-time card balance on card plastic
A system, method and prepaid payment card configured to display a current card balance on the prepaid payment card. The prepaid payment card receives a balance request from a button on the card. After retrieving the current card balance encoded on the prepaid payment card, the card displays the current card balance. Remote terminals may be configured to support the real-time display of a balance on a prepaid payment card by writing the current balance to the card after a payment transaction has occurred. |
| US08517276B2 |
Cards and devices with multifunction magnetic emulators and methods for using same
A payment card (e.g., credit and/or debit card) is provided with a magnetic emulator operable of communicating information to a magnetic stripe reader. Information used in validating a financial transaction is encrypted based on time such that a validating server requires receipt of the appropriate encrypted information for a period of time to validate a transaction for that period of time. Such dynamic information may be communicated using such an emulator such that a card may be swiped through a magnetic stripe reader—yet communicate different information based on time. An emulator may receive information as well as communicate information to a variety of receivers (e.g., an RFID receiver). |
| US08517272B1 |
Method to differentiate aiming from active decoding
A method includes generating a first illumination with an illumination source, and directing the first illumination to pass through an aperture to generate an illumination pattern for defining an illumination field of view that is configured to indicate a boundary surrounding the imaging field of view of the imaging system. The intensity of the first illumination changes with time. The intensity variation of the illumination pattern is perceivable by a human user. The method also includes detecting light from the barcode with the imaging sensor to create imaging data while the barcode is illuminated by a second illumination, and processing the imaging data to decode an image of the barcode. |
| US08517271B2 |
Optical code symbol reading system employing a LED-driven optical-waveguide structure for illuminating a manually-actuated trigger switch integrated within a hand-supportable system housing
An optical code symbol reading system including a hand-supportable housing having a light transmission aperture. A manually-actuated trigger switch is integrated within the housing. An optical code symbol reading subsystem is disposed in the housing for optically reading a code symbol in the field external to the light transmission aperture, and generating symbol character data representative of the read code symbol. One or more light emitting diodes (LEDs) are disposed in the housing, for producing a visible illumination. Also, an optical-waveguide structure is disposed in the housing for coupling visible illumination produced from the one or more LEDs, so as to illuminate the region about the manually-actuated trigger switch, thereby causing the optically-translucent region about the manually-actuated trigger switch to glow and visually indicate where it is located on the hand-supportable housing. |
| US08517265B2 |
Error free method for wireless display tag (WDT)
A method for error free initialization of a display tag includes providing a display tag, scanning the display tag with a near field source to cause the display tag to generate identification indicia, storing the identification indicia if only a single display tag generates that identification indicia, scanning the barcode of a product to be associated with the display tag, and associating, in a database, the identification indicia of the display tag with the barcode of the product to be associated with that display tag. |
| US08517262B2 |
Automated banking machine that operates responsive to data bearing records
An automated banking machine operates to cause financial transfers responsive at least in part to data read from data bearing records. The automated banking machine includes a card reader operative to read card data from user cards corresponding to financial accounts. The automated banking machine includes a display and a printer to produce records of financial transactions carried out with the machine. The automated banking machine is also operative to receive secure communications from a host system that are operative to enable the automated banking machine to carry out banking transactions in response to an input of a personal information number. |
| US08517250B2 |
Stacking drawer package
A tray has a bottom panel, side and end panels and top shoulders at opposed ends of the tray. The tray is covered by a separate sleeve that extends across the top of the tray and down opposed sides and across the bottom of the tray. The trays may be stacked with an upper tray resting on the shoulders of the lower tray. The sleeve is a sleeve for the stack of trays with the side panels of the sleeve sized for different numbers of trays in the stack. There may be frictional tabs in the side panels of the tray or trays which have frictional engagement with the side panels of the sleeve. |
| US08517247B2 |
Method for manufacturing beam, and beam
A beam includes at least three web plates that are connected to a bottom flange and top flange. |
| US08517243B2 |
Surgical instrument with wireless communication between control unit and remote sensor
A surgical instrument, such as an endoscopic or laparoscopic instrument. The surgical instrument may comprise an end effector comprising at least one sensor. The surgical instrument may also comprise an electrically conductive shaft having a distal end connected to the end effector wherein the sensor is electrically insulated from the shaft. The surgical instrument may also comprise a handle connected to a proximate end of the shaft. The handle may comprise a control unit electrically coupled to the shaft such that the shaft radiates signals as an antenna from the control unit to the sensor and receives radiated signals from the sensor. Other components electrically coupled to the shaft may also radiate the signals. |
| US08517241B2 |
Hand-held surgical devices
A surgical system is provided and includes an intelligent surgical device having a drive motor supported in the housing and being in electrical communication with the power source; and control circuitry. The control circuitry includes a feedback system for monitoring a condition of the surgical device during a use thereof and for changing an operative parameter of the surgical device when a change in the monitored condition occurs. The surgical system includes a non-intelligent loading unit for selective connection to the housing of the surgical device and which is actuatable by the drive motor, the loading unit having a first and a second condition. During operation, the drive motor actuates the loading unit from the first condition to the second condition; and when the loading unit achieves the second condition, a change in the at least one monitored condition occurs and an operative parameter of the surgical device is changed. |
| US08517240B1 |
Medical device and method of use
A medical device comprising an actuator, an extension portion, and a tissue interaction portion. The extension portion is coupled to the actuator and comprises at least first and second telescoping sections with each telescoping section having (i) at least one extended hook section having a head portion and a neck portion, and (ii) at least one body section being one of coupled and integrated to the at least one extended hook section. The at least one extended hook section of the first telescoping section is operatively coupled to the body section of the second telescoping section. The tissue interaction portion is operatively coupled to the extension portion and comprises at least one of a gripping mechanism, a stapling mechanism, and a cutting mechanism. The actuator is adapted to control at least one of the extension portion and tissue interaction portion. |
| US08517237B1 |
Vehicle roof rack pads
An improved apparatus and system for vehicle roof rack pads that provide improved support, aerodynamics, and cushioning. The pad includes an aerodynamically shaped elongated tubular member, wherein a cross-section of the pad has an airfoil exterior shape with a leading edge and a trailing edge and has a lengthwise interior hole therein for receiving a crossbar and one or more slots along the trailing edge for receiving tie down straps, where the slots are placed at a radial depth so as to prevent deformation of the trailing edge and the exterior airfoil shape. |
| US08517235B1 |
Holster with hood assembly
A holster having a body defining a cavity for receiving at least a portion of a weapon, the body comprising a pair of opposed side walls; a hood assembly pivotably connected to the body, wherein the hood assembly is pivotable between an open position and a closed position; a lock mechanism for maintaining the hood assembly in the closed position; a finger/thumb release associated with the lock mechanism for releasing the hood assembly from the closed position; and at least one pivot arm that extends from the hood assembly to a pivot plate, wherein the pivot plate automatically pivots the hood assembly to the closed position such that to the lock mechanism is automatically engaged as a forward face of a trigger guard of an inserted weapon urges the pivot plate. |
| US08517231B2 |
Immersion nozzle
The invention relates to an immersion nozzle, for example of the kind used for continuously casting a metal melt. |
| US08517229B2 |
Tap with integral air vent for delivering liquids from vessels
A delivering tap (1), for delivering liquids from a container, comprising at least one body (3) made in a single piece and integral with at least one elastic, flexible thrusting pushbutton (17) and at least one flexible sealing lip (25), and at least one valve member (5) with integrated spring inside the body (3), the body (3) comprising at least one head (11) equipped with at least one delivering beak (12) for delivering liquids, the delivering beak (12) communicating with one and only one internal chamber (13) of the body (3) into which, during the delivery of liquid, a lower space for passing liquid (L) and an upper space for passing air (A) are naturally defined. |
| US08517218B2 |
Dispenser for delivering substance from container
A slider including a squeezing mechanism, which is operative to uniformly deliver material from at least one collapsible container, and a track detachably coupled to the at least one collapsible container. The squeezing mechanism and track each are provided with a respective arrangement of engaging elements operative to mesh with one another during displacement of the squeezing mechanism along the track, which can be detached from the at least one collapsible container and coupled to a new collapsible container. |
| US08517217B2 |
Container
An aerosol can has a dispensing valve at one end and discharge device at another end that allows the pressurized can to be safely depressurized. The discharge device has two elements that collectively fit into a wall of the aerosol can. The second element has a through passage within itself and is threadingly connected to the first element. The first element can be rotated such that the second element can move toward the interior of the aerosol can, which in turn opens the through passage to allow pressurized air to exit the can safely. |
| US08517216B2 |
Angled spout dispensing device
A container dispensing device is provided having a storage mode and a dispensing mode. A pouring spout includes threaded first and second ends and functions at all times inside both a draw sleeve having a corresponding interior engaging mechanism. The draw sleeve is positioned directly above an exterior threaded upper extension of the first cap, which remains attached at all times to the container by a first engaging mechanism. A second cap is provided to cover the second end of the spout and secure the spout to the first cap. To convert the dispensing device from the storage mode to the dispensing mode, a user unscrews the second cap from the first cap, draws the spout from the container, and tightens the draw sleeve to engage the threaded first end of the spout with the corresponding interior engaging mechanism of the draw sleeve. |
| US08517207B2 |
Reusable packaging and shipping system
A reusable packaging device for protecting an object during shipment may include at least four end caps and strap assemblies configured to selectively hold the end caps in a desired expanded position relative to one another during shipment of the object and to hold the end caps in contact with one another after the object has been received. In one embodiment the object may be clamped between two of the packaging devices for shipment. |
| US08517206B2 |
High pressure storage vessel
Disclosed herein is a composite pressure vessel with a liner having a polar boss and a blind boss a shell is formed around the liner via one or more filament wrappings continuously disposed around at least a substantial portion of the liner assembly combined the liner and filament wrapping have a support profile. To reduce susceptible to rupture a locally disposed filament fiber is added. |
| US08517205B2 |
Pressure vessel
A pressure vessel including a container and a lid for placing thereon. By twisting the lid and container relative to each another, the container and lid can be detachably locked together by a peripheral locking segments configured along the lines of a bayonet fastening. A circumferential sealing ring is in the region of the lid edge and the container edge for sealing the interior of the container against a drop in pressure when said container and lid are in the locked position. The pressure vessel including an auxiliary device or aid for correct positioning of the lid on the container. The positioning aid comprising a downward-projecting positioning element in the region of the lid edge which, when the lid is correctly positioned on top of the container, can be inserted into a recess which is open towards the top and in the region of the container edge. |
| US08517200B1 |
Decorative radiator cap cover retention system for automotive use
A decorative radiator cap cover retention system provides for removable attachment of a radiator cap cover to a radiator cap using a retaining ring inside the radiator cap cover to removably attach the cap cover to the radiator cap. The inside of the radiator cap cover may have indentions conforming to the shape of the radiator cap and a groove for the retaining ring. Preferably, the number and shape of the intentions is sufficient to match the shape of many radiator caps. |
| US08517199B2 |
High-pressure tank with separate product and pressure testing screw sections
A tank having a structure which restricts decline in the strength of a screw section. The tank includes a mouthpiece having a mouthpiece screw section which is formed with a screw thread and has a larger diameter on the outer side than on the inner side in an axial direction of the tank, and a valve having a valve screw section which corresponds only to a portion of the mouthpiece screw section. |
| US08517194B2 |
Tamper-indicating closure and package
A tamper-indicating closure that includes a base wall having a cylindrical skirt for removably engaging a container finish. A tamper band is frangibly connected to the skirt, and a plurality of wings extend inwardly from an inner surface of the tamper band for engagement with a container finish. The wings are resiliently flexibly connected to the inner surface of the band along lines that are disposed at a counterclockwise angle with respect to the axis of the skirt as viewed from inside the skirt. |
| US08517193B1 |
Combination locking bottle holder
A combination locking bottle holder is disclosed comprising a base, a locking bar, and a plurality of tumblers. When a bottle is locked inside the device, features limit access to and prevent removal of the bottle's closure. When the tumbler rings with external indicia are properly aligned to a marker and display a predetermined code, the mechanism permits extraction of the locking bar and allows the bottle to be removed. |
| US08517190B2 |
Pivoting shelf assembly
A pivoting storage apparatus that is adapted to storage structures such as cabinets, refrigerators, and the like, whose horizontal interior storage surfaces are generally rectangular. The shelving system is presented in the form of a shelf accessory, in addition to use as an independent storage platform. A portion of the rotary shelving is capable of being manually drawn out of the confines of the storage structure's interior by the user, thereby enabling easy access to shelf contents. |
| US08517185B2 |
Two stage fuel water separator and particulate filter utilizing pleated nanofiber filter material
A water separator and particulate filter with a first or outer stage configured to coalesce water from fluid such as fuel, and a second or inner stage configured to separate coalesced water from the fluid and also remove fine solid contaminants from the fluid. The coalescing stage includes a pleated cylinder of polymeric media. The pleated cylinder has pleat valleys and downstream pleat tips, and release sites defined at the downstream pleat tips. The separator stage includes a non-pleated cylinder of polymeric media surrounding and in contact with outer pleat tips of a multi-layer pleated cylinder. |
| US08517184B2 |
Anisotropic filtration media
A method of making an anisotropic filtration media includes, foaming a media, straining the media in a selected direction, and relieving strain of the media in the selected direction. |
| US08517182B2 |
Reflux backwashing mechanism for automatic fluid filtration
A reflux backwashing mechanism for automatic fluid filtration, includes a hollow shaft sleeve (12) is located inside of the fluid inversion chamber (2); a blade (11) and a baffle plate (10) are connected with the hollow shaft sleeve (12) which is provided with an opening (9) at a position of the lower part of the baffle plate (10); a hollow core shaft (13) with an upward opening is located inside of the hollow shaft sleeve (12); and the shaft wall of the hollow core shaft (13) is distributed with through holes (14); and the hollow core shaft (13) is installed on an upper baffle plate (4). |
| US08517180B2 |
Process for charging a reactor with a fixed catalyst bed which comprises at least annular shaped catalyst bodies K
A process for charging a reactor with a fixed catalyst bed which comprises at least one annular shaped support catalyst body K, in which, before the charging, fragments formed in the preparation of the shaped catalyst bodies K are removed by screening. |
| US08517170B2 |
Conveyor chain cover
A feeder-breaker for processing material. The feeder-breaker generally includes a frame, a conveyor supported by the frame and operable to convey material along the axis, a conveyor chain cover removably connected to the frame to enable access to components of the conveyor from an interior of the frame, and a breaker positioned adjacent the conveyor and operable to process material. The conveyor chain cover includes a chain cover member engaged with the side member. The chain cover member includes a cover portion that extends from the side member and over the chain to cover the chain and an access panel is connected to the chain cover member. |
| US08517167B2 |
Distribution auger for roll-off box
One aspect provides a distribution auger. The distribution auger comprises a fill hopper, a flighting, and an outer covering surrounding the flighting. The fill hopper is located at a first end of the distribution auger and the outer covering includes a plurality of openings located on a bottom side such that, when the distribution auger is horizontally configured, solid matter introduced to the fill hopper located at the first end of the distribution auger falls through the plurality of holes when propelled by the flighting. |
| US08517166B2 |
Mailpiece selector device for selecting mixed mailpieces
A mailpiece selector device including at least a first guide that is mounted above a support plate for supporting mailpieces, and that is made up of a plurality of moving shoes for selecting the mailpieces one-by-one and for transporting them downstream along a referencing wall, at least one of the moving shoes having a varying coefficient of adhesion that increases going towards the support plate, the top portion of the moving shoe having a low coefficient of adhesion and the bottom portion having a high coefficient of adhesion. |
| US08517163B2 |
Coin handling system for validation, sorting, and dispensing coins
A system for handling coins employs a front end coin acceptor and validator that feeds a sorter mechanism. The sorter mechanism utilizes a substantially horizontal track module to load coins by denomination into an arrangement of bins. The coins are ejected by means of a solenoid onto the track module that provides a path according to the denomination of the coin into the proper bin. |
| US08517162B2 |
Method and apparatus for securing a movable item to a structure
An electronic lock is provided for removably securing a movable item to a structure, the electronic lock comprising first and second complementary cooperating member, each mounted to a respective one of the movable item and the structure and being engageable together in a lockable position and a securing assembly for securing the first and second connecting member together when engaged in the lockable position, wherein the securing assembly comprises inter alia a position detecting means, an electronic control means, an actuator, a locking aperture and a movable locking member. |
| US08517160B2 |
Method for controlling note throughput
A method and apparatus for controlling note throughput in real time through a currency processing machine. The invention involves the use of asynchronous components, such as independently driven feeder, transport, and final disposition components, to vary individual note velocity and horizontal distance between notes as they are being processed. The adjustments are made in real time based on detected note quality characteristics and event characteristics of the inputting source of the notes. |
| US08517159B1 |
Brake actuation assembly
An emergency braking system for use in connection with a drive apparatus including a drive belt and pulley system for transferring power from a prime mover to a transmission or transaxle. The braking system includes a pulley engaged to the drive belt and a spring engaged to the pulley to provide a bias force thereto. When tension from the belt is removed from the pulley, the spring forces the pulley into engagement with an actuator to engage a brake mechanism. |
| US08517158B2 |
Agricultural implement and a vehicle combination having a sensor to detect the open condition of a cover
A combination is provided of an agricultural implement and vehicle. The implement includes components that can be driven that are connected to a power take-off shaft of the vehicle, the components being covered by at least one manually opened cover. A sensor is also provided to detect the open status of the cover, that is coupled to an electronic control unit of the implement. The electronic control unit, is connected with an electronic control unit of the vehicle. The electronic control unit of the implement instructs the electronic control unit of the vehicle in case of an opening of the cover detected by the sensor and advises an actuator to disengage a clutch of the power take-off shaft and/or to prevent the actuator from engaging the clutch. |
| US08517150B2 |
Apparatus and method for holding and braking an elevator car
An elevator car with brake equipment, which is arranged in the region of the elevator car, for holding and braking the same, which brake equipment includes: a brake unit which can co-operate with a brake rail, an actuating device which can produce an actuator force FA, and a connecting linkage which connects the actuating device with the brake unit in force-active manner for transmission of the actuator force FA, wherein the brake unit in unloaded setting is in its open setting and the connecting linkage is a pull cable. |
| US08517145B2 |
X-Ray image processing apparatus for decreasing noise of an X-ray image, X-ray image processing method, program and storage medium
An X-ray image processing apparatus includes a calculating unit adapted to calculate the noise amount of a sensor on the basis of a difference value of a plurality of dark images acquired at different timings by the sensor when no X-rays are irradiated, a changing unit adapted to change a predetermined parameter for processing an X-ray image acquired by the sensor when X-rays are irradiated, in order to prevent the noise amount from being superposed on the X-ray image, and an image processing unit adapted to perform image processing on the X-ray image on the basis of the changed parameter. |
| US08517144B2 |
Hatchway safety grab post safety barrier and grate
A lift-up safety grab post mechanism for rooftop hatchway curbs having a mounting bracket on a hatchway curb and having an elongate opening having a pivot bolt for upward and downward grab post movement. A lift-up grab post has a pivot opening receiving the pivot bolt and having a stop member fixed thereto. The lift-up grab post is rotationally moveable between an upstanding position and a horizontal position relative to the roof hatchway curb. The mounting bracket defines a receiver seat and further defines a stop shoulder adjacent the receiver seat that prevents rotational movement of the grab post until the grab post has been raised from said receiver seat to a position above the stop shoulder. |
| US08517135B2 |
Vehicle suspension system having adjustable track width
A vehicle is disclosed having front and rear suspension systems adapted to change the track width of the vehicle. |
| US08517131B2 |
Battery mounting assembly
A battery mounting assembly for a vehicle includes a battery tray configured to carry an associated vehicle battery and a battery tray support structure mounted to an underside of the vehicle. The battery tray is slidably mounted to the battery tray support structure for movement between a first operational position and a second maintenance position. The second maintenance position is laterally spaced apart from and below the first operational position. |
| US08517126B2 |
Electric vehicle
Disclosed is an electric vehicle which receives power from a road surface by means of a wireless connection, in which an optimal configuration of a repeater (which is a resonator) and a receiving coil relative to the vehicle body is clarified. A first coil configuring the repeater forms a first wireless connection with a receiver coil, and a second coil forms a second wireless connection with a transmitting coil. The first coil is proximally arranged below the receiving coil and is aligned with the receiving coil, which is on the top side of a vehicle underbody panel; the second coil is arranged on the bottom side of the vehicle underbody panel. A performance indicator k*Q of the path from the transmitting coil below the road surface to the receiving coil of the electric vehicle is increased. |
| US08517120B2 |
Perforation tool with switch
A perforation tool e.g. for perforation of a formation, a well or the like downhole by detonation of a charge. The perforation tool has at least one charge and at least one switch for detonation of the charge. The switch has a housing, at least one contact, a shaft having a first end with a fastening member enabling a slidable fastening of the shaft in a predetermined position in relation to the tool and a second end for extending into the housing, and a conductor provided on the shaft enabling an electrical current to be conducted between the contact and the for detonation of a charge when the shaft extends within the housing. |
| US08517119B2 |
Disk for farm use, particularly used for field plowing
This disk is a metal disk comprising a central ductile portion (10), particularly used for attaching the disk to a chassis or the like, and an outer circumferential portion (12), particularly for working on land and having a hardness greater than that of the central portion (10). The disk also has a transitional area (14), between the central portion (10) and the circumferential portion (12), that has a hardness gradient in a radial direction, and at least in the central portion (10), a hardness gradient is present in the body of the disk. |
| US08517114B2 |
Mechanical lock with pressure balanced floating piston
Parts that need to be retained against relative movement are held with at least one collet that is captured in a groove with sleeve that acts as a piston. The piston is exposed to tubing pressure on opposed ends to be in pressure balance despite variations of pressure in the tubing. When it is desired to allow relative part movement to actuate the tool, one of the ports to the piston is isolated from the other and pressure drives the piston in a downhole direction. This releases the collet and drives a sleeve in an opposite direction to actuate a tool. The parts can be optionally rotationally locked. |
| US08517113B2 |
Remotely actuating a valve
A technique that is usable with a subterranean well includes communicating a wireless stimulus in the well. The technique includes actuating a valve in response to the communication. The valve has more than one controllable open position. |
| US08517111B2 |
Systems and methods for circulating out a well bore influx in a dual gradient environment
Methods and systems for drilling subsea wells bores with dual-gradient mud systems include drilling the subsea well bore while employing a subsea pumping system, a subsea choke manifold and one or more mud return risers to implement the dual gradient mud system. When a well bore influx is detected, the well bore is shut in, and components determine if pressure control may be used to circulate the influx out of the well bore, the size of the influx, and how much the mud system weight will need to be reduced to match the dual gradient hydrostatic head before the influx reaches the subsea pump take point. The subsea pumping system, subsea choke manifold, and mud risers are isolated while the influx is circulated up one or more fluid passages in the drilling riser package using the surface pump, through the wellhead, and out the surface choke manifold. |
| US08517108B2 |
Vortex controlled variable flow resistance device and related tools and methods
A vortex-controlled variable flow resistance device ideal for use in a backpressure tool for advancing drill string in extended reach downhole operations. The characteristics of the pressure waves generated by the device are controlled by the growth and decay of vortices in the vortex chamber(s) of a flow path. The flow path includes a switch, such as a bi-stable fluidic switch, for reversing the direction of the flow in the vortex chamber. The flow path may include multiple vortex chambers, and the device may include multiple flow paths. A hardened insert in the outlet of the vortex chamber resists erosion. This device generates backpressures of short duration and slower frequencies approaching the resonant frequency of the drill string, which maximizes axial motion in the drill sting and weight on the bit. Additionally, fluid pulses produced by the tool enhance debris removal ahead of the bit. |
| US08517103B1 |
Oil or gas treatment fluid containing a chelate or coordination complex that sets
A treatment fluid comprises: a metal oxide, wherein the metal oxide is capable of forming a chelate complex or coordination complex with a ligand, wherein the chelate complex or coordination complex has a setting time of less than 90 minutes at a temperature of 71° F. and a pressure of 1 atmosphere. A method of treating a portion of a subterranean formation comprises: introducing the treatment fluid into the subterranean formation; allowing or causing a chelate complex or coordination complex to form between the metal oxide and a ligand; and allowing or causing the chelate complex or coordination complex to set. |
| US08517101B2 |
Cementing composition comprising within un-reacted cement
The invention provides a cementing composition for use in oilfield application, wherein a significant amount of cement is left intentionally un-hydrated when the cement is set; such that said amount of un-hydrated cement becomes hydrated when the set cement is damaged. |
| US08517100B2 |
Compositions and methods for cleaning a wellbore prior to cementing
Single-phase microemulsions, comprising a solvent, a surfactant blend and a carrier fluid, are effective spacer fluids for use during cementing operations. The solvent may be selected from the group consisting of monoterpenes, diterpenes, and alkyl or aryl esters of short-chain alcohols. The surfactant blend comprises a water-wetting surfactant or nonionic surfactant, a co-surfactant and an oil-solubilizing surfactant. The carrier fluid is aqueous. The solvent and surfactant blend are combined with the carrier fluid to produce the well-treatment microemulsion. |
| US08517096B2 |
Methods and apparatus for measuring return flow in a well
An apparatus for use in a wellbore, made of a casing and an annulus with a fluid within, comprises a reel or wound optic fiber line fixed to an object within the casing, and a light transmitter/receiver device that is able to generate a signal through the optic fiber line and to measure a change of said signal. The optic fiber line is (a) on a first position fixed to a reference point linked to the light transmitter/receiver device, and is (b) on a second position unwound from the reel. The light transmitter/receiver device is able to measure the change of said signal when occurring at the second position, and the apparatus has a system able to measure the flow rate of the fluid exiting the annulus at the surface. |
| US08517094B2 |
Detecting and correcting unintended fluid flow between subterranean zones
Detecting and correcting unintended fluid flow between subterranean zones. At least some of the illustrative embodiments are methods that include: injecting a first fluid into a subterranean zone, the injecting by way of a first borehole; making a reading indicative of surface deformation; identifying, based on the surface deformation reading, a flow path for a second fluid out of the subterranean zone; drilling a second borehole that intersects the flow path; and placing a sealing compound into the flow path by way of the second borehole, the sealing compound reduces the flow of the second fluid through the flow path. |
| US08517086B2 |
Composite heat exchanger end structure
A heat exchanger having a tube bundle disposed within a housing with a resilient end structure disposed in compressed, plug-forming relation at least partially across the heat exchanging cavity. The resilient end structure includes one or more boundary segments extending between an internal wall of the housing and the perimeter of the tube bundle. The boundary segment includes a combination of materials having differing compression characteristics providing enhanced support to the boundary segments. |
| US08517085B2 |
Vapor flow in heat pipe using centrifugal blower
An assisted heat pipe comprises an evaporator section, a condenser section, and a blower. The evaporator section converts a fluid from a liquid form to a vapor form, and the condenser section converts the fluid from a vapor form to back to a liquid form. The blower is encapsulated within the assisted heat pipe and resides between the evaporator section and the condenser section. The blower rotates and assists the vapor to travel from the evaporator section to the condenser section. |
| US08517084B2 |
Heat recovery unit
A heat recovery unit comprise a heat exchanger (3) which is arranged in an annular space (4) which constitutes a part of an exhaust conduit (2) from e.g. a gas turbine or diesel engine. A bypass conduit (6) for the exhaust is arranged through the annular space (4), and the distribution of exhaust flow through the heat exchanger (3) and the bypass conduit (6) is regulated by means of a regulating valve (7). The regulating valve is a rotating damper valve (7) which is arranged in the exhaust conduit (2) adjacent to the heat exchanger (3), said rotating damper valve having a stationary part (8) and a rotatable part (9) which both are provided with openings (10, 12; 11, 13) which may be brought to cover or overlap each other. Both the stationary part (8) and the rotatable part (9) are formed by two conical oppositely directed portions (8a, 8b; 9a, 9b). |
| US08517083B2 |
System, apparatus and method for manufacturing metal ingots
A mold for creating metal ingots, a hottop sideboard and a system and method of manufacturing metal ingots utilizing the same. A hottop sideboard utilizes a layer of a rigid refractory material integrally connected to a layer a flexible refractory material that is compressed between the rigid layer and the sidewalls of the mold during use. The mold for creating metal ingots comprises: a main body having a floor and sidewalls that form a cavity for receiving a molten metal; a plurality of sideboards connected to the sidewalls and forming a perimeter about the cavity in a spaced relation from the floor, the sideboards comprising a first layer of a rigid refractory material and a second layer of a flexible refractory material, the first layer and the second layer being connected to one another; and the sideboards are secured to the sidewalls so that the second layer is compressed between the first layer and the sidewall. |
| US08517079B2 |
Sealing apparatus
A sealing apparatus for sealing a travelling packaging film. The sealing apparatus includes a first actuator, a second actuator, a first seal member, a second seal member, a slide rail arrangement, and a linkage coupled to the slide rail arrangement and connecting each of the first and second actuators to the first and second seal member. The first and second sealing members are actuated toward and away from each other between a disengaged position and an engaged position for sealing the travelling packaging film. |
| US08517077B2 |
Automatic taper
The invention generally relates to an automatic taper for drywall. More specifically, the invention relates to a manner for accessing the interior of the business end of the automatic taper for drywall. The taper may have an easily removable cover plate which may allow a user to obtain easy access to the interior of the nozzle of the taper. A user may gain access to the interior of the nozzle by flipping a rotating securing bar upward and then removing the removable cover plate. |
| US08517076B2 |
Transfer tool
In a transfer tool A, a support mechanism X for supporting a transfer head 2 on a transfer tool main body 1 so that the transfer head 2 can swing about a rolling axis R includes the transfer head 2 as a first member having a receiving gap 221 (to be described later) provided to the transfer head 2 and orthogonal to the rolling axis R and a moving arm 13 as a second member provided to the transfer tool main body 1 and having an insertion wall 132 to be inserted into the receiving gap 221 to be swingable along and with respect to opposed inner side faces 221a and 221b of the receiving gap 221. A fulcrum member 222 corresponding to a clearance dimension between the inner side faces 221a and 221b and for positionally restricting the insertion wall 132 so that the insertion wall 132 can swing about the rolling axis R is provided in the receiving gap 221 in the transfer head 2. |
| US08517074B2 |
Apparatus for laminating a film on a wafer
An apparatus for laminating a film on a wafer includes a cutting mechanism and a laminating mechanism. The cutting mechanism has a cutting device disposed thereon for pre-cutting a dry film. The cutting mechanism has a supporter disposed adjacent to the cutting device for positioning a wafer. The cutting mechanism has a suction member disposed and corresponding to the cutting device for sucking the cut dry film to allow the cutting device pre-cutting the dry film and moving the cut dry film to the supporter. The laminating mechanism has a first lower member provided for positioning the wafer and a first upper member disposed above the first lower member for laminating the cut dry film with electrically heating to adhere the cut dry film on the wafer. |
| US08517071B2 |
Pneumatic tire
A pneumatic tire wherein a distance t from an equatorial plane of a tire to outer circumferential main grooves and a distance b from the equatorial plane of the tire to an edge of a belt edge cushion in the width direction of the tire satisfy 0.85≦t/b≦0.90, in a cross-section in a meridian direction of the tire. Moreover, a distance d, which is half the width of a belt ply having the largest width, and a distance u from the equatorial plane of the tire to narrow grooves, satisfy 0.97≦d/u≦1.03. Furthermore, a distance a, which is half the width of a belt ply in the outermost layer, and a distance t, of outer circumferential main grooves, satisfy 1.15≦a/t≦1.25. |
| US08517066B1 |
Multi-axis controlled self-climbing tree trimmer
A multi-axis controlled self-climbing tree trimmer used for shaping and severing peripheral growth from a tree is provided herein. The trimmer typically includes a structural segment hinged together to form a rigid chassis that surrounds a tree trunk climbing segment and a trimming portion. The climbing portion is retained within the structural segment in the form of a number of inward-extending carriages containing one or more rollers for gripping the tree trunk during climbing, and the trimming portion may include a rotatable split ring gear containing centrifugally rotating trimming blade members and/or a cutting tool on a positionable arm. When rotated, the blade members unlatch and pivot, into the trunk of the tree to effect controlled trimming. The system may utilize a multi-axis control system that uses linear interpolation, circular interpolation and coordination of all axes to enable the trimmer to follow an XYZ contour selected by a user. |
| US08517064B2 |
Powder filling apparatus, powder filling method and process cartridge
A powder filling apparatus and a powder filling method which enable powder to be densely filled in a short period of time is to be provided. This is a powder filling apparatus having a pressure hopper wherein the pressure hopper has a discharger for discharging powder and a gas inlet positioned above at least the surface of a powder layer formed by the powder in the pressure hopper; the powder layer is so formed as to blockade the discharger in the pressure hopper; in the powder filling apparatus, the inside of the pressure hopper is pressurized by leading in gas through the gas inlet in a state in which the discharger is closed, and the powder layer so formed as to blockade the discharger is discharged by opening the discharger after the pressurization thereby to utilize that pressure to load the powder into the filling container. |
| US08517063B2 |
Flat tire sealant storage container and flat tire repair device
A flat tire sealant storage container is provided for a flat tire repair device in a formed in a simple configuration which enables the container to be stably secured. The flat tire sealant storage container includes an air inflow pipe for injecting compressed air under pressure into the container filled with a flat tire sealant and a sealant outlet discharge pipe for discharging the flat tire sealant under pressure to the outside of the container. The flat tire sealant storage container further includes an attachable and detachable fixing device formed on the outer surface of the container. When the container is secured to an external object by the fixing device, the inlet of the sealant outlet discharge pipe is positioned at the inner lower part of the container. |
| US08517060B2 |
Loom and a method of controlling the temperature of a lubricant in such a loom
A loom having a subassembly including heddles, a beater, and a device for inserting weft into a shed formed by warp yarns and also including a shed-forming device and a lubrication system for lubricating certain components of the subassembly including a first circuit for circulating a first lubricant and a second circuit for circulating a second lubricant for lubricating the shed forming device. The loom includes a heat exchanger system for exchanging heat between the first lubricant and the second lubricant without fluid communication between the lubricants. |
| US08517059B2 |
Blow-molded foam and process for producing the same
A blow-molded foam having a wall portion formed in such a manner that a thermoplastic resin containing a foaming agent mixed therewith is subjected to blow molding. Herein, the wall portion has a closed cell structure in which a plurality of foamed cells are contained. The wall portion has an expansion ratio of not less than 2.0 times. The wall portion has an outer face having a center-line average surface roughness Ra of less than 9.0 μm. The foamed cell has a cell diameter having a standard deviation of less than 40 μm in a thickness direction of the wall portion. |
| US08517056B2 |
Fluid regulator
A fluid regulator (1) for use as a shower water saving device, wherein an initial volume of water of a water stream at an undesired cold temperature is collected in a chamber and is reintroduced into the water stream when the stream has reached the desired temperature. Reintroduction of the initial volume of cold water is at a controlled rate such that the temperature change upon reintroduction is not significant. The fluid regulator (1) comprises a body (2), a flow passage (3) having an inlet (20) and outlet (21) for the water stream, a water collection chamber (4) in fluid communication with the flow passage (3), and a flow diverter (5) associated with the flow passage (3) and moveable between a closed position in which the water stream is directed to the collection chamber (4), and an open position in which the water stream may flow to the outlet (21) and the water in the collection chamber (4) may be drained from the collection chamber (4) to the outlet (21) by way of the flow passage (3). |
| US08517054B2 |
Flow resistance device
By using a base in cooperation with a moving board, a first flowing area formed by a plurality of openings on the base may be partially blocked by the moving board moving relative to the base, thereby forming a second flowing area that provides different flow resistances. The flow resistance of an adjustable flow resistance device can be adjusted easily and dynamically, without replacing to another device. The flow resistance of the device may also be adjusted to various predefined default settings precisely and speedily by further applying a positioning mechanism that utilizes various predefined positioning holes or a rotary element. |
| US08517049B2 |
Pressure relief valve
An adjustable pressure relief valve for use in hydraulic circuits, particularly for controlling pressure transients—acceleration and deceleration—of hydraulic motors subject to inertia forces (progressive anti-shock pressure relief valves) is characterized by reduced leakage, involving a reduced influence of flow forces during valve control, as well as reduced pressure losses; these characteristics prevent the hydraulic motor from rotating when it is subject to a drive load and is not powered, eliminate vibrations and instability of valve-regulated pressure, especially at low flow rates, and ensure an adjustment value varying according to the flow rate through the valve. A further characteristic of the valve is the reduced number of its components, resulting in greater cost effectiveness. |
| US08517043B2 |
Pressure build economizer valve
An adjustable economizer valve is disclosed that does not overlap the pressure build function, which allows a single valve to be used for both high and low gas use applications. The valve will economize well and reduces system pressure when needed in low use applications. The valve also provides maximum pressure build capacity when needed in high gas use applications. The valve seals off the pressure build outlet from the economizer connection with a seal around a pusher post disposed in the valve body. The pusher post has an internal flow path that is sealed by a floating device that can create a seal from diaphragm pressure and can open when diaphragm pressure is removed. In exemplary, non-limiting, embodiments, the floating device can be a ball or a disc plate. |
| US08517041B2 |
Pressure relief device assemblies
The present invention is directed to pressure relief devices and to corresponding pressure relief assemblies that have improved vacuum resistance, improved fragmentation resistance, and/or improved burst control while maintaining low mass. The pressure relief device includes a substantially flat flange section and a domed section. The domed section may include a transitional line that defines a change in the shape of the domed section. The pressure relief device may also include a bracket for securing or aligning a domed section to a flange section. The pressure relief device may further include a stress distribution feature that is disposed transversely to a line of weakness in the domed section. The pressure relief assembly may include a fastener having a wire that is configured to break and release the pressure relief device when subject to a predetermined tensile load. |
| US08517038B2 |
Insulated sport/utility shelter
The present invention relates to an outdoor shelter, such as a hunting blind consisting of a rectangular structure with roof and floor. The outer surface is coated with a spray closed cell foam insulation material, such as spray polyurethane. The foam is coated with a waterproof flexible membrane, such as a waterproof flexible latex paint. |
| US08517036B2 |
Warewashing system arm
A rinse arm or wash arm includes a tubular body connected to a fluid source. The tubular body has at least a first aperture and a second aperture therethrough. The first aperture forms a first spray and the second aperture forms a second spray when the fluid flows through the tubular body from the fluid source. The first aperture has a first aperture axis therethrough and the second aperture has a second aperture axis therethrough. The first aperture axis forms a first angle with a first vertical axis and the second aperture axis forms a second angle with a second vertical axis. The first angle is greater than 0 degrees, so that the first aperture directs the first spray towards the second spray forming an overlapping spray of the first spray and the second spray. |
| US08517034B2 |
Permanent reshaping process using a heating mechanical tensioning device
Provided is a process for permanently reshaping keratin fibers comprising: a) placing the keratin fibers under mechanical tension by rolling keratin fibers on a tensioning device so as to form curls, b) applying a reducing composition to the keratin fibers, c) individually covering each tensioning device rolled with keratin fibers with a cover comprising at least one heat-insulating material so as to form at least one closed space above the keratin fibers, and e) heating the keratin fibers at a constant temperature ranging from 45 to 250° C., for a period of time ranging from 1 minute to 2 hours, wherein at least one of the tensioning device and the cover comprising at least one heat-insulating material further includes at least one heat source. Also provided is a kit for permanently reshaping keratin fibers. |
| US08517029B2 |
Device for treating night time breathing problems
Device (1) for treating breathing problems, comprising a lower part (2) mountable on the lower jaw and an upper part (3) mountable on the upper jaw; and left and right coupling means (4) for coupling the lower part to the upper part close to the back teeth; wherein each of the left and right coupling means comprises an upper coupling element (6) connected to the upper part and a lower coupling element (5) connected to the lower part; which left and right coupling means are adapted to move the lower jaw forward in relation to the upper jaw, wherein the upper coupling element is provided with a stop (13) for co-action with a contact surface (12) of the lower coupling element. |
| US08517027B2 |
Reversible vessel seal
A vessel seal for reversibly sealing a body lumen comprises a support structure moveable between an insertion and deployed configuration, wherein a diameter of the support structure in the deployed configuration is greater than in the insertion configuration, and is substantially corresponding to an inner diameter of a lumen. A compressible vessel seal is coupled to the support structure so that, when in the deployed configuration, the vessel seal expands to occlude the lumen. A method of controlling flow through a body lumen, comprises the steps of inserting into a lumen a vessel seal assembly including a support structure and a compressible vessel seal coupled thereto and moving the support structure to a deployed configuration in which the vessel seal expands to occlude the lumen, wherein a diameter of a support structure in the deployed configuration is greater than in the insertion configuration and substantially corresponds to an inner diameter of the lumen. |
| US08517024B2 |
Elbow assembly
An elbow assembly for a mask system includes an elbow including a slot and a port, an anti-asphyxia valve adapted to be received within the slot and including a flap portion adapted to selectively close the port depending on the presence of pressurized gas, and a clip member to secure the anti-asphyxia valve to the elbow. The clip member includes a slot that is adapted to interlock with a protrusion provided to the anti-asphyxia valve. |
| US08517021B2 |
Vacuum demand valve
A vacuum demand valve for controlling flow of exhalation gases from a patient to a vacuum line. The demand valve comprises: a housing having a housing inlet that allows exhalation gases to flow into the housing from a patient, and a housing outlet that allows gases to flow from the housing into the vacuum line; a diaphragm having a flexible skirt and a rigid portion moveable in response to gas pressure in the housing; a sealing member connected to the rigid portion to engage the housing outlet to resist the flow of gases from the housing to the vacuum line. In a first condition, the vacuum line pressure causes the sealing member to engage the housing outlet and in a second condition a predetermined pressure of exhalation gases in the housing causes the sealing member to disengage from the housing outlet. |
| US08517014B2 |
Methods and apparatus for monitoring the cardiovascular condition of patients with sleep disordered breathing
A method for relating to each other cardiovascular and sleep disordered breathing conditions of a patient. The patient's heart rate and/or detailed echocardiogram data is monitored and recorded continuously or periodically together with sleep disordered breathing information on similar time scales. Changes in the patient's heart rate associated with changes in sleep disordered breathing can then be observed. More specifically, positive airway pressure at therapeutic levels for treatment of sleep disordered breathing is applied while events associated with the treatment of the patient's sleep disordered breathing are detected and recorded. At the same time, information concerning the cardiovascular condition of the patient is stored and the stored information concerning the cardiovascular condition of the patient and the recorded events associated with the treatment of the patient's sleep disordered breathing are related to each other. |
| US08517013B2 |
Pacing management during cardiopulmonary resuscitation
Systems and methods provide for coordinated cardiac pacing with delivery of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) to a patient. Managing cardiac pacing in a patient during a cardiac arrhythmia involves detecting a cardiac arrhythmia using a patient implantable medical device, prompting a cardiopulmonary resuscitation compression, and delivering, using the patient implantable medical device, a pacing pulse to a heart chamber in coordination with the compression prompt. |
| US08517007B2 |
Energy supplying device
The present disclosure relates to an energy supplying device intended to be used for energy collecting, energy transfer and energy release, but also for cooling and storing of energy, said energy supplying device (1) consists of at least three elongated profiles (3), which comprise a number of walls (2′, 2″) delimiting in the same elongated cavities (2), produced by extruding in a direction of extrusion (4) by aid of a tool, said cavities (2) provide space for a medium (5) such as gas or liquid to circulate or to be stored in said cavities (2) or a hose or a tube (9) located in these. The profiles (3) are cut off in predetermined lengths (6) straight across the direction of extrusion (4) in a pre-selected angle (10), said lengths (6) are connectable to each other end (7) against end (7) and are extending in predetermined directions at the same time as the connected profiles (3) comprise an end profile (11), which is connected to the end (12) of a first profile (8) in providing of a closed circuit of profiles (3) by connecting of all ends (7) of each profile (3) against each other. |
| US08516998B2 |
Propane injection control for gasoline and gaseous fuel internal combustion engines
A system and method for metering the injection of propane gas into the air intake of a gasoline or gaseous fuel spark ignition internal combustion engine by subjecting a metering valve member to intake manifold vacuum so as to decrease propane injection with increasing engine vacuum which counters a substantially constant biasing spring force acting to thereon tending to increase the propane injected into the engine air intake. |
| US08516997B2 |
Approach for controlling fuel flow with alternative fuels
A fuel pump temperature is regulated by selectively directing liquid fuel to an expansion section to evaporate the liquid fuel and create a drop in temperature to thermally cool the fuel pump. |
| US08516990B1 |
Hybrid rotary engine
A hybrid engine including a set of sequencing generators, an electric motor, and a rotary internal combustion engine, including pivotal vane elements mounted on a rotor and biased into engagement to sequentially form intake, compression, combustion and exhaust chambers between the rotor and its housings annular inner wall. |
| US08516987B2 |
Intake manifold having runners with variable cross sectional area
The present invention provides a tunable engine manifold which employs sliders to form one wall of the inlet runners. The sliders can be moved to alter the cross sectional area of the runners as desired. Seals on the sliders provide an efficient means to seal the runners to prevent undesired leaks within runners and, while not required by the present invention, the overmolding of the seals onto the sliders provides a cost effective and mechanically effective manner of providing the desired seals between the inlet runners and the sliders. The tunable engine manifold can be an inlet or an exhaust manifold and can provide a crossover between the banks of inlet runners, or between individual runners, to control resonance in the manifold. |
| US08516982B2 |
Harmonic drive camshaft phaser and method for using
A camshaft phaser includes a housing with a harmonic gear drive unit disposed therein. The harmonic gear drive unit includes a circular spline and a dynamic spline, a flexspline disposed radially within the circular spline and the dynamic spline, a wave generator disposed radially within the flexspline, and a rotational actuator connectable to the wave generator. One of the circular spline and the dynamic spline is fixed to the housing. A hub is rotatably disposed radially within the housing and attachable to the camshaft and fixed to the other of the circular spline and the dynamic spline. An anti-rotation means is provided for temporarily fixing the circular spline to the dynamic spline in order to prevent relative rotation therebetween when the hub is being attached to the camshaft. The anti-rotation means prevents damage to the harmonic gear drive unit while the camshaft phaser is being installed onto the camshaft. |
| US08516979B2 |
Retractable leash with automatic braking mechanism
One example embodiment includes a retractable leash for restraining an animal attached to the retractable leash. The retractable leash includes a housing and a spool in the housing. The retractable leash also includes a leash, where the leash is wound around the spool and at least a portion of the leash can extend from the housing. The retractable leash further includes a cam, where the cam is configured to be forced outward against the housing when the spool rotates at a high rate. |
| US08516978B2 |
Animal restraint system
An animal restraint system including a body harness and a removable control strap assembly. The control strap assembly may include no-pull or no jump/run modules. The body harness includes three adjustable straps that fit over the animal's back, in front of the chest, and underneath and behind the front legs, and two leg straps that encircle the animal's front legs. The no-pull module includes a strap for connecting a leash to the front leg straps. Pulling force is transferred to the animal's front legs, thereby reducing its ability to pull. The no-jump/run module includes hind leg straps that encircle the animal's hind legs and are connected to the corresponding front leg straps by connecting straps. A rear back strap extends across the back of the animal. The design works by limiting the range of motion of the front legs relative to the hind legs to inhibit jumping and running. |
| US08516977B2 |
Food dispensing interlocking animal toy system
An animal toy features the ability to connect two or more separate toys of varying shape, size, color, and/or texture, together to create larger and more complex toy systems. The animal toy allows an almost endless variety of toy systems to capture the interest as well as challenge and develop the animal's problem solving skills. The animal toy is either solid or include internal chambers for holding and ultimately dispensing food. When two or more toys with the internal chambers are combined the food may flow from the chamber of one toy into another toy several times before exiting the toy system. The increased problem of extracting the food challenges and develops the animal's skills. Moreover, by combining solid and food dispensing toys in random combinations further increases the problem solving skills required to completely extract the food from the toy system. |
| US08516972B2 |
Profile sail boom for sail boats
The invention relates to a profile sail boom for a boat having a batten mainsail, which is configured to be flexible in the horizontal direction and has a vertical spar with cords laminated in at the uppermost and lowermost points in the center of the cross-section, transverse webs separated by wedge-shaped spacer joints extending from said spar on the lowermost site in the horizontal direction, wherein guiding tubes for cords are present on the outer edges of said webs. |
| US08516968B2 |
Fluidized bed
A fluidized bed is described and which includes a multiplicity of fluidizing manifolds positioned in spaced relation one relative to the others; an enclosure positioned in gravity receiving relation relative to the multiplicity of fluidizing manifolds and which has an intake and a discharge end, and wherein particulate matter received in the fluidized bed moves under the influence of gravity from the intake end to the discharge end, and a moveable gate is mounted on the second discharge end of the enclosure and which is operable to selectively occlude a discharge aperture and which further facilitates the selective removal of particulate matter and waste material entrained with same, and which moves under the influence of gravity to the discharge end thereof. |
| US08516966B1 |
Pivoting multi-leaf modular table
A modular table system in which two or more tables are capable of being used independently, and are also capable of being vertically nested and rotated in the nested condition to different configurations. The tables each include a table top having a base supported by a multi-point leg or equivalent, and an inner corner supported by a tubular leg located beneath and within the periphery of the table top. The table top on at least the lower table includes an opening aligned with and matching the lower table's tubular leg to admit the upper table's tubular leg into a nested and rotating fit with the lower tubular leg. |
| US08516964B2 |
Cartridge
The invention relates to a cartridge having a propellant charge casing at least partially filled with a propellant charge powder, and a projectile part connected on a front of the propellant charge casing, wherein the propellant charge casing comprises a casing cover, a casing sheath and a casing base, and the casing sheath is connected to the projectile part via the casing cover and to the casing base via a spring steel sheet. In order to achieve different amounts of propellant charge powder filled into the same propellant charge casing without igniting the propellant charge at undesirable blast waves, a sack-shaped container that is completely filled with the respective amount of propellant charge powder is disposed inside the propellant charge casing so that the container, and thus also the propellant charge powder, extends in the direction of the central longitudinal axis of the cartridge. |
| US08516960B2 |
Ink wiping system for a printing machine
The system comprises a wiping tank (1), a wiping roller (2) rotatably supported in the wiping tank and having a circumferential surface and cleaning means for cleaning the surface of the wiping roller, said cleaning means comprising at least a first spray unit (4) for spraying clean wiping solution against the surface of the wiping roller and a drying blade (12) placed downstream of said first spray unit with respect to a direction of rotation of said wiping roller for removing wiping solution residues from the surface of the wiping roller. The cleaning means further comprise a cleaning assembly including at least one supporting plate (5; 25) with a series of holes (5′, 30, 31, 32, 33) and holding means (7, 8, 10, 11) for holding the supporting plate, said supporting plate being conformed to extend parallel to a part of the circumferential surface of the wiping roller without touching said wiping roller. The cleaning assembly further comprising at least a cleaning sheet (6; 26, 26a, 26b) made of porous material placed on said supporting plate and in contact with the surface of said wiping roller for removing ink therefrom. The first spray unit (4) is disposed before an upstream end of the cleaning assembly with the respect to the direction of rotation of the wiping roller (2) in such a way as to spray clean wiping solution directly between the surface of the wiping roller (2) and the upstream end of the cleaning assembly. |
| US08516958B2 |
Lumber printer
Provided is a printer for printing stamps on boards and a method of printing stamps on boards. The printer is capable of printing multiple types of stamps simultaneously on boards. |
| US08516956B1 |
Power drill operated can crusher
A power drill-operated can crusher comprises a frame, a plate, and a screw drive mechanism. The frame comprises a hollow cylindrical structure having an inner radius sized to contain a standard aluminum can and an opening on a bottom end for the insertion of an aluminum can into the interior of the frame. The plate comprises a rigid circular plate with radius equal to the inner radius of the frame. The screw drive mechanism comprises a screw mechanism which produces a linear mechanical action of the plate via rotational motion of the screw mechanism. The plate is connected inside the frame and parallel to the circular faces of the frame via the screw drive mechanism. The top end of the screw drive mechanism comprises a power drill adapter, which allows a user to rotate the mechanism with a standard power drill. To use the apparatus, a user places the plate in a high position within the frame, places an aluminum can in the bottom of the frame, engages the screw mechanism with a power drill in order to drive the plate downwards and flatten the can, and reverses the screw action to replace the plate in a high position, thereby allowing the flattened can to be removed from the frame. |
| US08516948B2 |
Method and apparatus for beverage formation with pneumatically sealed reservoir
A method and apparatus for forming a beverage. An access opening for a reservoir of a brewer may be opened (e.g., to allow a user to provide liquid into the reservoir for forming a beverage), and thereafter, the access opening of the reservoir may be closed and the reservoir pneumatically sealed. The access opening may be closed and the reservoir pneumatically sealed by closing a lid of the reservoir, e.g., by a user pressing down on the lid. Pneumatic sealing of the reservoir may allow the water in the reservoir to be expelled from the reservoir for flow to the brew chamber by introducing air pressure into the reservoir, e.g., by an air pump. The reservoir may be vented during heating of the water, and during pressurization of the reservoir for delivery of the brew water. |
| US08516937B2 |
Blast treatment method and blast treatment device
Provided is a blast treatment method that enables blast treatment of a treatment subject in a sealed container to be carried out easily and safely. This blast treatment method implements: a shaped charge placement step of placing a shaped charge 70 at a location outside a sealed container 40; a blasting explosive placement step of placing a blasting explosive 20 for blasting a treatment subject 10 at a location outside the sealed container 40; a housing step of housing the sealed container 40 in which the treatment subject 10 is housed in a sealable chamber 90; a dividing step of initiating the shaped charge 70 and dividing the sealed container 40 at prescribed dividing surfaces 40a and 40b with the initiated shaped charge 70 to expose the treatment subject 10; and a blasting step of blast-treating the exposed treatment subject 10 with the blast energy of the blasting explosive 20 by initiating the blasting explosive 20 in the sealed chamber 90. |
| US08516933B2 |
Internal combustion engine ignition timing tool
The internal combustion engine ignition timing tool (10) installs removably atop the distributor housing (D) after removal of the distributor cap (C), and enables the mechanic to set timing accurately without need of additional equipment. In one embodiment, the tool has a single collar (12), while the other embodiment has an inner collar adjustably rotating within an outer collar. Each has a rotor tip clearance notch (22). The engine is turned to align the conventional external timing marks, and the distributor (D) is turned opposite the normal rotational direction of the engine to push the leading face (24) of the clearance notch (22) against the rotor tip, thus removing all gear lash and slack from the system. |
| US08516932B2 |
Screwdriver bit
A screwdriver bit has a shank, a connecting portion, a necking portion defined between the shank and the connecting portion, a head disposed on a distal end of the connecting portion, multiple ribs separately arranged around the connecting portion and the necking portion and multiple shear grooves respectively defined between the connecting portion and the necking portion and each shear groove is defined between two adjacent ribs. When a torsion force is applied to the screwdriver bit, a shear force formed between the necking portion and the connecting portion is concentrated on points where the ribs and the shear grooves connect with each other in a dot-like form. Therefore, the screwdriver bit has strengthened shear strength and prolonged life for use. |
| US08516919B2 |
Robot with rotation mechanism
A robot includes a base a movable platform, a plurality of control arms, a first actuator, a plurality of second actuators, and a rotation mechanism. The plurality of control arms are rotatably connected to the base and the movable platform respectively. The second actuators are configured to respectively drive the control arms to swing. The rotation mechanism includes a shaft rotated by the first actuator. The shaft is rotatable relative to the base and the movable platform is positioned around at least two axes. The at least two axes include two axes substantially perpendicular to each other. The shaft is slidable relative to the base. |
| US08516915B2 |
Control lever for a vehicle
A control lever is provided for controlling a vehicle and has a grip head that includes a gripping surface for a hand of an operator, with air-permeable openings formed in the gripping surface. |
| US08516910B2 |
Method of developing and calibrating a tool for non-destructive inspection of parts of a turbomachine
A method of developing a tool for non-destructive inspection of parts of a turbomachine engine is disclosed. The method includes: a) making parts and/or sets of parts of an engine portion by prototyping from a digital model of the engine portion, and then assembling the parts and/or sets of parts in order to make a three-dimensional lifesize mock-up; and b) verifying that it is possible to pass the inspection tool through access orifices and/or passages of the mock-up until a distal end of the tool is situated in the vicinity of a part for inspection, and validating the tool or modifying its configuration or the configuration of the access orifices as a function of the results of the verification. |
| US08516902B2 |
Product dispensing system
A flow sensor includes a fluid chamber configured to receive a fluid. A diaphragm assembly is configured to be displaced whenever the fluid within the fluid chamber is displaced. A transducer assembly is configured to monitor the displacement of the diaphragm assembly and generate a signal based, at least in part, upon the quantity of fluid displaced within the fluid chamber. |
| US08516901B2 |
Retrofit ultrasonic insertion type flow meter
The present invention relates to a measurement insert for a flow meter and a flow meter. The present invention discloses using, in a customary housing of a bulk water meter, e.g. a Woltman meter, instead of a device for mechanical flow measurement a measurement insert which comprises an ultrasonic measurement path and can be fastened to the opening of the housing by a housing cover. |
| US08516899B2 |
System for remote monitoring of aerodynamic flow conditions
A system (1) for monitoring aerodynamic flow conditions over an aerodynamic member is provided. The system (1) includes a cantilevered arm (16) having a first conductive lead (18) configured for movement relative to a second conductive lead (20) for selective contact therewith in alternative response to a presence or absence of a turbulent air (22) flow thereover. In addition, the system (1) includes a circuit (24) comprising the first conductive lead (18) and the second conductive lead (20). A continuity condition in the circuit (24) between the first conductive lead (18) and the second conductive lead (20) is indicative of the presence or absence of the turbulent air flow (22). |
| US08516898B2 |
Aircraft slat disconnect sensor
A slat disconnect sensor includes a base. First and second arms are spaced apart from one another and are operatively supported by the base. At least one of the first and second arms have an end mounted to the base and is rotatable relative thereto at a pivot between connect and disconnect conditions. A mechanical link includes first and second link portions respectively secured to the first and second arms. The link interconnects the first and second arms and includes a weakened area providing a frangible connection in the connect condition and is configured to break at the frangible connection in the disconnect condition. A fuse includes first and second fuse portions operatively mounted to the first and second arms. The fuse is interconnected between the first and second arms providing continuity in the connected condition, and continuity is broken between the first and second portions in the disconnect condition. |
| US08516890B2 |
Acceleration sensor having substrate, web, and seismic mass
An acceleration sensor having a substrate, at least one web, and a seismic mass, the web and the seismic mass being situated over a plane of the substrate. The seismic mass is situated on at least two sides of the web and elastically suspended on the web. The web is anchored on the substrate with the aid of at least one anchor. At least one anchor is situated outside the center of gravity of the seismic mass. |
| US08516888B2 |
Angular velocity sensor and method of manufacturing the same
Disclosed is an angular velocity sensor. The angular velocity sensor includes a first layer, a piezoelectric layer, and a second layer. The first layer has a first main surface and a second main surface, and includes a vibrator portion and a base portion that supports the vibrator portion. The piezoelectric layer is formed on the first main surface of the first layer. The second layer is integrally bonded to the base portion on a side of the second main surface of the first layer. |
| US08516883B2 |
Device and method for determining the fill level of a flexible medicine reservoir
Included are systems and methods for determining a fill level of an inflow-less flexible medicine reservoir as a source for medicine, where the inflow-less flexible medicine reservoir has a monotonically decreasing fill level. Some embodiments of a device include a stop surface designed and arranged such that the stop surface contacts the inflow-less flexible medicine reservoir while the inflow-less flexible medicine reservoir is filled above a predetermined level. Similarly, some embodiments of the device additionally include a release detector that generates an output signal indicative of contact between the stop surface and the inflow-less flexible medicine reservoir being released and a processing unit for determining the fill level of the inflow-less flexible medicine reservoir from an output signal of the release detector. |
| US08516882B2 |
Tire pressure monitoring apparatuses, systems and methods
Tire pressure monitoring apparatuses, systems and method for adapting a tire pressure monitoring apparatus to be used with a plurality of valve stem configurations. Tire pressure monitoring transducers and sensors designed for use with a single valve stem design can be modified to universally accept a plurality of valve stems when coupled with the presently disclosed adapter. Use of an adapter of the presently disclosed subject matter can adapt a tire pressure monitoring apparatus such that it is suitable for use with a wide range of existing valve stems, including valve stems not originally designed to be used with the tire pressure monitoring apparatus. The adapter is suitable for use with tire pressure monitoring transducers and sensors. |
| US08516880B2 |
Gas sensing system with quartz crystal substrate
An exemplary gas sensing system includes a gas sensing unit, a detecting unit, and a processing unit. The gas sensing unit includes a quartz crystal substrate, a first electrode layer, a second electrode layer, a first activating layer, and a sensor medium layer having adsorption ability and desorption ability to chemical gas. The detecting unit is electrically connected with the first electrode and the second electrode, and is configured for detecting a frequency change of the gas sensing unit before and after adsorbing the chemical gas. The processing unit is electrically connected with the detecting unit, and is configured for obtaining a mass change of the gas sensing unit according to the frequency change. |
| US08516879B2 |
Gas sensor output base supporting a circuit board
A gas sensor comprises a gas sensing element, a storage medium to store individual information prepared individually for the sensing element for use in control of the sensing element, and a circuit board supporting the storage medium mounted on the circuit board. A seal portion of a resin covers the circuit board liquid-tightly. An output base includes a mount surface facing to the circuit board. A terminal portion extending through the mount surface is connected with the circuit board and arranged to deliver the individual information through the circuit board. The output base further includes a support projection projecting from the mount surface and including a support surface supporting the circuit board. |
| US08516876B2 |
Method of adjusting an apparatus comprising a flexible tube pre-tensioned with a liquid and connected to a pressure sensor
Method for one of adjusting (taring) or re-calibrating an apparatus that includes a liquid-filled previously pressurized flexible tube that is closed at one end and is connected to a pressure sensor at an other end. Method includes activating predetermined controlling functions by establishing a differential of an external pressure exerted onto the tube by a person and a pressure prevailing in the previously pressurized tube. In establishing the differential, the method includes taking into account variations of the pressure prevailing in the previously pressurized tube, when no external pressure is being exerted on the tube by the person, due to at least one variable external ambient parameter. |
| US08516875B1 |
Repairing kit for automotive dents
A repairing kit for automotive dents includes a body, a draw bar, a spring, a pull seat, a pull piece, a grab bar, a handle, two foot stands and two foot pieces. The repairing kit can be used to repair automotive dents and restore a smooth surface to an automobile using a DIY method, without damaging the baking finish surface after repairing the automotive dent. |
| US08516873B1 |
Puller for automotive dents
A puller for automotive dents includes a rod unit, a slide hammer, a first handle, a second handle, at least a pull piece and a pull assembly. A user puts a single pull piece or the pull assembly that is formed by plural pull blocks at an automotive dent and pulls flat an automotive dent by hammering with a DIY method to restore the automotive dent to a smooth surface. |
| US08516872B2 |
Crimping pliers
The present invention relates to crimping pliers for crimping a workpiece. The crimping pliers comprise two hand levers. At the crimping pliers a first tool builds a crimping tool and comprises two crimping jaws located at a head of the pliers. The crimping jaws are linked by a transfer mechanism with the two hand levers. The invention suggests providing a second tool. The second tool comprises a working area, wherein the working area is located between the two hand levers. The second tool is solely mounted with a first hand lever of the two hand levers. The second hand lever comprises a contact surface cooperating with a contact surface of the second tool. The contact of the two contact surfaces is used for transferring an activating force from the hand levers to the second tool. |
| US08516871B2 |
Crimper
In one embodiment, an apparatus for shaping an article may comprise a plurality of movable dies arranged to form a chamber whose size may be varied by moving the dies. Each of the dies may have a contacting surface for contacting the article to be shaped. The chamber may have a first portion having a first cross-section and a second portion having a second cross-section. Either portion may include a taper. The first portion may have a differently shaped cross-section than the second portion. The first portion may have a cross-section of greater area than the second portion. The longitudinal axis of the first portion may be offset from the longitudinal axis of the second portion. |
| US08516867B2 |
Manufacturing apparatus of hot-rolled steel sheet and manufacturing method of steel sheet
A manufacturing apparatus comprises a final stand, with standing side members, and a cooling apparatus. The cooling apparatus comprises rows of upper surface cooling nozzles, rows of lower surface cooling nozzles, and an upper surface guide on the upper surface side of the steel sheet. An end portion of the cooling apparatus on a side of the final stand is arranged between the standing side members of the housing. When defining a width of a uniformly cooled region, an average gap distance (Wsw) between the end portion of the width of the uniformly cooled region and the standing side member of the housing; a gravity acceleration rate, an average water volume density of the width of the uniformly cooled region, and a value determined by Wsw and an average distance h between the upper surface guide and the upper surface of the steel sheet, a specific relation is satisfied. |
| US08516864B2 |
Electronic latch mechanism
A latch apparatus for providing secure storage to an enclosure is disclosed. The latch apparatus can include an actuating device that operates to lock or unlock the latch apparatus in response to a control signal. The control signal can be communicated to the latch apparatus through an RF or other transmitted signal or through hardwires connecting the latch apparatus to the remote device. The latch apparatus can be maintained in either a locked state or an unlocked state without having to continuously supply power to the latch apparatus. The latch apparatus can include a latch hook that can be detent biased to both the open position and the closed position while the latch apparatus is in either a locked state or an unlocked state. The latch hook can move from the open position to the closed position while the latch apparatus is in a locked state. The latch apparatus can also have a thickness such that the latch apparatus will fit in the gap in which drawer slide hardware for an enclosure is installed. |
| US08516858B1 |
Method of making an abrasive cleaning glove
A method of making an abrasive cleaning glove comprises the following steps not necessarily in order. First, a user forms a fabric with plurality of warp threads and a series of waft threads with mosaic type needle bars and sedimentary slice principles of a glove knitting machine to allow elasticity. Next, the user utilizes an air jet propelled devices on the glove knitting machine allowing a greater elasticity. After this the user, completes inlaid neilsbed and sedimentation piece devices on the glove knitting machine allow the abrasive cleaning glove to conform with a user's hand. Then, the user attaches a rib-stitched wrist area to form a cuff and a hand opening with at least one elastic thread to allow the abrasive cleaning glove to conform to different wrist sizes. |
| US08516857B2 |
Zirconia toughened alumina ESD safe ceramic composition, component, and methods for making same
ESD safe ceramic component is provided which includes a sintered composition which is formed of a base material and a resistivity modifier. The base material includes a primary component and a secondary component, the primary component including Al2O3 and the secondary component including tetragonal-ZrO2. |
| US08516856B2 |
Methods of making fiber waveguides from multilayer structures
Methods for making fiber waveguides include rolling a multilayer structure into a spiral structure and forming the fiber waveguide from the spiral structure. The forming includes drawing a fiber preform derived from the spiral structure. |
| US08516854B2 |
Progressive pressing to form a glass article
The invention is directed to a method of forming small, thin glass articles having a thickness of less than 5 mm by the use of a plunger and a die, the die having walls, a terminal area and a transition area in contact with both the walls and the transition area is such that the interior distance dimensions of the die gradually decrease as one progresses from the terminal area through the transition area to the walls. |
| US08516853B2 |
Method of fastening lamellae of a lamellar material on a suitable substrate
The invention provides a method of fastening lamellae of a lamellar material that is at least partially conductive onto an insulating substrate (2) containing oxides that are suitable for dissociating into mobile ions of given charge and stationary ions of opposite charge, the method comprising the steps of: placing a sample (1) of the lamellar material against a surface of the substrate; causing the oxides of the substrate to dissociate; and subjecting the substrate and the sample to an electric field by means of an electrode in contact with the substrate and an electrode in contact with the sample. |
| US08516847B2 |
Thermal storage air conditioner
The present invention relates to air conditioners, and more particularly, to a thermal storage air conditioner in which a cold heat is produced and stored in a tank during night time for using the cold heat during day time for cooling a room. For this, the thermal storage air conditioner includes an outdoor unit having an outdoor heat exchanger for making heat exchange, and at least one compressor for compressing refrigerant, an indoor unit having a plurality of indoor heat exchangers for making heat exchange, a thermal storage unit for storing energy, the thermal storage unit having a plurality of thermal storage heat exchangers for making heat exchange, and a functional unit having a plurality of valves for selective control of refrigerant flows among the outdoor unit, the indoor unit and the thermal storage unit according to an operation mode, and a valve controller for making a unitary control of operation of the valves. |
| US08516843B2 |
Energy recovery system of cryogen exhaust gas from freezing systems
An apparatus for recovering energy from freezer exhaust includes a heat exchanger disposed for coaction with a freezer in a first atmosphere, the heat exchanger having a first heat transfer surface in communication with the freezer exhaust and the first atmosphere, and a second heat transfer surface in communication with the freezer exhaust and the first atmosphere; a discharge conduit in communication with the first and second heat transfer surfaces, and extending to a second atmosphere remote from the first atmosphere; a first valve assembly disposed for coaction with the first and second heat transfer surfaces, the first valve assembly movable to direct a flow of the freezer exhaust to a select one of the first and second heat transfer surfaces or optionally to direct the flow to both the first and second heat transfer surfaces; and a first blower to move a flow of the first atmosphere to a select one or both of the first and second heat transfer surfaces for heat transfer with the flow of the freezer exhaust. |
| US08516842B2 |
Thermal conditioning system for climate-controlled seat assemblies
A climate control device includes a first and a second thermal module. The first module is configured to provide climate conditioned air to a first portion of a seat. The second module is configured to provide climate conditioned air to a second portion of the seat. A control system is provided for controlling the climate control device. The control system includes an input device for providing a set point for the system. A first control unit of the control system is provided for the first thermal module and a second control unit is provided for the second thermal module. |
| US08516841B2 |
Heating and air conditioning unit for an automotive vehicle
A heating and air conditioning device 20 for an automotive vehicle, including a refrigerant circuit 4 in which a refrigerant circulates between three distinctive units 6, 10, 14 exchanging with respective secondary liquid loops 8, 12, 16. An evaporating unit 6 is dedicated to the evaporation of the refrigerant when operating in a cooling mode. A cooling unit 10 is dedicated to the cooling or condensation of the refrigerant when operating in the cooling mode as well as operating in the heating mode. A reversible unit 14 is dedicated to the evaporation of the refrigerant when operating in the heating mode and dedicated to the cooling or condensation of the refrigerant when operating in the cooling mode. |
| US08516839B2 |
Combined heat exchange unit
A heat exchange system for supplying air to a habitable space at a desired output condition includes a continuously variable mechanical cooler, an indirect evaporative cooler, an adiabatic cooler and a controller arranged to selectively supplement a cooling capacity of the indirect evaporative cooler, with a variable amount of cooling from the mechanical cooler in order to reach the desired output condition. |
| US08516835B2 |
Ice cube tray and method for releasing a single cube from tray
An ice tray in accordance with the present disclosure has an ice cavity formed on a first side for receiving water and creating an ice cube and a water cavity formed on a second side, the water cavity adjacent the ice cavity such that when warm water is poured in the water cavity, heat transfers to the ice cavity and melts the ice cube. |
| US08516833B2 |
4-valve pulse tube cryocooler
A 4-valve pulse tube cryocooler has, on a high-pressure end of a compressor, first and second coolant supply channels respectively connected to high-temperature ends of a regenerator and a pulse tube. The cryocooler further has, on a low-pressure end of the compressor, a first coolant recovery channel connected to the high-temperature end of the regenerator, a second coolant recovery channel connected to the high-temperature end of the pulse tube, and a third coolant recovery channel connected to the high-temperature end of the pulse tube via a common pipe and including a flow resistance member interposed between a flow control valve and the high-temperature end of the pulse tube. |
| US08516832B2 |
Control system for a food and beverage compartment thermoelectric cooling system
A controller for a thermoelectric cooling system comprises a sensor input that receives input from a sensor that measures a performance parameter of a thermoelectric cooling system. The thermoelectric cooling system comprises a plurality of thermoelectric devices electrically coupled in a combination of in series and in parallel with one another and electrically driven by a common driver. The controller also comprises a voltage control signal output, a processor, and a non-transitory memory having stored thereon a program executable by the processor to perform a method of controlling the thermoelectric cooling system. The method comprises receiving sensor data from the sensor input, determining a parameter of the voltage control signal based on the input sensor data, and transmitting a voltage control signal having the parameter to the driver to control heat transfer by the plurality of thermoelectric devices. The voltage control signal may include a pulse width modulation signal having a pulse width modulation duty cycle, or a variable voltage control signal having a percentage of the maximum voltage of the variable voltage control signal. |
| US08516831B2 |
Thermal energy steering device
A thermal flux steering device and method for steering thermal flux into a concentrated area is provided. The thermal flux steering device includes a matrix impregnated with a plurality of thermally conductive inclusions. The thermally conductive inclusions are angled so as to steer thermal flux into a concentrated area such as a thermal energy sink in communication with the matrix. The thermally conductive inclusions may be filler fibers or thermally conductive particles impregnated within the matrix. Orientation of the thermally conductive inclusions may be determined by detecting the thermal flux of the thermal energy source, the thermodynamic properties of the matrix and the thermally conductive inclusions, and the location of the flux concentration area. |
| US08516829B2 |
Systems and methods for modifying the performance of a gas turbine
Embodiments of the invention can provide systems and methods for modifying the operation and/or performance of a gas turbine. According to one embodiment, a method for modifying the performance of a gas turbine comprising one or more combustors can be provided. The method can include measuring a gas exhaust temperature for the gas turbine and estimating a heat transfer rate for the gas turbine based at least in part on the gas exhaust temperature. After estimating the heat transfer rate, the method can continue by estimating a transiently accurate combustion reference temperature and using this parameter to control the one or more combustors of the gas turbine. In doing so, the performance of the gas turbine can be modified to ensure reliable and consistent operation. |
| US08516828B2 |
Bearing compartment pressurization and shaft ventilation system
An assembly and method for providing buffer air and/or ventilation air within a gas turbine engine, the assembly includes an accessory gearbox and a centrifugal compressor. The accessory gearbox is connected to a driven shaft of the gas turbine engine. The centrifugal compressor is driven by the accessory gearbox during operation of the gas turbine engine to receive and compress a bleed air to produce the buffer air and/or the ventilation air. The buffer air and/or the ventilation air is communicated within the gas turbine engine. |
| US08516825B2 |
Method for reducing the NOx emissions from a burner arrangement comprising a plurality of burners, and burner arrangement for carrying out the method
In a method for reducing the NOx emissions from a burner arrangement comprising a plurality of burners (B1, . . . , Bn), in particular in a gas turbine, which burners (B1, . . . , Bn) are operated in parallel and each burner supplied fuel by means of combustion air to form a flame (F1, . . . , Fn), an effective drop is achieved in a simple way by virtue of the fact that at a predetermined time the flame temperatures of individual burners (B1, . . . , Bn) or burner groups or differences between the flame temperatures of individual burners (B1, . . . , Bn) or burner groups are measured directly or indirectly. The fuel supply to those burners or burner groups whose flame temperature exceeds a predetermined value for the flame temperature is selectively throttled in order to homogenize the flame temperatures of the burners (B1, . . . , Bn). |
| US08516824B2 |
Gas ejection cone for an aircraft turbojet equipped with a device for generating turbulence in a primary flow limiting jet noise
A gas ejection cone for an aircraft turbojet, the cone including a hollow main body defining, on the outside, a radially inner skin of an annular primary flow channel, and a device generating turbulence in the primary flow limiting jet noise, mounted so as to move on the main body so as to be able to be displaced from an extracted position in which the device projects toward downstream in relation to a downstream end of the hollow main body, and a retracted position in which the device is retracted into the hollow main body, and vice versa. Further, the device includes a cylindrical support body having an axis parallel to an axis of the ejection cone, and at least one fin supported by the body. |
| US08516823B2 |
Gas turbine with welded combustor liners
In order to provide an annular combustion chamber (3) which can be heated without thermal distortion, expands without distortion, and is reliably closed, and for repairs can be opened and permanently closed again and can be reconditioned, the inner and/or outer shell (8, 7) of an annular combustion chamber (3) is produced from a rotationally symmetrical sheet metal. For assembly, the shells are cut open along a split line (16), and the lower half of the inner and of the outer shell (8, 7) is introduced into the lower casing half of a gas turbine. After the insertion of the rotor, the two upper shell halves can likewise be inserted and be connected to the lower halves by welding. In order to improve the service life of the split line weld seam (21), film cooling of the weld seam is routed by an indentation. This may be implemented, for example, by welded-in split line elements (15) which are also suitable for retrofitting. |
| US08516821B2 |
Injection element
The invention relates to an injection element having an inner element with a first outlet opening and an outer element. The outer element includes at least one second outlet opening structured and arranged for receiving and injecting fuel in a combustion space, and arranged coaxially to the first outlet opening. The outer element further includes third outlet openings composed of bores structured and arranged for forming a cooling liquid film layer, wherein the bores are arranged coaxially to the first outlet opening and the at least one second outlet opening. |
| US08516820B2 |
Integral flow sleeve and fuel injector assembly
A fuel injector assembly for use in a turbine engine having a combustion section and a turbine section downstream from the combustion section. The fuel injector assembly includes a flow sleeve defining a pre-mixing passage of the combustion section and including a sleeve wall having a forward end proximate to a cover plate of the combustion section and an opposed aft end. An annular cavity in fluid communication with a source of fuel is formed in the sleeve wall adjacent the aft end. A fuel dispensing structure is associated with the cavity and includes at least one fuel distribution aperture for distributing fuel from the cavity to the pre-mixing passage. |
| US08516813B2 |
Rod seal assembly for a stirling engine
A rod seal assembly for a Stirling Engine of the type having two or more piston assemblies reciprocating within cylinder bores. The rod seal assembly seals against a connecting rod extending between a piston and a kinematic drive system. The rod seal assembly includes a separated cap seal assembly and a base seal assembly with a hollow cavity formed therebetween. The cap seal assembly and base seal assembly include sealing element features which provide high performance gas sealing and excellent durability characteristics. The hollow interior cavity of the rod seal assembly may be used as part of an internal volume within the engine used as part of a pressure balancing system for the isolated cycle volumes within the engine. |
| US08516811B2 |
Oil pressure system and valve assembly used in oil pressure system
In the oil pressure system, a control unit sets a flow passage changeover valve to be in a merging state, and sets a relief pressure to a low relief pressure via a relief pressure changeover unit in the case that the rotational speed of the engine is lower than a predetermined threshold level. Also, the control unit sets the flow passage changeover valve to be in a branching state, and sets the relief pressure to a high relief pressure via the relief pressure changeover unit in the case that the rotational speed of the engine is the predetermined threshold level or higher. |
| US08516809B2 |
Compressed air energy storage system utilizing two-phase flow to facilitate heat exchange
A compressed-air energy storage system according to embodiments of the present invention comprises a reversible mechanism to compress and expand air, one or more compressed air storage tanks, a control system, one or more heat exchangers, and, in certain embodiments of the invention, a motor-generator. The reversible air compressor-expander uses mechanical power to compress air (when it is acting as a compressor) and converts the energy stored in compressed air to mechanical power (when it is acting as an expander). In certain embodiments, the compressor-expander comprises one or more stages, each stage consisting of pressure vessel (the “pressure cell”) partially filled with water or other liquid. In some embodiments, the pressure vessel communicates with one or more cylinder devices to exchange air and liquid with the cylinder chamber(s) thereof. Suitable valving allows air to enter and leave the pressure cell and cylinder device, if present, under electronic control. |
| US08516806B2 |
Control of aftertreatment regeneration in a hybrid powered vehicle
A method for controlling aftertreatment regeneration for a system having a hybrid powertrain is described. The method includes determining that an engine aftertreatment regeneration is indicated when a regeneration request index exceeds a first threshold. The method includes determining an acceptable battery usage amount based on a current battery state of charge (SOC) and a minimum battery SOC. The method further includes determining a battery usage amount for an engine aftertreatment regeneration operation. The method includes initiating an engine aftertreatment regeneration when the battery usage amount is less than or equal to the acceptable battery usage amount. |
| US08516801B2 |
Exhaust gas purifying apparatus for internal combustion engine
An object of the present invention is to provide an exhaust gas purifying apparatus for an internal combustion engine which can properly purge at least NOx of unpurified components contained in exhaust gas while considering characteristics of NOx desorbed from an adsorbent. A bypass passage 18 bypassing a main exhaust passage 12 of the internal combustion engine 10 is provided. A HC/NOx adsorbent 22 having a function of adsorbing HC and NOx is provided in the bypass passage 18. A second underfloor catalyst 30 is provided downstream of the adsorbent 22. A purge passage 26 branching off from the bypass passage 18 while connecting to an intake passage is provided. An exhaust switching valve 20 and a purge control valve 28 are provided as a flow path switching means that is capable of switching a flow target into which the exhaust gas flows between the main exhaust passage 12 and the bypass passage 18. If the purging operations are executed, the intake purging operation is first executed. After that, the intake purging operation is switched to the exhaust purging operation at a timing existing after the purge of NOx is completed and at the time point at which the temperature of the adsorbent becomes stable. |
| US08516799B2 |
Methods and systems for emission system control
Methods and systems are provided for controlling an engine in a vehicle, the engine having a turbocharger, and a particulate filter upstream of a turbocharger turbine. In one example, the method comprises, under selected boosted operating conditions, injecting a reductant upstream of the filter during an exhaust stroke to generate an exothermic reaction at the filter. |
| US08516796B2 |
System and method for monitoring catalyst efficiency and post-catalyst oxygen sensor performance
A diagnostic system for an exhaust system of an engine includes a fuel control module and a diagnostic module. The fuel control module, in response to a request for a fuel inhibiting event, operates the engine in a first rich condition for a first period until a catalytic converter of the exhaust system is in a predetermined first rich state and subsequently operates the engine in a lean condition for a second period contiguous with the first period. The diagnostic module determines a catalyst efficiency of the catalytic converter based on an output of an oxygen sensor located downstream of said catalytic converter during the second period, and selectively adjusts a diagnostic status of the catalytic converter based on a comparison of the catalyst efficiency and a predetermined catalyst efficiency. The fuel inhibiting event may be a deceleration fuel-cutoff event. A related diagnostic method is also provided. |
| US08516791B2 |
Methods and apparatus for mixing fluid in turbine engines
A method of assembling a gas turbine engine is provided. The method includes providing at least one heat exchanger assembly including a heat exchanger and a mixer extending downstream from the heat exchanger. The mixer includes a plurality of windows formed therein. The method also includes coupling the at least one heat exchanger assembly within a bypass duct of the engine such that the at least one heat exchanger assembly is coupled to at least one of an outer engine casing and an inner engine casing of the turbine engine. |
| US08516788B2 |
Pulse detonation engine operating with an air-fuel mixture
The invention relates to a pulse detonation engine operating with an air-fuel mixture. According to the invention, the engine (1) includes at least two predetonation tubes (4, 5) which operate under conditions close to thermal cutoff conditions and the shock waves from which are focused in the combustion chamber (19). |
| US08516784B2 |
Apparatus for vertically linking two sections of chain
The apparatus is intended for vertically linking a first chain and a second chain under water. The apparatus is characterized in that it comprises a lower base (1) with an open cross-shaped slot (5) into which the last link of the first chain (6) is inserted, extending above said lower base (1), while a guide/holder (2) for the second chain (7) is attached to the lower base (1) over said slot, said guide/holder containing an H-shaped shackle (11) that is coupled to the last link of said second chain (7) by means of a first bolt (12), the last link of the first chain (6) being inserted in the free space in the shackle (11) so that both chains (6-7) are coupled by means of a second bolt (13). |
| US08516783B1 |
Edging and trimming apparatus for attachment to lawn mowers
The present invention is an edging and trimming apparatus for attachment to lawn mowing machines for use to edge and trim grass and weeds. A gear assembly enclosed in a housing may have a drive gear attached to a drive shaft of a lawn mower and may be engaged with a driven gear attached to a driven end of a shaft. A socket end of the shaft may be positioned in a hole in a side wall of a blade housing and the shaft may be attached to the blade housing by a first bracket to position the shaft approximately orthogonal to the drive shaft. A head coupling assembly with a trimmer head may be releasable attached to said socket end. |
| US08516782B2 |
Method and apparatus for insertion of uniquely shaped packaging elements
In some embodiments, an apparatus for insertion of uniquely shaped packaging may include the following elements, (a) a securing mechanism to hold a container along a conveyor in a predetermined location, (b) a transfer device which removes a spray cap mechanism from a second timing screw and aligns the spray cap mechanism over a container opening on the container, (c) a diptube assembly which locks a diptube hanging from the spray cap mechanism, and (d) the transfer device tightening the spray cap mechanism on the container opening after the diptube is inserted into the container opening. |
| US08516779B2 |
Net wrap applicator for large round bales
A bale wrapping attachment for a baler that forms round bales is mounted at a rear portion of the baler and includes a support for a supply of wrapping material that is formed as a web and rolled into a roll. The web is passed across a fixed, non-rotating feed bar. The wrapping attachment includes a guillotine type knife that cooperates with a cross frame member forming an anvil. The knife is slidable between a retracted position and a cutting position wherein a knife carried by the cutter engages the cross frame member to sever material underneath the knife. When the knife is in its retracted position, the non-rotating feed bar is moved to a position wherein wrapping material draped over the feed bar contacts exposed surfaces of bale forming belts from the baler, causing the wrapping material to be carried with the belts and into the bale chamber to wrap around the bale. A signal is provided when a selected amount of wrapping material has been removed from the supply roll, and the cutter is then moved to its cutting position and at the same time, the feed bar is moved away from the bale forming belts. The wrapping material is severed and then the bale can be discharged. When the wrapping material is severed, it leaves a short length or tail that drapes over the feed bar so it is ready for the next feeding cycle. |
| US08516777B2 |
Method of fabricating building wall panels
Wall panels and building walls, comprising inner and outer layers, and spaced reinforcing webs extending between the inner and outer layers. Optionally studs extend inwardly from the inner layer away from the outer layer with one of the stud legs on each stud being aligned with one of the reinforcing webs, or the building load delivered to an underlying footer varies less than 50% per 10 foot length of the wall, or height of the wall varies no more than 0.25 inch over a 40 foot length of the wall. The resulting wall panel can provide tough, water-proof, otherwise weather-proof, building systems and buildings. |
| US08516776B2 |
Fire-prevention structure for buildings
A fire-prevention structure for buildings includes at least a first fire-prevention district, a fire-prevention floor slab, and a second fire-prevention district. The first fire-prevention district having at least a steel-structured story further includes a plurality of first steel columns and a plurality of first steel beams. The first steel column is a hollow rectangular column with an upper end opening. The first steel beam is connected to a lateral side of the first steel column. The fire-prevention floor slab is constructed on top of the first steel beams and partly inside the end opening of the first steel column. The second fire-prevention district having at least a steel-structured story further includes a plurality of second steel columns and a plurality of second steel beams. The second steel column has a lower end portion further extruding an engagement plate and an engagement column. The engagement plate is fixed to the fire-prevention floor slab through anchor bolting, and the engagement column is protruded into the end opening of the first steel column. |
| US08516771B2 |
Method of refacing a staircase
A method of refacing a staircase having original treads and original risers with replacement treads and replacement risers is disclosed. Each replacement tread overhangs a respective original riser by a distance greater than the thickness of the replacement riser. The replacement riser is shimmed and spaced from the original riser a distance equal to the difference between the replacement riser thickness and the overhang distance. Preferably the replacement treads overhang the replacement risers the same distance that the original treads overhang the original risers. |
| US08516770B2 |
Assembly of a fixed pane on a car body flange and fastening clip for mounting of the fixed pane
The invention relates to an assembly of a fixed pane on a car body flange and to a fastening clip for mounting the fixed pane which has a molding arranged on the pane circumferential edge and wherein on the molding at least one retaining member facing towards the body flange is provided for accommodating said fastening clip before the fastening clip for mounting the pane to the body flange is fixed in an insertion through-hole of the body flange in an automatically locking manner. |
| US08516769B2 |
Stiffener and base assembly for a grain bin
A support for a grain bin having an elongated body with a back surface bent to form support surfaces that extend outwardly from the back surface to form a cavity therein. Connected to the elongated body is a base having a vertical portion and a horizontal portion. The horizontal portion having corners that extend upwardly to form flanges that engage the support surfaces of the elongated body. |
| US08516767B2 |
Joint for panels
A joint (1) having a first edge (2) and a second edge (3), the first edge (2) being provided with a distal edge (21) and a downwards protruding heel (22) The distal edge (21) is further provided with an upper joint edge (25) beneath which a groove (23) is arranged. The second edge (3) is provided with lower cheek (31) having a distal end (32) at which an upwards protruding lower cheek heel (33) is arranged. The second edge (3) is further provided with an upper joining edge (35) beneath which an undercut (34) is arranged. A moveable locking element (40) is arranged in the space created by the undercut (34). The moveable locking element (40) have a locking tongue (41), a locking tongue leg (42) and a maneuvering leg (43). |
| US08516766B2 |
Panel for decorating spaces
A panel for decorating spaces has a first structural element and a second structural element connected with one another, wherein the first structural element on lateral sides is provided with pins, while the second structural element on a back side is provided with shaped slots with a depression corresponding to the pin. |
| US08516763B2 |
Thermally isolating tubule for wall anchor
A tubule assembly for thermally isolating a surface-mounted wall anchor and an anchoring system employing the same are disclosed. The thermally-isolated tubule assembly is adaptable to varied anchor structures and for use with interlocking veneer ties and reinforcement wires to provide a high-strength surface mounted anchoring system for cavity walls. The stepped cylinders sheath the mounting hardware to limit insulation tearing and resultant loss of insulation integrity. The tubule assembly is thermally-isolated through the use of a series of strategically placed compressible nonconductive fittings and set within the perimeter of the anchor base. Seals are formed which preclude penetration of air, moisture, and water vapor into the wall structure. |
| US08516761B2 |
Expansion joint system of concrete slab arrangement
The invention relates to an expansion joint system of a concrete slab arrangement, comprising an expansion joint reinforcement to be arranged between a first and a second concrete slab, the expansion joint reinforcement comprising at least one local or continuous dowel arranged to transfer loads which are perpendicular to the slab plane. A shear reinforcement or a location for attaching the shear reinforcement has been arranged in advance in the expansion joint reinforcement. |
| US08516752B2 |
Support pole having a track
A support pole having a support member track portion and a support arm track portion is described that is configured to allow lateral and vertical displacement of the carrier device. In one or more implementations, the support pole includes a support member and a support arm extending outwardly from the support member. The support pole includes a support member track portion connected to the support member and a support arm track portion connected to the support arm. The support pole may also include a transition track portion disposed between the support member portion and the support arm portion. The track portions, collectively, are configured to allow a carrier device to transition between a first position and a second position. |
| US08516751B2 |
Mobile drilling rig
Mobile drilling rigs and methods for moving drilling rigs are disclosed which, in one aspect, include wheel assemblies connected to a rig which wheel assemblies are selectively movable from a rig drilling position to a rig movement position. This abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract which will allow a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the technical disclosure and is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims, 37 C.F.R. 1.72(b). |
| US08516750B2 |
Security door system
A revolving security door includes a drum defining a secure zone between door openings controlled by a revolving door disposed within the drum and wherein light curtain sensors and active infrared sensors may detect an intruder moving from a non-secure side of the doorway to the secure side and detect objects left behind in a secure zone. Methods of operation prevent persons or objects from passing from the non-secure side to the secure side of the doorway. |
| US08516749B2 |
Encapsulated window assembly with integral seal and method of installing game
A encapsulated window assembly may be fixed or movable upon installation into an opening in a vehicle body, particularly a vehicle roof. In order to keep air, water and/or dirt from entering the passenger compartment of the vehicle, an integral seal is molded onto a dielectric substrate material. The seal, upon installation of the assembly into the vehicle body opening, effectively closes the gap between the edge of the window assembly and the sheet metal surrounding the body opening, without the need for a post-applied seal, for example, a preformed bulb seal. |
| US08516736B2 |
Locking adjustment knob for a sighting device
A locking turret knob includes an adjustment member, a first member, and a second member. The adjustment member is adjustably positionable about an axis of rotation. The first member is disposed in proximity to the adjustment member and has at least one engagement member. The second member is disposed in proximity to the adjustment member and has at least one engagement surface. The adjustment member is adjustably positionable about the axis of rotation when each engagement member does not engage an engagement surface. The adjustment member is locked in a selected position about the axis of rotation when at least one engagement member engages an engagement surface. The adjustment member can be coupled to an adjuster of an optical enhancement device, such as a telescopic sight, a telescope or a microscope. |
| US08516735B2 |
Adjustment mechanism for firearm scope zoom
A mechanism for adjusting the zoom of a firearm scope includes an elongated, generally cylindrical body which may be formed integral with or as a separate component for attaching to the zoom ring. A plurality of annularly spaced openings or fins are formed on the body and extend between the proximal (close to the shooter) and distal ends thereof. The length of the body is such that at least one of the openings or fins is always present adjacent the thumb rest area of the firearm (e.g., rifle) handle. As such, a shooter need only move their trigger hand thumb to reach and engage an opening or fin to rotate the body which causes simultaneous rotation of the zoom ring. |
| US08516733B1 |
Firearm shooting support
Shooting supports for rifles and other long barreled firearms are provided for. The novel shooting supports comprise a sleeve and a cushion member. The sleeve has a circumference such that the sleeve is adapted to fit over a forend of a long barreled firearm. The cushion member is carried on the sleeve. It is sized such that when the sleeve is fitted on the forend the cushion member may be positioned under the forend without extending over the forend. |
| US08516731B2 |
Communication and control of accessories mounted on the powered rail of a weapon
A firearm may have a plurality of power-consuming accessories that can be attached to the weapon. In order to reduce the weight of these power-consuming accessories, as well as the proliferation of their batteries, the Weapon Accessory Power Distribution System provides a common power source to power the power-consuming accessories attached to the weapon. One or more powered rails are provided on the handguard, which encircles the barrel of the weapon, to provide a point of mechanical and electrical interconnection for the power-consuming accessories to provide quick-connect mounting and dismounting of the power-consuming accessory, absent the use of connectors with their tethering cables, which are susceptible to entanglement. The Weapon Accessory Control System is provided to enable the user to control the activation of a power-consuming accessory as well as enable communications between the user and the accessory and among power-consuming accessories. |
| US08516728B2 |
Flexible display apparatus
Provided is a flexible display apparatus that includes: a flexible display apparatus including: a flexible display panel; a housing including an opening through which the flexible display panel enters and exits the housing; a cylinder disposed within the housing to coil and uncoil the flexible display panel; and a stretcher that selectively extends from the opening to support the flexible display panel, such that the flexible display panel is substantially planar when the flexible display panel is extended outside of the housing. |
| US08516724B2 |
Device for displaying image on apparel
An image displaying device includes a background layer that is substantially opaque. The device also includes a display layer that is semi-transparent. The display layer includes an inner surface facing the background layer, and the inner surface is substantially smooth. The display layer further includes an outer surface facing away from the background layer, and the outer surface includes a plurality of raised areas and a plurality of recessed areas. The display layer has increased light transmissivity through the recessed areas and decreased light transmissivity through the raised areas such that a contrast of light transmissivity between the raised and recessed areas generates an image. |
| US08516715B2 |
Evacuation method and storage medium
An evacuation method which can reduce evacuation time without causing moisture-related problems. In a vacuum processing apparatus including a vacuum processing chamber, during the evacuation for the vacuum processing chamber, the pressure in the vacuum processing chamber is maintained at a pressure lower than or equal to the atmospheric pressure but higher than or equal to 6.7×102 Pa (5 Torr). |
| US08516713B2 |
Illuminated tape measure
A tape measure includes a housing having an opening and a measuring tape retractably carried within the housing and extendable via the opening. A locking mechanism is provided for maintaining the measuring tape in an extended position relative to the housing and the locking mechanism includes a lock actuator that is mounted to the housing. An illumination device is incorporated into the lock actuator. The illumination device includes a light emitting diode (LED) wherein the light emitting diode may be arranged on the locking mechanism to illuminate the measuring tape in an area adjacent to the opening and a user activatable switch for causing power to be selectively provided to the LED wherein the user activatable switch is mounted to an exterior surface of the lock actuator. |
| US08516709B2 |
Apparatus for testing the accuracy of machine tools and measuring devices
An apparatus for testing the accuracy of machine tools and measuring devices has a support and at least one reference element formed as a sleeve, wherein the reference element is glued on top of the support. |
| US08516707B2 |
Hand held implement
An embodiment of the hand held implement is in the form of a pair of scissors (10), as shown for example in FIG. 1. The pair of scissors include a pair of blades (12, 13) which are pivotally mounted about pivot pin (11). The blades are fitted with plastic loop portions which form the handles (14, 15) of the scissors (10). Handle (15) includes a moveable portion in the form of gate (16) which is pivotally mounted about pin (18). Handle (14) is fitted with a latching arrangement in the form of a slidably moveable (latch 20) which cooperates with a T-shaped lug (24) (visible in FIGS. 2, 5a and 5b) to retain the handles together in a closed position, or to allow the handles to be separated. |
| US08516701B2 |
Manifold bending support and method for using same
A method is provided to use a bending support to manufacture a heat exchanger assembly. The method includes the steps of providing a bending support having a bracing member, affixing a refrigerant conduit onto the bracing member, inserting the refrigerant conduit and the bending support into a manifold header, positioning the manifold onto work a surface of a mandrel, such that bracing member of the bending support is substantially perpendicularly to the work surface of the mandrel, and bending the manifold onto the working surface of mandrel forming an inner radius of bent, such that the bracing member supports the inner diameter of the manifold header, thereby preventing the deforming of the inner radius of the bent manifold header. |
| US08516690B2 |
Anisotropic conductive joint package
An anisotropic conductive joint package in which an anisotropic conductive film is joined to at least one conductive material selected from among the group consisting of gold (Au), silver (Ag), copper (Cu), aluminum (Al), magnesium (Mg), nickel (Ni), a tin oxide doped with indium (ITO), molybdenum (Mo), iron (Fe), palladium (Pd), beryllium (Be), and rhenium (Re). The package is characterized in that: the anisotropic conductive film has an insulating base and conductive paths composed of conductive members, insulated from one another, and extending through the insulating base in the direction of the thickness of the insulating base, one ends of the conductive paths are exposed from one side of the insulating base, the other ends are exposed from the other side, the density of the conductive paths is 3,000,000 pieces/mm2 or more, the insulating base is a structural body composed of an anodic oxide film of an aluminum substrate having micropores, and each micropore does not have a branch structure along the depth. The package can be used as an anisotropic conductive member of an electronic component of a semiconductor device or the like or a connector for inspection even if the structure has a much higher degree of integration realized by drastically improving the installation density of the conductive paths. |
| US08516689B2 |
Method of making a multi-layer interconnecting structure
Provided are a multi-layer interconnection structure and a manufacturing method thereof. The multi-layer interconnection structure includes a substrate; a first wiring on the substrate; an interlayer insulation layer on the first wiring; a second wiring on the interlayer insulation layer; and a via contact including at least one conductive filament penetrating through the interlayer insulation layer between the second wiring and the first wiring to be electrically connected to the first wiring and the second wiring. |
| US08516677B2 |
Method for removing an auxiliary contact device from a motor controller unit
A method and associated apparatus are provided for removing an auxiliary contact device from a motor starter assembly engaged with a motor controller unit of a motor control center. The method includes engaging an extraction tool with a securement member operably engaged between the auxiliary contact device and the motor starter assembly. The extraction tool includes a handle portion and a securement-engaging portion. The handle portion extends along the auxiliary contact device for the securement-engaging portion to engage the securement member. The method further includes exerting an axial force on the handle portion such that the handle portion cooperates with the securement-engaging portion to disengage the securement member from between the auxiliary contact device and the motor starter assembly, and to disengage the electrically-conductive engagement between the auxiliary contact device and the motor starter assembly, to remove the auxiliary contact device from the motor starter assembly. |
| US08516675B2 |
Method of forming a golf club head with improved aerodynamic characteristics
A method for forming a driver type golf club head, the method comprising orienting a golf club head using a largest tangent circle method, forming a golf club head having an apex point positioned in a crown apex zone and designing a crown curve having some portion exist above a 5.25 inch radius arc, the radius arc beginning at the apex point and extending rearward toward the back end of the golf club head. |
| US08516674B2 |
Solid state resistance welding for airfoil repair and manufacture
A method for bonding airfoil sections includes aligning upper and stub airfoil sections having upper airfoil pressure and suction sides and stub airfoil pressure and suction sides respectively, pressing together upper and stub airfoil cross sections at upper and stub airfoil distal ends of the upper and stub airfoil sections respectively, and then resistance welding, preferably solid state resistance welding, the upper and stub airfoil sections together along the upper and stub airfoil cross sections by passing electrical current across the upper and stub airfoil cross sections. The upper and stub airfoil sections may be clamped between pressure and suction side upper airfoil electrodes and between the stub airfoil pressure and suction sides respectively. The method may be performed while the stub airfoil section is attached to an airfoil carrier such as a rotor disk rim, a gas turbine engine drum, or a gas turbine engine blade platform. |
| US08516671B2 |
Hydraulic lip seal installation driver tool
A hydraulic seal installation tool having an elongate body portion fixedly attached to a holding portion. The elongate body portion has a hydraulic cylinder actuation means, and a driver mechanism head portion is coupled to the elongate body portion; and an installation method for mounting a seal, involving the steps of presenting a hydraulic seal installation tool to a seal bore, where the tool has a lip seal inserted upon a driver ring of the tool. Inserting the tool into the seal bore, depressing an activation button on a handle of the tool thereby actuating a hydraulic cylinder actuation means. Expanding a plurality of engagement projection fingers, locking the plurality of engagement projection fingers in place while providing an axial alignment reaction force; overcoming a first actuation force on a spring to actuate the driver ring, by a second actuation force, pulling the seal into seal bore, dwelling for approximately five seconds to fully seat the seal, breaking the circuit to the hydraulic actuation means by releasing the activation button. Withdrawing the driver ring from the seal, retracting the engagement projection fingers and withdrawing the tool from the seal bore. |
| US08516668B2 |
Torque assembly and method of manufacture
A torque assembly includes a spindle, a cap mounted on the spindle for rotation about the spindle, and a work-hardened, plastic sleeve inserted between the cap and the spindle for constant rotation of the sleeve and cap with respect to the spindle. The torque assembly may be installed onto a hinged object and fixed object with movement along a single axis. The torque assembly may be formed by: (a) providing a spindle having a base and a rod extending from the base; (b) providing a cap member with an annular section defining an inner diameter; (c) providing an annular plastic sleeve having an inner diameter and an outer diameter; (d) work-hardening the sleeve for a predetermined time period; (e) changing the inner diameter of the sleeve; and (f) inserting the spindle rod through the inner diameter of the sleeve. |
| US08516666B2 |
Attachment buckle with double locking
A fixing buckle comprising a base provided with a latching hook for attaching a retaining ring, and a locking mechanism able to occupy a locking position and a releasing position to respectively secure and release the retaining ring on and from the latching hook. The locking mechanism comprises two locking elements independent from one another and each having a stop and a control button. The locking elements are formed by two levers pivotally mounted inside the cover, the stop being arranged at one of the ends of each lever and the control button at the other end thereof. Detachment of the ring is enabled on no load and when the buttons of the two levers are actuated simultaneously to the releasing position. |
| US08516664B2 |
Cufflink
A cufflink including a head portion with a bearing surface for bearing against a garment, a pin portion to be inserted through a hole or a slot of the garment, and a clasp portion with at least one pivotable tab for locking the cufflink onto the garment. The cufflink includes an actuator with a shaft slidably mounted in a housing and including a push button at one end and an actuation arm at the other end which is inserted into an actuation portion of the tab (so as to pivot the tab from an unlocked position into a locked position when the push button is pressed. The cufflink further includes a locking-unlocking mechanism with push buttons arranged on either side of the shaft of the actuator, wherein the push buttons can be accessed from the opposite sides of the side wall. |
| US08516661B2 |
Retainer band for use in fluid-handling vessels
A connecting mechanism for joining the ends of the retainer band that does not damage the band ends may help prevent separation of the ends as the band is compressed, and corrosion of the band when it is exposed to a chemically-charged environment. A retainer structure for use in a fluid-holding tank comprises a main band body having a first end portion and a second end portion and a connecting member for receiving the first and second end portions so that the main band body forms a loop shape. The connecting member is configured to directly secure the received first and second end portions without deforming the first and second end portions. |
| US08516659B2 |
Refrigerator handle mounting arrangement having pin and cavity interlock
A handle assembly is provided for a refrigerator door including a side edge defined by an upper inner edge portion and a lower inner edge portion which are offset by a lateral portion, front and back sides, and an opening between the front and back sides at the lateral portion. The handle assembly includes a handle having a first end leading to a second end through a gripping portion. The second end is provided with in-turned portion having a projection. The handle assembly also includes an attachment member fixed to the front side of the door and a cap positioned in the opening of the door. When assembled, the first end of the handle is secured to the attachment member and the projection extends into a socket formed in the cap. |
| US08516655B2 |
Vacuum cleaner with electronic agitator control
A vacuum cleaner includes a floor engaging portion and a handle portion pivotally mounted to the floor engaging portion. The handle portion includes an input device. An agitator is rotatably mounted in the floor engaging portion to agitate a floor surface being cleaned. A first motor has an output shaft and an agitator belt selectively drivingly connecting the motor to the agitator. A tensioning arm pivotally mounts to the floor engaging portion for motion between an agitator-on position in which the tensioning arm engages the agitator belt, to place the agitator belt under tension whereby the agitator belt drives the agitator, and an agitator-off position in which the tensioning arm does not engage the agitator belt, to place the agitator belt in a slack condition whereby the agitator belt does not drive the agitator. A lifting assembly is mounted in the floor engaging portion and includes a second motor and an engaging member driven by the second motor, the engaging member being adapted to contact the tensioning arm to selectively place the tensioning arm in the agitator-off position. |
| US08516653B2 |
Cleaner handle and cleaner handle housing sections
Handle has status indicators viewable by operator while viewing location being cleaned and using handle in ordinary cleaning position, and light illuminating location being cleaned. Indicators are LED lamps. Light is an LED lamp. Microphone senses particles and illuminates an indicator. Indicators and light are provided in a housing section that forms part of a housing for handle. Housing section may be integrated with the remainder of the housing, or may be unit that fits into remainder of housing. Light has central axis generally parallel, within approximately five degrees from parallel, with cleaning axis of handle. Indicators each have a central axis generally parallel, within approximately 5 degrees from parallel, with cleaning axis of handle. The indicators have limited beam angle. Indicator viewable over grasping section of handle from towards distal end of handle. The cleaner may be a vacuum cleaner, which may be a central vacuum cleaner. |
| US08516649B2 |
Articulating vacuum hose
A debris collection system is disclosed comprising a vehicle and an articulating vacuum hose. The articulating vacuum hose includes a vacuum hose assembly and an articulating arm. The articulating arm is configured to support the vacuum hose assembly which is comprised of a vacuum hose, support bands and support cables. The articulating arm includes a first arm extension and a second arm extension. The first arm extension is mounted to the vehicle and rotatable with respect to the vehicle about two perpendicular pivot axes. The second arm extension is pivotally connected to the first arm extension and is rotatable with respect to the first arm extension about a third pivot axis. The first and second arm extensions can be moved to a folded position wherein both extensions are parallel to each other and to an exterior surface of the vehicle. |
| US08516643B1 |
Golf towel
A sports towel constructed in the form of bag having an interior surface and an exterior surface wherein soil on the interior surface is prevented from transfer to the exterior surface is provided. The towel includes a bag-shaped body constructed of a fabric material. The body has opposing first and second ends and a continuous peripheral wall extending between said first and said second ends. The first end being closed and together with said peripheral wall defining an interior space within said body. The second end being open and providing access into said interior space. The peripheral wall including an interior surface that includes two areas of dissimilar surfaces. |
| US08516639B2 |
Surgical positioning pillow
A surgical support system including a positioning pillow to support a patient in a lateral position on an operating table. The positioning pillow includes a head supporting surface having an opening to accommodate an ear of the laterally positioned patient and a channel intersecting the opening to accommodate an eye of the laterally positioned patient, a shoulder supporting surface disposed adjacent to the head supporting surface and oriented substantially perpendicular to the head supporting surface to accommodate a shoulder of the laterally positioned patient, and a bottom surface disposed opposite to the head supporting surface and adjacent to the shoulder supporting surface, the head supporting surface being angled relative to the bottom surface to align the patient's thoracic and cervical spine at a predetermined angle with respect to the operating table when the patient's head is positioned on the head supporting surface in the lateral position. |
| US08516634B2 |
Bed structure with a deck section motion converter
A bed structure includes a frame 28, a deck framework 50 moveably connected to the frame, a panel 72 moveably connected to the deck framework, and a motion converter 100. The motion converter translates the panel relative to the deck framework in response to either or both of a) relative translation between the deck framework and the frame, and b) relative rotation of the deck framework and the frame. In one detailed embodiment the motion converter includes a rack 102 secured to the frame, a primary gear 124 meshing with the rack, a panel drive sprocket 170 rotatably mounted on the deck framework coaxially with the primary gear, an idler sprocket 192 rotatably mounted on the deck framework remote from the panel drive sprocket, a slider connected to the panel, and a chain 220 engaged with the panel drive sprocket and the idler and connected to the slider. |
| US08516633B2 |
Mattress encasement with improved bed bug protection
A mattress encasement with improved bed bug protection includes an encasement body configured to cover a mattress and a zipper disposed at an opening in the encasement body and movable between an open condition permitting insertion and removal of the mattress and a closed condition preventing bed bugs from traversing the zipper. The zipper has a zipper head and a zipper pull pivotable on the zipper head. A clasp is at least partly fixed to the encasement body. A hook-and-loop fastener is associated with the encasement body and the clasp for locking the zipper pull to the clasp with the zipper in the closed condition to prevent movement of the zipper head and opening of the zipper. |
| US08516630B2 |
Convertible wheelchair
A convertible wheelchair having two self-propelling rear wheels and two front casters, electric controls for converting from a chair position to a reclined position by an electric actuator connected between a bottom panel of a frame and under a seat support, a backrest connected pivotally at intermediate points between sides of the frame, and a leg support pivotally connected to front corners of the frame and front ends of the seat support. The wheelchair may be secured adjacent to a bed by a mount disc on a center portion of the rear wheels enabling a user to safely convert the wheelchair to the reclined position by moving a switch of the electric controls. When reclined, the user may move over onto the bed without a caregiver's assistance, unless necessary. |
| US08516629B2 |
Portable, personal lifting device
A portable, personal lifting device (10, 100) includes a central member (12), a seat (14) attached to the central member (12) in such a way that the seat is capable of translating linearly along the central member (12), an actuator (16) for causing translation between the seat (14) and the central member (12), and a support member (24) to stabilize the central member (12). The central member (12) is positioned between a user's legs in such a way that the user straddles during operation of the device (10, 100), thereby providing an inexpensive, lightweight lifting device that can be used in very close quarters. |
| US08516627B2 |
Bathtub seat
A bathtub seat that includes a platform upon which a bather sits formed from a plurality of watersealed planks. The planks are chosen of an appropriate length which length corresponds to the width of the bathtub. The platform planks are attached to feet, which feet rest on the top of the bathtub. The back edge of the platform includes a guide rail with a guide slot. The guide slot is utilized to position suction cups which suction cups are employed to adhere the platform to the back wall above the bathtub. Attached to the back of the suction cups are studs and nuts, which are used to attach the suction cups to the guide rails. The suction cups are positioned along the guide rails by loosening the stud from the nut, moving the suction cup along the guide slot and thereupon re-tightening. Once the suction cups are positioned appropriately for the particular application, the bathtub seat is positioned over the bathtub with the feet on the top of the tub. The suction cups are moistened and adhered to the back wall above the tub. |
| US08516622B2 |
Sanitary system for a vehicle including a removable holding tank
A sanitary system for a motor vehicle includes a bowl assembly, a base coupled to the bowl assembly and a mobile holding tank removably coupled to the toilet for receiving waste from the toilet and stowable within a storage area defined by the base. The sanitary system further includes a pumping arrangement having a first portion carried by the base and a cooperating second portion carried by the mobile holding tank. The first portion engages the second portion when the mobile holding tank is positioned within the storage area so as to define a fluid path from the mobile holding tank to a remote waste storage tank for pumping of waste from the mobile holding tank to the remote waste storage tank. |
| US08516619B2 |
Ready to wear headscarf
A headscarf for women and in particular veiled women is provided which includes a garment element sewn to a predetermined formed style to covers a wearer's head and neck. The headscarf maintains the formed style of a scarf worn particularly by veiled women. Additionally, the headscarf can be provided with styling accessories. |
| US08516617B1 |
Hat with enhanced ventilation
A hat suitable for use in outdoor applications is provided. The hat provides protection from the elements, e.g., rain, wind, sun, while used in outdoor activities, such as hiking, while also providing enhanced ventilation features so that the hat may regulate heat that is either absorbed by the hat or generated by the head of the user. |
| US08516615B2 |
Protective garment including a mesh liner layer
A protective garment comprising an outer shell having an interior surface and an exterior surface. The protective garment further comprising a moisture barrier layer, a thermal insulating layer and a mesh liner layer. The thermal insulating layer comprises at least one of a facecloth material, a batting material, a spunlace material and a felt material, and the mesh liner layer is unattached to the thermal insulating layer. |
| US08516613B2 |
Shower shirt and method of use
A shower shirt has waterproof seals at its neck opening, arm openings and shirt bottom to prevent water from contacting a person's body that is enclosed by the shirt. The shower shirt also has one or more pockets sized to support post surgical devices associated with the patient such as drain tubes, bulbs, dialysis/external catheters, wound vac and infusion pumps. The shower shirt can also include baffles to provide additional lateral breast support to the patient. |
| US08516612B2 |
Culinary finger guard and associated method
A finger guard includes a first segment, a middle segment, a plurality of compound segments and an end segment. The first segment preferably has a unitary body with the plurality of compound segments spaced from such a first segment. The middle segment has a unitary body and may be intermediately disposed between the first and compound segments respectively. The end segment may be positioned at a distal end of the compound segments. An underlayment having a flexible body may further be attached to each of the first, middle, compound and end segments respectively. Each of the first, middle, compound and end segments may be independently displaced along mutually exclusive paths when the underlayment is displaced. The finger guard is adapted to the movements of the user finger when guiding the food to be cut and provides speed and accuracy for food cutting operations in a comfortable, safe and non-restrictive manner. |
| US08522360B2 |
Posted move in anchor point-based digital rights management
An anchor-point based digital rights management provides for a posted move of one or more digital rights between two devices. By executing a posted move, a user (1) disables a binding record of a source user device, thereby terminating authorized use of the digital property instance through at the source anchor point; and (2) enables a different binding record of a target user device, thereby allowing authorized use of the digital property instance through that target anchor point. Such a “move” can accomplished through secure communications links mediated by one or both of a content handler and an anchor point message system. |
| US08522358B2 |
Universal identity service avatar ecosystem
A system is configured to receive personal data associated with a user, verify one or more facts from the personal data, and form an avatar based on a first subset of the received personal data, where a second, differing, subset of the received personal data is not associated with the avatar. The system is also configured to receive, from a data requester, a query including a request for the avatar, and send, to the data requester, a message that includes information associated with the avatar and an indication that the one or more facts from the personal data were verified. |
| US08522357B2 |
Rights-based advertisement management in protected media
A user playing a media file having ads on a playback device is able to automatically skip the ads during playback depending on the user's subscription level, as indicated in a user license or user account information. Whether an ad is automatically skipped may depend not only on the user license but also on attributes of the ad. An ad may have a skip-level which indicates the “importance” of the ad. If the advertiser wants to ensure that the ad will be seen and not be automatically skipped by a media playback unit, it can pay a higher price for the ad and the ad will be assigned a higher skip-level value. On the user subscription side, a user who wants to avoid ads may pay a higher subscription fee and have a user license that determines, via an auto-skip level value (“user level”), how many ads the user can automatically skip during playback of the media file. With a higher the auto-skip level value, the user is able to automatically skip more ads on the playback device. |
| US08522349B2 |
Detecting and defending against man-in-the-middle attacks
A system, method and program product for defending against man in the middle (MITM) attacks directed at a target server. A system is provided that includes an activity recording system that records an incoming IP address, userid, and time of each session occurring with the target server; an activity analysis system that identifies suspect IP addresses by determining if an unacceptable number of sessions are occurring from a single incoming IP address during a predefined time period; and a countermeasure system for taking action against suspect IP addresses. |
| US08522341B2 |
Active intervention in service-to-device mapping for smart items
Systems and methods allow service-to-device mapping by which services are mapped onto best-suited smart items selected from a plurality of smart items of a sensor network. As part of the mapping, and/or subsequent thereto, a deployment of the service(s) onto the smart items is initiated. However, in some cases, the deployment may fail, or may only partially succeed. In such cases, one or more conditions of the deployment may be altered to obtain a modified, allowable deployment condition, so that the deployment may then proceed. As a result, users may achieve a desired result in a fast, convenient, and reliable manner, even when executing the deployment remotely or automatically. |
| US08522336B2 |
Gateway device and method for using the same to prevent phishing attacks
A gateway device that is in electronic connection with at least one client computer, a first domain name system (DNS) server located in a first communication network, and a second DNS server located in a second communication network separated from the first communication network. When a domain name is transmitted to both the first DNS server and the second DNS server, the first DNS server and the second DNS server respectively resolve the domain name into two groups of internet protocol (IP) addresses, and the gateway device compares the two groups of IP addresses with each other to select one of the two groups of IP addresses that is identified as all IP addresses of which are safe, and allows the client computer to access websites within the first communication network via the selected group of IP addresses to prevent the client computer from phishing attacks. |
| US08522334B2 |
Mobile middleware for generic bootstrapping architecture
A mobile terminal receives a Global Bootstrapping Architecture (GBA) authentication request from an application client, executing on a processor of the device, in non-standard GBA syntax. The mobile terminal converts the GBA authentication request into standard GBA syntax for a Universal Integrated Circuit Card (UICC) and sends the GBA authentication request having standard GBA syntax to the UICC. The mobile terminal receives, from the UICC, GBA authentication information responsive to the GBA authentication request, the GBA authentication information having standard GBA syntax, and converts, the GBA authentication information having standard GBA syntax into GBA authentication information having non-standard GBA syntax supported by the application client. |
| US08522331B2 |
Computer readable medium, authenticating method, computer data signal, authentication server, and single sign-on authentication system
A computer readable medium storing a program causing a computer to execute a process for authenticating a user in a site included in an authentication system in which a plurality of sites are linked each other, the process comprising: receiving authentication information; authenticating the user in a first site of the authentication system based on the received authentication information; receiving suspicious behavior information of the user; registering the received suspicious behavior information; determining reliability of the user based on the suspicious behavior information registered in registering of the behavior information registration; in a case where the user accesses a second site of the authentication system, adding the reliability of the user determined, and transmitting the authentication information to which the reliability is added to the second site; and determining a function to be provided to the user in the first site based on the reliability of the user. |
| US08522330B2 |
Systems and methods of managing virtual world avatars
Systems and methods of virtual world interaction, operation, implementation, instantiation, creation, and other functions related to virtual worlds (note that where the term “virtual world” is used herein, it is to be understood as referring to virtual world systems, virtual environments reflecting real, simulated, fantasy, or other structures, and includes information systems that utilize interaction within a 3D environment). Various embodiments facilitate interoperation between and within virtual worlds, and may provide consistent structures for operating virtual worlds. The disclosed embodiments may further enable individuals to build new virtual worlds within a framework, and allow third party users to better interact with those worlds. |
| US08522329B2 |
Data sharing system with a digital key
The present invention provides a data sharing system with a digital key in order to deliver data sharing via Internet or a local area network by means of either at least one data storage device electrically connected to a digital box or a storage space inside a memory unit of the digital box which links a server. At the moment, a computer user could use one digital key only to link a server and further complete read-out, write-in, modification, deletion or addition of data/files in the data storage device or the storage space with the digital key's peer identification code and the digital box's peer authentication code belonging to the same group validated by the server. |
| US08522327B2 |
Multi-step captcha with serial time-consuming decryption of puzzles
A system and method for implementing a multi-step challenge and response test includes steps or acts of: using an input/output subsystem for presenting a series of challenges to a user that require said user to correctly solve each challenge before a next challenge is revealed to the user; receiving the user's response to each challenge; and submitting a last response in the series of challenges to a server for validation. The method further includes: using a processor device configured to perform for each challenge in the series of challenges: internally validating the response by comparing the user's response to a correct response; and using the user's response, decrypting the next challenge to reveal the next challenge; wherein the next challenge remains obfuscated until a previous challenge is correctly solved. |
| US08522326B2 |
System and method for authenticating a smart card using an authentication token transmitted to a smart card reader
A system for authentication comprises a mobile unit and a smart card reader. The mobile unit includes a security application that prevents access to functionalities and data stored thereon and further includes an authentication application that securely stores an authentication token. The smart card reader communicatively connects to a smart card. The smart card includes authentication data. The authentication application transmits the authentication token to the smart card reader to verify the smart card. The authentication application shares the authentication token with the security application when the verification is successful. The authentication token indicates to the security application to grant access to the functionalities and the data. |
| US08522324B2 |
Control of access to a secondary system
A method and system for controlling access of a user to a secondary system. A primary system sends a random string to a user system that is connected to the secondary system. The user is logged on the user system. The primary system receives from the user system first authentication information including an encryption of the random string by a private key of the user. The primary system generates a user-specific key consisting of the encryption of the random string. The primary system generates second authentication information from protected secondary authentication data stored in the primary system via application of the user-specific key to the protected secondary authentication data. The primary system provides the second authentication information to the secondary system to enable access of the user to the secondary system. |
| US08522321B2 |
System and method for privilege management and revocation
The present disclosure relates generally to the management of privileges associated with certain applications that are accessible by users of electronic equipment, such as, for example, networked computers, mobile wireless communications devices, and the like. In particular, the disclosure is directed to systems and methods for managing privileges associated with particular applications and for revoking these privileges in a timely and robust manner. For example, the device keeps track of which applications get access to which privileges. When policies or application control changes, the system detects which privileges have been revoked for which applications. This can be accomplished by simply comparing the old set of privileges with the new set of privileges. For each revoked privilege for a given application, the system determines if the application has ever accessed that privilege in the past. If an application has accessed a privilege that is now revoked at any time in the past, the device is reset. To ensure that privileges that may be passed between applications are not overlooked, the device is arranged to perform a reset if any revoked privilege accessible by the device is one that may be passed between applications. |
| US08522318B2 |
Enabling dynamic authentication with different protocols on the same port for a switch
The invention enables a client device that does not support IEEE 802.1X authentication to access at least some resources provided through a switch that supports 802.1X authentication by using dynamic authentication with different protocols. When the client device attempts to join a network, the switch monitors for an 802.1X authentication message from the client device. In one embodiment, if the client fails to send an 802.1X authentication message, respond to an 802.1X request from the switch, or a predefined failure condition is detected the client may be deemed incapable of supporting 802.1X authentication. In one embodiment, the client may be initially placed on a quarantine VLAN after determination that the client fails to perform an 802.1X authentication within a backoff time limit. However, the client may still gain access to resources based on various non-802.1X authentication mechanisms, including name/passwords, digital certificates, or the like. |
| US08522317B2 |
Method and a device for maintaining an address translation table
A device for maintaining an address translation table, placed in series between a user terminal and a third-party entity of a telecommunications network, is disclosed. The device is adapted to verify the existence in the address translation table of an entry specific to the exchange of application signaling messages using said protocol between the terminal and the third-party entity and, if there is no entry specific to the exchange of application signaling messages using said protocol between the terminal and the third-party entity, to create a specific entry in the address translation table associating with a private address and a private port of the terminal in a private network connecting it to said device a public address and a public port of the terminal in the telecommunications network and an indication of the validity of the entry, this validity indication taking into account the first reception time. |
| US08522315B2 |
Automatic configuration of client terminal in public hot spot
The invention herein provides an apparatus and a method for automatically configuring an IEEE 802.1x client terminal to provide limited access in a WLAN environment, specifically utilizing the access point to filter traffic associated with the limited access so as to redirect the client terminal's HTTP request to a designated local web server. The web server responds to the client terminal by requesting information required to establish an authorized communication. Thereafter the client terminal provides information required to establish an authorized communication. In the course of the communication the web server sends information such as transmission rates, new user account creation information, authentication method selection, and access user terms and conditions of acceptance, all typically required to establish an authorized access. The client responds with information, required to establish an authorized communication. |
| US08522314B1 |
VoIP phone authentication
Described are computer-based methods and apparatuses, including computer program products, for voice over internet protocol (VoIP) phone authentication. In some examples, the method includes receiving an authentication request from a computing device; authenticating the computing device for access to a network based on the authentication request; determining if a VoIP endpoint device is associated with a network address associated with the authentication request; and authenticating the VoIP endpoint device if the VoIP endpoint device is associated with the network address. |
| US08522308B2 |
Systems and methods for providing a spatial-input-based multi-user shared display experience
Exemplary systems and methods for providing a spatial-input-based multi-user shared display session are disclosed herein. An exemplary system includes a spatial input subsystem configured to detect gestures made by a plurality of users within a physical user space associated with a display screen. The system further includes a shared display subsystem communicatively coupled to the spatial input subsystem and configured to authenticate the plurality of users, execute a multi-user shared display session that provides the plurality of authenticated users with concurrent control of a display on the display screen through the detected gestures, and control, based on a shared session heuristic, how at least one resource associated with the display is shared between the plurality of authenticated users during the multi-user shared display session. Corresponding systems and methods are also disclosed. |
| US08522301B2 |
System and method for varying content according to a playback control record that defines an overlay
A network media player enables the addition of one or more overlays during content playback. This allows insertion of images, sound, text, logos, ticker bars, and the like in video, audio, or other available content. Overlays may be user-generated to customize content playback, or network-generated to allow insertion of advertising, source identification, logos, messages, news, and the like. |
| US08522288B2 |
IP broadcasting system and a multicast group management apparatus for the same
The present invention provides an IP broadcasting system that can receive IP broadcasting videos over an IP multicast network. In the IP broadcasting system, a multicast group management apparatus for IP broadcasting that holds multicast group identifiers is connected via an IP multicast network over which IP broadcasting services are provided. When a user issues a request to switch an IP broadcasting channel from an IP broadcasting terminal, a query message including the requested IP broadcasting channel identifier is transmitted to a management apparatus. The IP broadcasting terminal receives a response message indicating the correspondence between the IP broadcasting channel identifier and a multicast group identifier, and transmits a video reception request message to a multicast group by using the received multicast group identifier. |
| US08522287B2 |
Series reminders and series recording from an interactive program guide
An interactive media guidance system with program series reminder and recording capabilities is provided. The system allows a user to set a reminder or schedule a recording for a single episode or for each episode of a program series. Options may be provided that allow the user to schedule reminders/recordings for episodes on all or selected channels for some or all episodes including reruns new episodes, network or syndicated episodes, on all days or only on selected days. |
| US08522286B2 |
Digital television signal, digital television receiver, and method of processing digital television signal
A digital television (DTV) signal for use in a DTV receiver includes an extended text table (ETT) which includes a header and a message body. The header includes a table identification extension field which serves to establish uniqueness of the ETT, and the message includes an extended text message (ETM). If the ETT is an event ETT, the table ID extension field includes an event identification which specifies an identification number of an event associated with the ETT. On the other hand, if the ETT is a channel ETT, the table identification extension field includes a source identification which specifies a programming source of a virtual channel associated with the ETT. A section-filtering unit included in the DTV receiver is able to use table identification extension fields of a plurality of ETTs for section-filtering a pertinent event or channel ETT from the ETTs. |
| US08522282B2 |
Television schedule system and method of operation for multiple program occurrences
An improved television guide system. According to one embodiment of the invention, television guide information is provided that includes multiple occurrences of a single show. The guide system of the present invention allows the user to identify a show and, thereafter, identify when the identified show will be played again. Accordingly, the user may more easily select shows for viewing or recordation. |
| US08522277B2 |
Interactive user interface
A user interface for an interactive information distribution system comprising a graphics region, a video region and a mask/reveal layer. The user interface is generated in a head end of the system as a digital bitstream and transmitted to subscriber equipment for display. Operation of the user interface is facilitated by functions on both a local level with the subscriber equipment and on a system level within the head end. One embodiment of the user interface is an interactive program guide. |
| US08522275B2 |
Methods, apparatus and computer-readable media for conveying television program advertisements
A method, which comprises identifying a television program whose start time falls within a time window of acceptable viewability relative to a promotional time slot appearing within a first content stream, the television program being carried by a second content stream; causing conveyance during the promotional time slot of an advertisement for the television program; and causing an indication of the second content stream to be transmitted to customer equipment in the form of a marker sent with the first content stream. Also, a method, which comprises identifying a television program whose start time falls within a time window of acceptable viewability relative to a promotional time slot appearing within a first content stream, the television program being carried by a second content stream; causing conveyance during the promotional time slot of an advertisement for the television program; and being attentive to an indication that, during the promotional time slot, a selection has been made by customer equipment to view the second content stream. |
| US08522274B2 |
System and method for selecting advertisements
A method for displaying interactive advertisements on a television having a controller connected thereto and configured for receiving input from a viewer of the television is disclosed. The controller has a receiver operable to receive advertisements and a processor operable to modify the advertisements. The method generally comprises requesting action by the viewer of the television, modifying an advertisement based on the action of the viewer, and displaying the modified advertisement on the television. |
| US08522271B2 |
Methods and apparatuses for sharing user profiles
Embodiments include methods and apparatus for personalizing access to broadcast content items. One embodiment includes a method comprising detecting physical proximity of a mobile device, receiving data from the mobile device identifying a user of the mobile device, identifying at least one local profile based on the data identifying the user, identifying at least one content item accessed by the user on the mobile device, updating the local profile based on the identified content item, and delivering content items to the user by reference to the user profile. Other embodiments include systems and apparatus configured to perform the method and related functions. |
| US08522263B2 |
Audio signal processor, television set and computer readable medium
In one embodiment, there is provided an audio signal processor. The processor includes: a person position detector configured to detect each position of one or more persons present in a specific space; a grouping module configured to allocate the detected persons to one or more groups, wherein the number of the groups is less than a given number; a plurality of directionality controllers configured to control directionality of a microphone array; and a directionality setting module configured to set directionality of each of the groups in a corresponding one of the directionality controllers. |
| US08522261B2 |
Using status models with state guards in a computer system
A design-time status schema model describes the progress of a data object through a computing process. The status schema model includes status variables, processing actions and constraints for performing actions. The status schema model also may describe permitted changes to a status variable in response to performing an action. At runtime, the status schema model is used to control processing performed by, or on, an instance of a data object corresponding to the status schema model. |
| US08522259B2 |
Event based routing between presentation and business logic components
A business application framework comprising a variety of components that operate on an event-driven basis is described. In an embodiment, a delegate component is provided that receives requests from one or more presentation layer components to process various event. For any given request, the delegate component instantiates a controller component to process the event. In turn, the controller instantiates a routing logic component in order to determine a specific handler component for processing of the event by the underlying business layer. The handler component acts as a parent to one or more business layer components necessary to process the event. The handler component creates a response that is subsequently returned to the presentation layer component. During the design phase, only a plurality of events relevant to the presentation layer need to be defined to allow completion of the presentation layer, thereby allowing for the rapid development business applications. |
| US08522258B1 |
Event handling system
A service that determines what event has occurred and provide a list of actions that the service can be performed in order to help the user through a hectic time period is disclosed. In one example, one or more modules can identify one or more events and transmitting an indication of the at least one event to a mobile device. Then, one or more modules can receive an indication that a mobile device has selected at least one of the at least one event, and determine at least one action to perform, wherein the at least one action can be associated with the at least one selected event. |
| US08522252B2 |
Load based file allocation among a plurality of storage devices
A method for balancing loads among a plurality of data storage devices, includes: receiving a request from a user device to download a data file; identifying a first set of storage devices containing the requested data file, wherein the first set comprises one or more storage devices; identifying a first storage device from the set that is currently least busy among the storage devices in the first set, and directing the first storage device to serve the request; determining if the first storage device is too busy; and if the first storage device is too busy copying the requested data file to a second storage device which did not previously store the data file, thereby adding the second storage device to the first set of storage devices containing the requested data file. |
| US08522251B2 |
Organizing task placement based on workload characterizations
Task placement is influenced within a multiple processor computer. Tasks are classified as either memory bound or CPU bound by observing certain performance counters over the task execution. During a first pass of task load balance, tasks are balanced across various CPUs to achieve a fairness goal, where tasks are allocated CPU resources in accordance to their established fairness priority value. During a second pass of task load balance, tasks are rebalanced across CPUs to reduce CPU resource contention, such that the rebalance of tasks in the second pass does not violate fairness goals established in the first pass. In one embodiment, the second pass could involve re-balancing memory bound tasks across different cache domains, where CPUs in a cache domain share a same last mile CPU cache such as an L3 cache. In another embodiment, the second pass could involve re-balancing CPU bound tasks across different CPU domains of a cache domain, where CPUs in a CPU domain could be sharing some or all of CPU execution unit resources. The two passes could be executed at different frequencies. |
| US08522250B2 |
Managing access to a shared resource in a data processing system
Processes requiring access to shared resources are adapted to issue a reservation request, such that a place in a resource access queue, such as one administered by means of a semaphore system, can be reserved for the process. The reservation is issued by a Reservation Management module at a time calculated to ensure that the reservation reaches the head of the queue as closely as possible to the moment at which the process actually needs access to the resource. The calculation may be made on the basis of priority information concerning the process itself, and statistical information gathered concerning historical performance of the queue. |
| US08522240B1 |
Systems and methods for collaborative task management
Systems and methods for collaborative task management are described. The apparatus may include a user interface module that provides a graphical user interface to a user, a form engine coupled to the user interface module to receive form data from a task data store, a scheduling engine that schedules task assignments, and the task data store that stores information related to one or more tasks. The method may include receiving from a user a request to update a task assignment, displaying to the user a task assignment form, receiving an indication to process the form, updating a task data store with information from the form. The method may alternately include receiving task information from a plurality of users, prioritizing task assignments using that information, generating one or more work queues, providing a work queue to a user, receiving an update to a task assignment, and re-generating the work queue. |
| US08522239B1 |
Methods and systems for safe execution of guest code in virtual machine context
System for safe execution of guest code in virtual machine context includes (a) a virtual machine monitor (VMM) that uses hardware virtualization means for handling potentially unsafe instructions; (b) a virtual machine (VM) running guest code; (c) wherein the hardware virtualization means handles interrupts when encountering at least some privileged instructions in the guest code, (d) wherein the hardware virtualization means continuously determines, at runtime, if the instruction in the guest code is safe or potentially unsafe, wherein the potentially unsafe instructions are non-privileged instructions that can execute incorrectly in a context of the VM; (e) wherein the VM executes the safe instructions in a native mode; (f) wherein the hardware virtualization means bypasses potentially unsafe instructions; and (g) wherein offset addresses in the guest code are the same as offset addresses in source code from which the guest code was generated. |
| US08522238B2 |
Feature driven backend switching
A method and system for switching backend devices in a virtual machine system based on features of the backend devices. In one embodiment, a computer system includes at least a first device and a second device that function as a backend device. The first device is currently used by a guest of the computer system as the backend device. A hypervisor of the computer system receives an indication from the guest to use a feature of the backend device. The hypervisor determines whether the use of the feature of the backend device triggers a switching condition. In response to a determination that the switching condition is triggered, the guest is switched to use the second device as the backend device. The switching operation can be transparent to the guest. |
| US08522231B2 |
Updating a plurality of computers
Updating a plurality of computers is accomplished. A first message is created in an update source, where the first message includes a one or more instructions and an address of a message repository. The first message is transmitted to a first computer using either a Push or a Pull protocol. A second message is transmitted to the first computer using the Push or Pull protocol, the second message comprising data retrieved from the address in the first message. The first computer executes one or more of the instructions in the first message with at least some of the second message. The address in the first message is updated to match the address of the first computer. The updated first message is transmitting to a further one of the computers. Transmission of the second message is repeated to further ones in the plurality of computers until all of the plurality of computers have been updated. |
| US08522229B2 |
Image forming apparatus, information processing method, and recording medium for directly update a module of the image forming apparatus without changing other modules
An image forming apparatus executing a program configured by connecting multiple modules operating exclusively with respect to each other is disclosed that includes an input part configured to receive an input of updating information of the program; a determination part configured to determine whether an operating state of the program corresponds to a time for updating specified in the updating information; and a change part configured to change the relationship of connection of the modules in accordance with the updating information if the determination part determines that the operating state of the program corresponds to the time for updating. |
| US08522211B2 |
Computer program testing
The invention provides a method and system for testing a software component, by instrumenting the software component under test with a component able to modify the execution of the component under test and able to generate an event corresponding to the performed modification, and by verifying that the order and the content of the event received match a predefined sequence. |
| US08522210B1 |
Detecting indexing errors in declarative languages
A computerized method for detecting errors in program code including searching for lines of command codes in the program code, wherein a line of command code includes a set of command codes and a set of indices; separating the sets of command codes from the sets of indices, wherein the sets of indices are a matrix; parsing the sets of command codes to locate three or more consecutive lines of command codes, which have the same sets of command codes; for the three or more consecutive lines of command codes, generating sets of vertical indices from vertically aligned indices in the matrix; determining if each set of vertical indices does not match at least one known series in a set of known series; and reporting to a user computer each set of vertical indices that does not match the at least one known series. |
| US08522207B1 |
Systems and methods for automated centralized build/merge management
Embodiments of the invention monitor requests for a source code build of a program. The source code build is generated using the most recent applicable release of the dependencies. The source code build is dynamically merged into at least one subsequent release. Other embodiments may be described and claimed. |
| US08522202B2 |
System and method for managing computer environment setup requests
A system for managing requests for setting up computer test environments includes a setup request database storing the test environment setup requests and a request management module which provides a standardized user interface screen to submit the requests. If the request submitted by a user does not contain all of the required information necessary to set up the test environment, the user is prompted to provide the missing information, thereby minimizing a subsequent exchange of communications due to missing information. |
| US08522201B2 |
Methods and apparatus for sub-asset modification
Methods and apparatus for on-the-fly identification of sub-asset modifications in a data pipeline are described. |
| US08522200B2 |
Detouring in scripting systems
A system described herein includes a receiver component that receives third party code for execution in a host environment, wherein the third party code corresponds to a dynamic programming language, and wherein the third party code has at least one object reference to a first object that is used by the third party code. A detouring component automatically replaces the first object referenced by the third party code with a proxy object such that the third party code at runtime calls the proxy object instead of the first object. |
| US08522197B2 |
Hierarchical presentation techniques for a design tool
A design tool hierarchically presents information about a design with nested blocks. For example, the design tool presents scheduling information for the design in a hierarchical Gantt chart. The scheduling information includes hierarchical design schedule blocks which accurately depict the timing and scheduling of the nested blocks of the design. Each of the hierarchical design schedule blocks includes control steps numbered relative to the block. The scheduling information also includes a hierarchical list of scheduled operations for the design. The hierarchical list emphasizes which operations are associated with which nested blocks. The scheduling information further includes pseudo-operation icons that are easily differentiated from real operation icons in the hierarchical Gantt chart. |
| US08522195B2 |
Systems and methods to generate a software framework based on semantic modeling and business rules
A software framework based on semantic modeling and business rules, in which a method implemented in a data processing system, includes: receiving input from one or more first users to generate a first ontology describing a software requirement; and receiving input from one or more second users to map the first ontology to a second ontology describing software tools. The data processing system generates a software framework using the input that is received to map the first ontology that describes the software requirement to the second ontology that describes the software tools. |
| US08522194B2 |
Software modeling
Methods and apparatus, including computer program products, to realize a software model are described. A plurality of process components characterizing software implementing a respective and distinct business process is defined, and each of the process components defining a respective service interface for interacting with other process components. The plurality of process components is divided into multiple deployment units, wherein each deployment unit characterizes independently operable software, and each process component is entirely included in exactly one deployment unit. Context independent interactions are defined among the plurality of process components. |
| US08522187B2 |
Method and data processing system to optimize performance of an electric circuit design, data processing program and computer program product
A method to optimize performance of an electric circuit design is disclosed. The method comprises providing for each circuit element of the electric circuit design available design parameter options; transforming the electric circuit design and the design parameter options into a linear programming model; determining a solution for the linear programming model; and based on the solution generating a list of circuit elements which design parameters need to be changed to a different option to achieve performance optimization. |
| US08522185B1 |
Method for placement and routing of a circuit design
Approaches for placement and routing of a circuit design are disclosed. Two or more modules of a circuit design are assigned to respective regions of a programmable integrated circuit. Placement and routing constraints are created for non-global resources of two or more modules of the circuit design. The placement and routing constraints restrict placement and routing of non-global resources of each of the two or more modules to respective regions of a programmable IC. Each non-global resource is used by at most one of the two or more modules. The two or more modules are placed. In response to the one of the placed circuit elements not being placed within the assigned region, the routing constraint on the one of the circuit elements is removed. The circuit design is routed. |
| US08522181B2 |
Capacitance extraction for advanced device technologies
A technology specific information to design the integrated circuit is received. A plurality of canonical hierarchical models to capture an integrated circuit capacitance are created. The plurality of canonical hierarchical models includes at least a canonical model to capture a capacitance of a device having a plurality of conductors, and a canonical model to capture a capacitance between at least a portion of the device and one or more other conductors of the integrated circuit. The canonical hierarchical models can be applied to a layout of the integrated circuit. A capacitance for the layout can be determined based on the canonical hierarchical models. |
| US08522180B1 |
Method and system identifying IP blocks and block suppliers for an electronic design
An improved approach is described for identifying IP for an electronic design. The present approach can be used to handle situation where there may be difficulties in identifying which, if any, IP matches the desired requirements of an electronic design for which the IP is to be used or integrated. The search wizard of the present approach facilitates identification of IP for an electronic design. Expert systems and expert system services are provided for identifying IP blocks for an electronic design. Concierge-like services may be used to facilitate a connection between a consumer of electronic IP and the provider or vendor of the electronic IP in conjunction with the expert services. |
| US08522178B2 |
Re-modeling a memory array for accurate timing analysis
A system and method for analyzing the timing requirements of a memory array are disclosed. The memory cell circuitry used in the original memory array may utilize two bi-directional passgate transistors which are both used during read and write operations on the memory cell, e.g., where signals can flow across the passgate transistors in two directions. A model of the memory array may be created according to a memory cell model that uses uni-directional passgate transistors. Modeling the memory array with uni-directional circuitry may enable a static timing analysis tool to determine the critical path through the memory array. Once the critical path has been determined from the model of the memory array, a dynamic simulation of the critical path in the original memory array may be performed to accurately determine the timing requirements of the original memory array. |
| US08522174B2 |
Semiconductor memory
A method includes simulating a first design of a semiconductor memory that includes at least one device disposed between and coupled to a memory bit cell and to a power supply line, determining if at least one simulated operational value of the semiconductor memory is above a threshold value, and adjusting at least one of a size of the device or a type of the device if the at least one simulated operational value is below the threshold value. The memory bit cell is disposed in a column including a plurality of bit cells. The size or type of the device is repeatedly adjusted and the design of the semiconductor memory is repeatedly simulated until the at least one simulated operational value is at or above the threshold value. |
| US08522171B1 |
Method for checking die seal ring on layout and computer system
The invention is directed to a method for checking a die seal ring on a layout. The method comprises steps of receiving a digital database of a layout corresponding to at least a device with a text information corresponding to the layout. Tape-out information corresponding to the layout is received. A checking process is performed according to the digital database of the layout and the tape-out information and, meanwhile, a mask design procedure for designing a mask pattern corresponding to the layout is performed by using the digital database of the layout, the text information and the tape-out information. A result of the checking process is recorded in an inspection table corresponding to the layout. |
| US08522164B2 |
Portable terminal and display method and medium therefor
Provided are a portable terminal and display method and medium therefore for arranging a plurality of prepared tags according to a predetermined standard and displaying the plurality of prepared tags on a main display unit; and displaying one or more pieces of contents having a selected tag among the prepared tags among a plurality of pieces of prepared contents on a plurality of buttons. |
| US08522161B2 |
Visual image searching method
The method discloses a searching method by visual image, the method includes connecting to a searching engine, and then the user terminal transmits a key word to the searching engine. The searching outputs searching results which includes the virtual image and the web linking information to the user terminal. The user may use the cursor or finger to indicate a certain image to show the summary of the web site. |
| US08522159B2 |
System for accessing a large number of menu items using a zoned menu bar
A system that includes a pop-up graphical user interface that includes menu bars overlapping marking menu zones. The interface pops up at the current position of the cursor when the space bar is held down. The menu bars are positioned around a central marking zone with the common menu bars located above the central zone and task specific menu bars located below the central zone. The common application menu bar is positioned outer most and the common window menu bar is located inner most. The menu bars are sized in a “stair-step” pattern and the commands therein are left and right justified to fill the menu bar evenly. The menu bar menu items are accessed just like menu bar items typically found at the top of windows. The menu bars mimic the menu bars that a user may need to use during tasks that users typically perform using the menu bars found in application windows. The zones are divided into a central zone and four outer zones where user customizable marking menus are activated when a mouse button is held down while the cursor is in one of the zones. |
| US08522157B2 |
Terminal, controlling method thereof and recordable medium thereof
A mobile terminal includes a touchscreen configured to display a scroll region having a scroll bar at a portion of a displayed view and a controller configured to perform at least one function in response to a touch input received at the scroll region, the touch input including a first touch action in a first axial direction and a second touch action in a second axial direction, wherein a first function is performed in response to the first touch action, the first function being scrolling the displayed view and the first touch action being moving the scroll bar in the first axial direction along the scroll region and a second function is performed in response to the second touch action, the second function being a function that is different from the first function. |
| US08522155B2 |
System and method for a multimedia timeline
An interactive user interface on a computer system for presenting information about a deceased person comprises a viewable screen image. A plurality of types of life related recordations are associated with a time during the person's life. The user interface further includes a plurality of selection options. Each of the selection options corresponds to at least one type of recordation. The viewable screen image also presents an interactive timeline that is operable to effect a selection of time. The timeline is associated with at least a portion of the plurality of recordations such that when a specific time is selected the user interface presents one or more recordations that correspond to the selected time. The interface may also include a historical information feature that is operable to provide historical information relating to times during the deceased person's life, with the historical information being independent of the deceased person. |
| US08522154B2 |
Scenario specialization of file browser
In a graphical user interface environment, a situational-specific browser may be used to provide contextually appropriate levels of information for files whose information is to be displayed. As different views of files are to be displayed, the browser may dynamically adjust its configuration to display different types of information, features and/or command options. Different views may be predefined, or new views may be dynamically created in response to user navigation. |
| US08522152B2 |
Presenting question and answer data in a social networking system
A social networking system includes a question and answer system that displays to a viewing user questions and answers provides by other users of the social networking system. The question and answer system may display answers to a particular question in a way that visually indicates both the global answer set and a subset of the global answer set, such as the viewing user's friends. The social networking system may also display to a viewing user news stories about another user asking or answering a question, where the format of the displayed new stories is based on an affinity that the viewing user has for the user who provided the question or answer mentioned in the news story. The displayed questions and/or answers may be associated with an object in the social networking system, where the user interface provides additional information about those objects. |
| US08522151B2 |
Wizard for selecting visualization
A visualization design system is provided. The system includes a metadata component to describe characteristics of data. An analyzer determines attributes of a peer group, where the attributes are related to prior visualization design experiences of the group. A wizard component determines a subset of potential visualization types based in part on the characteristics of data and the attributes of the peer group. |
| US08522148B1 |
System for organization, display, and navigation of site information
A system and method for the organization, display, and navigation of digital information. The system and method allow for easy navigation of primary search results responsive to a search request, as well as navigation of secondary information related to the primary search results. In an example embodiment, primary search results are displayed as web page images. A user may select an image from the primary search results and view the web page in an operational window. Information from a web site associated with the selected page is used to populate a site item area of the screen comprising items from the web site responsive to the search criteria. When an item is selected from the site item area, information related to the item is displayed to the user. Selected items are used to populate an item history area while selected web pages are used to populate a search history area. |
| US08522145B2 |
Method and system for editing content in server
Techniques of allowing a communication terminal to edit original content stored in a content server are disclosed. According to the techniques, the original content is converted into decimated and downsized proxy content; the proxy content is transmitted from the content server to the communication terminal; the proxy content is displayed on a display screen of the communication terminal; in response to a user's editing operation on the communication terminal, proxy-editing information is produced by the communication terminal; the proxy-editing information is transmitted from the communication terminal to the content server; and the content server edits the original content in accordance with the proxy-editing information. |
| US08522141B2 |
Method for providing link and electronic apparatus thereof
A method for providing a link in an electronic apparatus capable of reproducing contents, includes storing a first part of a first contents in a link storage area, forming a link between a second part of a second contents and the first part stored in the link storage area, and if the link is selected, displaying the first part while a contents screen including the second part is displayed. Accordingly, a user may easily find related contents from among contents stored in the electronic apparatus as a link is formed between related contents. |
| US08522139B2 |
Modeling system for graphic user interface
A modeling system for universal specification of user interfaces. The system provides a means for defining user interfaces, including highly complex and dynamic user interfaces, in a manner that is independent of any implementation context. The modeling system leads from a user-friendly visual representation of the user interface, through progressively detailed specifications of structural and behavioral aspects of the user interface parts, until a rigorous definition of the user interface in all its contexts of use is achieved. Using the information captured in the model, tools that automatically generate the fully working user interface code can be built. |
| US08522137B1 |
Systems, methods, and machine readable media for social network application development using a custom markup language
Disclosed in some examples are systems, methods, and machine readable medium for programming an application for multiple target social networks using custom markup tags that are independent of any custom markup tags defined by social networking services. These independent tags may be translated into the custom markup tags defined by the social networking service of interest if the desired functionality is supported in that social networking service using custom markup tags or if the tags are not supported, by a set of instructions for executing the same functionality. |
| US08522135B2 |
Generating a transformation description document for transforming messages
The present disclosure provides a system and method of generating a transformation specification document describing transformations for transforming a received message conforming to a second interface definition to a message conforming to a first interface definition. The system and method comprise loading the first interface definition into memory; loading the second interface definition into memory; determining all additional elements of the second interface definition loaded into memory not contained in the first interface definition loaded into memory; generating processing logic for removing all of the determined additional elements from the received message; and generating the transformation specification document using the generated processing logic. The present disclosure further relates to a computer program product generating a transformation specification document. |
| US08522133B2 |
Incrementally tokenizing and/or parsing a style sheet
Techniques are described herein that are capable of incrementally tokenizing and/or parsing a style sheet. For example, tokens may be created to represent respective sequences of characters in a style sheet. A token that includes a change (a.k.a. a changed token) and other token(s) that follow the changed token may be re-tokenized and/or parsed without re-tokenizing and/or parsing token(s) that precede the changed token. In another example, hierarchical node trees may be used to represent a style sheet. Each of the hierarchical node trees includes a respective subset of tokens, which are assigned among various hierarchical levels of the respective hierarchical node tree. Each of the tokens has a respective absolute or relative character position that indicates a location in the style sheet of the sequence of characters that is represented by the respective token. Absolute character positions may be updated without updating the relative character positions. |
| US08522130B1 |
Creating notes in a multilayered HTML document
A notepad application enables users to create notes associated with electronic documents. The document, configured for rendering by an eReader browser application, is associated with a table of contents defining a plurality of sections of the document. The notepad application displays a note window associated with a section of the document within a user interface of the browser application. When a user generates a note in connection with the note window by indicating a location within the document, the notepad application adds the note to a note region in a note object that is associated with a section of the document defined by the table of contents. The notepad application then can access the note using the table of contents of the document. |
| US08522128B1 |
Systems and methods for modifying the order of links presented in a document
A system modifies documents to aid users in determining which of the entries in the documents to choose. The system identifies a document that includes one or more entries. The system determines a score for each of the entries and modifies the identified document, or entries in the identified document, based on the determined scores. The system then provides the modified document to a user. |
| US08522124B2 |
Semiconductor device and decoding method thereof
An error control coding (ECC) circuit includes a first decoder, a second decoder, and a controller. The first decoder receives encoded data comprising a first parity and a second parity. The first decoder decodes the encoded data to a first code by using the first parity. The second decoder is connected to the first decoder. The second decoder is configured to decode the encoded data when the first decoder is deactivated and decode the first code using the second parity when the first decoder is deactivated. The controller transmits a control signal to the first decoder and the second decoder to control the first decoder and the second decoder. |
| US08522115B2 |
Flash memory device and memory system comprising same
A flash memory device provided here comprises a user data area storing user data; and a security data area storing security data. The security data area stores a security data pattern in which first groups of memory cells storing security data are arranged respectively between second groups of memory cells storing dummy data. |
| US08522113B2 |
Selecting storage facilities and dispersal parameters in a dispersed storage network
A method begins by a processing module receiving a data storage request that includes metadata and data. The method continues with the processing module determining a base-line set of error coding dispersal storage function parameters based on the metadata. The method continues with the processing module identifying candidate dispersed storage (DS) units based on the base-line set of error coding dispersal storage function parameters. The method continues with the processing module selecting DS units of the candidate DS units based on the metadata to produce selected DS units. The method continues with the processing module dispersed storage error encoding the data in accordance with at least a representation of the base-line set of error coding dispersal storage function parameters to produce a set of encoded data slices. The method continues with the processing module sending the set of encoded data slices to the selected DS units for storage therein. |
| US08522109B2 |
Loss correction encoding device and loss correction encoding method
A loss correction encoding device having an improved capability of loss correction using LDPC-CC is disclosed. In the loss correction encoding device (120), a rearranging unit (122) rearranges information data contained in n information packets according to the constraint length Kmax and the encoding rate (q−1)/q of a cheek polynomial of the loss correction code used in a loss correction encoding unit (123). Specifically, the rearranging unit (122) rearranges the information data in such a way that continuous Kmax×(q−1) pieces of information data after rearrangement are contained in different information packets. The rearranging unit (122) distributes the information data to information blocks from n information packets (n satisfies formula (1)). Kmax×(q−1)≦n (1). |
| US08522097B2 |
Logic built-in self-test programmable pattern bit mask
In a particular embodiment, a method is disclosed that includes mapping failing bit positions within multiple scan chains to memory locations of a memory mask. The method also includes executing logic built-in self-test (LBIST) testing on a semiconductor device using the memory mask to selectively mask certain results within the multiple scan chains. The results are associated with performance of LBIST testing on the semiconductor device. |
| US08522096B2 |
Method and apparatus for testing 3D integrated circuits
A method and apparatus for testing a scan-based 3D integrated circuit (3DIC) using time-division demultiplexing/multiplexing allowing for high-data-rate scan patterns applied at input/output pads converting into low-data-rate scan patterns applied to each embeddded module in the 3DIC. A set of 3D design guidelines is proposed to reduce the number of test times and the number of through-silicon vias (TSVs) required for both pre-bond testing and post-bond testing. The technique allows reuse of scan patterns developed for pre-bond testing of each die (layer) for post-bond testing of the whole 3DIC. It further reduces test application time without concerns for I/O pad count limit and risks for fault coverage loss. |
| US08522092B2 |
Compare circuitry with scan cell separate from serial scan circuitry
A scan test architecture facilitates low power testing of semiconductor circuits by selectively dividing the serial scan paths into shorter sections. Multiplexers between the sections control connecting the sections into longer or shorted paths. Select and enable signals control the operation of the scan path sections. The output of each scan path passes through a multiplexer to compare circuits on the semiconductor substrate. The compare circuits also receive expected data and mask data. The compare circuits provide a fail flag output from the semiconductor substrate. |
| US08522091B1 |
Prioritized detection of memory corruption
In one embodiment, a method of detecting corruption of configuration memory is provided. A bitstream of a circuit design that includes at least a first module and a second module is generated. Configuration memory cells used to implement each of the first and second modules are determined. The configuration memory cells are programmed with the bitstream. After programming, configuration memory cells used to implement the first module are checked for corruption at a first frequency, and configuration memory cells used to implement the second module are checked for corruption at a second frequency, with the first frequency being different from the second frequency. |
| US08522086B1 |
Method and apparatus for providing relocation notification
In one embodiment, a method and apparatus for notifying a client computer that a service accessed by the client computer is unavailable as a result of the service being relocated. In a further embodiment, a method and apparatus providing a notification to a client computer that a service has been relocated so that the service is no longer accessible via a network address stored in the local store of the client computer. In one embodiment, further flushing a local store of a client computer in response to a notification that a service has been relocated so that the service is no longer accessible via a network address stored in the local store of the client computer. |
| US08522084B2 |
Computer system and method employing separate storage area for computer program recovery
A computer system, a control method thereof and a recording medium storing a computer program thereof are provided to recover a program efficiently and be resistant to viruses, worms, and user error. The control method of computer system receives a user's request for a recovery of a program which is installed in a first storage unit. A file system of a second storage unit is determined which stores therein a recovery program corresponding to the program for which the recovery is requested. The recovery program is read from the second storage unit with reference to the determined file system, and the program in the first storage unit is recovered by using the read recovery program. |
| US08522080B2 |
Generation of simulated errors for high-level system validation
This invention relates to error simulation for system validation. Errors can be simulated by modifying data presented to the processor as well as generating interrupts consistent with the modified data in the ASIC hardware. Modify logic may be added to the ASIC so when the microprocessor attempts to read a specific address, the modify logic may mask one or more of the data bits returned by the requested address. Address, bit mask, and force value data may be stored in registers to determine which address may be modified, the bit location to be modified, and the value that bit location should be changed to. Selection logic may then determine whether data from the modify logic or the unmodified value from an attached device should be sent to the ASIC interface and on to the microprocessor. A timer may also be used to decouple the setup from the test. |
| US08522079B2 |
System and method for multi-core synchronous debugging of a multi-core platform
A system and a corresponding method for multi-core synchronous debugging of a multi-core platform including a plurality of cores are provided. The method includes the following steps. Transmit a core debugging instruction to one of the cores selected by a system debugging instruction or store a group setting included in the system debugging instruction according to the type of the system debugging instruction. Control every core in a group to start executing program instructions simultaneously according to another system debugging instruction. The group is a subset of the cores and the group setting indicates which ones of the cores are included in the group. Use a handshaking mechanism to control all cores of the group to enter a debug mode simultaneously when a debug event happens in any core of the group. |
| US08522078B2 |
Trouble coping method for information technology system
A trouble coping apparatus includes an incident registration section which registers information about an incident which has solved a problem, a solution knowledge generation section which generates trouble solution knowledge from the incident information, a risk registration section which registers risk items which are materials for judging appropriateness of selection of a work candidate, with the trouble solution knowledge, a risk evaluation section which generates navigation information showing a trouble solution procedure from the trouble solution knowledge, and a solution procedure display section which displays the navigation information. |
| US08522077B2 |
Power supply grid switch
Examples relate to a grid switch adapted for use with a power supply, wherein the grid switch selects an operational power grid from first and second power grids if one of power grids has failed, and selects between the first and second grids based on a policy if both the first and second power grids are operational. |
| US08522067B2 |
Variable latency interface for read/write channels
A variable latency interface and method for managing variable latency. An apparatus includes a storage device controller and a read/write channel coupled to the storage device controller by a variable latency interface. The variable latency interface includes a media control component configured for read and write operations. The variable latency interface also includes a data transfer component configured for read and write operations. A read or write operation in the media control component is offset from a respective read or write operation in the data transfer component by a latency period. |
| US08522065B2 |
Generating a random number in an existing system on chip
A system for generating a true random number and implemented within an existing System on Chip (SoC) is provided herein. The system includes one or more sub circuitry synchronous modules configured to operate in a specified nominal clock rate, wherein each sub circuitry synchronous modules yields expected deterministic results when operating in its nominal clock rate; and a control module configured to clock the one or more sub circuitry synchronous modules each in a clock rate higher than its respective the nominal clock rate and beyond a specified value, to yield a non deterministic behavior of the one or more sub circuitry synchronous modules, resulting in one or more random signals, wherein the system is implemented within an existing system on chip (SOC). |
| US08522064B2 |
Server system having mainboards
The present invention provides a server system comprising a first group of mainboard modules and a second group of mainboard modules, each of the first and second groups of mainboard modules including a plurality of mainboard modules. Each mainboard module includes a mainboard and a daughter board electrically connected to the mainboard; a first adaptor and a second adaptor; a hard disk array including a hard disk backplane and a plurality of hard disks, wherein the hard disk backplane is electrically connected to the first adaptor and the second adaptor; a first power control board and a second power control board respectively connected to at least one power supply, wherein the first power control board and the second power control board are electrically connected to the hard disk array; and a management board electrically connected to the first adaptor and the second adaptor. |
| US08522061B2 |
Method and apparatus of power management of a node in home entertainment network by shifting from a normal state into either a first low power state based on the traffic at the node or a second low power state upon receipt of a message granting a request for the second low power state at the node
A power management system for home entertainment networks having three power states. The network controller is empowered to move nodes within the home entertainment network between the power states. |
| US08522056B2 |
Energy-efficient server location determination
A heat potential value for each of a set of available server locations is calculated via a data center controller based upon at least one active server in a data center. A minimal calculated heat potential value for the set of available server locations is identified. An available server location associated with the identified minimal calculated heat potential value is selected from the set of available server locations. A maximal calculated heat potential value is identified for the set of available server locations. An available server location associated with the identified maximal calculated heat potential value is selected from the set of available server locations. A server located at the selected available server location associated with the identified maximal calculated heat potential value is automatically de-energized. |
| US08522052B1 |
Method and integrated circuit for secure encryption and decryption
In one embodiment of the present invention a secure cryptographic device is provided. The device includes a power supply interface, a cryptographic processing block coupled to the power supply interface, a random number generator, and a complex multiplication circuit. The complex multiplication circuit has an output coupled to the power supply interface for modulating a power variation waveform detectable on the power supply interface. The complex multiplication circuit also has a first input coupled to an output of the random number generator and a second input coupled to the power supply interface. |
| US08522050B1 |
Systems and methods for securing information in an electronic file
A computer-implemented method for securing information in an electronic file is described. Data in the electronic file is automatically scanned. Sensitive information in the electronic file is identified. The sensitive information is extracted from the electronic file. The sensitive information is encrypted. The encrypted sensitive information is stored. |
| US08522045B2 |
Multi-functional system, security method, security program, and storage medium
A multi-functional system includes a main system, and sub-systems operated by sub-programs and the main system. The sub-systems includes a first memory storing a first public key, and a second memory storing an encrypted sub-program and second public key, a first communication controller transmitting the first public key for encrypted communication, a decryption unit decrypting the encrypted sub-program and second public key using an encryption key, and a second controller transmitting the decrypted second public key for encrypted communication. The main system includes a first public key, a second public key, a security device, and first and second communication controllers. The sub-systems execute a plurality of corresponding subprograms under the control of the main system. |
| US08522041B2 |
System and method for efficiently performing a data encryption operation
A system and method for efficiently performing a data encryption operation in an electronic system preferably includes a processor that may initially create an encryption structure in a memory device. The encryption structure may preferably include one or more command structures for performing data encryption or decryption operations. The processor may subsequently program local control registers of a DMA engine with selected encryption information in response to a data encryption or decryption requirement. The processor may then instruct the DMA engine to perform the required data encryption or decryption operation. Next, the DMA engine may responsively copy one or more of the command structures from the memory device into local command registers that are coupled to the DMA engine. The DMA engine may then reference the foregoing control registers and command registers to thereby efficiently perform one or more data encryption or decryption operations. During the data encryption or decryption operations, the DMA engine may preferably provide source data from the memory device to an encryption module for encrypting or decrypting. The DMA engine may then responsively store the encrypted or decrypted data back into the memory device as destination data that may be subsequently provided to any appropriate destination entity that is coupled to the electronic system. |
| US08522035B2 |
Assisted certificate enrollment
A certificate enrollment assistant module may be provided to inject a challenge password into a certificate signing request to be sent, to a Certificate Authority, from a computing device. The certificate enrollment assistant module, thereby, acts as a trusted proxy to assist the computing device in building a valid certificate signing request without the computing device having access to the challenge password. |
| US08522033B2 |
Authentication device, authentication method, program, and signature generation device
Provided is an authentication device including a key setting unit for setting sεKn to a secret key and setting a multi-order polynomial fi(x1, . . . , xn) (i=1 to m) on a ring K and yi=fi(s) to a public key, a message transmission unit for transmitting a message c to a verifier, a verification pattern reception unit for receiving information on one verification pattern selected by the verifier from k (k≧3) verification patterns for one message c, and a response transmission unit for transmitting, to the verifier, response information, among k types of response information, corresponding to the information on the verification pattern received by the verification pattern reception unit, where the response information is information that enables calculation of the secret key s in a case all of the k verification patterns for the message c performed by using the k types of response information have been successful. |
| US08522026B2 |
Automatic authentication method and system in print process
This invention provides an automatic authentication method and system in a print process, which can obviate the need for user's input operations of the user ID and password and can improve security since authentication is automatically done based on print information embedded in a file or information from an application program without any user's input.In a print process that requires user authentication, a printer driver extracts information related to an application and/or a document for the print process as attribute information, and user authentication is made by comparing the attribute information with information stored in a user registration information database of a server. If user authentication has succeeded, the printer driver controls a printer to print, and the server manages and stores accounting information and the like for respective departments in a department management information database. |
| US08522024B2 |
Authentication method, system, and device
The present invention provides an authentication method, an authentication system, and an authentication device, which is in information security field. The method includes that a service side receives a username and a first value from a client side, searches a seed of a dynamic password token, and generates a first dynamic password according to the first value and the seed, converts the first dynamic password to the first authentication password and the second authentication password, and sends the first authentication password to the user; the dynamic password token generates a second dynamic password and sends the first authentication password to a user; the dynamic password token generates a second dynamic password and converts the second dynamic password to a third authentication password and a fourth authentication password; the user compares the first authentication password and the third authentication password to determine that they are identical, so as to confirm that the user is legal or the transaction is permissible. The invention prevents malicious attack and operation of illegal users, which improves the security of information and property of the users. |
| US08522023B2 |
Rural services platform
A middleware platform is executable by a computer to receive a request for a service, the service provided by a service application in communication with the middleware platform. The middleware platform determines, via a device adaptation component of the middleware platform, capabilities of a device subject to the request. The middleware platform selects an interface having a format that is compatible with the capabilities of the device, and provides the interface to the device in a format corresponding to the capabilities, accesses the service application responsive to the request, processes the request, and returns a response, via the interface, to the device responsive to the processing. |
| US08522022B2 |
Distributed storage network employing multiple encoding layers in data routing
A distributed storage processing unit creates multiple different data slices from the same data object, and generates a message including one or more of the different data slices. The distributed storage processing unit identifies a chain of distributed storage units, and encrypts the message into multiple nested layers using, for example, public keys of public/private key pairs associated with each of the storage units in the chain. The distributed storage processing unit sends the layered, encrypted message to the first storage unit in the chain, which decodes and removes the outermost layer, and forwards the message to the next storage unit in the chain. This process continues until the message reaches the endpoint distributed storage unit, which decodes the innermost layer and stores the data slice encoded in the message. |
| US08522021B2 |
Communication channel of a device
A method including transferring a device ID through a first communication channel between a device and a transaction device, configuring the device to send secured information in response to receiving a transaction request and sending user information to a service provider through a second communication channel in response to receiving a request to authenticate the secured information. |
| US08522016B2 |
On-the-fly data masking
Described are methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer program products for securing data of a production server. The invention, in one implementation, includes reading a data value on the production server, obfuscating the data value in the memory of the server to create a masked value, transmitting the masked value to a non-production server, and storing the masked value on the non-production server. |
| US08522015B2 |
Authentication of binaries in memory with proxy code execution
Presented is an anti-tampering method that validates and protects specific sections of a binary file. In one embodiment, this method permits a proxy engine to execute (via emulation by a virtual machine) the protected code on behalf of the binary in kernel mode upon successful completion of an integrity check. The integrity check can optionally check only the specific parts of code that the developer wishes to validate. The integrity check can cross binary boundaries. Moreover, the integrity check can be done on a hard drive or in memory. Furthermore, since the encrypted code is executed by the proxy engine in kernel mode, hackers are further deterred from modifying the code. Additionally, a method of creating a protected binary file is described herein. |
| US08522014B2 |
Method and system for storing a key in a remote security module
A system obtains assurance by a content provider that a content control key is securely stored in a remote security module for further secure communications between the content provider and the security module. A security module manufacturer, which has a pre-established trustful relation with the security module, imports a symmetric transport key into the security module. The symmetric transport key is unique to the security module. The content provider shares the symmetric transport key with the security module manufacturer. The content provider exchanging messages with the security module through a security module communication manager in order to get the proof that the security module stores the content control key. At least a portion of the messages exchanged between the content provider and the security module are protected using the symmetric transport key. The symmetric transport key is independent of said content control key. |
| US08522012B2 |
Method for the application of implicit signature schemes
A method of certifying a correspondent in a data communication system by a certifying authority. The certifying authority includes a cryptographic unit. The method includes generating a random number and implicit certificate components based on the random number using the cryptographic unit. The implicit certificate components have a first component and a second component. The method also includes providing the implicit certificate components for use in the data communication system and providing a public key of the certifying authority for use in derivation of a public key of the correspondent from the first component. The certifying authority recertifies the correspondent by providing implicit certificate components using a changed value for the random number. |
| US08522011B2 |
Computer implemented method for authenticating a user
The invention relates to a computer implemented method for performing a user authentication, wherein an asymmetric cryptographic key pair is associated with the user, said key pair comprising a public key and a private key, wherein the method comprises selecting the user to be authenticated using a pseudonym of said user, wherein said pseudonym comprises the public key of the user, the method further comprising performing a cryptographic authentication of the user using the asymmetric cryptographic key pair. |
| US08522009B2 |
Device management system, site monitoring apparatus and method
A server certificate and root certificate for performing secure communication with monitoring target devices are issued in a site monitoring apparatus. Using a secret key that is paired with a public key, a digital signature is issued based on communication destination information in which the site monitoring apparatus is the communication destination and the issued root certificate, and the communication destination information, root certificate, and digital signature are transmitted to the monitoring target devices. The monitoring target devices receive the communication destination information, root certificate, and digital signature from the site monitoring apparatus. Authentication is performed on the received digital signature using the public key, and in accordance with successful authentication, the communication destination for device monitoring information is changed from a management server to the site monitoring apparatus and secure communication is performed with the site monitoring apparatus, using the received communication information and root certificate. |
| US08522006B2 |
Enhanced distribution of digital content
The enhanced distribution of digital content, in which a digital content distribution process is dynamically modeled, the digital content distribution process is invoked, and a serviced digital copy is provided to a recipient. Invoking the digital content distribution process further includes ingesting digital content, further including storing a digital master of the digital content in a digital vault, and servicing the digital copy of the stored digital master based on a servicing request received from the recipient. |
| US08522004B2 |
Method and system for power management for a handheld mobile electronic device executing-in-place an application kernel from execute-in-place non-volatile memory (XIP NVM)
Methods and systems for trusted boot using an original design manufacturer secure partition using execute-in-place non-volatile memory (XIP NVM) can include forming a secure partition within the XIP NVM and loading an initial program load within the secure partition wherein the initial program load comprises computer instructions which when executed by a processor causes the processor to perform operations comprising a trusted boot. Other embodiments are disclosed. |
| US08522000B2 |
Trap handler architecture for a parallel processing unit
A trap handler architecture is incorporated into a parallel processing subsystem such as a GPU. The trap handler architecture minimizes design complexity and verification efforts for concurrently executing threads by imposing a property that all thread groups associated with a streaming multi-processor are either all executing within their respective code segments or are all executing within the trap handler code segment. |
| US08521999B2 |
Executing touchBHT instruction to pre-fetch information to prediction mechanism for branch with taken history
A method comprising receiving a branch instruction, decoding a branch address and the branch instruction, executing a branch action associated with the branch address, determining whether a branch associated with the branch action was taken, and saving an identifier of the branch instruction and in indicator that the branch action was taken in a prefetch history table responsive to determining that the branch associated with the branch action was taken. |
| US08521996B2 |
Pipelined microprocessor with fast non-selective correct conditional branch instruction resolution
A microprocessor includes a pipeline of stages for processing instructions and first and second types of conditional branch instruction includable by a program. The microprocessor makes a prediction of conditional branch instructions of the first type and flushes the pipeline of instructions if the prediction is subsequently determined to be incorrect, thereby incurring a branch misprediction penalty related to processing of conditional branch instructions of the first type. The microprocessor always correctly resolves conditional branch instructions of the second type without making a prediction of conditional branch instructions of the second type, thereby avoiding ever incurring a branch misprediction penalty related to processing of conditional branch instructions of the second type. |
| US08521995B2 |
Handling operating system (OS) transitions in an unbounded transactional memory (UTM) mode
A method includes receiving control in a kernel mode via a ring transition from a user thread during execution of an unbounded transactional memory (UTM) transaction, updating a state of a transaction status register (TSR) associated with the user thread and storing the TSR with a context of the user thread, and later restoring the context during a transition from the kernel mode to the user thread. In this way, the UTM transaction may continue on resumption of the user thread. |
| US08521994B2 |
Interleaving corresponding data elements from part of two source registers to destination register in processor operable to perform saturation
An apparatus includes an instruction decoder, first and second source registers and a circuit coupled to the decoder to receive packed data from the source registers and to pack the packed data responsive to a pack instruction received by the decoder. A first packed data element and a second packed data element are received from the first source register. A third packed data element and a fourth packed data element are received from the second source register. The circuit packs packing a portion of each of the packed data elements into a destination register resulting with the portion from second packed data element adjacent to the portion from the first packed data element, and the portion from the fourth packed data element adjacent to the portion from the third packed data element. |
| US08521989B2 |
Programmable and scalable microcontroller architecture
A microcontroller includes a program memory, data memory, central processing unit, at least one register module, a memory management unit, and a transport network. Instructions are executed in one clock cycle via an instruction word. The instruction word indicates the source module from which data is to be retrieved and the destination module to which data is to be stored. The address/data capability of an instruction word may be extended via a prefix module. If an operation is performed on the data, the source module or the destination module may perform the operation during the same clock cycle in which the data is transferred. |
| US08521984B2 |
Computer system and control method therefor
A physical storage area that is allocated to an unused area of a virtual volume is removed. A management unit sends a request to a server computer to make every piece of data stored in a first logical volume migrate to a second logical volume. The server reads all the data out of the first logical volume and writes the data in the second logical volume. A storage system that includes the first logical volume and the second logical volume allocates a physical storage area to an area of the second logical volume where the data is to be written, and writes the data in the allocated physical storage area. The storage system then deletes the first logical volume. |
| US08521983B2 |
Program, apparatus and method for managing data allocation of distributed storage system including storage nodes
In a computer for executing processing based on a storage management program, a management information storing unit designates, from the data blocks having the same content, main-data used as an access destination and sub-data used as a backup, and stores management information that registers storage nodes as allocation destinations of the respective main-data and sub-data; a load information collecting unit continuously collects load information on the storage nodes; a replacement object detecting unit detects a pair of the main-data and the sub-data having the same content and having a predetermined condition such that a load difference between the allocation destination of the main-data and that of the sub-data exceeds a predetermined allowable value; and a management information updating unit replaces roles of the main-data and the sub-data between the detected pair of data blocks. |
| US08521982B2 |
Load request scheduling in a cache hierarchy
A system and method for tracking core load requests and providing arbitration and ordering of requests. When a core interface unit (CIU) receives a load operation from the processor core, a new entry in allocated in a queue of the CIU. In response to allocating the new entry in the queue, the CIU detects contention between the load request and another memory access request. In response to detecting contention, the load request may be suspended until the contention is resolved. Received load requests may be stored in the queue and tracked using a least recently used (LRU) mechanism. The load request may then be processed when the load request resides in a least recently used entry in the load request queue. CIU may also suspend issuing an instruction unless a read claim (RC) machine is available. In another embodiment, CIU may issue stored load requests in a specific priority order. |
| US08521977B2 |
Information processing apparatus and access control method
An information processing apparatus includes nodes having a first node and a second node each of which includes a processor and a memory in which at least a part of area is set as a shared memory area, and an interconnect that connects the nodes. The first node transmits communication data to be transmitted to the second node by attaching identification information used for accessing a memory in the second node. The second node determines whether or not an access to the shared memory area in the memory in the second node is permitted on the basis of the identification information that is attached to the communication data transmitted from the first node and identification information stored in a storing unit and used for controlling permission to access, from another node, the shared memory area in the memory in the second node. |
| US08521975B2 |
Cluster families for cluster selection and cooperative replication
An apparatus, system, and method are disclosed for cooperative replication of multiple clusters. A copy request to copy a volume into a first cluster is received. A determination is made whether the first cluster is a family member of a cluster family. If the first cluster is a family member of the cluster family, a determination is made whether another family member already completed copying the volume. If another family member has not already copied the volume, the first cluster is designated to inherit the copy request. The copy request is executed and the volume is cooperative replicated into the cluster family. Cumulative consistency is achieved within the cluster family. The volume is shared within the cluster family so that all copies of the volume within the cluster family are consistent. |
| US08521974B2 |
Migration of data in a distributed environment
Embodiments of the invention migrate dynamically changing data sets in a distributed application environment. Writes to a source device are intercepted and it is determined whether data in the source device is being migrated to a target device. If data is being migrated, then the intercepted write is mirror written synchronously to both the source and the target. Data being migrated is read from a region of the source and written to a region of the target and also to a mirror writing memory location. The source region data is re-read and compared to the originally read data that is written to the mirror writing memory location. If the compared data does not match, the data migration from the source region to the target region (and to the mirror writing memory location) is repeated until the originally read data and the re-read data match. |
| US08521970B2 |
Addressing, command protocol, and electrical interface for non-volatile memories utilized in recording usage counts
Electrical interfaces, addressing schemes, and command protocols allow for communications with memory modules in computing devices such as imaging and printing devices. Memory modules may be assigned an address through a set of discrete voltages. One, multiple, or all of the memory modules may be addressed with a single command, which may be an increment counter command, a write command, a punch out bit field, or a cryptographic command. The commands may be transmitted using a broadcast scheme or a split transaction scheme. The status of the memory modules may be determined by sampling a single signal that may be at a low, high, or intermediate voltage level. |
| US08521969B2 |
Apparatus and method for directing micro architectural memory region accesses
In an embodiment, memory access requests for information stored within a system memory pass through an integrated circuit. The system memory may include a micro-architectural memory region to store instructions and/or data, where the micro-architectural memory region is to be exclusively accessible by a micro-architectural agent The integrated circuit may include memory access director to direct memory access requests to the micro-architectural memory region if the memory access director determines that the memory access request includes a location within the at least one micro-architectural memory region and the micro-architectural agent is operating in a micro-architectural memory region access mode. |
| US08521965B2 |
Hardware acceleration for a software transactional memory system
A method and apparatus for accelerating transactional execution. Barriers associated with shared memory lines referenced by memory accesses within a transaction are only invoked/executed the first time the shared memory lines are accessed within a transaction. Hardware support, such as a transaction field/transaction bits, are provided to determine if an access is the first access to a shared memory line during a pendancy of a transaction. Additionally, in an aggressive operational mode version numbers representing versions of elements stored in shared memory lines are not stored and validated upon commitment to save on validation costs. Moreover, even in a cautious mode, that stores version numbers to enable validation, validation costs may not be incurred, if eviction of accessed shared memory lines do not occur during execution of the transaction. |
| US08521962B2 |
Managing counter saturation in a filter
Filters and methods for managing presence counter saturation are disclosed. The filters can be coupled to a collection of items and maintain information for determining a potential presence of an identified item in the collection of items. The filter includes a filter controller and one or more mapping functions. Each mapping function has a plurality of counters associated with the respective mapping function. When a membership status of an item in the collection of items changes, the filter receives a membership change notification including an identifier identifying the item. Each mapping function processes the identifier to identify a particular counter associated with the respective mapping function. If a particular counter has reached a predetermined value, a request including a reference to the particular counter is sent to the collection of items. The filter receives a response to the request and modifies the particular counter as a result of the response. |
| US08521960B2 |
Mitigating busy time in a high performance cache
A method, information processing device, and computer program product mitigate busy time in a hierarchical store-through memory cache structure. In one embodiment, a cache directory associated with a memory cache is divided into a plurality of portions each associated with a portion memory cache. Simultaneous cache lookup operations and cache write operations between the plurality of portions of the cache directory are supported. Two or more store commands are simultaneously processed in a shared cache pipeline communicatively coupled to the plurality of portions of the cache directory. |
| US08521955B2 |
Aligned data storage for network attached media streaming systems
Described embodiments provide a server for transferring data packets of streaming data sessions between devices. A redundant array of inexpensive disks (RAID) array having one or more stripe sector units (SSU) stores media files corresponding to the one or more data sessions. The RAID control module receives a request to perform the write operation to the RAID array beginning at a starting data storage address (DSA) and pads the data of the write operation if the amount of data is less than a full SSU of data, such that the padded data of the write operation is a full SSU of data. The RAID control module stores the full SSU of data beginning at a starting data storage address (DSA) that is aligned with a second SSU boundary, without performing a read-modify-write operation. |
| US08521952B2 |
Hierarchical memory architecture with a phase-change memory (PCM) content addressable memory (CAM)
A Phase-Change Memory (PCM) Content Addressable Memory (CAM) utilized to store addresses of defective rows or columns of a memory array or memories attached to a backside bus of a concentrator device. |
| US08521944B2 |
Performing memory accesses using memory context information
In one embodiment, a processor includes an address generation unit having a memory context logic to determine whether a memory context identifier associated with an address of a memory access request corresponds to an agent memory context identifier for the processor, and to handle the memory address request based on the determination. |
| US08521943B2 |
Data transmission system and method of reading data
In a request issuing device, a specific read request unit generates a read requesting write packet including a predetermined address of a memory of a request receiving device as a write address and including, as a read address, the address of the memory in a payload. In the request receiving device, when data is written into the predetermined address of the memory, a specific read request responding unit detects reception of the read request, reads the data from the read address of the memory written into the predetermined address, and generates a read responding write packet including, in the payload, the data that has been read. |
| US08521938B2 |
Universal serial bus host controller and control method thereof
A USB host controller is provided. The USB host controller is capable of communicating with multiple USB apparatuses having endpoints and sends a request to a first endpoint. The USB host controller includes a first storage and a first control unit. The first control unit stores endpoint information from the first endpoint into the first storage when the first endpoint issues an unready transaction packet in response to the request. The unready transaction packet indicates that the first endpoint is not ready. |
| US08521937B2 |
Method and apparatus for interfacing multiple dies with mapping to modify source identity
A package includes a die and at least one further die. The die has an interface configured to receive a transaction request from the further die via an interconnect and to transmit a response to the transaction request to said further die via the interconnect. The die also has mapping circuitry which is configured to receive the transaction request including at least first source identity information, wherein the first source identity information is associated with a source of the transaction request on the further die. The mapping circuitry is configured to modify the transaction request to replace the first source identity information with local source identity information, wherein that local source identity information is associated with the mapping circuitry. The mapping circuitry is configured to modify the received transaction request to provide said first source identity information in a further field. |
| US08521936B2 |
Administering computing system resources in a computing system
Administering computing system resources in a computing system, the computing system comprising at least one slot adapted to receive an electrical component having a set of pins, the slot configured to couple pins of the electrical component to the computing system, installed within the slot a presence detectable baffle, the presence detectable baffle comprising a passive chassis having a form factor consistent with the electrical component and a presence detectable pin set connected to the passive chassis, the pin set consistent with the electrical component, including: identifying, by a system manager, the presence detectable baffle; and managing, by the system manager, computing system operating attributes in dependence upon presence detectable baffle attributes. |
| US08521934B1 |
Multi-port context-based host controller
A host controller for a bus is disclosed. The host controller includes a plurality of functional modules interconnected to manage transfer of data between a host bus and a root hub configured to communicate with one or more USB device endpoints on the bus. The plurality of functional modules comprises a DMA engine to transfer one or more data payloads between the host bus and the root hub, a transfer manager configured to determine what control data and/or data payloads should be transferred, and a scheduler to schedule actions performed by the transfer manager. A plurality of control memories, each associated with one or more of the functional modules, store state and/or data information fields accessible by its one or more associated functional modules. The plurality of control memories are distinct and independently accessible from one another. |
| US08521930B1 |
Method and apparatus for scheduling transactions in a host-controlled packet-based bus environment
Systems and methods schedule periodic and non-periodic transactions in a multi-port bus environment. The method may comprise performing multiple search passes through a first array of endpoints to determine whether dispatch resources are available for active endpoints satisfying a set of sort criteria. When dispatch resources are not available for an endpoint, a sort level may be marked with a marker to indicate that an endpoint has not been serviced. After the active endpoints in the first array have been serviced by dispatching a periodic transaction to the endpoint or by marking a sort level corresponding to the endpoint, a non-periodic transaction may be dispatched to an active endpoint in a second array. In response to receiving an indication that the dispatch resources have become available, a subsequent search pass may be made through the first array, starting with a highest priority sort level that is marked with the marker. |
| US08521927B2 |
System and method for text entry
A text entry system for an electronic device comprising: an input subsystem receives user input operations, interprets them as letters, characters, symbols, commands or functions, where the said received user operations interpreted as letters are comprising: (1) single letter operations that select any possible letter from the alphabet, (2) letter group operations that select a group of possible letters from the alphabet; and a text prediction subsystem receives a sequence of the said single letter entries and letter group entries, and produces a list of possible words the user intends to enter based on a priori database of words; and a word processing subsystem, receives the said list of possible words, displays them to the user, receives the user selection of the desired word and further processes the text entry as required. |
| US08521926B2 |
Remote desktop control system using USB interface and method thereof
A desktop sharing and remote control system where the server (the computer being controlled) and the client (the computer controlling the server) are connected by a connecting device using the USB protocol. The connecting device includes a control unit (MCU) and two USB controllers. The MCU transfers data between the two USB controllers. The server-side USB controller emulates a USB CD-ROM/keyboard/mouse composite device; the client-side USB controller emulates a USB CD-ROM. The server continuously writes video data (desktop image) to the server-side emulated CD-ROM and the client continuously reads the data from the client-side emulated CD-ROM and applies it to its monitor. Keyboard and mouse data is transferred in the opposite direction via the client-side emulated CD-ROM and server-side emulated keyboard and mouse devices. The connecting device stores applications programs to be automatically executed by the server and client using auto-run functions of the emulated CD-ROMs to accomplish plug-and-play. |
| US08521924B2 |
Method of context aware data-centric storage for wireless sensor networks
There is provided a method of context aware data-centric storage for dynamically changing a data storage range comprising: collecting data from entire sensor nodes, after establishing a data storage range of an entire sensor network, dividing areas, and transmitting a message of data storage range information to the entire sensor nodes by a base station; storing the collected data in a storage sensor node by determining whether there is a node responsible for storing the collected data to carry out operation depending on the determination result; determining whether the data storage has not been carried out for a period of time longer than a specified time in each sensor node after storing the data; and to determining whether the scale of invalid range is not smaller than Γ. |
| US08521921B1 |
Automatic direct memory access (DMA)
In one embodiment, a method includes storing, in a storage unit, a number of data transfer requests to issue for a data request signal. Data transfer requests are issued to a direct memory access (DMA) controller of a system for transfer of data to a buffer unit. The stored number of data transfer requests is determined. The issuance of data transfer requests are stopped when the stored number of data transfer requests is met. |
| US08521918B2 |
Selectively hiding an interface controller from an operating system
A method and other embodiments associated with an interface controller (310) are described. One example method (100) includes monitoring an interface device presence signal for an interface port connector (330) associated with an interface controller (310). The example method (100) also includes controlling (120) the interface controller (310) to be selectively hidden from an operating system (360) in response to the interface device presence signal being negative. The example method (100) further includes controlling (130) the interface controller (310) to be selectively disclosed to the operating system (360) in response to the interface device presence signal being positive. |
| US08521917B2 |
Remote inking
In one or more embodiments, a bus driver, included on a local computing system, enables detection of hardware available on a host computing system for a remote access session. Upon detecting a hardware device on the host computing system, an operating system included in the local computing system may obtain a device driver for controlling data captured from the hardware device. The device driver may be used to inject data captured from the hardware device into the local operating system's input stack. In some examples, the data is injected into the local operating system's input stack at a layer that corresponds to a layer at which the data was captured on the host computing system. |
| US08521916B2 |
Method and system for connecting a host and multiple storage devices formed by optical interconnects and optical link creation method
A connection scheme for connection from a host or the like to multiple storage devices via an optical link, and in particular to an optical connection scheme or an optical wiring scheme for realizing multiplexing/redundancy by utilizing branches of an optical link and the unidirectionality of the optical link. When a host or the like and multiple storage devices such as memories are optically connected via two or more optical couplers, a configuration is made in which a loop is provided between the two optical couplers by utilizing branches of the optical couplers and the unidirectionality of light. Accordingly, a configuration is adopted in which an IO controller makes a selection from among multiple operation modes. |
| US08521912B2 |
Method and system for direct device access
Methods and systems for direct device access are disclosed. Aspects of one method may include a plurality of GOSs directly accessing a first network interface device, where the first network interface device may provide access to a network. One or more of the GOSs may be migrated to directly access a second network interface device, based on state information for each of the GOSs, where the state information may be maintained by the host. The GOSs may communicate data to a device coupled to the network by direct accessing the first and/or second network interface device. Similarly, the first and/or second network interface device may communicate data received from a device coupled to the network to one or more of the plurality of GOSs via direct access of the first and/or second network interface device. |
| US08521911B2 |
Apparatus, system and method for executing discovery in network
An apparatus, system and method for executing discovery in a network are provided. The system for executing discovery in a network is configured with a SyncML server and a SyncML client, and includes a SyncML server that transmits a multicast search message to the SyncML client in order to search for a SyncML client that exists in a network, and executes a data synchronization with the found SyncML client, and a SyncML client that transmits a notify-alive message to the SyncML server in order to notify that the SyncML client exists in a network, and executes a synchronization with the SyncML server. |
| US08521910B2 |
Data collection system, data collection method and data collection program to reduce the communication time
It is an object to provide a data collection system that is configured to reduce a communication amount, etc. at the time when data are collected from devices, so as to reduce a communication amount attended by the collection of data without increasing processing loads imposed on devices. The data collecting device comprises a code operating means for deriving a frequency of the symbol for each symbol corresponding to the code being contained in the already compressed data based upon the data analysis result being contained in the received already compressed data, and a code operation developing means for adding the frequency of the description format, out of the frequencies obtained by the code operating means, to the frequency of the basic symbol corresponding to the above description format, and adding the frequency of the derivative symbol to the frequency of each basic symbol constituting the derivative symbol. |
| US08521905B2 |
System for flexible and extensible flow processing in software-defined networks
A system for flexible and extensible flow processing includes a first network device to act as a controller within a software-defined network. The first network device receives a processing definition, translates the processing definition to create a parser configuration package and transmit the parser configuration package to a plurality of forwarding elements, and transmit data to populate flow tables within the plurality of forwarding elements. The system also includes a second and third network device, each acting as a flow switching enabled forwarding element and able to receive a parser configuration package from the first network device. The second network device compiles the parser configuration package into machine code, which is executed on a processor to perform packet processing. The third network device includes a co-processor to execute the parser configuration package to perform packet processing. The parser configuration package includes representations of header, table definition, and stack instructions. |
| US08521904B1 |
Devices, systems, and/or methods for determining internet topology
Certain exemplary embodiments can provide a method, which can comprise, based upon a quantified completeness of a determined topology of an interconnected set of Autonomous Systems of the Internet, at a user interface of an information device, automatically rendering a determined identity of a customer to which telecommunications products will be offered. |
| US08521899B2 |
Multi-out media distribution system and method
To deliver a digital media stream to remote clients of differing client types that support the original encoding format of the digital media stream, but that do not support the original container format of the digital media stream, a media distribution server may, for each request that it receives for the digital media stream, dynamically repackage the media stream into a container format and delivery protocol supported by the requesting remote client. The repackaged media stream includes the digital media data of the original digital media stream encoded unchanged in its original encoding format, but the encoded media data is re-packetized according to the container format and delivery protocol determined to be supported by the requesting remote client. |
| US08521896B2 |
Method and system for negotiating the bidirectional forwarding detection session discriminator of pseudo wire
A method, apparatus and system for negotiating the BFD session discriminator of the PW are disclosed. The method includes: a second equipment receives a negotiation message from a first equipment, where the message carries the BFD capability of VCCV of the PW at the first equipment and the BFD discriminator; and then sends to the first equipment a message which carries the BFD capability of the VCCV of the PW at the second equipment and the BFD discriminator allocated to the PW after obtaining the BFD capability and BFD discriminator from the first equipment if the local PW supports the BFD capability; or, sends to the first equipment a message which carries information indicating that the local PW does not support the BFD capability if the local PW does not support the BFD capability. Through this method, the process of negotiating the BFD session discriminator is simplified. |
| US08521895B2 |
Management of application to application communication requests between data processing systems
A mechanism is provided for managing an application communication request. A first operating system passes a call from a first application in a first data processing system intended for a second application in a second data processing system to a first host fabric interface controller in the first data processing system without processing the call. The first host fabric interface processes the call using state information associated with the call to determine the second data processing system with which the call is associated. The first host fabric interface initiates a connection to a second host fabric interface in the second data processing system and transfers the call to a second operating system in the second data processing system via the connection to the second host fabric interface. The second data processing system then processes the call intended for the second application without assistance from the second application. |
| US08521893B2 |
Multi-rate proximity based peer discovery methods and apparatus
Various embodiments relate to wireless communications devices which support multiple modes of peer discovery operation. In some embodiments, the multiple modes of peer discovery operation include different modes which are associated with different rates of transmitting peer discovery information. In some embodiments, the multiple modes of peer discovery operation include different modes which are associated with different rates of monitoring peer discovery information. In various embodiments, a communications device determines whether or not to switch between different peer discovery modes of operation as a function of proximity to a location of interest. Proximity determinations may be, and sometimes are, based upon geographic position comparisons. Alternatively or in addition, proximity determinations may be, and sometimes are, based upon received signal strength measurements. |
| US08521891B1 |
Network browser system, method, and computer program product for conditionally loading a portion of data from a network based on a data transfer rate
A system, method, and computer program product are provided for optimizing network browser performance by conditionally loading a portion of data from a network based on a data transfer rate. In use, a data transfer rate associated with a device connected to a network is identified. Additionally, a portion of data from the network is conditionally loaded utilizing a network browser of the device, based on the identified data transfer rate. Further, the portion of the data is selected based on a relevancy of the portion of the data. |
| US08521890B2 |
Virtual network configuration and management
A Hardware Management Console (HMC) configures virtual networks. The HMC extends Internal Queued Direct I/O to an intra-ensemble data network (IEDN) within a cluster of virtual servers to define a single channel path identifier, and to define a channel parameter. The HMC defines at least one virtual network. The HMC defines a bridge port within each CPC that supports at least one of the virtual servers. The HMC defines a network interface for each virtual server within each cluster. The HMC grants access to a corresponding virtual network for each virtual server. |
| US08521888B2 |
System and method employing an agile network protocol for secure communications using secure domain names
A method and system are used to transparently create an encrypted communications channel between a client device and a target device. Audio video communications between the client device and the target device are allowed over the encrypted communications channel once the encrypted communications channel is created. The method comprises: (1) receiving from the client device a request for a network address associated with the target device; (2) determining whether the request is requesting access to a device that accepts an encrypted channel connection with the client device; and (3) depending on the determination made in step (2) providing provisioning information required to initiate the creation of the encrypted communications channel between the client device and the target device such that the encrypted communications channel supports secure audio/video communications transmitted between the two devices. |
| US08521887B2 |
Aggregating connection maintenance to optimize resource consumption
Combining network connection maintenance operations that use a resource to extend battery life. Each of the network connections has a timer and a defined tolerance for early connection maintenance. After receiving notification of an event, the network connections are accessed to identify the connections for which a maintenance operation may be performed early based on the timer and the tolerance. In an embodiment, the maintenance operation includes sending a transmission control protocol (TCP) keep-alive packet on the connection. |
| US08521885B1 |
Dynamically translating resource identifiers for request routing using popularity information
A system, method and computer-readable medium for request routing based on content popularity information are provided. A client computer transmits a request for content from a content provider. The content provider utilizes executable code, such as translation request code, for facilitating request routing utilizing popularity information. The translation request code, may direct a client computing device to request further translation request code and/or translation information. Thereafter, the client issues a DNS query with the translated information including popularity information. The content delivery network service provider can then either resolve the DNS query with an IP address of a cache component or transmit another alternative resource identifier that will resolve to the content delivery network service provider. The process can repeat until a DNS nameserver resolves a DNS query from the client computing device. |
| US08521883B1 |
Techniques for network bandwidth management
Techniques for network bandwidth management are disclosed. In one particular exemplary embodiment, the techniques may be realized as a method for network bandwidth management comprising determining, using at least one computer processor, a throughput measurement for a first network client of a plurality of network clients, determining if throughput for the first network client is adequate for a first task based at least on the throughput measurement, in the event throughput is not adequate, negotiating for a different amount of network bandwidth, wherein the negotiation comprises sending a first task priority for the first network client and the throughput measurement to at least one second network client of the plurality of network clients, and receiving an allocation of network bandwidth based on a comparison of the first task priority with at least one second task priority for the at least one second network client. |
| US08521881B2 |
Resource allocation
A mobile telecommunications system is described in which a base station allocates each mobile telephone a plurality of physical resource blocks by signalling data identifying a virtual resource block. The virtual resource block is mapped onto the plurality of physical resource blocks using stored mapping data. The mapping data is such that the mapped physical resource blocks are spaced over the operating bandwidth and all belong to the same resource block group subset. |
| US08521878B2 |
Apparatus, system, and method for parallelizing access to shared assets
An apparatus, system, and method are disclosed for parallelizing access to shared assets. A size module determines if a size of a first spoke of a plurality of spokes is greater than a low threshold. The spokes are arranged in a circular order wherein a global spoke pointer identifies the first spoke as a current spoke. Each spoke is configured as an asset queue. A request module requests an asset from the first spoke if the size of the first spoke is greater than the low threshold. A rotate module rotates the global spoke pointer to a second spoke of the plurality of spokes if the size of the first spoke is not greater than the low threshold, wherein the second spoke becomes the current spoke. |
| US08521877B2 |
Method for configuring access rights, control point, device and communication system
In a method for configuring access rights, a UPnP (Universal Plug and Play) device receives CPID information sent by a first CP without administrator rights, wherein the CPID information comprises an ID of another CP obtained by the first CP. Then the UPnP device sends a CPID list that carries the CPID information to a second CP with administrator rights. And the UPnP device receives a CP right configuration command sent by the second CP, and configures access rights for at least one CP corresponding to a CPID in the CPID list. |
| US08521872B2 |
Computer product, verification support apparatus, and verification support method
A computer-readable, non-transitory medium storing therein a verification support program that causes a computer to execute a process that includes detecting a point in time when data of any one transaction among a series of transactions that are to be transmitted in a prescribed sequence from a device under verification, is skipped; detecting a point in time when the data is first transmitted after the detected point in time when the data is skipped; computing time elapsing from the detected point in time when the data is skipped until the detected point in time when the data is transmitted; and outputting a computation result obtained at the computing. |
| US08521869B2 |
Method and system for reporting defects within a network
A method and system for reporting defects within a network are disclosed. In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, a method for reporting defects within a network comprises generating a summary alarm by a network element based on defects detected within a network. The method further comprises receiving at the network element a first request for the detected defects within the network from a network management system in response to generation of the summary alarm. The method further comprises reporting the detected defects by the network element in response to the first request from the network management system. |
| US08521866B2 |
Reporting multiple events in a trap message
A method for reporting events relating to objects of a network element manageable by a network management device, using a network management protocol, and devices, a network, and computer-readable storage medium storing control logic, that operate in accordance with the method. Events for each object are detected, event information is generated for detected events, generated event information for multiple events is packaged into a trap message for each object type, the trap message is communicated from the network element to the network management device, and the event information from the communicated trap message is unpacked at the network management device. In this manner, network congestion and processor overload at the network management device can be reduced. |
| US08521863B2 |
Method and device for operating resource on shared network element
Management of resources on a shared network element is provided to enhance security of user information of the operators having access to the network element. An operation management command is received from a user for operating a resource on a shared network element. According to the operation management command, an operator attribute of the resource to be operated and an operator attribute of the user are acquired. In instances where the operator attribute of the user is consistent with the operator attribute of the resource to be operated, an operating action corresponding to the operation management command is performed. |
| US08521862B2 |
Wireless channel allocation in a base station processor
A system and method are provided for allocating wireless channels in a base station processor to messages sent between a subscriber and the base station processor in a wireless network. A latency period is determined corresponding to a return message to be received from a responsive node in response to an outgoing message sent from a sender via the base station processor. A latency manager in the base station processor computes the latency period and stores the latency period in an allocation table. A scheduler schedules a channel to be available at the end of the latency period indicated in the allocation table. At the end of the latency period, the return message is received and the scheduler allocates a channel as defined in the allocation table. The scheduled channel is used to transmit the message to or from the corresponding subscriber. |
| US08521860B2 |
Providing a witness service
Described are embodiments directed at providing a witness service that sends notifications with a resource state to clients. Embodiments provide a protocol that includes various messages for registering and receiving notifications regarding the state of a resource. The protocol may include a message for requesting node information from a first node in a cluster. The node information identifies nodes in the cluster that provide a witness service, which monitors a resource. The protocol includes a message that is used to register with the witness service for notifications regarding a state, or state change, of a network or cluster resource. The protocol also includes messages for sending notifications with state information of the resource. |
| US08521858B2 |
Selection of a policy and charging rules function device
A system includes a first device, in a first network; a second device, in a second network; and a policy rules and charging function (PCRF) database that associates Internet Protocol (IP) addresses assigned to user equipment (UE) devices with PCRF devices; where the first device is to identify a plurality of policy rules and charging function (PCRF) devices in the first network, select a PCRF device from the plurality of PCRF devices based on a selection rule, and provide information about the selected PCRF device to the second device; and where the second device is to receive a request to set up a communication session associated with a UE device; determine an IP address associated with the UE device; identify a PCRF device, based on the determined IP address, by accessing the PCRF database, and send session information associated with the communication session to the identified PCRF device. |
| US08521857B2 |
Systems and methods for widget rendering and sharing on a personal electronic device
Systems and methods for providing, sharing, storing and playing widgets and associated media content on a personal audiovisual device, such as a digital photo frame, are described. In one implementation, widgets may be selected by a user for rendering based on capabilities of a user's device, with the widgets then provided to the device for playback. Digital content such as audio files, images, and/or video may be rendered in conjunction with playback of the widget. Widgets may be shared between users so as to facilitate sharing of media content. |
| US08521853B2 |
Apparatus and method for server network management to provide zero planned retrofit downtime
Methods and systems are presented for updating software applications in a processor cluster, in which the cluster is divided into first and second processor groups and the first group is isolated from clients and from the second group with respect to network and cluster communications by application of IP filters. The first group of processors is updated or retrofitted with the new software and brought to a ready-to-run state while the second group is active to serve clients. The first group is then transitioned to an in-service state after isolating the then-active service providing application on second group. Thereafter, the second group of processors is offlined, updated or retrofitted, and transitioned to an in-service state to complete the installation of the new application version across the cluster with reduced or zero downtime and without requiring backward software compatibility. |
| US08521850B2 |
Content containing a steganographically encoded process identifier
A method includes receiving graphic data and steganographically encoding machine-readable data in the graphic data. The machine-readable data identifies a computer implemented process that is to be invoked when the steganographic encoding is decoded and acted upon by a computing device. |
| US08521848B2 |
Device sensor and actuation for web pages
An embedded device sensor and actuation web page access system and method for providing a web application (such as a web page) access to sensor data about an embedded device and access to actuation mechanisms (such as vibration) associated with the device. The system and method can use the sensor data to obtain context information about the embedded device and understand what a user of the device is doing at any given moment. The sensor data can be used by the web application to influence how content is served up to the user. In some embodiments, the sensor data is provided to the web server using the headers in HTTP requests. Moreover, actuation commands for actuation mechanisms on the embedded device are provided using the headers of HTTP responses. Embodiments of the system and method provide a website access to sensor data and actuation commands without changing website operation. |
| US08521844B2 |
Information processing apparatus and method and program
Disclosed herein is an information processing apparatus configured to distribute stored content to a client reproducing apparatus connected to the information processing apparatus via a network, which may include acquiring means; real item information generating means; extracting means; virtual item generating means; reproduction sequence list generating means; virtual item information generating means; collecting means; and distributing means. |
| US08521843B2 |
Methods and apparatus for sampling usage information from a pool of terminals in a data network
Methods and apparatus for sampling usage information from a pool of terminals in a data network. In an aspect, a method is provided that includes determining a designated set of terminals, and transmitting tracking parameters to the designated set of terminals, wherein the tracking parameters identify at least one upload window. In an aspect, an apparatus is provided that includes provisioning logic configured to determine one or more tracking parameters that identify at least one upload window, and targeting logic configured to determine a designated set of terminals, and to transmit tracking parameters to the designated set of terminals. In another aspect, a method is provided for performing usage tracking. The method includes receiving tracking parameters that identify at least one upload window, performing usage tracking according to the tracking parameters to produce a tracking log, and transmitting the tracking log during the at least one upload window. |
| US08521841B2 |
Efficient delivery of cross-linked reports with or without live access to a source data repository
Reports of data elements from a data repository, such as may be used in a browser based business information system, can be displayed whether or not the data repository is currently accessible. Report documents, comprising a master report as well as linked reports, may be exported to a local storage. Upon invoking a master report that has been previously exported to the local storage, requests for the data elements in parameter form that are ordinarily directed to the data repository are intercepted and the local storage is checked for copies of the previously exported reports. Any existing copies of the desired reports are presented as a first option. A browser applet may be used to intercept the data requests and convert them to the corresponding subdirectory paths on the local storage. The linked reports may also be exported to the local storage as a group in a batch operation. |
| US08521838B2 |
Managing consistent interfaces for communication system and object identifier mapping business objects across heterogeneous systems
A business object model, which reflects data that is used during a given business transaction, is utilized to generate interfaces. This business object model facilitates commercial transactions by providing consistent interfaces that are suitable for use across industries, across businesses, and across different departments within a business during a business transaction. In some operations, software creates, updates, or otherwise processes information related to a communication system and/or an object identifier mapping business object. |
| US08521836B2 |
Mobile wireless communications device providing enhanced file transfer management features and related methods
A mobile wireless communications device may include a portable housing, at least one wireless transceiver carried by the portable housing, and a controller carried by the portable housing and coupled to the at least one wireless transceiver. The controller may be configured to operate a plurality of different mobile device applications for processing different electronic file types and generating download electronic file transfer requests and upload electronic file transfer requests, download requested electronic files for the plurality of different device applications via the at least one wireless transceiver using a common file transfer application responsive to the download electronic file transfer requests, and upload requested electronic files for the plurality of different device applications via the at least one wireless transceiver using the common file transfer application responsive to the upload electronic file transfer requests. |
| US08521835B2 |
Collection and distribution of sense-on-demand data
A method and system for collecting and distributing sense-on-demand data is provided. The sense-on-demand data system uses a network of centralized computers and remote units. The centralized computers may be operated by or on behalf of the operator of the sense-on-demand data system, and the remote units may be operated by users of the network. The remote units may consist of a variety of mobile and fixed-location devices, such as cellular telephones, personal data assistants, laptop computers, desktop computers, and stand-alone data sensor units. The system receives requests for information, identifies remote units that are proximate to the location, forwards the requests to the identified remote units, receives responses from the remote units, and provides responses to the requester. |
| US08521834B2 |
Communication system, communication device and communication method
A communication system exchanges electronic mail information. Communication devices are operable to input a telephone number that includes an identification number of a telephone telecommunication services operator and to transmit electronic mail information together with the telephone number. A storage device is operable to store a reference table in which the identification number of a telecommunication services operator is correlated with the domain name of the telecommunication services operator. A communication management device is operable to receive the transmitted electronic mail information and telephone number, to read the domain name of the telecommunication services operator from the reference table using the identification number of the telecommunication services operator, to merge the telephone number with the domain name read from the reference table to form an electronic mail address, and to forward the electronic mail information to the electronic mail address. |
| US08521830B2 |
Pull-configured distribution of imagery
The present invention is a method, system and apparatus for flexible image sharing. In a system for flexibly distributing imagery in an image sharing session, an image cache can be disposed between an image sharing host and a plurality of image sharing viewers. Additionally, a multipoint communications server can be disposed between the image cache and the image sharing viewers and can be communicatively linked to the image sharing host. Importantly, a pull-based subscription model can be implemented in an image cache server hosting the image cache. In particular, the model can have a configuration for registering respective ones of the image sharing viewers to receive notifications of available updated imagery. In a preferred aspect of the present invention, the image sharing host can be an application sharing host hosting a shared application among the image sharing viewers. |
| US08521829B2 |
System and method for providing conditional access to server-based applications from remote access devices
Systems and methods are provided for providing users at remote access devices with conditional access to server-based applications. Requests for access to server-based applications (e.g., requests to launch or obtain data associated with the server-based applications) by remote access devices may be prevented or allowed based on device compliance with one or more policies including whether data-retention prevention code can be downloaded to and operational on the remote access devices. The data-retention prevention code may be used to both determine whether data can be automatically deleted from a cache or file directory at the remote access device and to delete potentially retention-sensitive data once the data is downloaded to the remote access device from the server-based application. |
| US08521828B2 |
Themes indicative of participants in persistent communication
An auditory theme represents at least one participant in a networked group interaction, and reflects an attribute of that participant. |
| US08521827B2 |
Presentation of information to end-users
In one embodiment, a message containing message information is received in an end-user's computer. A portion of the message information is first displayed in a caption area. Preferably, the caption area only has enough information to attract the end-user's attention, or provide a hint of the information contained in a subsequently displayed slider window area. A slider window area containing another portion of the message information is displayed after the caption area. Typically, the slider window area is larger than the caption area and contains more information. If the end-user has not acted on either the caption area or the slider window area, indicating that she is not interested in the presented message information, the slider window area automatically closes after a predetermined amount of time. |
| US08521826B1 |
Systems and methods for performing an action relating to an event
A method according to one embodiment includes causing a message to be sent from a remote site to a user device, the message including information about a pay-per-view show and a hyperlink associated with the pay-per-view show for selection by a user; receiving data corresponding to a selection of the hyperlink in the message; outputting a webpage having a second hyperlink upon receiving the data corresponding to the selection of hyperlink; receiving data corresponding to a selection of the second hyperlink on the webpage; and performing an action in response to receiving the data corresponding to a selection of the second hyperlink on the webpage, the action comprising at least one of: ordering the pay-per-view show associated with the first or second hyperlink, and sending an instruction to a recording device to record the pay-per-view show. |
| US08521825B2 |
Electronic message monitoring
A tool for preventing incorrect addressing of an electronic message. The tool analyzes incoming and outgoing electronic messages for indications that the user previously sent a message to a recipient mistakenly. The tool flags the recipient as potentially incorrect for future electronic messages. When selecting a recipient from a list, flagged recipient IDs display lower than other recipient IDs. The tool may require verification if a flagged recipient ID is selected. |
| US08521824B2 |
Venue-centric social network
A venue may be registered with a venue-centric social networking service. The venue may be associated with a physical location where subscribers may congregate. Subscribers may join the venue by visiting the physical location, receiving an invitation, receiving a password (or other credential), or the like. The venue-centric social networking service may track which subscribers are at which venues and provide a “Who's here” listing to other subscribers. Subscribers at the same venue may be introduced to one another through the venue-centric social networking service by, inter alia, browsing the profiles of the subscribers in the “Who's here” list and/or initiating contact with other subscribers at the venue through the venue-centric social networking service. Subscriber visibility and contact preferences may be determined by subscriber privacy settings and/or privacy settings of the venues. |
| US08521822B2 |
Recipient change notification
An electronic communication device may, perhaps with the assistance of a mobile device server, determining that a new electronic message received by the device is part of a message thread that includes the new message and at least one prior electronic message previously received at the device. A comparison may be made of address information of the new message with address information of the at least one prior electronic message in the message thread to determine that there has been a change in addressed recipients between the new message and the at least one prior electronic message. The device may then notify a user of the device of the change. |
| US08521820B2 |
System, methods, and computer program products for virtual presence service triggered when consuming content
System, methods, and computer program products for a virtual presence service are provided. The virtual presence service includes configuring a virtual presence community and registering a user for the virtual presence community. Also, the virtual presence service includes providing a filter to detect triggering events corresponding to the virtual presence community and initiating group communications in response to detecting the triggering event. |
| US08521813B2 |
Content replication workflow in content delivery networks
A method for populating edge servers within a content delivery network (CDN) having a plurality of points of presence (POPs) is disclosed. A first function is performed that gathers popularity information for a content object. Popularity trends for the popularity information are determined through analysis with historical popularity information. A number of copies of the content object for each of the plurality of POPs is determined. The number is passed as a variable to a second function. The second function is performed that adds or deletes copies of the content object for each of the plurality of POPs as a function of the popularity trend and the number. |
| US08521812B2 |
Accessing local network resources in a multi-interface system
A method is provided for selectively routing data packets on a client device having of plurality of network interfaces for communicating over a network. The method comprising the following steps. It is determined if the data packets should be routed to a network server accessible by a corresponding one of the network interfaces to access local resources offered thereon. If the data packets should be routed to the network server, the data packets are routed directly to the network server via the corresponding network interface. Otherwise, the data packets are routed via a default route. A client device configured to implement the method is also provided. |
| US08521809B2 |
Mobile device notification controls system and method
Provided herein are systems and methods for facilitating mobile device users to control notifications pushed to their mobile devices. |
| US08521804B2 |
Interconnection system between at least one communication device and at least one remote data system and interconnection method
The interconnection system comprises at least one preferably mobile communication device which can be connected to a remote data system by a communication channel enabling firewalls to be by-passed. The communication device comprises means for emitting presence signals. A service component of the communication device establishes a communication channel to a remote service agent of the remote data system, that is assigned thereto. The service component of the communication device indicates its presence at regular intervals by notification signals to the remote service agent in order to keep the communication channel active. The period of the notification signals is defined by the remote service agent at least once after the channel has been established. The remote service agent can then send messages in real time to the service component. |
| US08521803B2 |
Method for transmitting mini-messages and associated device
To reduce the call cost for user messages of a few tens of bytes through a mobile telephone network (3), and to avoid having to set up a call channel as is necessary for transmitting data of several thousands of bytes, spare fields in signaling messages are used to convey the user messages, a call then taking place via signaling messages, and without a dedicated call channel being set up. |
| US08521802B1 |
Arbitrary power law function generator
The arbitrary power law function generator uses an equal number of exponential and logarithmic circuits, e.g., two exponential and two logarithmic circuits, which are current-mode, current-controlled circuits that provide positive, negative, integer, or non-integer powers independent of temperature. Moreover, the circuit can operate from a DC power supply as low as ±1.5V. SPICE simulation results using practical bipolar junction transistor (BM parameters are included to confirm the feasibility of the function generator. |
| US08521798B2 |
Second order real allpass filter
A digital all-pass filter has an input port leading to an input sum block and a first feed forward path. Within the first feed forward path is a multiplier. The filter also has an output port coupled to an output sum block that receives a signal from the first feed forward path. A first feedback path is also provided from the output port to the input sum block. The first feedback path includes a multiplier therein. Nested within this structure is a first order all-pass filter having a feed forward path including a forward path delay and forward path that is delayed and a feedback path absent a separate delay element and beginning after the forward path delay element. |
| US08521796B2 |
Setting cordic iteration counts
This disclosure relates to setting the iteration count of a Cordic module as a function of a signal characteristic of an input signal provided to the Cordic module. |
| US08521792B2 |
Rate multiplication method
The present invention discloses a rate multiplication method for counting a sequence of original pulse signals and outputting a target pulse signal. In this method a comparison data and original pulse signal sequence is received. The original pulse signal sequence is counted in order to obtain a pulse count. Comparing the pulse count and the comparison data. If the pulse count is equal to the comparison data, a corresponding original pulse signal is outputted as the target pulse signal. Reset and recount the pulse count, and obtain which repeatedly. In this present invention the pulse count and the pulse interval between the target pulse signals can be determined freely according to a rate. |
| US08521790B2 |
Increasing efficiency of data storage in a file system
A method, apparatus, and computer instructions for storing data in a file system. A determination is made as to whether space is available in an inode of the file in the file system. The data is stored into the inode in response to space being available. Additionally, data for a file may be stored in a block that is partially filled with data from another file. Data for a file may be stored using either the inode or by sharing a block. Data also may be stored using both of these mechanisms. |
| US08521789B2 |
Undrop objects and dependent objects in a database system
Techniques for undropping objects (e.g., tables) and dependent objects in a database systems are provided. When an object is dropped, the object is moved to a recycle bin where it resides until the user undrops the objects or the object is purged. Dependent objects are also moved into the recycle bin with the object to which they depend. The object can be purged from the recycle bin explicitly by a user or when more storage space is needed. Purging of dependent objects and partitions can be deferred if not required to obtain more storage space. |
| US08521788B2 |
Techniques for maintaining column vectors of relational data within volatile memory
Techniques are provided for more efficiently using the bandwidth of the I/O path between a CPU and volatile memory during the performance of database operation. Relational data from a relational table is stored in volatile memory as column vectors, where each column vector contains values for a particular column of the table. A binary-comparable format may be used to represent each value within a column vector, regardless of the data type associated with the column. The column vectors may be compressed and/or encoded while in volatile memory, and decompressed/decoded on-the-fly within the CPU. Alternatively, the CPU may be designed to perform operations directly on the compressed and/or encoded column vector data. In addition, techniques are described that enable the CPU to perform vector processing operations on the column vector values. |
| US08521787B2 |
Generating a consolidated social story for a user of a social networking system
To generate dynamic relationship-based content personalized for members of a social networking system, at least one action of one or more members of the social networking system is associated with relationship data for the one or more members to produce consolidated data. One or more elements associated with the consolidated data is identified and used to aggregate the consolidated data. Further exemplary methods comprise weighting by affinity the aggregated consolidated data to generate dynamic relationship-based content personalized for the members of the web-based social network. |
| US08521786B2 |
Techniques for assigning promotions to contact entities
A computer implemented method for target group management is described. The method includes producing a table including one or more group entries corresponding to one or more defined contact group entities with each of the entries having a first set of group attributes, and producing a visual representation of a marketing campaign, the representation including one or more instances of defined contact group entities, with the one or more instances having a second set of group attributes and with the representation linked to the table according to the second set of group attributes. |
| US08521784B2 |
DDL and DML support for hybrid columnar compressed tables
Techniques for storing and manipulating tabular data are provided. According to one embodiment, a user may control whether tabular data is stored in row-level or column-major format. Furthermore, the user may control the level of data compression to achieve an optimal balance between query performance and compression ratios. Tabular data from within the same table may be stored in both column-major and row-major format and compressed at different levels. In addition, tabular data can migrate between column-major format and row-major format in response to various events. For example, in response to a request to update or lock a row stored in column-major format, the row may be migrated and subsequently stored into row-major format. In one embodiment, table partitions are used to enhance data compression techniques. For example, compression tests are performed on a representative table partition, and a compression map is generated and applied to other table partitions. |
| US08521779B2 |
Metadata record generation
A computer implemented method and system provide for automatic selection and extraction of metadata and media content from projects in a craft tool. Automated identification, classification and management of such metadata and content is provided using including techniques such as pattern recognition for audio and visual content. The automatic tracking and centralised storage of metadata and content for compliance purposes can be facilitated, and can enable querying of organized metadata stored in a central database. In an example, metadata and media content are extracted automatically from a project in a craft tool at a client system and are forwarded to a host system for the creation of a cue sheet including timings for media files from timing metadata in a project file to create the timings on the cue sheet. |