| Document | Document Title |
|---|---|
| US08550582B2 |
Liquid ejection control device, liquid ejection device, and liquid ejection control method
A printer includes an intermediate buffer that holds plain data produced by subjecting print data to extraction processing and microweave processing, and a control buffer that holds head control data produced by subjecting plain data to vertical-horizontal conversion processing. The control buffer is allocated storage capacity that allows it to hold data equivalent to one impression and data equivalent to one-fourth an impression (one pass in printing at four passes per impression). |
| US08550581B2 |
Control device for controlling printing execution unit
In the control device, the generating portion generates control data to be used by the controlling portion to form a specific image. The generating portion generates the control data such that in a first case where the printing execution unit forms the end image, the head drive portion drives the print head to eject ink droplet only from nozzles classified into the downstream nozzle group toward the downstream end region, that in a second case where the printing execution unit forms the center image the head drive portion drives the print head to eject ink droplet from the plurality of nozzles including the upstream and downstream nozzle groups toward the center region, and that, in the first case, the first nozzle does not eject ink droplet toward the center region for forming a specific part, and such that in the second case, the second nozzle ejects ink droplet for forming the specific part. |
| US08550577B2 |
Appliance cabinet and method of assembling same
An appliance cabinet, such as a laundry treating appliance cabinet, having a chassis and a cover removably mounted to the chassis, and a labyrinth coupler connecting the cover and the chassis, wherein the coupler is physically configured to define a path requiring a specific sequence of movements between the cover and the chassis to couple or uncouple the cover from the chassis. |
| US08550568B2 |
Collecting device and a method for using same
The present invention relates to a collecting device (1) for solids material which is moved by means of a fluid from a first location on a seabed, on an offshore installation or on land to a second location, the fluid carrying the solids material in through an inlet portion (7) of the collecting device (1), the collecting device (1) being provided with one or more permeable portions arranged to retain the solids material exceeding a predetermined size. The invention also relates to a method of using the collecting device (1), the method including the abandoning of a filled collecting device (1). |
| US08550567B2 |
Juvenile vehicle seat
A seat for children intended to be installed in a vehicle, in particular an automobile, comprising a seat bottom, a seat back, and a headrest, the headrest is mobile in translation relatively to the seat back between a lost position and a high position. The seat includes a child-restraint harness intended to maintain a child seated in the seat and configured to include two shoulder straps, each of the shoulder straps carrying a strap-receiving pad adapted to contact a child seated on the seat bottom. |
| US08550563B2 |
Vehicle seat comprising fixtures
A vehicle seat (1), in particular a motor vehicle seat, is provided including fixtures (7) that have a first fixture part (11) and a second fixture part (13), and a backrest structure (19) that has lateral cheeks (21) and at least one bar (23, 25) which connects the lateral cheeks (21). The first fixture part (11) is fixedly connected to a seat part (3) of the vehicle seat (1), in particular by an adapter (15). The second fixture part (13) can be twisted relative to the first fixture part (11) between several useful positions in order to adjust the inclination of the backrest (3) of the vehicle seat (1). The backrest structure (19) is fixedly connected to the second fixture part (13), especially by a second adapter (17). The lateral cheeks (21) of the backrest structure (19) are formed by open profiled sections which are closed in a central zone of the lateral cheeks (21) by at least one cross-bar (27) that is fixedly connected to the lateral cheeks (21). |
| US08550560B2 |
Seat reclining apparatus for vehicle
A seat reclining apparatus for a vehicle, includes the pair of lower arms each connected to the lower side frame, the upper arm positioned between the pair of lower arms and fixedly attached to the upper side frame, the pair of recliners joined to the upper arm and to the pair of lower arms, the electric motor, the lower side frame provided as a pair for sandwiching the pair of lower arms and connected to the pair of lower arms in a manner that the pair of lower arms is pivotable relative to the lower side frame, and a lock member for engaging with the pair of lower side frames and with the pair of lower arms for restricting a relative pivoting movement between the pair of lower side frames and the pair of lower arms in a state where a relative pivot angle therebetween is at a predetermined angle. |
| US08550558B2 |
Chair with tilting backrest
A chair comprises a seat, a backrest and a chair base, wherein the backrest and the chair base are connected through a first connector, that comprises a base holder rigidly connected to the chair base, a back holder secured to the backrest, a rotation holder, a first linkage bar, a second linkage bar and a third linkage bar. The chair solves the problem that a user's clothes is pulled up when the backrest of the chair is turned backward in the traditional chair. |
| US08550557B2 |
Synchronous mechanism
The invention relates to a synchronizing mechanism for a correlated seat-backrest movement of an office chair, said mechanism including a base support (1) that can be placed on a chair column, a seat support (3) and a backrest support (4). In order to provide a synchronizing mechanism, by means of which a high level of seating comfort can be achieved in an inexpensive manner, a mechanism is proposed where the backrest support (4) is connected to the base support (3) so as to be pivotable about a transverse axis (8) and has an entrainment means (9) that is in operative connection with the seat support (3) in such a manner that when the backrest carries out a pivoting movement (6) backward, the seat support (3) also performs a movement (13) backward. |
| US08550555B2 |
Child restraint for vehicle
A child restraint includes a base, a seat, and an anchor belt. The anchor belt holds the base in place on a passenger seat of a vehicle. The seat mounts on the base and supports a child or infant for travel in the vehicle above the base. |
| US08550551B2 |
Bicycle seat height adjustment method
A bicycle seat height adjustment method is provided for changing a height of a bicycle seat. The method includes operating an operating device to output a seat raising or lowering command to adjust the seat height. The method further includes releasing the operating device after the operating of the operating device. If a raising command has been outputted, then the method further includes raising the bicycle seat to a higher seat position than a previous seat position existing immediately prior to the seat raising command after releasing the operating device. If a lowering command has been outputted, then the method further includes lowering the bicycle seat to a lower seat position that is lower than a previous seat position existing immediately prior to the seat lowering command after releasing the operating device. |
| US08550546B2 |
Foldable seating apparatus
In various embodiments, a seating apparatus includes a seat member, a front leg assembly, a rear leg assembly, one or more attaching members for attaching the seating apparatus to a proximate structure and a rebound apparatus for returning the seat member from a deployed state to a retracted state. In various embodiments, the seating apparatus may further include a rebound regulation means, for regulating the rebound response of the seat, delivered by the rebound apparatus. |
| US08550544B2 |
Vehicle body
A vehicle body (1) comprising an inner shell (3), an outer shell (2), a floor plate and a chassis, wherein the inner shell (3), the outer shell (2) and the floor plate are indirectly or directly interconnected and form a passenger compartment, the rigidity, especially the torsional rigidity and/or the flexural rigidity, of the vehicle body (1) is to be ensured without additional components or process steps. Furthermore, the vehicle body (1) is to be inexpensive to manufacture. The foregoing is achieved by the fact that at least one interior component (4, 5) is connected to the inner shell (3) and/or the supporting structure (9) in such a manner that it contributes to the rigidity, especially the torsional rigidity and/or the flexural rigidity, of the vehicle body (1). |
| US08550543B2 |
Vehicle body structure
Disclosed is a vehicle body structure that can improve the absorption performance of a load applied to a vehicle is provided. When a load is applied, the sub-side member retreats as a link member turns. Additionally, the retreat of the sub-side member is suppressed when the link member reaches a termination position of the turning. As the link member turns, the sub-side member can reliably retreat to a target position. The link member can turn to retreat the sub-side member, and simultaneously apply a reaction force against the load. Additionally, the sub-side member can generate a large reaction force against the load after having retreated to the target position. Through the above, the sub-side member can move reliably while generating a reaction force to attenuate the load until the member retreats to the target position, and can generate a large reaction force after the member has retreated to the target position. |
| US08550539B1 |
Aerodynamic drag reducer for vehicles
An apparatus for converting a substantially flat vehicular surface on the rear of a vehicle so as to create at least one surface which operates to reduce aerodynamic drag, comprising: at least one support adapted to be moveably attached to the rear surface of a vehicle; at least one surface supported by the at least one support; the at least one surface movably position so as to move from deployed position extending from the rear of a vehicle to a retracted position; whereby the apparatus operates to reduce aerodynamic drag in the deployed position and does not interfere with vehicle loading in the retracted position. |
| US08550534B2 |
Working machine
A working machine has a machine room cover and a bonnet on an upper rotating body. The bonnet has a frame-like raising member and a dome-like hood member that covers an opening in the upper part of the raising member. The lower part of the raising member is attached so as to surround an opening portion formed in the upper surface of the machine room cover, and the hood member is attached to the raising member so as to be able to be rotationally opened and closed. |
| US08550528B2 |
Expanding mobile utility structure
A mobile utility structure is disclosed that may include a trailer that efficiently expands to a larger usable space while allowing for improved light and visual appeal. The trailer may be usable as mobile utility structure such as a storefront. The usable space is expanded by folding side panels of the structure out and extending the multi-fold door to enclose the folded out side panels. The system enables quick and easy setup of an aesthetically appealing structure. |
| US08550525B2 |
Tool and process for handling pliant comestibles
A tool and process for handling a pliant comestible are disclosed. The tool includes a tool body including a recessed mold and a plurality of cavities. The tool body is configured to position the pliant comestible and retain the pliant comestible within the recessed mold. |
| US08550522B2 |
Tool for raising and lowering a wind turbine blade
A tool to enable removal of a wind turbine blade, wherein the weight of the blade itself secures the blade without need for additional fixation. The tool includes an articulated structure, composed of an upper part and a lower part articulated to each other; a cradle-shaped support attached to the lower part of the structure and configured to house a blade, the cradle-shaped support having two portions being moveable to each other; a hooking element which allows the tool to be suspended from a first crane; and springs fixed to the structure for exerting an aperture force on the structure, which allows automatic aperture of the structure in the absence of blades in the interior of the cradle. |
| US08550521B2 |
Tubing grab assembly
A tubing grab assembly to retain and lift tubing, pipes, tubulars or other cylindrical objects. The assembly includes a pair of opposed jaws and a housing having a cavity. A least one of the opposed jaws has a shaft therethrough to permit rotation of the jaw with respect to the housing between a closed position and an open position. A jaw spring forces the movable jaw toward the closed position. A retractable spring trigger mechanism locks the pair of opposed jaws in the closed position. |
| US08550519B2 |
Mechanical grippers utilizing active material activation
A mechanical gripper adapted for grasping a plurality of differing objects, and comprising a plurality of fingers, wherein each finger includes at least one variable impedance member comprising an active material element, the element, when activated and deactivated, undergoes a reversible change in impedance, and the change in impedance enables the gripper to be advantageously reconfigured, and/or locked in a reconfigured state. |
| US08550517B1 |
Telescopic barrel lifting attachment device
A telescopic barrel lifting attachment device which includes a parallelepiped body, a plate member disposed perpendicularly thereto on each end of the body, a pair of slide bars disposed on each side of the body having a channel therebetween through which the body slides, a concave clamp assembly disposed on a bottom end of each plate member, and a cable having external ends attached to the plate members. As the cable is raised and alternately is lowered by a hoist, the cable pulls the clamp assemblies inwardly toward and alternately allows the clamp assemblies to move away from each other to secure and move and alternately release a barrel in a desired location. |
| US08550515B2 |
Snow removal shovel
A snow removal shovel includes an elongate support having an upper end and an opposed lower end, and a shovel blade having a ground engaging lower edge and an opposed upper edge, opposed side edges, a front snow-engaging side and an opposed rear side. The shovel blade is mounted to the lower end of the elongate support for pivotal movement between a snow shoveling position of the shovel blade toward the elongate support and a snow dumping position of the shovel blade away from the elongate support. A latch is mounted to the elongate support for movement between a locked position for securing the shovel blade in the snow shoveling position of the shovel blade, and an unlocked position for releasing the shovel blade in the snow shoveling position of the shovel blade for permitting the shovel blade to pivot between the snow shoveling and snow dumping positions. |
| US08550511B2 |
Refuse retrieval, storage, and disposal apparatus
A portable apparatus for extracting and properly disposing of refuse such as, for example, excrement. The apparatus includes a storage chamber for storing extracted refuse wherein the storage chamber is distinct from the extraction mechanism for extracting the refuse. The apparatus further includes a pumping mechanism for pumping fluid from a fluid source through a fluid conduit and into the storage chamber. |
| US08550509B1 |
Methods and apparatus to secure a window
Methods and apparatus include a hand-insertable window wedging mechanism. When positioned in an interior corner of an automobile door frame, the wedge keeps the window of the door from sliding down, and may secure the window in a fully closed position. |
| US08550504B2 |
Fluid fitting for soft tubing
A fluid fitting for attachment to a tube includes a cylindrical first sleeve having a tapered outer end surface and an inner surface defining an axial bore for receiving the tube. A cylindrical second sleeve creates an annular space for receiving the tube between the first and second sleeves when the second sleeve is placed within the axial bore. The axial bore has substantially equal diameter throughout. A swage ring has a tapered inner surface that axially swages the swage ring to the first sleeve, second sleeve and tube. A first sleeve shoulder restricts axial movement of the swage ring. A first portion protrudes from the inner surface of the first sleeve to restrict axial movement of the second sleeve. |
| US08550502B2 |
Slip on groove coupling with multiple sealing gasket
Couplings and gaskets are disclosed. Couplings may include an upper housing, a lower housing, at least one fastening device coupling the upper housing to the lower housing, and a gasket positioned within the upper and lower housings, the gasket including two primary seals and a rib protruding from an inner surface of the gasket and between the two primary seals. |
| US08550501B2 |
Wire-bound product and method for manufacturing the same
A wire-bound product using a double type laminated paper board and a method for manufacturing the same are disclosed. The wire-bound product employs a structure in which inner paper sheets are turned over in the rightward and leftward directions on front plates of a frame, instead a structure in which a plurality of inner paper sheets is turned over toward the rear surface of a frame, thereby allowing a user to see both surfaces of the inner paper sheets. Further, rear plates of the frame are inserted into various positions of a spring to support the front plates, thereby allowing a standing angle of the front plates of the frame to be adjustable. |
| US08550500B2 |
Utility vehicle
A utility vehicle according to the present invention includes a ROPS, a front seat and a rear seat arranged in a riding space, a cargo bed changeable between an expanded state in which the cargo bed is expanded forward into the riding space and a non-expanded state in which the cargo bed is not expanded in the riding space, and a plurality of seatbelt apparatuses for all passengers including a driver, wherein each of the seatbelt apparatuses is a three point seatbelt apparatus including a webbing, a bottom anchor, a top anchor, a lower buckle and a retractor, and in at least one of the three point seatbelt apparatuses, the top anchor is provided on a cross member of the ROPS. |
| US08550499B2 |
Pyrotechnic lap belt pretensioner with slider bar function
A slider bar for use with two-door style motor vehicles for anchoring the lap belt for front seat occupants. The slider bar allows the lower anchorage point of the lap belt to freely move in the fore and aft direction to enhance rear seat compartment passenger ingress and egress. The slider bar further incorporates a pyrotechnic lap pretensioner (PLP) function for exerting pretensioning motion of the lap belt in response to a vehicle impact. The slider bar incorporates an internal piston which acts on the belt webbing position on the outside of the slider bar tube. Various embodiments are described incorporating alternate means of mounting the lap belt lower end to the slider bar, as well as various configurations for transferring the motion of the internal piston to the lap belt lower anchorage. |
| US08550497B2 |
Steering device
Provided is a steering device in which play of a bolt shaft and the like during telescopic adjustment can be prevented using a telescopic adjustment function enabling a driver to adjust a position of a steering wheel in a front-rear direction. The steering device includes a column pipe, an outer housing, a fixed bracket, a stopper bracket, a tightening member having a bolt shaft, a slide guide, an elastic stopper rubber material mounted on the slide guide, and an elastic pushing member in which torsional coil spring portions are formed at both axial ends of a pushing shaft portion. The bolt shaft is passed through a tightening hole of the outer housing and a support hole of the fixed bracket along shaft support portions of the slide guide, and the elastic pushing member is locked and fixed to the fixed bracket. |
| US08550495B2 |
Airbag apparatus
An airbag apparatus having an airbag, which is formed into a bag shape by sewing a base fabric, is disclosed. The airbag includes a seam having a first seam section and a second seam section, which is formed after the first seam section is formed. The second seam section has an extremity and an overlapped portion, which is a section between the extremity and an intersected portion. The first seam section has an end part, which includes an overlapping portion. The overlapping portion is located at a position inside of the overlapped portion of the second seam section and extends along the overlapped portion. The overlapping portion includes an intersecting portion, which intersects the intersected portion of the second seam section. The end part of the first seam section further includes an extension, which extends from the intersecting portion to a position that is outside of the second seam section. |
| US08550492B2 |
Side airbag module
Provided is a side airbag module, including (i) a gas generating means generating a hot and high-pressure gas and exhausting the gas through an outlet when a car collision occur, (ii) a side airbag cushion that is configured to be filled with the exhausted gas and is inflated from back to front at a side of a passenger, and (iii) a baffle which includes a first vent hole and is formed inside the side airbag cushion to divide the inner space of the side airbag cushion into an inner chamber and an outer chamber, wherein a second vent hole is formed in a portion of the side airbag cushion, the portion corresponding to the outer chamber, and the inner chamber is inflated first and the outer chamber is inflated later as the side airbag cushion is inflated from back to front at a side of the passenger. |
| US08550488B1 |
Vehicle
A vehicle includes a body including an operation deck and an upper surface which is higher than a bottom surface of the operation deck. An operation control is provided at a front area of the operation deck to project higher than the upper surface of the body. A protective frame is provided on the body to project higher than the upper surface of the body above the operation deck. The upper surface of the body includes a front portion, a side portion, and a rear portion, and is flat along the side portion and at least one of the front and rear portions. The operation control is arranged to be folded for stowing in the operation deck. The protective frame is arranged to be removed, or at least a portion of the protective frame is arranged to be folded for stowing in the operation deck. |
| US08550486B2 |
Apparatus for leveling a trailer and dampening sway
An apparatus for tensioning spring arms used in conjunction with a weight distribution hitch. The apparatus may comprise a mechanical linkage that may be operable to multiply an input force provided by a jack to an output force of sufficient magnitude to tension the spring arms. The mechanical linkage may comprise a pair of rigid arms that are linked to a support post of a trailer jack. The pair of rigid arms may automatically be raised in conjunction with the support post being operated from a lowered position to a raised position. The rigid arms may exert a force on a cross-piece member extending between the spring arms. Alternatively, the mechanical linkage may comprise a flexible member for placing the spring arms under tension. |
| US08550482B2 |
Bicycles that can be connected to each other
The invention allows two single-seat bicycles to be connected to each other to be converted into a multi-seat bicycle. A fixed tube (60), in the center of which a fixed shaft is inserted, is attached to a head tube (6) of a frame (2). A top tube (24) supported by the fixed shaft is relatively pivotally installed on the head tube (6). The fixed tube (60) and the top tube (24) can be connected and disconnected from each other by clutch means (30). In the clutch means (30) are formed a pivot path for defining the un-clutched state and a closed path for defining the clutched state. The clutch means (30) is held at connected and disconnected positions by a position fixation member. Pivoting of the top tube (24) relative to the fixed tube (60) and the operation angle of a handle are limited by a synchronizer. |
| US08550481B2 |
Motor vehicle with rear shock absorber having a differentiated effect for controlling vehicle attitude during braking, and control method used therein
A motor vehicle includes a rear suspension equipped with at least one shock absorber including a by-pass passage for bringing about a damping effect that is different in different portions of the stroke of the plunger of the shock absorber. The shock absorber and the by-pass passage are configured in such a way that the shock absorber produces a maximum damping effect in a final stretch of the stroke of the plunger in the direction of lengthening of the shock absorber, said final stretch of stroke being pre-arranged so as to correspond to the final part of the maximum possible lift of said rear suspension during braking of the motor vehicle. |
| US08550480B1 |
Skateboard with trucks mounted above deck
A skateboard provides a snowboard like ride. A truck support structure is attached to the top of the deck and the trucks are mounted to the support structure spaced away from the deck to provide clearance for turning. The truck support structure is adjustable to allow individual riders to adjust the skateboard to their preference. In one embodiment, the trucks are mounted above a longboard deck. |
| US08550479B2 |
Infant carrier apparatus provided with a child holding accessory and method of installing the same
An infant carrier apparatus comprises a support frame, a seat assembly and handle assembly respectively connected with the support frame, a backrest frame, and a child holding accessory. The child holding accessory can be detachably installed on the infant carrier apparatus, supported by the backrest frame and the handle assembly. In one embodiment, the child holding accessory includes a support bracket and an enclosure. For installing the child holding accessory, the backrest frame is adjusted to a position inclined forward. The child holding accessory can be then installed between the backrest frame and the handle assembly, wherein the child holding accessory has two opposite end portions respectively connected with the backrest frame and the handle assembly. |
| US08550475B2 |
Pivotal refueling tray for a handcart
A pivotal tray for holding a fuel dispenser and for pivoting the container to dispense the contents thereof. The tray includes a pair of opposing guide rails to accept a container having guide slots formed in opposing sides thereof. The engagement of the guide rails of the tray into the guide slots of the container provide removeable attachment of the container to the tray. The tray can include a front stop against which the container abuts when fully engaged within the tray. The back of the tray can also include a spring-loaded stop that can be depressed downwardly and out of the way when the container is laterally slid into the guide rails of the tray. When released, the spring-loaded stop extends upwardly to form a stop at the back of the container. |
| US08550471B2 |
Tool bit holder
A tool bit holder includes a sleeve, a hub, and a locking mechanism. The sleeve is moveably mounted on an outer periphery of the hub and includes a first notch, a second notch, and an abutting section. The abutting section is disposed between the first and second notches. The locking mechanism is disposed in a cavity defined in the outer periphery of the hub and is retained therein by the sleeve. Also, the locking mechanism includes a control member, a resilient member, and a detent. The control member is moveably disposed in the cavity and is biased by the resilient member. The detent is carried by the control member. |
| US08550470B2 |
Positioning apparatus, a substrate processing apparatus and method for fixing a reference member
Provided is a positioning apparatus including: a reference member that is serving as a reference for positioning; a support part that supports the reference member; and a first fixing member provided on the support part that fixes the reference member and the support part or releases the fixing. The reference member is connected to the support part in a movable state and fixed to the support part by the first fixing member after a position is determined. The reference member of the positioning apparatus is precisely installed to a reference position. |
| US08550468B1 |
Seal apparatus and methods to manufacture thereof
In some implementations, apparatus and methods are provided through which a dynamic cryogenic seal is manufactured. In some implementations, the seal includes a retainer and a spring-seal assembly, the assembly being comprised of a main spring housing and fluorine-containing polymer seals. In some implementations, either a radial seal, or an axial (or “piston seal”) is provided. In some implementations, methods of manufacturing the dynamic cryogenic seal are also provided. In some implementations, the methods include assembling the components while either heated or cooled, taking advantage of thermal expansion and contraction, such that there is a strong interference fit between the components at room temperature. In some implementations, this process ensures that the weaker fluorine-containing polymer seal is forced to expand and contract with the stronger retainer and spring and is under constant preload. In some implementations, the fluorine-containing polymer is therefore fluidized and retained, and can not lift off. |
| US08550467B2 |
Rotary seal with improved film distribution
The present invention is a generally circular rotary seal that establishes sealing between relatively rotatable machine components for lubricant retention and environmental exclusion, and incorporates seal geometry that interacts with the lubricant during relative rotation to distribute a lubricant film within the dynamic sealing interface. The features of a variable inlet size, a variable dynamic lip flank slope, and a reduction in the magnitude and circumferentially oriented portion of the lubricant side interfacial contact pressure zone at the narrowest part of the lip, individually or in combination thereof, serve to maximize interfacial lubrication in severe operating conditions, and also serve to minimize lubricant shear area, seal torque, seal volume, and wear, while ensuring retrofitability into the seal grooves of existing equipment. |
| US08550466B2 |
Bullet decelerating medium and bullet trapping system and method using the medium
A bullet trap apparatus is provided for capturing an associated bullet traveling along a substantially linear trajectory. The bullet trap apparatus includes a support frame and a flowable material disposed on an upper surface of the support frame. The support frame has an upper surface configured to support associated material. The flowable material is disposed on the upper surface of the support frame substantially on the linear trajectory, and includes a plurality of sheets of substantially rectangular material. Each of the sheets are configured for deflecting the associated bullet from its substantially linear path and absorbing energy from the associated bullet by the deflecting, thereby slowing the traveling of the associated bullet through the flowable material. The flowable material includes a plurality of sheets of substantially rectangular material, each of the sheets including a rubber material and one or more sheets of a fabric material formed of woven strands coupled with the rubber material. |
| US08550465B2 |
Multifunction target actuator
A multifunction target actuator allows a bullet target to be selectively presented to a shooter such that a first side may be presented, a second side opposite the first side may be presented, and the target may be oriented so as not to be presented to the shooter. The actuator allows for quick and accurate movement of the target. |
| US08550463B2 |
Transaction product with foldable sheet
A transaction product includes a first cover panel, a second cover panel, and an intermediate sheet, and an account identifier. The intermediate sheet transitions between a collapsed and an extended position and defines fold lines dividing the intermediate sheet into sections. When the intermediate sheet is in the collapsed position, the sections form a stack. The first cover panel is coupled with one of the sections that forms a top of the stack, and the second cover panel is coupled with another of the sections that forms a bottom of the stack. The account identifier is coupled with at least one of the first and second cover panels and the intermediate sheet and links the transaction product to an account or record configured to track a value available for use toward a purchase of one or more of goods and services. Other products, combinations, and associated methods are also disclosed. |
| US08550456B2 |
Image forming apparatus
A sheet conveying apparatus and an image forming apparatus capable of high-precision sheet position correction includes a data storage portion that stores, at the time of moving a pair of registration rollers in the width direction, the deficiency quantity of a motion quantity in the width direction and an inclination quantity incurred in the pair of registration rollers with respect to the sheet conveying direction. At the time of correcting a skew feeding of a sheet by a pair of skew feeding correction rollers, a controller adjusts a skew feeding quantity detected by an activation sensor by the inclination quantity stored in the data storage portion, and at the time of moving the pair of registration rollers in the width direction, the controller adjusts the motion quantity by the deficiency quantity of the motion quantity stored in the data storage portion. |
| US08550455B2 |
Image forming apparatus with sheet discharge tray
The present invention provides an image forming apparatus which can secure a stacking ability even when a paper is curled.An apex portion is provided downstream in the sheet discharge direction with respect to a center of gravity of the sheets discharged on the discharge tray, and an upstream portion in the sheet discharge direction of the sheet is pushed downward by the image reading apparatus, with respect to a downstream end in the sheet discharge direction of the sheet stacked on the discharge tray, at the downstream portion in the sheet discharge direction with respect to the apex portion of the discharge tray, and the upstream portion of the sheet is pressed by a flag while the downstream portion in the sheet discharge direction of the sheet is bent with the apex portion of the discharge tray. |
| US08550454B2 |
Sheet detection apparatus and image forming apparatus
According to an embodiment of the present invention, a sheet detection apparatus that detects a sheet includes an actuator unit that is rotatable around a rotational axis so as to adopt any of a protruding position in which the actuator unit protrudes into a detection area for detecting the sheet and a retracted position in which the actuator unit is retracted from the detection area, and an operation unit that is capable of switching between a retracted state in which the actuator unit is set to the retracted position and a protruding state in which the actuator unit is set to the protruding position. An image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention includes the sheet detection apparatus, and the sheet detection apparatus is provided in a main body of the image forming apparatus. |
| US08550452B2 |
Sheet feeder and image forming apparatus therewith
A sheet feeder has a sheet accommodating portion, a lift plate, an actuating plate, and an actuating plate driving member. The lift plate is supported on the bottom face of the sheet accommodating portion such that an end part of the lift plate is rotatable. The actuating plate raises and lowers the lift plate by moving between a first position where it lies flat along the bottom face of the sheet accommodating portion and a second position where it is raised a predetermined angle from the bottom face of the sheet accommodating portion. The actuating plate driving member has the actuating plate fixed thereto. The engagement portion is provided on the reverse face of the lift plate, and engages with the actuating plate when this is in the first position and disengages from the actuating plate as the actuating plate rotates from the first position to the second position. |
| US08550451B2 |
Image-forming apparatus and paper cassette used therein
An image-forming apparatus 1 has a paper cassette 3b therein. The paper cassette is installed into the apparatus along a guide channel 46 attached to a housing frame 45 of the apparatus. A housing 44 of the apparatus has a left side surface forming front and rear opening structures 9 at a lower portion. A hold 48 is provided on an inner-upper portion of the opening structure. The paper cassette has a left-side exterior portion 50 forming a recess 51 at a position facing the opening structure. A space 52 is prepared next to the recess without impairing the original function of the paper cassette. When moving the apparatus, a worker inserts his hand into the opening structures, touching the holds with his palms and flexes his fingers in the spaces, thereby firmly gripping the holds with his hand and lifting the printing apparatus in his arms. |
| US08550445B2 |
Automatic document feeder and image forming apparatus provided with such automatic document feeder
An automatic document feeder (10) includes an automatic document feeder main body (11) arranged openable and closeable relative to the document reading surface (2b) and feeding the document to the document reading surface (2b) when closed to be set to a reading posture, a document guiding member (20) so supported by the automatic document feeder main body (11) as to be movable relative to the automatic document feeder main body (11), and a detecting unit for detecting a relative position of the document guiding member (20) with respect to the automatic document feeder main body (11) when the automatic document feeder main body (11) is set in the reading posture. |
| US08550444B2 |
Method and system for centering and aligning manufactured parts of various sizes at an optical measurement station
A method and system for centering and aligning manufactured parts of various sizes at an optical measurement station are provided. The system includes apparatus having a central axis substantially parallel to the measurement axis and including a plurality of members having open and closed positions. The members have holding faces which are substantially equidistant from the central axis during movement between the open and closed positions. At least one of the members applies a force on an exterior side surface of a part disposed between the holding faces during movement between the positions to reposition the part at the station. The repositioned part is centered and aligned with respect to the measurement axis at the station. The holding faces releasably hold the repositioned part in a holding position between the open and closed positions at the station. The system further includes a movable stage subsystem coupled to the apparatus for translating the apparatus relative to the repositioned part along the central axis in the open position of the members to allow the exterior side surface of the repositioned part to be measured. |
| US08550441B2 |
Supporting member and carrier, and method of supporting
A supporting member, carrier and method of supporting are provided with a supporting member main body mounted to freely rotate. The supporting member main body is provided with a plurality of projections extending radially from a central rotation axis. Since the substrate is supported by abutment of the projections with an end of the substrate, the occurrence of cracking in the substrate can be prevented or the durability of the supporting member main body can be increased. |
| US08550439B2 |
Mixing bag with integral sparger and sensor receiver
A mixing bag for use in bioprocessing in which a fluid is received and agitated using an internal fluid-agitating element driven by an external motive device is disclosed. The bag may include an integral sparger and sensor receiver. Related methods are also disclosed. |
| US08550428B2 |
Rotary gas tap with an integral electromagnetic valve
The rotary gas tap (1) with an electromagnetic safety valve (3), is of the conical regulation member (7) type, and the electromagnetic actuator (3a), being of a smaller power and size, is built entirely into a pipe housing (2a) in the body of the tap. The valve actuator (3a) is of the type where the seal member (9) is lifted by means of a DC voltage. The cylindrical magnetic frame (14) penetrating into the coil (15) is guided inside it, and a magnetic capsule (16) surrounding the coil is of a diameter Dh of around 14 mm, adjusted to that of the housing (8) in the body of the tap (2a). The stroke “R” of the seal member (9) corresponds to a gap (G) greater than 2.5 mm, reaching a sizeable passage opening “A” in the valve (9,10) necessary for a maximum inlet flow (Q) in the tap. At the same time the electromagnetic actuator (3a) is of low power, by means of a low reluctance in the magnetic circuit (13-16), although the diameter “Da” of the cylindrical frame is restricted to less than 4 mm. |
| US08550426B2 |
Two step park brake release
A dual-motion collar device is described, which elicits an additional motion from an operator when initiating a parking brake release in a vehicle. The collar device comprises top and bottom collars with a compressed and torsionally stressed spring there between, such that the collar device maintains a park brake plunger knob in a locked state. An operator twists the top collar to align interlocking features on the top and bottom collars, and then pushes downward to unlock the collar device. The operator then pushes downward on a park brake plunger knob around which the collar device is installed to actuate a parking brake valve assembly and release the parking brake. |
| US08550416B2 |
Mounting apparatus for slide rail
A fixing apparatus includes a mounting bracket secured to a slide rail, a latch member, and a holding member. The mounting bracket includes an inserting pin extending into a through hole of a rack post. The latch member includes a slide bracket, and a positioning pin forming a plurality of abutting blocks stacked up one by one. A rear end of the holding member is secured to the mounting bracket, and includes a retaining portion extending forwards. The latch member is slidable between a locking position to prevent the inserting pin from being disengaged from the through hole of the rack post, and an unlocking position to enable the insert pin to slide out of the through hole of the rack post. the retaining portion of the holding member is selectively abuts against one of the abutting blocks of positioning pin to prevent the latch member from sliding towards the unlocking position. |
| US08550415B2 |
Adjustable flat panel display mounting system
A flat panel display mounting system includes a wall plate and at least one monitor arm assembly. The monitor arm assembly includes a monitor arm mountable to the wall plate, and a leveling assembly coupled to the monitor arm and arranged within an opening of the monitor arm. The leveling assembly is movable relative to the monitor arm within the opening and along a length of the monitor arm. The leveling assembly includes a display mounting portion adapted to mount a flat panel display thereon. The leveling assembly with the mounted display panel can be adjusted to obtain a desired location of the mounted display panel. |
| US08550414B2 |
Chassis module for fixing electronic devices
A chassis module for fixing electronic devices includes a fixing chassis unit and a first movable chassis unit. The fixing chassis unit has a fixing chassis body and a first fixing retaining structure disposed on a first lateral wall of the fixing chassis body. The first movable chassis unit is detachably disposed in the fixing chassis body. The first movable chassis unit has a first movable chassis body, a first movable retaining structure disposed on a first lateral wall of the first movable chassis body and mated with the first fixing retaining structure, and at least one support element bent downwardly and extended from one lateral wall of the first movable chassis body. Therefore, after the first movable chassis unit is assembled in the fixing chassis unit, the support element provides support function for the first movable chassis unit to prevent the first movable chassis unit from inclining or collapsing. |
| US08550413B2 |
Self-centering vial clamp
A self-centering vial clamp (100) is provided. The self-centering vial clamp (100) includes a clamp body (101) including a vial aperture (110) and two or more jaw slots (111) spaced around the vial aperture (110), two or more clamp jaws (211) spaced around the vial aperture (110), with a clamp jaw (211) including a vial contact face (213) and one or more jaw projections (231) configured to engage a jaw slot (111) of the clamp body (101), and two or more lever arms (220) coupled to the two or more clamp jaws (211). A lever arm (220) is configured to be manually pivoted, wherein the lever arm translates the pivoting motion into a sliding motion of the corresponding clamp jaw (211). Interacting lever gears (224) formed on the lever arms (220) constrain the two or more clamp jaws (211) to move substantially in unison. |
| US08550411B2 |
Clamp for securing components
A clamp for securing components, in particular string-like or linear structural members, like pipelines, hoses, or cables, has at least one clamp part (3). The clamp part outer contour (4) delimits at least partially a receiving space (5) for receiving the component. The one clamp part (3) has a mechanism (6) for minimizing corrosion, in particular, crevice corrosion, at every component that is held. The mechanism has at least one sacrificial element (7) that is visibly consumed with the onset of corrosion and continued duration of use of the clamp fastener. The respective sacrificial element (7) is placed, as an independent component, on the outer contour (4) of the clamp part (3). |
| US08550409B2 |
Gate monitoring system
A monitoring system and method is provided for monitoring the lighting and the gate arm position at a railroad crossing. |
| US08550407B2 |
Large rigid deployable structures and method of deploying and locking such structures
The invention is situated in the field of telecommunication satellites. A deployable structure with which such a satellite may be equipped and a method of deploying the deployable structure is provided. The deployable structure includes: a set of primary panels, a set of secondary panels, primary articulation systems, each primary articulation system enabling a primary panel to be caused to pivot relative to another primary panel about a primary axis, the primary axes being substantially parallel to the primary panels, and secondary articulation systems, each secondary articulation system being associated with a secondary panel and enabling said panel to be caused to pivot relative to another panel about a secondary axis parallel to said panels, the deployable structure being configured in such a manner that, in a deployed configuration, the front surfaces of the panels form a substantially continuous overall surface. |
| US08550406B2 |
Spacecraft magnetic shield
A spacecraft magnetic shield apparatus is disclosed. One embodiment has an armature attached at one end of a spacecraft and an electromagnet attached to the other end. A computer determines the position of the armature and electromagnet in relation to the spacecraft, and a power source powers the electromagnet. In operation, the positioning of the electromagnet is generally in line with incoming charged particles or ion radiation and powering of the electromagnet creates a magnetic field that deflects a percentage of the incoming charged particles or ion radiation from directly impacting the spacecraft. |
| US08550404B2 |
Electric sail with voltage multipliers in tethers
The effective area of an electric sail depends on the voltage applied to tethers. The use of higher voltages is made possible by moving voltage multipliers to tethers, perhaps 100 meters out from the body of the spacecraft. |
| US08550403B2 |
Aircraft fuel tank
An aircraft fuel tank capable of suppressing electrostatic charging caused, for example, by flow electrification with the fuel. The aircraft fuel tank comprises an upper skin (5) and a lower skin (7) that exhibit conductivity and form a portion of a container for storing fuel, an internal structure (19) formed from a metal, and an inner surface layer (15) which has semiconductor properties or insulating properties and is formed in an integral manner on the inner surfaces of the upper skin (5) and the lower skin (7) in a location where the internal structure (19) contacts the upper skin (5) and the lower skin (7), and in the surrounding portion thereof, wherein the inner surface layer (15) is formed, at least in the surrounding portion, from a material having semiconductor properties. |
| US08550402B2 |
Dual-channel deicing system for a rotary wing aircraft
A deicing system includes dual deice system components to provide a redundant deice system. Each redundant portion of the system generally includes a controller, an air data computer, an ice rate controller, and an ice rate probe. The controller communicating a heating cycle which defines a multiple of electric pulse trains to sequentially provides power to a multiple of heating elements in a designated blade set. Each electric pulse train is defined by an element on-time, a null time between the element on-time for this element and the next element, and an off-time between repetition of the heating cycle for the first heater element. The element on-time is a function of outside air temperature (OAT). The off-time is a function of liquid water content. The tail rotor heating cycle is a more straightforward version of the main rotor heating cycle as each of the tail rotor blade are activated simultaneously and there is only a single heating element on each tail rotor blade. |
| US08550400B2 |
Aircraft with retracted front landing gear
An aircraft has a fuselage of elongated form along a longitudinal axis X corresponding essentially to the longitudinal axis of the aircraft. In a first forward section, the fuselage includes a cockpit in front of a cockpit bulkhead and a front landing gear associated with a landing gear compartment located behind the cockpit bulkhead. The front landing gear and the landing gear compartment are at least partially beneath a floorboard of a compartment of a lower space of the fuselage and in a bulge that increases a volume available for installation of the landing gear. |
| US08550394B2 |
Webbing take-up device
In an insertion hole formed in an adapter, a side wall which presses an insertion piece of a stopper with an urging force of a spiral spring has a wall surface parallel to a virtual straight line passing a center of the adapter and positioned on the virtual straight line. Thus, a direction which the wall surface of the side wall presses the insertion piece of the stopper is along a facing direction which the side wall and another side wall face each other, and is not inclined outward in a radial direction of the adapter with respect to the facing direction. Thereby, a pressing force applied from the wall surface of the side wall to the insertion piece of the stopper does not cause the insertion piece to be extruded from the insertion hole. Thus, insertion state of the insertion piece to the insertion hole can be satisfactorily maintained. |
| US08550390B2 |
Food based homogenizer
A food homogenizer is provided, including a base with a driving motor and a homogenizer assembly removably coupled to the base. The homogenizer assembly includes a homogenizing chamber, an inlet chute, and an exit spout. A shredder is disposed within the homogenizing chamber and is driven by the driving motor to homogenize food ingredients into a soft texture with a similar consistency as ice cream or sherbet. |
| US08550388B2 |
Drive circuit with integrated power factor correction for blender/shaver machine
Embodiments of the invention provide a machine that blends liquids and/or shaves ice. The machine includes a motor and a control system with an integrated power factor correction circuit and a drive circuit. The integrated power factor correction circuit receives input power from a mains power line, reduces noise transmitted to the mains power line, and provides a boosted, regulated output voltage. The drive circuit is connected to the motor and uses the regulated output voltage in order to control an effective voltage applied to the motor substantially independent of the voltage and frequency of the input power. |
| US08550386B2 |
Oil absorbing material and processes of recycling absorbent articles to produce the same
An oil absorbing material is generally provided. The oil absorbing material can includes sorbent particles having an average aspect ratio of about 5 to about 500 and a mean average particle diameter of about 10 μm to about 1 millimeter. The oil absorbing material comprises polypropylene, polyethylene, inorganic filler particles, and absorbent core material. In one embodiment, the sorbent particles can have an average specific surface area of about 0.25 to about 5.0 m2/g and can have a bulk density that is about 0.01 g/cm3 to about 0.8 g/cm3.Processes of making the oil absorbing material are also provided via a solid-state shear pulverization recycling process transforming absorbent article waste into the oil absorbing material. The process can include pulverizing the absorbent article waste to form sorbent particles while cooling the absorbent article waste in an amount sufficient to maintain the absorbent article waste in a solid state. |
| US08550382B2 |
Insert for inverted spray nozzle
A device for modifying the spray pattern of an inverted spray nozzle to allow a user to mark an object with precise and clear writing of letters or symbols. The device is an insert that removably fits into or over an existing invert spray nozzle. |
| US08550380B2 |
Switchable spray head
The spray head has a housing-mounted inflow passage for feed water, and a central first outflow passage. A second and a third outflow passage are offset in the circumferential direction with respect to an axis of rotation. Each of the outflow passages is connected to a corresponding water outlet for producing different spray jets. A control element having a connecting channel is disposed in the interior of the spray head and is rotatable about the axis of rotation by the actuating element. The actuating element can execute a lifting movement. In the starting position of the actuating element, the connecting channel exclusively connects the inflow passage to the first outflow passage. In the lifting position of the actuating element, the inflow passage is connected either to the second or the third outflow passage as a function of the actuating element and the associated rotational position of the control element. |
| US08550376B2 |
Paint sprayer
A sprayer for spraying a fluid can include a sprayer body, a fluid reservoir, a trigger assembly, a flow adjustment mechanism and an air horn assembly. The sprayer body can include a nozzle assembly that defines a fluid outlet and includes a needle arranged within a fluid conduit. The fluid reservoir can be coupled to the sprayer body and be in communication with the fluid outlet and fluid conduit. The trigger assembly can be coupled to the nozzle assembly and be configured to move the needle as the trigger assembly is depressed. The flow adjustment mechanism can be configured to adjust a flow rate of the sprayer. The air horn can include at least one air horn projection that limits rotation of the air horn between a first position corresponding to a vertical spray pattern and a second position corresponding to a horizontal spray pattern. |
| US08550375B2 |
Sprinkler head guard
A cylindrical, protective housing and accompanying insertion tool for shielding an in-ground sprinkler head. The cylindrical housing is inserted into the ground surrounding an in-ground sprinkler head, protecting the sprinkler head and subterranean feed lines from damage resulting from yard work or other traffic. The cylindrical housing prevents inadvertently sprinkler head collisions with lawn mowers, wheelbarrows, golf carts, or similarly wheeled vehicles. The insertion tool is a male-fitting press tool that provides vertical loads on the cylindrical housing upper extent to force it into soil surrounding a sprinkler head. |
| US08550372B2 |
Full coverage spray and drainage system and method for orientation-independent removal of high heat flux
A cooling system and method that significantly improves spray evaporative cooling by using arrays of slot or plane sprays to create coverage of the entire heated surface to be cooled without allowing interaction between plumes that are spraying from the nozzles. The sprays are directed at an angle to the surface to take advantage of the high droplet momentum possessed by the spray to direct a flow of coolant fluid across the surface toward desired draining points, thereby enabling drainage regardless of the orientation of the unit. |
| US08550370B2 |
Automatically balancing register for HVAC systems
Distributed nodes, such as intelligent register controllers, of a heating, ventilating and/or air conditioning (HVAC) system wirelessly communicate with each other on a peer-to-peer basis, forming a network, and collectively control the HVAC system, without a central controller. The intelligent register controllers collectively control the amount of conditioned air introduced into each region. Each node may base its operation at least in part on information about one or more (ideally all) of the other nodes. Each intelligent register controller automatically determines how much conditioned air to allow into its region, or how much return air to allow to be withdrawn from its region, based on information collected by the register controller, such as: current temperature of the region; desired temperature of the region; calculated amount of conditioned air required to change the region's temperature to the desired temperature; temperature of conditioned air begin supplied by a duct to the register; current time, day of week, vacation or other schedule data; temperatures of other regions and their respective desired temperatures; calculated amounts of air required to be supplied or withdrawn by the other controlled registers to change their respective regions' temperatures to their desired temperatures; or combinations thereof. Each register controller automatically determines when and to what extent to operate its respective controllable damper. |
| US08550367B2 |
System and method for embedding machine-readable codes in combination with other images such as logos
A process for embedding a barcode into an image generates an extended barcode that includes a number of copies of the barcode. The extended barcode is embedded into the original image and a textured image is generated. A barcode region is selected that includes a machine-readable copy of the barcode. A transition region is selected that includes a set of pixels that are within a predetermined distance from the barcode region. The textured image is combined with the original image to produce the output image based on the barcode and transition regions. |
| US08550361B2 |
Systems, methods, and apparatus to facilitate locating a user of a transaction device
Embodiments of the invention may relate to systems, methods, and apparatus to facilitate locating a user of a transaction device. In one embodiment, a contactless transaction device for facilitating locating the user can be provided. The contactless transaction device may include an antenna operable to electromagnetically receive and transmit data. The contactless transaction device may also include a microchip comprising a memory operable to store consumer account data and location alert data and in communication with the antenna, wherein the microchip is operable to transmit the location alert data to a transaction terminal via the antenna when the contactless transaction device is presented to facilitate a transaction with the transaction terminal. |
| US08550359B2 |
Method and system for generating and sharing customized portable consumer devices
A method for receiving and presenting user-generated designs and sets of terms for portable consumer devices. The method provides for allowing a first person to create a customized design for a portable consumer device, and share the design with other consumers via a host site. Similarly, the method provides for allowing a first person to create and share a customized set of terms for the portable consumer device. Methods for receiving and distributing feedback for customized designs and sets of terms are included. |
| US08550354B2 |
Indicia reader system with wireless communication with a headset
An indicia reader system including: an indicia reader to read information bearing indicia (IBI); an actuator for activating the indicia reader; a first device for wirelessly sending audio data; a headphone for wear by the operator, the headphone having a second device for accepting the audio data and at least one audio feedback device provided therein for utilizing the audio data to provide audio feedback to the operator. |
| US08550351B2 |
Matrix type two-dimensional barcode decoding chip and decoding method thereof
An exemplary matrix-type two-dimensional (2D) barcode decoding chip includes a data storage, a matrix-type 2D barcode identifying modules, and a master-control logic module. The data storage is configured for storing a barcode image. The matrix-type 2D barcode identifying modules are configured for processing the barcode image in parallel. The master-control logic module is configured for controlling operational statuses of the matrix-type 2D barcode identifying modules so that the matrix-type 2D barcode identifying modules calling the barcode image stored in the data storage in sequence. |
| US08550348B2 |
Optoelectronic device
An optoelectronic device for detecting marks with defined contrast patterns includes a transmitter to emit polarized light beams, a receiver to receive light beams and having an output to produce receiving signals representing the received light beams, and a an evaluation unit to which the receiving signals are fed and in which the contrast pattern of a mark is detected with the aid of the receiving signals present at the receiver output. A thin-film polarization filter is arranged in front of the receiver to filter out a share of the received light beams specular reflected back by the mark. |
| US08550347B2 |
Information reading device
Disclosed is an information reader wherein the degree of freedom of design can be increased, and magnetic information recorded on an information recording medium can be properly read. Specifically, the information reader comprises a medium passage through which the information recording medium having the magnetic information recorded passes, a magnetic head which is brought into contact with the information recording medium passing through the medium passage and reads the magnetic information recorded on the information recording medium, guide sections for guiding the information recording medium so that a force acts on the information recording medium and the magnetic head to push each other when the information recording medium and the magnetic head are brought into contact with each other, and a biasing mechanism which biases the magnetic head in the direction in which the information recording medium and the magnetic head are brought into contact with each other. The guide sections are not arranged at a position facing a magnetic gap formed at the end of the magnetic head, and are arranged closer to the upstream side than the magnetic gap in the direction in which the information recording medium passes through. |
| US08550344B2 |
Specialty stents with flow control features or the like
Methods and systems are described for obtaining a parameter relating to a stent inventory shortage or to a specific patient and for configuring a stent in response. For example, the response may involve configuring a stent with a flow occlusion portion in response to the obtained parameter relating to the stent inventory shortage, configuring a stent with a flow occlusion portion in response to receiving the parameter relating to the specific patient, or specializing one or more stents in response to obtaining the parameter relating to the stent inventory shortage. |
| US08550343B2 |
Seperable point of sale system
A separable point of sale system includes a mainframe and a base. The mainframe has one or more base connecting sockets, a case, a touch screen and a power receiving socket, and the case has a mainframe tenon; the base has an inputting module, one or more mainframe connecting plugs, a base tenon, a power supply plug and a trough used to accommodate the mainframe. The base tenon operatively connects with the mainframe tenon, and the amount of the mainframe connecting plugs and that of the base connecting sockets are the same. When the mainframe tenon connects with the base tenon, the mainframe is vertically placed in the trough. Because the disposition of the power supply plug and the mainframe connection plugs corresponds to that of power receiving socket and the base connection sockets, therefore, as the mainframe tenon connects with the base tenon, the power receiving socket has electrical connection with the power supply plug, and the base connecting sockets have electrical connection with the mainframe connecting plugs, too. |
| US08550340B2 |
Elongated security feature comprising machine-readable magnetic regions
The present invention relates to an elongated security element (40) for security papers, value documents and the like, having a longitudinal direction and, perpendicular to the longitudinal direction, a transverse direction, and having, arranged on a support, a magnetic layer (44) that includes machine-readable magnetic regions. According to the present invention, the magnetic layer comprises a plurality of frame-shaped magnet elements (44) that include the machine-readable magnetic regions and that are arranged along the longitudinal direction of the elongated security element (40). |
| US08550339B1 |
Utilization of digit sequences for biometric authentication
Systems and methods for implementing a sequence of fingerprints for biometric authentication are provided. A sequence of fingerprints is more difficult to fraudulently circumvent than a single finger or thumb print. A sequence of fingerprints takes advantage of inexpensive fingerprint scanners and easily available fingerprints. A sequence of fingerprints may be used in conjunction with additional biometric authentications and/or confidential access sequences. The sequence of fingerprints may include prints of the digits of the foot. The sequence of fingerprints for biometric authentication may be system or user defined. |
| US08550338B1 |
Cash supply chain notifications
An aspect of the invention provides methods, computer media, and apparatuses to generate notifications to verify processing of a deposit or change order along a cash supply chain. A user is provided automated alerts that are responsive to detected events, where an event may correspond to an occurrence happening or an occurrence not happening within a predetermined duration. Notification settings may be configured based on a user input. Based on the notification settings, status information is monitored from stages along the cash supply chain. When a corresponding event is detected, a notification is automatically sent to the user over a communications channel. |
| US08550333B2 |
Apparatus for fastening and/or separating container portions
An apparatus for at least partially separating at least two container portions includes first and second container portions. At least one tear line extends at least partially between the first and second portions and at least partially defines the first portion. The first portion is at least partially separable from the second portion along the tear line(s). At least one releasable adhesive spot at least partially holds the first portion down prior to the at least partial separation of the first portion from the second portion. |
| US08550329B2 |
Pocket with secure dividers
A pocket assembly includes a major panel and a pocket panel coupled together to define a pocket between the panels. A divider is placed in the pocket to partition the pocket into two or more compartments. The divider comprises a securing element secured to at least one of the major and pocket panels. |
| US08550328B2 |
Introduction of nanoparticles
The invention relates to a method for joining objects made of metal, plastic, hybrid structures or ceramic by means of heat input such as soldering or welding, wherein materials such as particles, in particular nanoparticles, elements, atoms, molecules or ions are introduced into the joint. It is proposed according to the invention that a gas stream brings gaseous compounds to the joint which decompose at elevated temperature and deposit particles as heat is being applied to the joint. |
| US08550326B2 |
Expandable mandrel for use in friction stir welding
A mandrel that provides a counter-force to the pressure exerted on the outside of a pipe or other arcuate surface by a friction stir welding tool, wherein the mandrel is expandable through the use of a wedge, and wherein the mandrel enables multiple friction stir welding heads to simultaneously perform welding on the arcuate surface. |
| US08550322B2 |
Spring actuated pliers stapler
A spring-energized stapler having a pliers type configuration, wherein papers and like items are fastened at a front end and the stapler is normally gripped and squeezed at a rear end. A compact mechanism and independent handle linkages provide a compact overall shape in a high efficiency action. An upper handle is pivoted at a front, top of a housing with a pressing area spaced at least one half the handle length away from the upper handle pivot. A lower handle includes a multi-segment cam link to a base to provide a minimal gripping distance with a large clamping force at an anvil. A simplified front-loading mechanism provides a compact, low cost assembly. A release latch holder is located behind the striker for a compact front end. |
| US08550319B2 |
Multiple tablet cutter
A multi-tablet cutting device has a removable tablet holding tray, a housing structure and a plurality of vertically movable cutting blades. The removable tablet holding tray has a plurality of tablet nests. Each nest has two or more levels of beds sized to hold tablets of different sizes or shapes. The housing structure has at least one opening to receive the removable tablet holding tray. The plurality of vertically movable cutting blades is mounted on a support structure on the inside of the housing above the tablet holding tray above a location where the tablet holding tray is stored. The plurality of cutting blades is aligned above the tablet nests and upon a downwardly directed vertical movement the plurality of cutting blades passes through first slots in the nests aligned with the cutting blades to cut the tablets held in the nests into halves. |
| US08550316B2 |
Baby carrier
A method and apparatus for securing a child to a wearer in a first arrangement and for securing a child to a chair in a second arrangement is provided. According to one embodiment, an apparatus includes a base panel having a first edge, a second edge, and opposing third and fourth edges. The apparatus also includes a crotch panel having first and second securing devices and attached to the second edge of the base panel, where the securing devices of the crotch panel are configured to wrap around the back portion of the chair and fasten to each other. The apparatus further includes a waist panel attached to the second edge of the base panel such that the base panel is configured to wrap around the waist of the wearer in the first arrangement and to wrap around the seat portion of the chair such that the child situated within the apparatus is unable to stand upright in the second arrangement. |
| US08550315B2 |
Spare tire carrier vibration damper
An apparatus for damping vibration in a vehicle structure via a mass of a spare wheel includes a bar. The bar has a first end elastically coupled to the vehicle structure, wherein the first end is arranged for vertical movement relative to the vehicle structure. The bar also has a second end pivotably coupled to the vehicle structure, wherein the second end is arranged to facilitate the vertical movement of the first end. The bar additionally includes an arrangement for mounting a spare wheel, wherein damping of vibration in the vehicle structure is provided when the spare wheel is mounted on the bar. |
| US08550314B2 |
Gloves
A flexible member (114) for supporting a glove in a manner whereby it can be readily donned by a user without touching the exterior of the glove. The flexible member (114) having a substantially planar glove support portion (122) which, when viewed in plan, conforms to the shape of at least part of the interior of a glove and is fittable, in use, to the interior of a glove through the cuff aperture thereof, and an attachment portion (112) by which the flexible member (114) can be held to facilitate donning of a glove and the subsequent removal of the glove support portion (122) from the cuff aperture of a glove while the glove is worn by a user. The glove support portion (122) is of sufficient flexibility to deflect around the hand of a user as said hand is inserted into a glove supported by the glove support portion (122), and further to deflect around the wrist of a user as the glove support portion (122) is removed from the glove through the cuff aperture thereof. |
| US08550312B2 |
Extrusion device
An extrusion device for extruding material from cartridges, having at least one plunger rod which can be moved, at least one bendable traction element which is coupled to the plunger rod(s) at attachment points, and having an advancement device which is coupled to the traction element between the attachment points and which actuates the movement of the plunger rod, wherein the advancement device has at least one driven rotating body, the traction element being wound around the same between its attachment points, and being driven by the same. |
| US08550307B2 |
Dispensing device with a disposable pump
A dispensing device comprising an enclosure and a pump, in which the enclosure comprises a base and a cover, in which the cover is attached to the base with a hinge and is rotatable about said hinge towards and away from said base, in which the pump comprises an operating plunger, in which the cover is connected to said plunger by a pivoting linkage adapted to convert the rotational movement of the cover into a linear movement of the operating plunger. |
| US08550301B2 |
Liquid dispensing apparatus
This disclosure relates to a liquid dispensing apparatus for dispensing a liquid from a flexible bag. The apparatus has a support for supporting the flexible bag in use and a mounting adapted for receiving a proximal portion of the flexible bag, for progressive movement relative to the support towards an outlet located at a distal portion of the flexible bag. As the flexible bag is progressively wound up, liquid is squeezed from the proximal portion to the distal portion to dispense liquid from the outlet in a controlled manner in use. This allows desired and precise dosage portions of liquid to be squeezed from the bag and direct dosing from the flexible bag amongst other advantages. |
| US08550300B2 |
Storage container and use of the storage container
An embodiment of the present invention relates to a storage container for liquids or for viscous or atomizable products, which can be connected to a metering device, the storage container having a cylindrical configuration and a base with a pressure equalization device and also an oppositely situated open side, the open side including a connection region, and in that an inner bag which is collapsible by suction force is disposed in the storage container. |
| US08550297B2 |
Bulk transfer dispensing device and method
A dispensing system for dispensing fluid from a flexible containing includes a dispensing device having a support, a linkage pivotally attached to the support, a dispensing mechanism attached to the linkage, and a pump. The dispensing mechanism has at least two squeeze members that coact to engage a flexible container and is configured to dispense fluid from a flexible container. The pump is configured to coact with the dispensing device and is configured to remove fluid from a flexible container. |
| US08550294B2 |
Card dispensing apparatuses and associated methods of operation
Apparatuses, systems, and methods for dispensing credit cards, phone cards, in-store gift cards, and the like from customer-operated kiosks and other machines. In one embodiment, a card dispensing apparatus can include a plurality of card hopper assemblies arranged in an array of two or more vertical columns, each column including two or more card hopper assemblies. Each card hopper assembly can include a card hopper configured to hold a vertical stack of horizontally oriented cards. Each card hopper assembly can further include a card ejector assembly configured to eject the bottom-most card from each card stack. The card dispenser can further include a movable card carriage that can be selectively positioned to receive a card from any of the card hoppers and read information from the card before dispensing the card to a customer. |
| US08550293B2 |
Replacement shelf for a vending machine
A replacement shelf for displaying, storing, and vending flat pack gum and candy replaces an existing shelf which was dedicated solely to vending old style five stick gum and roll candy. The replacement shelf includes a plurality of parallel product guides each of which includes a planar bottom surface and a pair of parallel spaced apart product support rails which cooperate to support product to be stored, displayed and vended in a position above the planar bottom surface of the product guides and in a position which ensures that the product is directed to fall downwardly from the product guide into a delivery bin in the vending machine. |
| US08550292B2 |
Closure arrangement for a container
The closure arrangement is applied to a metallic container comprising a peripheral side wall which presents an upper edge surrounding an opening, in which is fitted a lid having a peripheral upper wall externally provided with a circumferential rib to be fitted in an inner circumferential recess of the peripheral side wall; and a circumferential groove located inferiorly to the circumferential rib and housing a sealing ring to be internally seated against the peripheral side wall upon the fitting and axial retention of the circumferential rib in the circumferential recess. |
| US08550288B2 |
Beverage container with electronic image display
A beverage container with an electronic display device and methods for its use are described. The beverage container includes an electronic display device disposed in a sidewall of the container and a control module disposed in a hollow base portion. A liquid sensor senses the presence of a liquid in the container and a motion sensor is provided to sense movements of the container caused by, for example, transporting, holding, or drinking from the container. When the control module receives appropriate signals from the liquid and motion sensors an image or video is displayed on the display device. The container is thus useable to display pictures, videos, slide shows, advertisements, or the like in personal or commercial applications. A communications port is also provided to enable coupling of the container with a computing device for management of images and videos displayed on the container. |
| US08550283B2 |
Lid actuation system for shielded cask
A lid system for a shielding cask is provided, the system comprising a plurality of contiguous panels, each panel is axially actuated by a first lift piston located laterally from the casks' longitudinal principal axis, and rotated about the cask by a ‘hinge’ piston at approximately 90 degrees along an arc from the first piston, the arc formed by a portion of the lip of the cask. |
| US08550279B2 |
Anti-siphoning fuel device, system, and method
An anti-siphoning fuel system that includes a fuel inlet, a fuel tank, at least one fill tube or hose connecting the fuel inlet to the fuel tank such that fuel may flow from the fuel inlet to the fuel tank, and an anti-siphoning element or device coupled to the fill tube or hose that may be installed in existing boats or cars and obstructs a siphoning hose inserted in to the fill tube or hose from entering the fuel tank. |
| US08550275B2 |
Housing assembly
A housing assembly includes a receptacle having a bottom, a front wall, a rear wall, and two side walls. The rear wall has a larger height than the front wall and the side walls decrease in height from the rear wall toward the front wall. The receptacle is configured to receive at least one connection element for connecting at least one electrical cable and has at least one opening for the at least one electrical cable. A lid is configured to close the receptacle. The lid is pivotably disposable on the receptacle with a pivot axis adjoining the rear wall of the receptacle. |
| US08550271B2 |
Low gauge crown cap
A crown cap that may use less steel than a conventional crown cap is disclosed. A crown cap comprises a shell formed of an increased hardness, including a peripheral skirt, a round panel integrally formed with the skirt, the panel including one to three radially symmetric grooves formed therein, each groove spaced apart from a contact portion of the panel that is adapted for contacting the rim of a bottle upon application of the crown cap onto the bottle, and a liner located on the underside of the panel. The radially symmetric grooves may be circular. |
| US08550270B2 |
Closure device for a container
The invention relates to a closure device for a container, comprising a base element that can be attached to an opening of the container, and a lid, such as a cover, that can be disposed back and forth between a completely closed, and a completely open, position, wherein the closure device is configured such that the lid has at least one defined intermediate position between the completely closed and the completely open positions, and wherein the closure device has at least one degassing channel, which is sealed off in the completely closed position of the lid and enables pressure compensation between a side of the closure device facing the interior of the container and the surrounding area in the intermediate position of the lid. |
| US08550263B2 |
Modular rack system
A modular rack and kit of parts for constructing a modular rack may be dimensioned to vary width and depth for different applications in different rooms. Retention accessories, including article hooks, extension cross members and shelves, each have attachment portions with mating cross-sectional profiles corresponding to the rack members engage the rack members circumferentially. The retention accessories are selectively reconfigurable for evolving storage needs. |
| US08550262B2 |
Product management display system with trackless pusher mechanism
A product management display system for merchandising product on a shelf includes a trackless pusher mechanism that travels along at least a portion of a surface on which product is placed. The pusher mechanism of the invention also includes a pusher surface for pushing the product. A flat coiled spring or other biasing element may be operatively connected behind the pusher surface and extend across a portion of the shelf. In use, the product may be placed on the coiled spring. The invention may be used with the merchandising of product on horizontal or non-inclined shelves or surfaces, as well as with gravity-fed systems, or systems that use gravity as a mechanism to urge product toward the front of the shelf. |
| US08550256B1 |
Filtration membrane with covalently grafted fouling-resistant polymer
A method of photo-grafting onto a separation membrane a copolymer includes at least one of: and; For example, in Structure 1A, x1≧2 and y1≧1; R1 and R2 are independently selected from the group consisting of CH3 and H; R3 is independently selected from the group consisting of poly(oxyalkylene), quaternary ammonium salts, pyridinium salts, sulfonium salts, sulfobetaines, carboxybetaines, alcohols, phenols, tertiary amines, aryl groups; linear, branched and cyclic alkylenes; linear, branched and cyclic heteroalkylenes; linear, branched and cyclic fluoroalkylenes; and siloxyl; R4 is independently selected from the group consisting of linear, branched, and cyclic alkylenes; linear, branched and cyclic hetroalkylenes; linear, branched and cyclic fluoroalkylenes; phenyl; and siloxyl; and Z1 is 0 or 1. |
| US08550246B2 |
Storage box and associated blank
A collapsible box for disposal of articles such as sanitary wear, comprises a base, at least three walls upstanding therefrom and a top, the top having an aperture through which articles or items may be placed in the box and a flap at least partially occluding the aperture, the flap being urged upwardly and at least a part of which being engaged by a wing portion to inhibit upward motion thereof, the wing portion being moveable between a first condition for collapsing the box and a second condition at least partially overlying the aperture. |
| US08550245B2 |
Cover for a recyclable container
In certain embodiments, a welding wire and container assembly includes a container having an interior volume; a coil of welding wire disposed in the interior volume; and a wire container cover. The wire container cover may include a top surface having an opening therethrough to enable welding wire to pass through the wire container cover when the wire container cover is disposed on the container. The assembly also may include a skirt askew to the top surface, wherein the skirt is adapted to produce friction between the skirt and a side of the container when the wire container cover is disposed on the container housing and wherein the skirt is non-locking with respect to the container. |
| US08550242B2 |
Adhesive-permeable strip container, a relative blank, and a method of manufacturing the container
A container comprises at least a first wall (2a) and a second wall (2b) presenting respective flaps (6) of plastic, plasticized or metallized material, engaging one with another in overlapping contact to interconnect the relative walls (2a, 2b). Each flap (6) is furnished with a strip (7) of material presenting a first face (7a) affixed to the flap (6), and a second face (7b), opposite from the first face (7a), able to retain a coating of liquid or paste adhesive; the second faces (7b) of the strips are bonded together to secure the joined flaps (6) one to another. |
| US08550240B2 |
Combination water dose and medication container
A Combination Water Dose and Medication Container is disclosed. The device provides a single, pocket-sized, disposable unit that separately contains water and pills. The water chamber is foil-sealed to prevent tampering. The pill container is available pre-loaded with pills and foil-sealed, as well as empty so that the user can add his or her own pills. Five different versions of the combination container are enumerated in order to optimize flexibility to meet user tastes and manufacturing constraints. |
| US08550238B2 |
Limited use, self-destructive contact lens case
A contact lens storage case of limited life and predetermined usage to further the safe and effective use of contact lenses by ensuring patient compliance through both limiting case use over a set period of time and discouraging reuse and topping-off of the disinfecting and storage solution. Generally, the self-destruction consists of the case developing a leak in a pre-determined fashion as a result of the change in properties of a material in a limited area of the case following exposure of the case to the storage solution. |
| US08550235B2 |
Magnetic fastening assembly for attaching a ferrous metal baking pan to a baking rack
A fastening assembly for attaching a ferrous metal baking pan to a baking rack, the baking rack having a plurality of bars, the fastening assembly including an “E” plate having a stem and a plurality of arms, a pair of bar receiving channels, the channels consisting of the arms' interstices; at least a first permanent magnet; and a concavity and seal combination interconnecting the at least first permanent magnet and a medial arm among the “E” plate's plurality of arms. |
| US08550233B2 |
System for supplying components
A system (1) for supplying components, particularly for transporting small components includes a vibrating device (2) provided with a plate (3) forming a surface for enabling the components to be grasped by a robot and a vibrating element (12) arranged to be capable of vibrating the plate (3) in one of the three directions in space and to be capable of vibrating the plate (3) in directions corresponding to any combination whatsoever of the three directions x, y and z. For this purpose, the vibrating element includes vibrating actuators (12) respectively including a vibrating element arranged to move with at least five degrees of freedom. |
| US08550231B2 |
Conveying device
A conveying device includes a housing, a linear driving mechanism, a first sliding assembly, a second sliding assembly, and a carrying mechanism. The linear driving mechanism is assembled within the housing. The first sliding assembly is slidably assembled together with the second sliding assembly within the housing, and both sliding assemblies are driven by the linear driving mechanism to slide horizontally. The carrying mechanism is slidably sandwiched between the first sliding assembly and the second sliding assembly. The first sliding assembly and the second sliding assembly are driven by the linear driving mechanism to slide within the housing along either a same direction or along opposite directions. The carrying mechanism may slide linearly together with the first sliding assembly and the second sliding assembly, or slide upwards and downwards perpendicular to the linear sliding direction of the first sliding assembly and the second sliding assembly. |
| US08550230B2 |
Method for feeding opening devices to be glued on packages containing pourable food products
A method of moving opening devices configured to be attached to respective sealed packages of pourable food product involves: forward moving a plurality of linearly arranged opening devices in a forward direction along a path; stopping the forward movement of the linearly arranged opening devices by virtue of a forwardmost one of the opening devices contacting a stop positioned at a first position in front of the forwardmost opening device; pushing the stop to a second position at which the stop no longer prevents movement of the forwardmost opening device in the forward direction; and moving the forwardmost opening device in the forward direction past the stop located at the second position. |
| US08550228B1 |
Direction change device for conveyance of dough
A direction change device for conveyance of dough includes a material conveyance platform that includes a table that is covered by a conveyance belt. Guide slots are formed in the table and are not completely covered by the conveyance belt. A swivel unit is provided under the material conveyance platform and includes two power sources that respectively provide reciprocal rotation of a predetermined angle and upward extension and backward contraction. The power source for extension and contraction has an end to which push bars are mounted to correspond to the guide slots of the table. A press plate is arranged above the guide slots. A dough sheet, when moved through the table, can be pushed upward by the push bars of the swivel unit and clamped and held by the press plate for subsequent rotation by an angle and then further proceeding forward for a subsequent operation of stuffing. |
| US08550226B2 |
Transmission synchronizer assembly
A transmission synchronizer assembly is provided that alleviates noise associated with functional clearances and backlashes. A synchronizer ring is provided that has a periphery with at least one tab extending at least partially radially at the periphery. An annular hub has at least one recess configured to receive the at least one tab to axially align the synchronizer ring with the hub. The recess and the tab define a clearance when the tab is received in the recess. A damping material is provided in the clearance such that the damping material contacts the annular hub when the synchronizer is moved about the axis of rotation relative to the annular hub. Such movement may occur during engagement of an annular sleeve with a gear whose speed is synchronized with the sleeve by the synchronizer ring. |
| US08550225B2 |
Energy absorber
An energy absorber comprises an intermediate portion interconnecting a first end and a second end. The intermediate portion and the first and second ends are on the same plane. The intermediate portion includes curved portions configured and arranged to deform and begin to straighten when subjected to a pre-determined load to absorb energy from the pre-determined load. Should a user fall, the energy absorber will deform (begin to straighten) to absorb energy from the fall. Optional pins prevent material from getting caught in the energy absorber, assist in stiffening the energy absorber, and assist in pre-stressing the energy absorber so that it will not open up when subjected to a load less than the pre-determined load. Optional tabs and slots or protrusions and notches prevent material from getting caught in the energy absorber. |
| US08550224B2 |
Energy absorption system
The present invention relates to an energy absorption system. The energy absorption system comprises a movable carriage, a fixed bearing and a deformable material strip. The deformable material strip is at least areally connected to the fixed bearing. Between the movable carriage and the fixed bearing a gap is formed. The energy absorption system further comprises means, which are suited to vary the size of the gap between the movable carriage and the fixed bearing. |
| US08550223B2 |
Methods and apparatus for position sensitive suspension dampening
Methods and apparatus for position sensitive dampening. In one aspect a fluid damper is provided comprising a damper chamber divided by a piston into a primary compression and a primary rebound chamber; a secondary compression chamber in fluid communication with the damper chamber; and an adjustable fluid meter controlling fluid flow out of the secondary compression chamber. |
| US08550222B2 |
Active material based bodies for varying frictional force levels at the interface between two surfaces
A device for selectively controlling and varying a frictional force level at an interface between two bodies, includes a first contact body having at least one surface, a second contact body having at least one surface in physical communication with the first contact body, and an active material in operative communication with a selected one or both of the first contact body and the second contact body, wherein the active material is configured to undergo a change in a property upon receipt of an activation signal wherein the change in a property is effective to change the frictional force level at the interface between the at least one surface of the first contact body and the at least one surface of the second contact body. |
| US08550217B2 |
Elevator
The invention relates to an elevator provided with a safety gear arrangement, the elevator including at least an elevator car arranged to travel back and forth substantially vertically along guide rails, at least two safety gear mechanisms disposed in conjunction with the elevator car and at least one speed limiter, which includes at least a speed limiter pulley, a diverting pulley and a speed limiter rope fitted as a loop around at least the speed limiter pulley and the diverting pulley, the speed limiter rope being connected at least to a first safety gear mechanism. A second safety gear mechanism has been arranged to be triggered after the triggering of the first safety gear mechanism. |
| US08550215B2 |
Stairlifts
The invention provides a manual two-way swivel mechanism for a stairlift. The mechanism allows the stairlift chair to be swivelled in an uphill direction only, at the carriage is at the top of the rail; and in a downhill direction only, when the carriage is at the bottom of the rail. An interlock is provided which regulates the direction in which the chair can be swivelled. |
| US08550214B2 |
Machine having lubricant circuit
A machine includes, but is not limited to at least one first shaft, which is mounted so it is rotatable in a housing, a lubricant duct extending in the first shaft along its axis, and at least one lubrication point, which is supplied with lubricant via a supply line comprising the lubricant duct. A section of the supply line runs in a first wall of the housing between an outlet opening of the lubricant duct and the lubrication point. |
| US08550208B1 |
High pressure muffling devices
Some example muffling devices may include an inner flow conditioner shaped as a generally conical frustrum and a generally cylindrical an exhaust can around the inner flow conditioner. A ratio of a downstream end wall area of the inner flow conditioner to a downstream end annular area between the downstream end wall and the exhaust can may be about 0.12 to about 0.97. A ratio of the downstream end annular area to the downstream end wall area may be proportional, by a factor of about 0.8 to about 1.9, to a ratio of an effective area of the inner flow conditioner sidewall holes to an effective area of the inner flow conditioner downstream end wall holes. A ratio of a dissipation distance between the inner flow conditioner downstream end wall and the exhaust screen to the inner flow conditioner downstream end wall hole diameter may be greater than about 10. |
| US08550207B1 |
High retention aural transmission device
Apparatus and associated methods may relate to a unitary body having a hardness of between 20 and 35 according to the Japanese Industrial Standards (JIS) and adapted to be removably inserted into the canal 10 of an ear. In an illustrative example, the body may include a central portion between an adapter portion disposed at the proximal end of the body to couple an audio signal from an audio signal source to the central lumen. The retention portion may be disposed at a distal end of the body along a distal end axis. When inserted in the ear canal, the retention portion may be adapted to engage the canal wall between a prominence and the eardrum membrane with comfort for extended periods of time, including during physical activities, without falling out of the ear. Some embodiments by be packaged as a kit containing pairs in a range of predetermined sizes. |
| US08550205B2 |
Electric power steering system
A torque sensor and an electric motor are supported by a steering column by which a steering shaft is rotatably supported. On a control board on which a control circuit that controls driving of an electric motor is mounted, a first terminal group and a second terminal group that are selectively connected to the torque sensor are respectively provided at a first end portion and a second end portion in a first direction parallel to a central axis of the steering shaft. A third terminal group that is connectable to the electric motor is provided at one end portion (third end portion) in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction. |
| US08550200B2 |
Vehicle body frame of motorcycle
A motorcycle having a vehicle body and a vehicle body frame. The vehicle body frame includes a head pipe; a pair of left and right tank rail portions including a widening portion having a width increasing in a vehicle width direction extending rearward of the vehicle from the head pipe, a parallel portion having a substantially fixed width, and a narrowing portion having a width decreasing the vehicle width direction, the widening portion, the parallel portion and the narrowing portion extend along left and right sides of the vehicle body of a motorcycle; and a pair of left and right rear arm bracket portions bending and extending from rear ends of the tank rail portions. The vehicle body frame has a front frame part and a rear frame part connected through a frame connecting surface substantially perpendicular to an axial direction of the parallel portion. |
| US08550198B2 |
Construction machine
In a heat exchanger cover (17) covering upper sides of heat exchanger (13), an inlet port (21) is provided on a left side which is an upstream side of cooling air, and one exhaust port (22) for exhausting the cooling air which has passed through the heat exchanger (13) is provided on a right side opposite to this inlet port (21). An engine cover (15) is provided with another exhaust port (23) at a position opposing the one exhaust port (22) in a left-right direction. The cooling air which has passed through the heat exchanger (13) can be exhausted horizontally from the exhaust port (22) provided in the heat exchanger cover (17) toward the exhaust port (23) provided in the engine cover (15). |
| US08550197B2 |
Power-driven wheel for a military vehicle
There is described a power-driven wheel for a military vehicle, having an axial-flow electric motor, and a hub connected functionally to the motor and rotating about an axis; the motor has an output member housed inside the hub; and the wheel has an epicyclic reducer interposed functionally between the hub and the output member. |
| US08550196B2 |
Multiple induction electric motor and vehicle
A novel multiple induction electric motor and vehicle that stores electrical power; provides a first and second direct current power input from the stored electrical power; separately produces first and second synchronized variable frequency alternating current control signal from the first and second direct current power inputs, respectively; produces first and second synchronized rotating magnetic fields responsive to the first and second variable frequency alternating current control signals, respectively; induces a first induced magnetic field around a conductor in a first inductive rotor responsive to the first rotating magnetic field; induces a second induced magnetic field around a conductor in a second inductive rotor responsive to the second rotating magnetic field; applies first and second rotational forces between the first and second rotating magnetic fields and the first and second induced magnetic fields to the shaft; and transmits the first and second rotational forces to a drive wheel. |
| US08550192B2 |
Payload module for mobility assist
A ground vehicle and a method for articulating a payload module for mobility assist are disclosed. The ground vehicle comprises a chassis; and a payload module capable of articulating relative to the chassis to assist the mobility of the ground vehicle. The method comprises articulating a payload module relative to a chassis. |
| US08550191B2 |
Digging tool, digging bit, and device
Provided is an excavation tool for efficiently taking waste rocks produced during excavation into the inner peripheral side of a casing pipe. An excavation tool (10) includes a casing shoe (11), a casing pipe (15), a rod (60), a device (40), and an excavation bit (20). The excavation bit (20) has a head portion (22) and a skirt portion (23). The head portion (22) is provided with: a face flute (27), which is open into the tip face of the head portion and extends radially outward; a connection flute (28), which is integrally connected to the outer peripheral end of the face flute (27) and extends toward the rear end side, and an intake hole (29), which is integrally connected with the discharge flute (46) of the device (40) and is open to the inner peripheral side of the skirt portion (23) from the connection flute (28). |
| US08550190B2 |
Inner bit disposed within an outer bit
In one aspect of the present invention, a drill bit assembly for downhole drilling comprises an outer bit comprising a central axis and an outer cutting area and an inner bit disposed within the outer bit and comprising an inner cutting area. The outer bit comprises a first plurality of cutting elements and the inner bit comprises a second plurality of cutting elements wherein an average distance of each cutting element in the first plurality to the central axis forms a first moment arm and an average distance of each cutting element in the second plurality to the central axis forms a second moment arm. A ratio of the inner cutting area to the outer cutting area is substantially equal to a ratio of the outer moment arm to the inner moment arm. |
| US08550189B2 |
Drive pin support
A chuck assembly, an assembly for an earth-boring drill assembly, and a method of manufacturing a chuck assembly. In the assembly, a first portion of the chuck bore may have a minimum inner diameter greater than the chuck spline maximum inner diameter. A support ring recess may be defined in the bore axially between the chuck splines and the first end. A support ring may be positionable in the support ring recess, and the support ring, when positioned in the support ring recess, may have a support ring inner diameter less than the minimum inner diameter of the first portion of the bore. The drive pin may be positionable circumferentially between one of the chuck splines and an associated one of the bit splines and have an axial end surface at least partially engageable with the support ring to limit axial movement of the drive pin toward the first end. |
| US08550184B2 |
Formation coring apparatus and methods
Methods comprising: lowering a downhole tool into a wellbore extending into a subterranean formation, wherein the downhole tool comprises a coring tool and a measurement tool; performing a measurement regarding the formation using the measurement tool; determining a section of interest within the formation relative to an axis of the coring tool based on the measurement; orienting a coring bit of the coring tool relative to the section of interest; and extending the oriented coring bit into the formation. |
| US08550179B2 |
Proportional pilot-controlled pneumatic control system for pneumatically powered hand-held tools
A control system for use in conjunction with a primary power system and operable to control a pneumatically powered hand-held tool broadly comprises an air delivery assembly operable to communicate with a pressurized air source; a control assembly including an exhaust line from the primary power system and to the control assembly, a spool valve in fluid communication with the supply line and the exhaust line, and a control line in fluid communication with the spool valve and the hand-held tool; a tool assembly comprising the hand-held tool for performing delicate hand working operations; and a housing for at least partial storage of the air delivery assembly and the control assembly. The primary power system and the control system operate in conjunction with each other to both power and precisely control a pneumatically powered hand-held tool. |
| US08550177B2 |
Packer assembly
Packer assemblies capable of providing desired load-bearing performance and of being retrieved from a bore in a subterranean formation are described. A packer assembly can include a wedge that can respond to a force in a downhole direction by un-supporting the slip. The unsupported slip is configured to disengage from a casing string, allowing the packer assembly to be removed from the bore. The wedge can include a collet to allow the wedge to separate from the slip to prevent slip re-setting. |
| US08550170B2 |
Retrievable flow module unit
A retrievable flow module (RFM) apparatus is provided. In one embodiment, the RFM apparatus is a standalone assembly configured to mate with a subsea device, such as a production tree. The RFM apparatus may include a frame within which various flow control and monitoring elements are disposed. The frame may have an alignment system that enables the RFM apparatus to horizontally mate with the tree. Because the RFM apparatus provides for the collocation of flow control and monitoring elements within a standalone assembly, deployment or retrieval of the flow control and monitoring elements may be accomplished in single operation. Additional systems, devices, and methods are also disclosed. |
| US08550167B2 |
Remote operated vehicle interface with overtorque protection
A remote operated vehicle (ROV) interface has a retrievable portion and a permanent portion. The permanent portion includes a housing that has a cavity that secures to a drive stem of the subsea well device. The housing has a pod cavity on an opposite end that receives a pod body, which is part of the retrievable portion. The pod body is secured by spring-biased retainer within the pod cavity. The pod body has a cylindrical receptacle that receives a drive pin, which forms another part of the retrievable portion. The drive pin and the cylindrical receptacle are engaged for rotation by a shear element. The pod body has an ROV retrieval profile that is accessible by an ROV. In the event the shear element shears due to excessive torque, an ROV retrieval tool engages the pod body and retrieves the pod body along with the drive pin. |
| US08550164B2 |
Oil recovery process for carbonate reservoirs
A method for increasing oil production in a carbonate reservoir by incorporating a diluted surfactant injection in conjunction with conducting a step-wise reduction of salinity of the injected salt water that is injected into the carbonate reservoir. The method provides for increased oil production as compared to conventional waterflooding techniques. |
| US08550163B2 |
Oil recovery process for carbonate reservoirs
A method for increasing oil production in a carbonate reservoir by conducting a step-wise reduction of salinity of the injected salt water that is injected into the carbonate reservoir. The method provides for increased oil production as compared to conventional waterflooding techniques. |
| US08550160B2 |
Apparatus and methods for pulse testing a formation
Apparatus and methods for measuring properties of formation material and fluid in a borehole wall. In some embodiments, the apparatus includes a cylinder with a drawdown piston slideably disposed therein, a probe assembly and a passageway configured to provide fluid communication between the probe assembly and the cylinder. The probe assembly has a housing, a piston slideably disposed within the housing, the piston having a throughbore and a pad coupled thereto, and a tubular slideably disposed within the throughbore. The drawdown piston is translatable from a first position toward a second position to draw fluid into the probe assembly, the passageway and the cylinder, and translatable from the second position toward the first position to increase pressure of fluid in the passageway. |
| US08550157B2 |
Apparatus and method for controlling flow of solids into wellbores using filter media containing an array of three dimensional elements
In aspects, the disclosure provides an apparatus that may include a member having fluid flow passages and a filter member placed proximate the member with the fluid flow passages, the filter member including an array of three-dimensional elements configured to inhibit flow of solid particles of a selected size when a fluid containing such solid particles flows from the filter member to the member with the fluid flow passages. |
| US08550154B2 |
Resin heat exchanger unit, method for manufacturing the resin heat exchanger unit, and heat exchanger
In a resin heat exchanger unit, a resin pipe having straight portions and curved portions and a plurality of resin fins are integrally molded and there can be realized high reliability, high heat exchange efficiency, and a simple manufacturing process.The resin heat exchanger unit includes a resin pipe (1), which has straight portions (2) and curved portions (3) provided alternatively and continuously, and a plurality of resin fins (4) connected to the pipe (1), the pipe (1) and the fins (4) being integrally injection-molded. |
| US08550151B2 |
Heat exchanger
A heat exchanger, which maintains basic performance even in an environment repeatedly subjected to dew condensation, is provided. The heat exchanger is formed of a plurality of unit devices each including a heat exchanger plate, spacer ribs, and shielding ribs. The heat exchanger plate, the spacer rib and the shielding rib are integrally molded with resin. The spacer ribs keep the spacing between the heat exchangers, and the shielding ribs shield leakage of airflow. The unit devices are stacked each other to form airflow passages between the heat exchanger plates. The airflow passages allow a first airflow and a second airflow to pass therethrough and to exchange heat through the heat exchanger plates. The heat exchanger plate is made of a moisture permeable resin film having water-insolubility and flame retardant property, and the resin has water-insolubility and flame retardant property. |
| US08550149B2 |
Water-cooled heat sink
A water-cooled heat sink includes a base, a box, a propelling module, a driving module, and a plurality of conduits. The box is disposed above the base, and receives a cooled liquid. The driving module includes a first magnet. The base defines a plurality of channels. The propelling module includes a cylinder, a piston, a second magnet, and a valve. The cylinder is disposed on an inner wall of the box. The piston is disposed in the cylinder, and defines a through hole in a middle portion thereof. The second magnet is fixed to the piston. The valve is fixed in the through hole. The conduits interconnect the cylinder and the box. The first magnet can repel or attract the second magnet, thereby sliding the piston toward the cylinder to close the valve or away from the cylinder to open the valve. |
| US08550143B2 |
Curtain support assembly with integrated storage facility in a cabin of a vehicle
The invention relates to a curtain support assembly to receive a curtain rail for a curtain for separating at least two regions in a cabin of a vehicle, comprising two or more header components for covering a space formed between the curtain rail and a ceiling in the cabin. The assembly according to the invention distinguishes itself from the state of the art in that between the header elements, for the purpose of holding objects, a hollow space is formed that is accessible by way of one or several closable openings to the cabin. In a further improvement, a roller is integrated in the hollow space, by way of which roller the curtain may be rolled up or down and may easily be stowed away. |
| US08550142B2 |
Vertical hung window shade assembly with roll up and side shifting dual panel or panels
A plural panel vertically hung horizontally adjustable light transmitting window shade apparatus for varying the amount of light from zero to maximum that can pass through alternate transparent and opaque portions of the plural panels. The plural panels hang vertically downward from separate mounting elements of a control mechanism. The control mechanism, when actuated, moves either one or two of the plural panels horizontally relative to the other panel, thus changing the position of the transparent portions and opaque portions of each panel. The control mechanism also vertically deploys or retracts the dual panels using the same control mechanism used to move the panels horizontally. A bottom rail maintains the lower ends of the panels in a closely adjacent position, and also allows relative vertical movement of each panel relative to the other when the panels are either deployed or retracted. |
| US08550140B2 |
Storm window and panel attachment
An improved method of installing a storm window in a prime window includes application of locking clips at predetermined locations around the frame of the prime window. The storm window is positioned over the prime window and swung into place, whereupon the storm window frame snaps and is locked into place by the clips. Bulb seals around the storm window frame compress between the storm window frame and the frame of the prime window to insure a complete and reliable seal against the elements and maximize sound abatement. |
| US08550132B2 |
Pneumatic tire and manufacturing method of the same
A pneumatic tire has a conductive portion formed by a conductive rubber is provided in the tread rubber formed by a nonconductive rubber. The conductive portion has an outer skin portion and a projection portion. The outer skin portion is formed on a surface of the tread rubber, and extends to an inner side in a tire width direction from a side surface of the tread rubber so as to terminate at a position which goes beyond a contact end. The projection portion spirally extends from a position in an outer side than contact end so as to reach a position in an inner side in the tire width direction than the contact end, and protrudes to an inner side in a tire diametrical direction from the outer skin portion so as to terminate without reaching a bottom surface of the tread rubber. |
| US08550126B2 |
Automatic acid filling apparatus
An automatic acid filling apparatus includes a base with at least one acid filling tank pivotably connected thereto. The filling tank has an opening and a gate respectively connected to each end thereof. A first activating device is pivotably connected to the base and the acid filling tank, and a second activating device is pivotably connected to the acid filling tank. The second activating device controls the gate to be opened so that the assembled horizontal batteries can be placed into the acid filling tank. The gate is then closed. A suction device sucks air out of the acid filling tank from the opening, and then the acid is filled into the acid filling tank via the opening by using an acid filling device. The first activating device activates the acid filling tank to rotate to an inclined position for fully absorbing the acid. |
| US08550125B2 |
Linked coil formation device and method of forming linked coils
[Problem to be solved] A first coil and a second coil are efficiently formed in the shape of a rectangular cylinder and in parallel to each other, by bending and processing a flat wire, and a linking part of each of the coils, is linked with the same material without welding or folding.[Means for solving the problem] Provided are: a first coil winding processing line having a first winding head forming a first coil part in the shape of a rectangular cylinder at one end part of a flat wire W; a second coil winding processing line disposed in parallel to the first coil winding processing line and having a second winding head on which a second coil part in the shape of a rectangular cylinder is formed at the other end part of the flat wire W and both of the coil parts are arranged to be adjacent to each other on an identical face; and a coil placement unit for conveying the flat wire W having the first coil part from the first coil winding processing line to the second coil winding processing line along each coil winding processing line. |
| US08550122B2 |
Exhaust finisher retention operation
An exhaust system for a vehicle features a pipe finisher including an inner sleeve. The inner sleeve has a reduced diameter portion spaced upstream from a downstream end of the inner sleeve. An exhaust pipe disposed in the inner sleeve, the exhaust pipe including a radially outward extending projection downstream of the reduced diameter portion of the inner sleeve. |
| US08550121B2 |
Method and apparatus for lining a pipe
A new apparatus for repairing a damaged portion of a pipe includes a liner having a tubular sleeve of resin absorbent material that includes a plastic film laminated to an exterior surface of the sleeve. The plastic film contains resinous material in the liner, and is modified to breech the integrity of the plastic film and expose the resinous material to a junction of a main and lateral pipe. A method of lining a junction of a main and lateral pipe using the liner is also provided. |
| US08550120B2 |
Apparatus and method for oscillating fluid jets
A method of causing a fluid flow to oscillate between two exit directions. The method comprises causing a primary flow of fluid through a conduit, the conduit characterized by two exit directions and providing first and second oscillation control ports, the first and second oscillation control ports transverse to the conduit and connected to one another by a feedback tube. |
| US08550111B2 |
Mechanism for controlling a gauge for indicating the amount of gas remaining in a gas tank
An overfill prevention device which includes a first tubular member, a cylindrical piston fitted within the first tubular member, a second tubular member having a cylindrical recess open, a plug arranged within the second tubular member, a float rod having a cam plate, a float connected with a lower end of the float rod, a valve body having a lower end engaged with the first tubular member, a pinion pivotally connected to the second tubular member by the pin, a toothed rack meshed with the pinion and engaged with the second tubular member, a control rod having an upper end extending into the valve body and a lower end secured to the toothed rack, a first magnet mounted at the upper end of the control rod, and a gauge mounted on the valve body and provided with a second permanent magnet and a needle operatively connected with the second magnet. |
| US08550110B2 |
Temporary waterproofing systems and methods
Systems for removing water from an area where water is not desired are discussed and provided. The system can include a dam, a water collection system, and a water removal system. The dam can create a waterproof seal so that the dam is configured to define a reservoir, or retention area, capable of holding water. The water collection system can remove substantially all of the water that collects in the retention area and deposit the water in a reservoir when the water collection system is triggered by a first sensor. The water removal system can move the water collected in the reservoir to an area of safe disposal through a hose or drain when triggered by a second sensor. Other aspects, features, and embodiments of the present invention are claimed and described. |
| US08550101B2 |
System and method for hydraulically managing fluid pressure downstream from a main valve between set points
A system for hydraulically managing fluid pressure between selected set points includes a pilot control system operably coupled to a main valve. The pilot control system includes at least one fluid conduit, a variable orifice assembly, and a control pilot valve apparatus. Fluid is passed through a fixed orifice and into a first chamber of the control pilot valve apparatus. Fluid is passed through the variable orifice of the variable orifice assembly and into a second chamber of the control pilot valve apparatus. The main valve is hydraulically opened or closed in response to a pressure differential between the first and second chambers of the control pilot valve apparatus so as to manage fluid pressure downstream of the main valve between the selected upper and lower set points. |
| US08550095B2 |
System for highlighting hair
A system to highlight the hair includes a device (10) and a composition (50). The device (10) includes a first portion movably joined to a second portion. Composition (50) includes a percentage of hydrogen peroxide and a percentage of an alkalizer by weight of the composition (50). The weight percentages of hydrogen peroxide and of an alkalizer are defined by equation (I): X+1.5Y≧15 (I). X is the percentage by weight of hydrogen peroxide by weight of the composition (50). Y is the percentage by weight of an alkalizer by weight of the composition (50). The composition (50) includes at least 2% of hydrogen peroxide by weight of the composition (50) and the alkalizer is an inorganic salt. The composition (50) allows to perform highlighting when applied with the device (10). |
| US08550093B2 |
Flexible package for tobacco material
A package for tobacco material includes a portion of tobacco material, a wrapper enclosing the portion of tobacco material, a rigid base portion and at least one resealable adhesive label sealing the wrapper around the portion of tobacco material. The wrapper is formed of a flexible sheet material. The package may include an opening strip defined by one or more lines of weakness in the wrapper. |
| US08550091B2 |
Electrically heated water pipe smoking device
A water pipe including a bowl for placing therein a smoking substance, a tube that fluidly connects the bowl to a base member, at least one hose connection port, in fluid communication with the base member, for connecting with at least one flexible hose, an electric heating element disposed in the bowl for heating the smoking substance, the electric heating element being shaped as an inner periphery of the bowl, and a controller in electrical communication with the electric heating element, the controller controlling electrical power to the electric heating element for heating the smoking substance to a temperature that vaporizes volatile aromatic components of the smoking substance without substantially causing combustion of the smoking substance. |
| US08550089B2 |
Magnetic particles for delivering therapeutic agent to a target location
A system for delivering therapeutic agent to a target location in a body in accordance with one embodiment is provided comprising a plurality of magnetic particles, each magnetic particle carrying a therapeutic agent, and a magnetic device for attracting the magnetic particles to a target location. The magnetic particles may be delivered by a catheter into a blood vessel upstream from the target location so that they travel toward the target location. A method for delivering therapeutic agent to a target location in a body in accordance with another embodiment comprises providing a plurality of magnetic particles, each magnetic particle carrying a therapeutic agent, placing a magnetic device in a position to attract the magnetic particles to a target location, and allowing the magnetic particles to infuse the target location by the attraction of the magnetic particles to the magnetic device. The therapeutic agent may comprises a therapeutic agent for preventing or treating reperfusion injury, and the step of providing the plurality of magnetic particles may comprise delivering the plurality of magnetic particles through a blood vessel. |
| US08550085B2 |
Methods and apparatus for occluding reproductive tracts to effect contraception
Systems and methods of visibly marking a reproductive tract, e.g., at least one ostium of the Fallopian tubes accessed transvaginally and transcervically, to indicate delivery of an occlusion device into the corresponding at least one Fallopian tube to effect contraception are disclosed. Marking is effected by delivery of a dye that stains the ostium and/or extension of the marking member from the delivered occlusion device into view in the uterine cavity or ostium. A catheter (or catheters) preferably introduced through a hysteroscope that illuminates and provides visualization of the uterine cavity and the ostia of the Fallopian tubes is employed to insert each contracted, stent-like, occluding device into each Fallopian tube and to mechanically expand or release to self-expand the occluding device. |
| US08550081B2 |
Cushion for patient interface
A cushion for a patient interface that delivers breathable gas to a patient includes a base wall structured to be connected to a frame, an underlying support cushion extending away from the base wall towards the patient's face in use, and a membrane provided to substantially cover at least a portion of the underlying cushion. The membrane is adapted to form a continuous seal on the patient's face. The underlying cushion has a spring-like connection with the base wall. The underlying cushion and/or base wall define a spring constant that varies along a length of the seal. |
| US08550078B2 |
Inflation and monitoring assembly for a pressure cuff of an endotracheal tube
An assembly structured to inflate a retaining or pressure cuff associated with an artificial airway tube such as an endotracheal and/or tracheotomy tube and concurrently monitor pressure therein including a casing having an interior pressure chamber. A pump assembly is movably connected to the casing and structured to force fluid flow to the retaining cuff through said pressure chamber. An indicator member is disposed within the casing, is visually accessible through casing window, and is variably positionable dependent on and indicative of existing pressure within the retaining cuff. The existing pressure within the pressure chamber is substantially equivalent to that within the retaining cuff thereby facilitating the variable position of the indicator member to indicate pressure within the cuff. A junction is disposed between the casing and an inflation lumen to the restraining cuff and is structured to allow disconnection between the casing and the lumen but prevent reconnection thereto. |
| US08550073B2 |
Nasal delivery
A nasal delivery device for and method of delivering substance to a nasal cavity of a subject, the delivery device comprising: a nosepiece unit (20, 24) including a nosepiece (17) for fitting to a nostril of a subject and a nozzle (45) through which substance is in use delivered, preferably substantially axially to a longitudinal axis of the nosepiece, to the respective nasal cavity, wherein at least a tip element of the nosepiece has, at least in one configuration, an elongate lateral section which has a longer dimension in a first, sagittal direction than a second direction orthogonal to the sagittal direction, such that, when the nosepiece is inserted in the nasal cavity of the subject, the longer dimension of the nosepiece acts to engage lower and upper surfaces of the nasal cavity, preferably at the nasal valve, and expand the same in the sagittal plane; and a delivery unit (43, 49, 51) for delivering substance through the nozzle of the nosepiece. |
| US08550069B2 |
Inhalation device including substance usage controls
An apparatus including a first cartridge, a sensor, and a controller. The first cartridge can include a first release device configured to release a first substance into a housing. The controller can be configured to receive data from the sensor. The controller can determine an amount of first substance released by the first cartridge based on the data. The first release device can be controlled based on the determined amount of first substance. |
| US08550068B2 |
Atomizer-vaporizer for a personal vaporizing inhaler
A personal vapor inhaling unit is disclosed. An electronic flameless vapor inhaler unit that may simulate a cigarette has a cavity that receives a cartridge in the distal end of the inhaler unit. The cartridge brings a substance to be vaporized in contact with a wick. When the unit is activated, and the user provides suction, the substance to be vaporized is drawn out of the cartridge, through the wick, and is atomized by the wick into a cavity containing a heating element. The heating element vaporizes the atomized substance. The vapors then continue to be pulled by the user through a mouthpiece and mouthpiece cover where they may be inhaled. |
| US08550060B2 |
Glow plug heater control
Methods and systems for operating a glow plug are disclosed. In one example, current supplied to a glow plug can be controlled to promote combustion stability of a cylinder after an engine start. Engine feedgas hydrocarbons may be reduced during conditions where combustion stability may be otherwise reduced in order to reduce tailpipe emissions. |
| US08550057B2 |
Integral rotor noise attenuators
A supercharger is provided, comprising a plurality of rotatable supercharger rotors each having a plurality of interleavable lobes configured to move air from an inlet to an outlet of the supercharger. Inner chambers in the lobes define an end opening and perforated end faces, at the end openings defining at least one port, having a length and a diameter. The at least one port is configured to operate with an associated air mass in the inner chamber to attenuate sound adjacent to the end opening. |
| US08550054B2 |
Linear tranformation engine torque control systems and methods for increasing torque requests
A method of operating an engine of a vehicle includes generating a first torque request. The method includes generating a second torque request that is greater than and based on the first torque request, increasing a torque output of the engine based on the second torque request at a first rate and during a first period, and increasing the torque output of the engine based on the first torque request at a second rate and during a second period. The first period is distinct from and before the second period, and the first rate is greater than the second rate. |
| US08550051B2 |
Engine combustion chamber features for camshaft with differential valve lift
An engine assembly includes an engine structure including an engine block defining a cylinder bore and a cylinder head, a piston located in the cylinder bore, and a camshaft assembly. The piston, cylinder head, and cylinder bore cooperate to define a combustion chamber including first and second longitudinal end surfaces defined by the cylinder head and the piston. A first protrusion may extend longitudinally from one of the first and second longitudinal end surfaces and radially inward from a circumference of the combustion chamber to a location between a first intake port and a first exhaust port in communication with the combustion chamber. The camshaft assembly may include a first intake lobe that opens a first intake valve and a second intake lobe that opens a second intake valve. The first intake lobe may be rotationally offset from the second intake lobe in a rotational direction of the camshaft assembly. |
| US08550046B2 |
Hydraulic camshaft adjuster
A hydraulic cam shaft adjuster has a driven outer body comprising at least one hydraulic chamber, and an inner body disposed on the inside of the outer body (4), which can be firmly attached to the camshaft and has at least one pivoting wing extending into the hydraulic chamber in the radial direction, thus partitioning the hydraulic chamber into a first working chamber and a second working chamber. The inner body has at least one oil inlet and oil outlet conduit extending from a jacket interior to a jacket exterior of the inner body up to one of the two working chambers. The inner body is assembled using at least one first element and one second element, wherein the two elements each have at least one geometry at front sides facing each other, forming the oil inlet and oil outlet conduit of the inner part together with the other element. |
| US08550041B2 |
Cylinder and piston assemblies for opposed piston engines
Integrated, multi-cylinder opposed engine constructions include a unitary support structure to which cylinder liners are removeably mounted and sealed and on which crankshafts are rotatably supported. The engine constructions include a cooled piston with a resiliently deformable joint connecting crown and skirt and a cooled cylinder liner with wipers to manage lubricant in the cylindrical interstice between the cylinder bore and the piston skirts. |
| US08550040B2 |
Cooling apparatus for internal combustion engine
An object of the present invention is to ensure appropriate cooling amounts for two exhaust ports, respectively, in an internal combustion engine in which an exhaust port that communicates with an inlet of a turbine of a turbocharger and an exhaust port that does not communicate with the inlet of the turbine are formed in a cylinder head. A cooling apparatus for an internal combustion engine of the present invention has a first exhaust port and a second exhaust port formed in a cylinder head of the internal combustion engine. The first exhaust port communicates with an inlet of a turbine of the turbocharger. The second exhaust port does not communicate with the inlet of the turbine. Each cylinder of the internal combustion engine includes a first exhaust valve that communicates with the first exhaust port and a second exhaust valve that communicates with the second exhaust port. A first cooling water passage through which cooling water that cools the first exhaust port passes and a second cooling water passage through which cooling water that cools the second exhaust port passes are formed in the cylinder head. |
| US08550038B2 |
Generator set cooling control system
A system includes a genset having an engine, an AC generator, and a radiator thermally coupled to the engine. The system includes an electric variable speed fan having an outlet flow, where the outlet flow passes at least partially through the radiator. The system includes a controller structured to functionally execute certain operations for cooling the genset. The controller interprets a genset identification parameter and selects a cooling algorithm from a predetermined set of cooling algorithms according to the genset identification parameter. The controller further interprets genset operating conditions according to the cooling algorithm, and provides a cooling fan command in response to the genset operating conditions and the cooling algorithm. The electric variable speed fan is responsive to the cooling fan command. |
| US08550036B2 |
Animal restraint system
A method and apparatus for restraining an animal such as a dog within an automotive vehicle equipped with a personal (human) belt-type restraint system having an inertia brake. A tether is attachable at one end to an animal harness and at the other end to a section of human restraint system webbing, the latter attachment being achieved by way of a spring biased clamp having friction pads on the inside surfaces of two complemental clamp elements. The clamp elements are closed and secured by means of a buckle or clasp such as a loop/spring bayonet clasp. |
| US08550033B2 |
Method of establishing clam bed colonies and mobile floating hatchery for implementing same
A method for establishing a clam bed includes raising clam larvae in a captive environment in which they are provided with adequate food and habitat requirements, and kept isolated from predation by natural predators. The clam larvae are maintained in this environment during the first larval stage, referred to as the trochophore stage of development, when the larvae are particularly vulnerable to mortality. During the next stage of development, the developing larval clams are released, preferably in large numbers (saturation spawning) at any time during the veliger stage of development, i.e., the generic stage following the trochophore larval stage, and which includes the sub-stages of straight-hinge veliger, umbonate veliger, and pediveliger. Preferably, the entire process prior to release in accordance with the invention is carried out in a closed system, to significantly reduce possible exposure to contaminants and/or harmful predator larvae/parasites, in addition to larger animal predators. |
| US08550029B2 |
Fluid agent applying multi-vent nozzle
A fluid agent applying multi-vent nozzle is capable of densely disposing ejecting vents. The multi-vent nozzle has a main body configured in a casing block, a raised surface provided at a distal end of the casing block, contoured and dimensioned corresponding to a target area to apply fluid agent to, and a plurality of ejecting vents defined in the raised surface. |
| US08550027B2 |
Color guard adjustable flag pole weight
An improvement in a color guard flag pole weight is disclosed. The flag pole weight is inserted into one or both ends of a flag pole. For larger or heavier flag poles or when a performer is performing a great deal of spinning against the wind, weighting the pole dramatically improves the ease of rotation of the flag pole to counteract the drag created when the flag pole catches the wind and improves the ease of rotation for both the spinning and the tossing. When the weight is inserted into the flag pole, a split ring on the weight is expandable to grip the inside diameter of the pole. The weight of the insert is adjustable by screwing one or more weights into the insert. The additional weights are male-female threaded to allow for a large number of weights to be added and limited only to the length of the flag pole. |
| US08550024B2 |
Three-layer rotomoulded motorboats
This invention discloses three-layer rotomolded motorboats having excellent floatability prepared from foamed polyethylene. |
| US08550022B2 |
Transportable and built on-site container apparatus with controlled floatation and with self-collecting means for water flooding emergency
Floating and towable multiple container apparatus, each container apparatus (18) attached to other container apparatus laterally and longitudinally. A Structural helical spring turns support continuous sealing wall (30) made of helix shaped plastic strip and consists of continuous multiple inflatable cavities (34) wrapped around and attached to spring turns.A helical shape clamp (32) secures the sealing wall over the spring wire turns. A connection towing bar (44) connects the clamps over each wire spring turn together and provide cable connection means.Two cap shape end covers (64) on both sides of the container with multiple external radial sealing members on its perimeter that engages the inner wall of the sealing wall (30) are pushed into the container apparatus, held with the helical spring wire turns that engage slots in the cap. Multiple water self-collecting one-way flow controls with float (86) allow water flow only into container with float held by inflated cavities in closed position. |
| US08550015B2 |
Modular table system
A modular office system for work stations includes at least one generally planar horizontal work top having a work surface and an opposed under surface. A plurality of legs are attached to the work top by a plurality of leg attachment structures. Each leg attachment structure has a first side which is attached to the under surface of the horizontal work top and a second side which is attached to one of the plurality of legs. A horizontal connection member interconnects the leg attachment structure of one work top to a leg attachment structure of another work top. A vertical connection member is attachable to the leg attachment structure and includes a vertically extending portion for securing a panel thereto. The vertical connection member has a slot for passage of the horizontal connection member therethrough to permit attachment of one work top to another work top with the vertical attachment member attached to the leg attachment structure. |
| US08550013B2 |
Locking electronics platform
A telescoping electronics mounting platform having a pair of cooperating frame members. An interlocking mechanism is coupled between the frame members and includes: relatively slidable male and female members coupled to the different frame members, a reaction surface formed relative to the second frame member, an actuator coupled to the male member and having a drive surface that is positioned adjacent to the reaction surface of the second frame member wherein the male member is responsive to a motion of the drive surface of the actuator relative to the reaction surface for moving relative to the female member, and an expandable locking mechanism coupled to between the male and female members, wherein the expandable locking mechanism is responsive to the motion of the actuator relative to the reaction surface for expanding within the female member. |
| US08550012B2 |
Leg locking and folding mechanism for folding table
A folding table has a leg pivotally coupled to a bottom of a tabletop. A pair of links is pivotally coupled together and pivotally coupled in series between the tabletop and the leg. The pair of links, the tabletop and the leg form a four-bar, four-pivot linkage, including four pivots and four bars defined between the pivots. The bars of the linkage are sized and the pivots of the linkage are located to resist movement of the linkage through an intermediate binding configuration between open and closed configurations. |
| US08550008B2 |
System and method for reinjection of retard energy in a trolley-based electric mining haul truck
Retard energy regenerated from an electrical motor during braking action is reinjected into a power system via trolley lines. The retard energy may be transmitted to a bidirectional electric substation and returned to a utility grid. The retard energy may also be transmitted to an auxiliary energy storage system, such as an ultracapacitor system or a battery system. Installing trolley lines for mining haul trucks on a downhill slope may be used to capture and re-use substantial quantities of retard energy. |
| US08550006B2 |
Side buffer for a transport vehicle that travels along the ceiling, and transport vehicle system
A side buffer includes a bottom portion on which a FOUP may be placed, a restriction portion, an article receiving portion, and a link portion. The restriction portion is movable between a restricting position and a retracted position. At the restricting position, the restriction portion restricts an inclination of the FOUP on the bottom portion. At the retracted position, the restriction portion allows the FOUP to move between the bottom portion and a position directly above the bottom portion. The article receiving portion is disposed so as to receive a force from the FOUP placed on the bottom portion. The link portion moves the restriction portion from the retracted position to the restricting position with the received force. |
| US08549999B2 |
Screen printing machine and printing unit
A screen printing machine prints solder on circuit boards at predetermined printing positions. The screen printing machine includes a plurality of lanes arranged in a Y direction and each having a printing position, and a housing surrounding the printing positions and having replacement access ports which open in an X direction. The X direction is a direction in which the circuit boards are transferred, the Y direction is a generally horizontal direction which is generally perpendicular to the X direction, and a Z direction is a generally vertical direction which is generally perpendicular to the X direction and the Y direction. A replacement part disposed in the plurality of lanes is replaceable from the replacement access ports during a tooling change. |
| US08549994B2 |
Produce decontamination apparatus
The invention provides a produce decontamination apparatus comprising a chamber 10 for accepting produce to be decontaminated and/or sterilized, and means for producing a free radical saturated atmosphere within the chamber 10 so that, in use, the free radical saturated atmosphere decontaminates and/or sterilizes the produce. Preferably, the means for producing a free radical saturated atmosphere comprises one or more first atomizing sprayheads 30a, a supply 32 of ozonized liquid which is supplied to the first sprayheads 30a, and means for breaking down the ozone forming part of the ozonized liquid once discharged from the first sprayheads 30a. Preferably, the means for breaking down the ozone is in the form of one or more UV light emitting devices 48,50. Produce decontaminated using the apparatus is also provided. |
| US08549992B2 |
Apparatus with pressurised gas supply for preparing beverages
Apparatus for preparing beverages comprising a module (10) for distributing a beverage by supplying a pressurized liquid, a liquid supply tank (7), gas supply means (65) configured to supply the module with pressurized liquid, a liquid feed chamber (80), the said chamber being arranged, in a filling configuration, to communicate with the tank (7) in order to be filled with liquid and the said chamber being arranged, in a module supply configuration, to communicate with the gas supply means in order to pressurize the liquid in the chamber and to distribute a quantity of liquid under a certain pressure through the module. Preferably, the chamber (80) is bounded by at least one elastic wall (85), separating the gas from the liquid in a sealed manner and, configured to deform elastically and thereby reduce the internal volume of the chamber under the effect of the gas thrust against this wall. The invention applies, for example, to mobile or portable coffee or multi-beverage machines. |
| US08549991B2 |
Nozzle adaptable to steam outlet of a coffee machine
The invention concerns a nozzle (1) adaptable to the steam outlet of a coffee machine designed to froth a liquid, said nozzle is made in one single piece and comprises: an opening (3) for steam supply, a restriction (4) in the extension of said opening; and a flared zone (5) in the axis of said restriction and said opening providing an outlet for the liquid, having a cross-section substantially equal to the cross-section of the opening; and perpendicular to the opening a conduit (2) for supply of the liquid and an air inlet (40). |
| US08549984B2 |
Apparatus to increase a force of an actuator having an override apparatus
Apparatus to increase a force of an actuator having an override apparatus are described herein. An example fluid control system includes a first fluid control apparatus to fluidly couple a control fluid supply source to a control actuator via a first passageway. The control fluid supply source provides a control fluid to move a control actuator member of the control actuator in a first direction or a second direction opposite the first direction when the control actuator is in the operational state. A second fluid control apparatus is in fluid communication with the first fluid control apparatus and is configured to fluidly couple an override actuator to the control actuator via a second passageway when the control actuator is in a non-operational state. The override actuator is operatively coupled to the control actuator. |
| US08549983B2 |
Hydraulic drive, in particular for machine tools, and method for controlling the hydraulic drive
Provided is a hydraulic drive including a double-acting work cylinder with a piston having a first working surface effective in a retracting direction and a second working surface effective in an extending direction, wherein the first working surface delimits a first pressure chamber and the second working surface delimits a second pressure chamber, at least two different pressures being applicable to at least one of the first working surface and the second working surface for retracting or extending the piston into and out of the work cylinder, an actuator unit which optionally enables a throttled return flow of a hydraulic medium from the first pressure chamber delimited by the first working surface, and control means for triggering the actuator unit in such a way prior to a sudden acceleration of the piston due to a sudden force release. |
| US08549979B2 |
Collapsible, mobile special operations bunker
A mobile ballistic bunker has a deployment mode and a storage mode. The ballistic bunker has a frame for holding ballistic panels in a vertical disposition for deployment and a horizontal disposition for storage. At least one of the ballistic panels is a vision panel made of a ballistic glass or other see-through ballistic material. The frame is supported by wheels that permit movement of the bunker over rough terrain. The wheels can be retractable to enhance the low-footprint of the bunker for storage. |
| US08549978B2 |
Method and system for loading and unloading cartridges into a magazine for firearms
A firearm includes a breech or firing chamber 101 where the cartridge is made to explode, and a mouth portion 102 adapted to cause the cartridge to pass from the magazine to the breech. The magazine is engaged to the breech and includes a plurality of chambers 21 sequentially mobile with respect to breech 101 so as to present one after another in the loading position in which a charging mechanism 7 inserts the cartridge into breech 101. Each single chamber 21 can slide independently on at least one track 22 placed on the magazine longitudinally with respect to the axis X of breech 101. |
| US08549973B2 |
Rotating blade arbor hole
A rotating blade for a cutting machine. The blade defines an arbor hole for an arbor typically having at least three sides. The preferred arbor hole includes first and second sides each of which conform to adjacent sides of the arbor, a short side joining the first and second sides, a third side connected to the first side, and a fourth side connecting the third side to the second side. |
| US08549967B1 |
Corrugated board cutting die having a scoring or cutting assembly that reduces corrugated board cracking during scoring and cutting operations
A scoring or cutting assembly forms a part of a cutting die used to score and cut corrugated board. The scoring or cutting assembly includes a cutting or scoring rule secured to a die board. First and second elastomers are secured on the die board such that the scoring or cutting rule extends between the elastomers and there is defined a space between the scoring or cutting rule in each of the elastomers. There is also provided a pair of retainers, each retainer being secured to the die board adjacent an outboard side of the elastomers. During a cutting or scoring operation, the elastomers engage the corrugated board on opposite sides of the scoring or cutting rule and apply and inward force to the corrugated board towards the scoring or cutting rule. This causes the corrugated board to resist cracking on opposite sides of the scoring or cutting rule. |
| US08549965B2 |
Toolholder assembly
An apparatus for releasably holding a tubular toolholder shank includes a tool support member; a canister disposed within the tool support member; a lock rod movable within the tool support member in a reciprocating motion for pulling the tubular toolholder shank into a locked position and for releasing the tubular toolholder shank to an unlocked position; and at least two locking elements engaging the lock rod so that movement of the lock rod causes the locking elements to extend outward to engage the tubular toolholder shank. The lock rod includes a relief cavity extending rearward from a forward end of the lock rod. The lock rod has a maximum outer diameter and the relief cavity has a maximum diameter. A ratio of the maximum diameter of the relief cavity to the maximum outer diameter of the front portion of the lock rod is greater than approximately 1 to 4. |
| US08549959B2 |
Hybrid drive device
A hybrid drive system includes an input shaft of an automatic transmission, a clutch, an intermediate shaft, and a first gear disposed on a first shaft coaxial with an engine output shaft. An electric motor and a second gear provided on an output shaft of the electric motor are disposed on a second shaft. A rotation of the engine output shaft is transmitted to the input shaft through the clutch and the intermediate shaft, and a rotation of the electric motor is transmitted to the input shaft through the second gear and the first gear. The intermediate shaft is supported by a first support wall through a bearing. The clutch is disposed between the intermediate shaft and the engine output shaft, and a front side of the input shaft is rotatably supported by a second support wall, and connected to a rear side of the intermediate shaft through a spline. |
| US08549958B2 |
Automatic bicycle pedal with flexible rear lever
This automatic bicycle pedal comprises a pedal body (2) equipped at a first end (5) with first attachment means (7) and at a second end (6) with second attachment means (10), an elastically deformable lever (8) bearing the second attachment means and capable of being deformed between a first position of holding a cleat fixed to the underside of a shoe between the first and second attachment means, and a deformed second position allowing the cleat to be attached and detached in respect of attachment and detachment movements. The deformable lever comprises at least one first deformable zone (12) that can be deformed during attachment and detachment movements and at least one second deformable zone (13) that can be deformed during one of the said attachment and detachment movements, the said first and second zones having different stiffnesses. |
| US08549947B2 |
Ball speed reducer and rotary table device using the same
Provided are a ball-type speed reducer and a rotary table device that are capable of performing high-speed rotation and high-rigidity rotation and suitable for reduction in size and weight. An index table 10 includes a ball-type speed reducer 20 and a table 50 that is fixed to an upper surface of a worm wheel 30 of the ball-type speed reducer 20. When the worm gear 22 rotates as the input shaft 24 of the ball-type speed reducer 20 rotates, balls 36 made of a magnetic material move along a ball groove 26 having a spiral shape. The worm wheel 30 rotates as the balls 36 move, and the table 50 rotates. The balls 36 are attracted and held by the permanent magnet 34 on the worm wheel 30 side, so that a case for preventing the balls 36 from coming off the worm wheel 30 can be omitted, whereby the total size and weight can be reduced. Backlash is not required, so that high-speed rotation and high-rigidity rotation are possible. |
| US08549942B2 |
Multi-stage transmission
A multi-stage transmission has driving gears m and driven gears n that mesh constantly and are supported on a hollow driven gear shaft. The driven gears n are individually engageable with and disengageable from the hollow driven gear shaft. Swing pawl members control engagement and disengagement between each of the driven gears n and the driven gear shaft, and cam rods inserted in the driven gear shaft to slide relative to the internal surface of the shaft to operate the swing pawl members. Gear shift driving member includes a shift drum, a control rod in sliding contact with the inner surface of the cam rods to axially move the cam rods, and a control rod operating element responsive to rotation of the shift drum to move the control rod. The control rod and the driven gear shaft are prevented from relative rotation by an anti-rotation mechanism. |
| US08549938B2 |
Method for the elastic installation of detection devices on pipelines and suitable device therefor
With a certain pipeline, either buried or deposited on a sea/lake bottom, the formation of critical faults is determined and localized, which arise in the walls of the pipeline, or the development of an already localized fault is monitored, through sensors regularly distributed along the pipeline, and fixed to the same by means of a plate equipped with a pass-through hole in which the sensor is inserted. |
| US08549936B2 |
Sampling valve
The sampling valve comprises a valve body that is movable in a valve housing between a closing position and an opening position of the sampling valve, and is characterized in that the valve body comprises an outlet bore for the sample to be taken, the outlet bore continuously increasing in size towards the free end of the valve body, and that the lower edge of the outlet bore is sloping downwards towards the free end. After a sample has been taken, there will be no drops remaining in the outlet bore, whereby a source of contamination for a sample taken that has so far been encountered frequently is now eliminated. |
| US08549934B2 |
Segmented online sampling apparatus and method of use
A segmented sampling apparatus is designed to extract a sample from a source and deliver the sample to a collector for storage or analysis. The sample is extracted from the source at a sample withdrawal or extraction rate but is delivered to the collector at a faster rate. Air is injected into or drawn into the apparatus which allows for an expedited sample delivery rate. |
| US08549933B2 |
All electric piezoelectric finger sensor (PEFS) for soft material stiffness measurement
A PEFS (Piezoelectric Finger Sensor) acts as an “electronic finger” capable of accurately and non-destructively measuring both the Young's compression modulus and shear modulus of tissues with gentle touches to the surface. The PEFS measures both the Young's compression modulus and shear modulus variations in tissue generating a less than one-millimeter spatial resolution up to a depth of several centimeters. This offers great potential for in-vivo early detection of diseases. A portable hand-held device is also disclosed. The PEF offers superior sensitivity. |
| US08549932B1 |
Portable torque measurement and notification system and method of using same
A portable torque measurement and notification system, including a lever arm for adaptively engaging with a torque applying device, the lever arm including one or more sensors disposed about the lever arm to produce one or more load responsive measurements of the lever arm during the application of the torque; an electronic circuit disposed about the lever arm to receive the one or more load responsive measurements and to transmit at least one of the group consisting of the one or more load responsive measurements and one or more torque measurements; at least one power unit to power the one or more sensors and the electronic circuit; and a receiving device operable to communicate with the lever arm for receiving at least one of the group consisting of the one or more load responsive measurements and the one or more torque measurements, and to produce a notifier. |
| US08549930B2 |
Method of evaluating grease and extrusion die for the method
A method of measuring a characteristic property of grease includes pushing a constant volumetric flow of grease through an extrusion die and measuring the force needed to extrude the grease from the die. The die includes a flow restriction that increases the force required to flow the grease. |
| US08549926B2 |
Testing apparatus
A testing apparatus is provided that includes a carrying construction for supporting a road section, and a frame for positioning a test wheel on the surface of the road section. During operation of the apparatus the test wheel, by a tread thereof, describes a circular path over the road surface. The frame is provided with a sensor for measuring a force exerted on the measuring wheel by the road surface. |
| US08549925B2 |
Microfabricated implantable wireless pressure sensor for use in biomedical applications and pressure measurement and sensor implantation methods
A variable capacitor, a microfabricated implantable pressure sensor including a variable capacitor and an inductor, and related pressure measurement and implantation methods. The inductor may have a fixed or variable inductance. A variable capacitor and pressure sensors include a flexible member that is disposed on a substrate and defines a chamber. Capacitor elements extend indirectly from the flexible member. Sufficient fluidic pressure applied to an exterior surface of the flexible member causes the flexible member to move or deform, thus causing the capacitance and/or inductance to change. Resulting changes in resonant frequency or impedance can be detected to determine pressure, e.g., intraocular pressure. |
| US08549920B1 |
Acceleration strain transducer with increased sensitivity
An accelerometer has a substantially linear strain sensor with a transducer joined to the strain sensor. The transducer has a base that provides rigidity perpendicular to a preferred measurement direction. A plurality of outer flaps are joined to the base supporting the strain sensor. The outer flaps are capable of translating acceleration in the predefined direction to strain in the strain sensor. Two centermost flaps are positioned on either side of the center line of the transducer. Struts are joined between a lower portion of one the centermost flap and an uppermost portion of the nearest outer flap. The struts enhance strain by linking outer flap motion to the centermost flaps. Bridges are joined between each two adjacent outer flaps supporting the strain sensor. |
| US08549919B2 |
Micromechanical rotation rate sensor with a coupling bar and suspension spring elements for quadrature suppression
A micromechanical rotation rate sensor including at least one substrate, wherein the base surface of the substrate is oriented parallel to the x-y plane of a Cartesian coordinate system, at least two seismic masses and in each case at least one suspension spring element for suspending the seismic mass from the substrate, wherein the at least two seismic masses are coupled to one another by at least one coupling bar, and at least one of the suspension spring elements includes at least two bar sections, which, in the undeflected state, are oriented essentially parallel to one another or are at an angle of less than 45° with respect to one another, and one or more connecting sections, which connect the bar sections to one another, wherein the bar sections can be displaced relative to one another in their longitudinal direction. |
| US08549918B2 |
Inertial sensors using piezoelectric transducers
An inertial sensor includes driving piezoelectric transducers for enabling an oscillation of a resonator, sensing piezoelectric transducers for enabling a detection of a movement of the inertial sensor, and piezoelectric compensating elements substantially equidistantly among the driving and the sensing piezoelectric transducers, wherein the compensating elements and the resonator form corresponding capacitors having capacitive gaps, and wherein, during the oscillation of the resonator, changes in electrostatic charges stored in the capacitors are measured with the compensating elements and are modified so as to modify the oscillation of the resonator. |
| US08549913B2 |
Method for fixing a component in a casing and assembly hereof
A method for fixing a functional component (2) in a housing (4). During a first step, a first housing portion (1) is prepared in which a functional component (2), to be fixed, is arranged in a provisional fixing position. During a second step, a second housing portion (3) is arranged in contact with the first housing portion (1) so that the functional component (2) is arranged in a joining direction (X) between the housing portions (1, 3). During a third step, material from at least one of the housing portions (1, 3) is melted in such manner that the functional component (2) between the housing portions (1, 3) is gripped in position by them when a material-integral bond is formed between the housing portions (1, 3). Also, an arrangement which can be produced by the method. |
| US08549911B2 |
Multi-level liquid level magnetic sensor
A liquid level sensor employs a set of axially displaced magnetic sensing switches and a magnet on a float that may rise and fall on liquid level to activate and deactivate the switches. The switches and magnet are configured so that movement of the magnetic float activates a new switch before deactivation of an adjacent previously activated switch. An electronic circuit provides a signal based on the uppermost activated switch to provide a signal that is monotonic with liquid level. The design may be readily implemented using reed switches and a resistive ladder. |
| US08549907B2 |
Fluid distribution device, micro plant, method of designing fluid distribution device, and method of detecting blockage of flow channel
The present invention provides a fluid distribution device for uniformly distributing and outputting a fluid, which is supplied to an input flow channel, into at least three output flow channels, comprising a plurality of branch flow channels, at least three fluid bifurcation portions, and at least one fluid converging portion, wherein the fluid distribution device is configured to correspond to a pressure drop compartment connection model composed of a fluid balance equation and a pressure balance equation. Furthermore, the present invention provides a micro plant using the fluid distribution device, a method of designing the fluid distribution device and a method of detecting blockage of flow channels of the fluid distribution device. |
| US08549899B2 |
Surface texture measuring instrument
A surface texture measuring instrument includes a force sensor (1), an actuator (11) and a detector (12). The surface texture measuring instrument further includes: a scanning controller (54) that collects a detection signal from the force sensor (1) and drives the actuator such that the detecting signal coincides with a target measurement value; a touch signal generator (51) that generates a touch signal when the detection signal from the force sensor (1) coincides with the target measurement value; and a measurement value collecting unit (55) that collects a measurement value from a counter (26) at a predetermined time interval in a state where a fluctuation range of the detection signal from the force sensor (1) is within a preset range when a scanning controller is in operation, the latch counter (52) collecting a measurement value from a latch counter (52) each time the touch signal is generated in a state where the detection signal from the force sensor (1) oscillates and an amplitude exceeds the preset range. |
| US08549898B2 |
Fluid monitoring apparatus and a method of operating the same
A sampling apparatus for sampling a fluid, the apparatus comprising a sensor and a flow regulator open to allow the continuous flow of fluid through the apparatus past the sensor. |
| US08549895B2 |
Air filter leak inspection method
An air filter leak inspection method is provided. First, an aerosol to be filtered containing particles is passed through an air filter having a first edge and a second edge. Next, a leakage inspection unit is provided. The leakage inspection unit includes n probes, wherein n indicates a positive integer. Afterward, a moving procedure is set to make the probes traverse between the first edge and the second edge, thereby scanning the whole portions of the air filter. When the probes move to the second edge, the probes move along the extending direction of the second edge with a designed distance, wherein the designed distance is less than the length of each probe. Besides, the number of times that the probes traversing between the first and the second edge is determined according to the amount of the probe, the length of each probe and the height of the air filter. |
| US08549894B2 |
Gas chromatography with ambient pressure stability control
In a gas chromatography apparatus, a carrier gas is flowed from a carrier gas supply toward an analytical column at a carrier gas pressure. A sample is added to the carrier gas to form a sample gas. The sample gas is flowed through the analytical column to a gas detector that includes a sample gas outlet communicating with a gas buffer vessel. The carrier gas pressure is controlled relative to a buffer pressure of the gas buffer vessel. |
| US08549893B2 |
System and method for a gas chromatograph to mass spectrometer interface
A system for interfacing a gas chromatograph (GC) to a mass spectrometer the GC comprising a GC column partially contained within a GC oven, the mass spectrometer comprising a housing enclosing an interior having an ion source, the system comprising: a conduit extending from the GC oven to the mass spectrometer and comprising an interior volume that is contiguous with an interior volume of the GC oven; and a duct extending from a region of relatively high or relatively low pressure within the GC oven to the conduit interior volume and operable so as to transmit a flow of air or gas between the region of relatively high or relatively low pressure and the conduit interior volume, wherein a portion of the GC column extends through the conduit interior volume to the ion source. |
| US08549892B2 |
Portable electronic device and method of measuring drop impact at the portable electronic device
A method of measuring drop impact at an electronic device includes detecting a fall based on signals from drop detection sensor of the electronic device, receiving an output from a piezoelectric sensor in response to detecting the fall, and storing drop data based on the output from the piezoelectric sensor in a memory at the electronic device. |
| US08549891B2 |
Scratch resistance test methods and apparatus
The apparatus and methods disclosed may be utilized for the scratch/mar testing of various materials and components that provide improved correlation between the simulated damage modes and those reasonably expected to be encountered by the final components. The apparatus includes both a fixture configured for receiving and holding the material under test (MUT) and a tool holder that is arranged and configured for supporting and holding a variety of test tools in one or more orientations relative to the MUT. The tool holder and/or the fixture are, in turn, supported by one or more assemblies arranged and configured for bringing the tool into contact with the MUT and providing for movement of the tool relative to the MUT. The apparatus is then used for collecting data from a series of tests that can be used to compare the performance of different MUT compositions and configurations. |
| US08549890B2 |
Method and a press tool for manufacturing a separation disk
The invention refers to a method and a press tool for manufacturing a separating disk adapted to be included in a disk package of a centrifuge rotor of a centrifugal separator. The separating disk extends around an axis of rotation and has a tapering shape with an inner surface and an outer surface along the axis of rotation. A blank of a material is provided. A central opening is made in the blank. The blank is positioned in a charging position by means of a projecting central portion. The blank is pressed against the first tool part having a shape corresponding to the tapering shape of the separating disk. |
| US08549885B2 |
Process and system for precision glass sheet bending
An apparatus and method for precision bending a glass sheet that includes an oven for heating the glass sheet to a temperature near the softening temperature of the glass sheet. A stage for supporting the glass sheet. A pair of reference surfaces on the stage for precisely locating the glass sheet on the stage. At least one bending mechanism on a pair of arms inside the oven for bending an edge portion of the glass sheet. Inward facing first stop surfaces on the arms that contact reference surfaces on the stage for precisely locating the bending mechanism on the arms relative to the stage and the glass sheet. |
| US08549878B2 |
Method of generating nitrogen and apparatus for use in the same
There is provided a method of generating nitrogen which includes cryogenically separating compressed air introduced into a high-pressure column 11, storing liquid air 13 in a bottom portion of the high-pressure column 11 and taking nitrogen in gaseous form from an upper portion of the high-pressure column 11, introducing the liquid air 13 stored in the bottom portion of the high-pressure column 11 into a low-pressure column 12, cryogenically separating the liquid air 13 introduced into the low-pressure column 12 and storing oxygen-enriched liquid air 22 in a bottom portion of the low-pressure column 12 and taking nitrogen in gaseous form from an upper portion of the low-pressure column 12 as a product gas. Liquid air 13 taken through an extraction pipe 20 is introduced into a portion of a rectification part 12a of the low-pressure column 12 in which the number of theoretical plates from a column bottom side is set within the range of one to ten. |
| US08549877B2 |
Apparatus and methods for decompressing and discharging natural gas utilizing a compressor or a temperature-actuated valve
One embodiment of the present invention is a portable natural gas discharge system for discharging compressed natural gas into a receiving location. The system comprises a portable chassis for holding the natural gas discharge system and all subcomponents, an inlet port for receiving the natural gas at an inlet pressure higher than a pressure of the receiving location, an expansion valve for regulating pressure of the natural gas to a stable intermediate pressure, a heat exchanger for heating up the cooled natural gas stream as a result of cooling due to expansion, a regulator for regulating a flow of the heated natural gas stream through the heat exchanger and out of the portable natural gas discharge system, and a discharge port for discharging the heated natural gas stream into the receiving location. |
| US08549873B2 |
Heat exchanger, welding member and air conditioner
A heat exchanger includes a shell communicating with a first fluid inlet pipe and a first fluid outlet pipe, end caps coupled to ends of the shell to communicate with a second fluid inlet pipe and a second fluid outlet pipe, a plurality of tubes disposed in the shell to constitute a channel through which a second fluid flows, an end baffle located at ends of the tubes to prevent mixing of a first fluid and the second fluid, and a first plate to fill gaps between the tubes and the end baffle. |
| US08549867B2 |
Heat pump control system using passive defrost
A heat pump system includes a controller and a closed system that includes a condensing heat exchanger coil, an evaporating heat exchanger coil, a refrigerant and a compressor. The compressor is configured to compress the refrigerant, thereby causing the refrigerant to have a greater pressure in the condensing heat exchanger coil than in the evaporating heat exchanger coil. The controller is configured to perform a passive defrost of the evaporating heat exchanger coil. The passive defrost includes disabling the compressor and providing a bypass path between the condensing and evaporating heat exchanger coils that bypasses the compressor. The bypass path allows the refrigerant to flow from the condensing heat exchanger coil to the evaporating heat exchanger coil while the compressor is disabled. |
| US08549864B2 |
Temperature activated valves for gas turbines
A system for modulating the amount of air supplied through a pressure boundary in a gas turbine is disclosed that includes a passageway located on the pressure boundary. Additionally, a temperature activated valve is mounted within the passageway and is configured to activate at a predetermined temperature threshold. Specifically, the temperature activated valve activates from a closed position to an open position when the local temperature at the temperature activated valve reaches or exceeds the predetermined temperature threshold to allow air to flow through the passageway. |
| US08549860B2 |
Method for combusting hydrogen-rich, gaseous fuels in a burner, and burner for performing said method
A method for the combustion of hydrogen-rich, gaseous fuels in combustion air in a burner of a gas turbine includes injecting the hydrogen-rich, gaseous fuel at least partially isokinetically with respect to the combustion air such that the partially hydrogen-rich, gaseous fuel is injected at least partially in the same direction and at least partially at the same velocity as the combustion air. |
| US08549855B2 |
Method and device for supplying a compressor in an internal combustion engine with compressed air
The invention relates to a method for supplying a compressor in an internal combustion engine with compressed air. The method has the following steps: determination of operating parameters of the internal combustion engine to identify operating states of the internal combustion engine; production of compressed air by the internal combustion engine using the determined operating parameter in an operating state without combustion and backing up of the compressed air using a throttle; and removal of the produced compressed air to supply the compressor. The invention also relates to a corresponding device. |
| US08549848B2 |
Machinery arrangement for marine vessel
The invention relates to a machinery arrangement, which comprises a combus-tion unit (3) arranged in an engine room (11), and an exhaust gas duct assem-bly (4) connected to the combustion unit (3) for receiving an exhaust gas flow and for leading the exhaust gas flow to the atmosphere through an exhaust gas cleaning system (5) provided with an exhaust gas pipe (52). In order to condi-tion the exhaust plume, the exhaust gas pipe (52) is arranged in an enclosure (114), whereby the enclosure (114) is arranged in flow connection with the en-gine room (11) in order to provide heat for the exhaust gas pipe (52) by means of a heated air flow from the engine room. |
| US08549847B2 |
Exhaust gas purifying device
A support member (40) is provided on a cylindrical member (23) of an upstream cylinder (22). A connector portion (34C) of a first temperature detector (34) for detecting the temperature of exhaust gas flowing into an oxidation catalyst (25), a connector portion (35C) of a second temperature detector (35) for detecting the temperature of the exhaust gas flowing into a particulate matter removing filter (31), and a sensor portion (39A) of a pressure detector (39) for detecting the front and rear pressures of the particulate matter removing filter (31) are arranged to be mounted on this support member (40). Accordingly, the support member (40) is capable of supporting the connector portions (34C, 35C) of the temperature detectors (34, 35) and the sensor portion (39A) of the pressure detector (39) in one location in a concentrated manner, so that harnesses on a controller side can be easily connected thereto. |
| US08549846B2 |
Diesel particulate filter regeneration via resistive surface heating
An exhaust system that processes exhaust generated by an engine is provided. The system includes: a particulate filter (PF) that filters particulates from the exhaust wherein an upstream end of the PF receives exhaust from the engine; and a grid of electrically resistive material that is applied to an exterior upstream surface of the PF and that selectively heats exhaust passing through the grid to initiate combustion of particulates within the PF. |
| US08549845B2 |
Exhaust purification device for internal combustion engine
An exhaust purification device for an internal combustion engine is provided that can promote the reduction of NOx in a NOx purification catalyst from immediately after startup of the internal combustion engine. The exhaust purification device includes: a fuel reformer that is provided separately from exhaust plumbing 4, reforms fuel and produces a reducing gas that contains carbon monoxide, hydrogen and hydrocarbons, and supplies the reducing gas upstream of the NOx purification catalyst into the exhaust path; an exhaust gas temperature sensor 34 that detects a temperature TEX of the exhaust flowing in the exhaust plumbing 4; and a reformer control part 41 that starts supply of the reducing gas to the exhaust plumbing 4 by starting control of the fuel reformer 50 in a case where the temperature TEX thus detected by this exhaust gas temperature sensor 34 is no higher than a predetermined first determination temperature T1, and stops the supply of reducing gas to the exhaust plumbing 4 by stopping control of the fuel reformer 50 in a case where the temperature detected by the exhaust gas temperature sensor 34 is at least a second determination temperature T2, which is higher than the first determination temperature. |
| US08549843B2 |
Method of controlling exhaust gas purification system and exhaust gas purification system
In in-cylinder fuel multi-injection conducted during forced regeneration of a diesel particulate filter (“DPF”), control maps for multi-injection are constructed so as to be different for a first gas temperature raising control, which raises a catalyst temperature index temperature to a first judgment temperature only by multi-injection, and for a subsequent second exhaust gas temperature raising control, wherein post-injection is conducted in addition to multi-injection to raise a filter temperature index temperature to a second judgment temperature. In so doing, exhaust gas flowing into the DPF can be rapidly raised in temperature when performing forced regeneration of the DPF, thereby shortening the forced regeneration time and improving fuel consumption for forced regeneration. |
| US08549841B2 |
Method and device for the controlled feeding of a reducing agent
A method and a device provide for the controlled feeding of a reducing agent into an exhaust gas treatment unit with a storage capability for an exhaust gas component to be reduced which is generated from a mobile internal combustion engine. The method includes at least the following steps: a) determination of a quantity of the exhaust gas component to be reduced which is generated by the mobile internal combustion engine, b) determination of a storage capability of the exhaust gas treatment unit for the exhaust gas component to be reduced, c) determination of a metering of the reducing agent into the exhaust gas treatment unit as a function of steps a) and b), and d) feeding the reducing agent into the exhaust gas treatment unit. |
| US08549833B2 |
Hybrid propulsive engine including at least one independently rotatable compressor stator
A hybrid propulsive technique, comprising providing a flow of a working fluid through at least a portion of an at least one jet engine. The hybrid propulsive technique comprises extracting energy from the working fluid that is at least partially converted into electrical power, and converting at least a portion of the electrical power to a torque. The hybrid propulsive technique also comprises rotating an at least one independently rotatable compressor stator at least partially responsive to the converting the at least a portion of the electrical power to the torque. |
| US08549828B2 |
Tugger and accumulator for use with an agricultural biomass harvester
A harvesting system is provided that includes a primary harvester for harvesting grain and biomass, a biomass harvester for further processing the biomass, and a tugger and accumulator coupled between the primary harvester and the biomass harvester. The tugger and accumulator includes an onboard power plant and an onboard propulsion system. |
| US08549824B2 |
Capsule treatment apparatus
A capsule-treatment machine is arranged for separating a packaging of a capsule, in particular made of metal such as aluminum or plastic, from a capsule food or beverage ingredient contained therein. The machine includes a mechanism for opening the capsule packaging that is fed to the machine and for removing the capsule ingredient from the opened capsule packaging; a parting mechanism for parting the opened capsule packaging from the capsule ingredient; a collector for collecting the opened capsule packaging; and means a collector for collecting the capsule ingredient. |
| US08549814B2 |
Bamboo frame member mounting structure
A bamboo frame member mounting structure includes multiple bamboo frame members that are respectively bonded to one another at a predetermined angle with an adhesive, one or a plurality of pin holes obliquely extending through each bamboo frame member, and one or a number of pins peripherally coated with a layer of an adhesive and respectively fitted into the pin hole or pin holes on each of two bonded bamboo frame members to enhance the connection of each two bonded bamboo frame members. |
| US08549813B2 |
Reinforcing assembly and reinforced structure using a reinforcing assembly
A reinforcing assembly includes multiple spaced-apart, longitudinally-extending support bars. The reinforcing assembly also includes multiple working members each independently connected to the support bars. The working members are oriented diagonally with respect to a longitudinal axis extending along the reinforcing assembly. |
| US08549811B2 |
Interlocking masonry block
In one aspect the invention provides an interlocking masonry block including a rear face, a front face, at least one aperture extending vertically through said block for receiving a flowable concrete mixture used in core filling, and at least one generally vertical side being registerable with an opposing side of an abutting block to inhibit movement of said flowable concrete out through a vertical interface between said blocks. |
| US08549810B1 |
Clip for use in drop ceiling systems
A clip for attachment to a suspended ceiling grid support member, the clip including a generally planar body portion having a first edge, a second edge opposite the first edge, a first end, and a second end opposite the first end. A first wing is positioned at the first edge and at the first end and a second wing is positioned at the second edge and at the second end. The first wing has spaced aligned apertures located outside of the first edge and the second wing has spaced aligned apertures located outside of the second edge for receipt of fasteners therethrough. The fasteners extend into ceiling panels or planks without contacting the suspended support member to which the clips are secured. |
| US08549809B2 |
Vibration isolation mounting clip
A vibration isolating mounting clip which is used to mount a furring channel to a mounting surface, which is then further loaded with a finishing substrate via the furring channel consists of a resilient bent metal strip. The resilient bent metal strip has a first end and an opposing second end, and a transition portion shaped to fit the furring channel. Through different aspects of the invention either the first end, or the first and second end is mounted to the mounting surface. The resilient bent metal strip has a stiffness and shape such that when the furring channel is positioned in the resilient bent metal strip, and the resilient bent metal strip is mounted to the mounting surface, and a finishing substrate is loaded on the furring channel, the furring channel does not contact the mounting surface. Between the ends of the resilient bent metal strip, and the furring channel, are one to several bends, towards and away from the mounting surface to achieve the desired resiliency. |
| US08549807B2 |
Floor panel and methods for manufacturing floor panels
In a method for manufacturing floor panels that have at least a substrate and a top layer provided on the substrate, the top layer including a thermoplastic layer that is translucent or transparent, the method may involve providing the top layer, including the thermoplastic layer, on the substrate. The method may also involve heating at least the thermoplastic layer, and structuring the thermoplastic layer using a mechanical press element. |
| US08549805B2 |
Grid-type drop-panel structure, and a construction method therefor
A latticing drop panel structure includes a plurality of columns (100 or 101) or walls, and a connecting member (210) including a concrete drop panel (219) having a cross-section area larger than that of the column (100 or 101) or the wall, wherein the connecting member (210) having four unit rods 212, surrounded around the drop panel (219) in a latticing form, wherein the unit rods (212) are parallel with the respective sides of the column and cross at the same level, whereby sagging displacement of the slab is reduced due to the existence of the drop panel. |
| US08549803B1 |
Lightweight penetration resistant door post
Designs and methods are provided for a lightweight, penetration resistant door post. In one embodiment the door post comprises an elongated structural frame, and a ballistic composite blanket overlaying the elongated structural frame. The ballistic composite blanket may comprise multiple stacked arrays of unidirectional ballistic fiber bundles. The exemplary door post may further comprise an outer shell overlaying the ballistic composite blanket. |
| US08549800B2 |
Bearing frame for a panel such as a photoelectric panel and building external wall including such frames
The invention relates to a bearing frame for a panel, of the type comprising a peripheral structure (1, 1′) for receiving a panel (20), including at least three mounts (2, 3, 4, 5, 2′, 3′, 4′, 5′) defining a frame in which the lower face defines a reference plane (P, P′), in which at least one mount (2, 5; 5) includes a wing (90,100; 90′) extending on the entire length thereof towards the outside of the frame in parallel with the upper face of the frame, the frame comprising at least one precut metal strip (30) stamped, folded and assembled by welding, in particular laser welding, characterised in that the peripheral structure (1, 1′) is hollow and in that it further comprises inner and outer connection means (14, 16, 17) and an electric linking means (18) between the inner and outer connection means, provided inside the hollow peripheral structure. |
| US08549797B1 |
Tornado shelter
The tornado shelter is constructed of a shell and supports forming an enclosure that is secured to a concrete slab. The tornado shelter is designed for indoor or outdoor use as a safety shelter during severe weather events including dangerous wind speeds. The shell of the tornado shelter is constructed of an inner shell layer and an outer shell layer that sandwich the supports therein. The shell includes a layer of extensive padding along an inner surface to protect occupants from injuries associated with impacting the inner layer. The shape of the shell includes a low-profile curvature that is aerodynamic in order to resist reaction to high wind speeds. A GPS locator alarm located inside of the enclosure is actuated in an emergency and provides location based date to emergency response personnel in order to locate the tornado shelter and occupants associated there with. |
| US08549792B2 |
Protective shelter
A protective shelter offering opposite outer supports and a roof structure extending between the supports, wherein the roof structure comprises a plurality of tray members arranged to receive earth, sand or aggregate material defining an inner skin to provide a first level of protection in the roof structure, and the tray members are arranged to be supported by transverse beams, wherein the transverse beams are arranged to be supported at their respective ends by the opposite outer supports and wherein the transverse beams form a transverse beam bridge across the shelter such that the height of the shelter centrally, and away from the opposite supports is substantially the same as the height of said supports. |
| US08549785B2 |
Pistol cocking assistive device
At least one cam lock and an opposing structure form a compression channel for receiving and engaging a pistol slide. When the pistol is moved in a certain direction through the compression channel, the one or more cam locks and opposing structure engage the pistol's slide and translate some of the forward motion force into a compressive force on the sides of the slide. At a point where the compressive force overcomes the force of the main spring of the pistol, the pistol frame driven by the user moves forward relative to the slide, thereby racking the slide of the pistol. |
| US08549782B2 |
Firearm having an indexing mechanism
A firearm comprising a frame, a barrel with a firing axis connected to the frame, a cylinder pivotally attached to the frame and positioned within an opening in the frame and having a plurality of firing chambers sized to receive a cartridge, and a firing mechanism including a trigger attached to the frame to actuate the firing mechanism, wherein the frame is substantially nonmetallic and includes at least one metal insert having a polymer over-molding. A cylinder retaining mechanism selectively retains the cylinder in a first position within a window in the frame and comprises a biasing pin operatively attached to a yoke and which is oriented in a direction substantially transverse to the bore axis when the cylinder is in the first position. |
| US08549777B2 |
Method for manufacturing light guide plate, light guide plate, and light emitting sign using the light guide plate
The present invention reduces generation of unevenness on a surface by adjusting unevenness of a reflection pattern in a case where the reflection pattern is formed by an ultrasonic process. |
| US08549774B2 |
Flexible shank for an article of footwear
A directionally flexible shank for an article of footwear is disclosed, which provides support to the bottom of a user's foot while providing flexibility for foot movements in one or more particular directions. The directionally flexible shank may also support the arch of the foot. The directionally flexible shank may include a plurality of articulatable segments that can easily rotate with respect to each other in a first direction and thereby permit the directionally flexible shank to flex away from the foot, while limiting articulation in an opposite direction. The articulatable segments are connected to each other via hinge structures, which may include living hinges formed of a thermoplastic material. The hinge structures may also be formed from a flexible sheet attached to a bottom portion of the directionally flexible shank. Methods are also disclosed for manufacturing the directionally flexible shank. |
| US08549773B2 |
Running shoe
A running shoe stores the shock during landing as energy and releases the stored energy when kicking off the toe portion, thereby making running and walking more efficient. The running shoe includes a shoe main body 10 into which the foot is inserted and a plate spring 5 that is large enough to cover an entire length of the shoe main body 10, is attached to a lower portion of the shoe main body 10, and is closed at a heel end portion thereof. The plate spring 5 is attached to a lower surface of the shoe main body 10 at only a toe end-side of the shoe main body 10. |
| US08549769B2 |
System for drying and torrefaction
A method for torrefaction of water containing cellulosic materials is performed in an inert atmosphere. The cellulosic material is cascaded through the apparatus between a plurality of rotatable trays vertically stacked within multiple processing zones. Steam being generated from heating of the cellulosic material is recycled back to the apparatus to provide an inert atmosphere. The steam may be superheated in a heat exchanger. Exhaust from the torrefaction zone of the apparatus has some moisture and other volatiles removed prior to being reheated in a burner. The heated exhaust is used in the heat exchanger to superheat the recycled steam. |
| US08549768B2 |
Methods for freeze drying
A method for producing a fog of ice nuclei by introducing a cryogenic fluid and a humid gas stream into a freeze dryer. The cryogenic fluid and humid gas stream will form ice nuclei having a preferred size for introduction into vials contained in the freeze dryer. |
| US08549767B2 |
Apparatus for holding and aligning a flat material
An apparatus comprises a planar member comprising a top side, a bottom side comprising a flat surface and at least one aperture comprising a defined shape. At least one alignment tab comprises a top portion, a middle portion and a bottom portion. The middle portion comprises the defined shape and is configured to move vertically within the aperture. The top portion comprises a hook structure being configured to engage the top side to limit a downward movement of the alignment tab. The bottom portion comprises a vertical facing side being configured to engage an edge of a flat material. The apparatus is operable to align the flat material relative to the planar member by engaging the edge of the flat material with the vertical facing side and a vertical movement of the alignment tab enables the planar member to rest flat on the first flat material. |
| US08549765B2 |
Measuring tool and measuring method thereof
A measuring tool includes a tool body and a first measuring unit. The first measuring unit includes a first probe, a first measuring meter, and a first zero button. The first probe is used for contacting a standard part or a test part inside the tool body. The first measuring meter is connected to the first probe for displaying a first zero value or a first measure value. The first zero button is used for zeroing the first measuring meter to display the first zero value when the first probe contacts the standard part. When the first probe contacts the test part after the first measuring meter is zeroed, the first measuring meter displays the first measure value. A first dimension difference value of the test part and the standard part is equal to a difference value of the first measure value and the first zero value. |
| US08549764B2 |
Fluid tilt sensor within ink tank supply item for micro-fluid applications
A container for holding a volume of fluid and having a housing defining an interior for retaining the volume of fluid; at least one in-tank tilt sensor connected to a controller and disposed inside the housing for generating a signal corresponding to a level of fluid inside the housing; and a support material attached to the housing and connected to the at least one in-tank tilt sensor to mechanically support the at least one in-tank tilt sensor such that the at least one in-tank tilt sensor is not in direct contact with the fluid inside the housing. The in-tank tilt sensor detects a change in fluid level which may only be caused by tilting of the imaging device. When tilting is registered, protective action is taken to prevent fluid from leaking. |
| US08549758B2 |
Coupling apparatus for coupling blade protector to tool body of gardening tool
A coupling member can releasably couple a blade protector to a tool body of a gardening tool. The coupling member is movably and non-removably coupled to one of the tool body and the protector. |
| US08549753B2 |
Methods of manufacturing a modular pulling roll
Methods for the preparation of a pulling roll including a sleeve (800) and/or a cartridge (1330) are disclosed. Also disclosed are methods for the change or repair of at least a portion of a heat resistant material of a pulling roll. Also disclosed are a sleeve and a cartridge for use with a pulling roll, each including a heat resistant material. |
| US08549750B2 |
Method of manufacturing liquid discharge head substrate and method of processing the substrate
A method of processing a liquid discharge head substrate includes the step of providing a recessed portion in the back surface of the substrate by discharging a manufacturing liquid in a linear trajectory to the back surface of the substrate and by irradiating the back surface of the substrate with laser light that passes along and in the manufacturing liquid. |
| US08549749B2 |
Evaporators for use in heat transfer systems, apparatus including such evaporators and related methods
An evaporator includes a liquid barrier wall made of a ceramic material, a vapor barrier wall made of a ceramic material, and a wick made of a ceramic material and being positioned between the liquid barrier wall and the vapor barrier wall. |
| US08549748B2 |
Tube support system for nuclear steam generators
A method and apparatus in a steam generator that employs tube support plates within a shroud that is in turn disposed within a shell. The tube support plates are made of a material having a coefficient of thermal expansion lower than that of the shroud. The tube support plates are aligned during fabrication, with minimal clearances between components. Using a tube support displacement system, a controlled misalignment is then imposed on one or more tube support plates, as the steam generator heats up. Displacement to produce misalignment is produced only when the steam generator is heated. The tube support plate displacement system has only two parts, a spring bar and a push rod, that are internal to the steam generator shell and threadably engaged, thereby minimizing the potential of loose parts. The tube support plate displacement system can be used to provide controlled misalignments on one or more tube support plates, in the same or varying amounts and directions, and with one or more apparatus being provided for any individual tube support plate. |
| US08549743B2 |
Method for hot embossing at least one conductive track onto a substrate
In a method for hot embossing at least one conductor track onto a substrate, a film having at least one electrically conductive layer is pressed against the substrate in a die direction using an embossing die having a structured die surface. The film remains on the substrate after ending the embossing process in at least two structure planes, which are spaced apart in the die direction. |
| US08549739B2 |
Method of making circuit board module
A circuit board module includes a circuit board and a heat-dissipating device. The circuit board includes a ceramic substrate, and a circuit pattern formed on a surface of the ceramic substrate. The circuit board is sinter-bonded to a main body of the heat-dissipating device. A method of making the circuit board module is also disclosed. |
| US08549734B2 |
Method for manufacturing sealed contactor
A method for manufacturing a sealed contact point is performed by injecting an arc extinguishing gas into an air-tight space of an electromagnetic switching device and sealing it. The method for manufacturing a sealed contactor, including: forming a driving body and coupling a housing and a plate; air-tightly fixing a detachable chamber and forming the interior of the chamber under an insulating gas atmosphere; tightly attaching the cylinder to the plate by a tight-attachment inducing member within the chamber under the insulating gas atmosphere to form a sealing structure; exhausting the chamber; disassembling the chamber from the plate; and sealing the tightly attached plate and the cylinder. |
| US08549731B2 |
Method of manufacture of a variable inductance inductor
Ceramic inductors are made from stacked sheets of co-fired ceramic. At least one of the ceramic sheets has a slot with a conductor disposed in the slot. The conductor has a thickness equal to a thickness of the ceramic sheet containing the slot. The conductor has a large thickness (compared to prior art co-fired ceramic inductors) and therefore can carry large currents. The present ceramic inductor can be used in power electronics applications due to the ability to carry large currents. The present ceramic inductor preferably has an inductance that decreases with increasing current. A decreasing inductance characteristic tends to increase energy efficiency in a voltage regulator when the inductor is used as an output inductor. Specifically, the variable inductance tends to substantially increase energy efficiency at low current loads without adversely affecting efficiency at high loads. |
| US08549729B2 |
Method for fabricating stator core and back yoke of outer rotor type motor in washing machine
A method for fabricating a stator core and a back yoke of an outer rotor type BLDC motor in a direct coupling type washing machine, including the steps of providing a base metal of a circular electric sheet having a predetermined diameter, and punching the base metal to form a back yoke at a periphery of the base metal and divisional cores on an inside of the back yoke of the base metal at the same time, whereby forming the stator core and the back yoke at the same time reduces working hours and saves material. |
| US08549728B2 |
Manufacturing method for vibration body and manufacturing method for vibration actuator
To provide a vibration actuator, a lens barrel, a camera, a manufacturing method for a vibration body and a manufacturing method for a vibration actuator, which have a high driving efficiency and can lead to easy manufacture. A vibration actuator of the present invention is provided with an elastic body and an electromechanical transducer element sintered onto the elastic body in the state that the element is divided into a plurality of areas by a groove-shaped border portion. |
| US08549727B2 |
Punch-down tool blade with extended reach
Disclosed is a punch-down tool blade suited for seating, and seating and cutting data transmission and telephony wires into crowded patch panels. Also disclosed are embodiments of an elongated punch-down tool blade having a slidable locking collar which may be used in reversibly locking a punch-down tool blade with either the seating tip being used as the working tip or the seating and cutting tip used as the working tip without compromising both the ability of the tool tip to gain access to terminating clips or the tradesman's visibility of terminating clips so that patch panels may be efficiently and accurately wired while providing enhanced safety and decreased worker fatigue. |
| US08549726B2 |
Snowman frame and method for use
The present invention relates to a simple and easy to make snowman with a limited amount of snow. The system does not require the lifting of heavy snow balls, typically used in the making of a snowman, and provides for small children to be able to handle the snow without adult help. Further, this invention provides a quick and affective decorating system which can be reused and positioned securely anywhere on the figure. |
| US08549714B1 |
Composite hook and loop fasteners, methods of their manufacture, and products containing them
A composite hook and loop fastener in the form of an elongated strip has an elongated loop component, a hook component permanently affixed to the loop component, and a backing layer disposed on a face of the wrap tie in a discrete region. The backing layer is used for permanent attachment of the wrap tie to a supporting surface. One end of the loop component is available for encircling an object to be wrapped and engaging the fastener elements of the hook component. The loop component has a self-supporting web of entangled fibers, the fibers forming both a sheet-form body and hook-engageable, free-standing loops extending from at least one surface of the body, and the hook component has fastener elements extending from a common base. The backing layer may be a pressure sensitive adhesive or a synthetic resin. |
| US08549713B2 |
Zippered security bag
A security zipper is provided, which includes a consumer side zipper pair and a product side zipper pair, where each zipper pair is capable of secure mating. Between the zipper pairs is an intermediate flange pair which is layered with an adhesive as well as an adhesive enhancer to securely connect the intermediate flange pair. A slider is provided over the consumer side zipper pair, the product side zipper pair and the intermediate flange pair which mates the zipper pairs and connects the intermediate flanges so that the zipper is securely closed. A bag is also disclosed, which includes the security zipper and a connected product side pouch. In addition, a method for manufacturing the bag is disclosed. |
| US08549711B2 |
Hinge mounted check strap and method of limiting opening movement of a hinged door
A hinge assembly for a door assembly includes a hinge having a first plate attached to a door and a second plate attached to a door jamb and pivotally connected to the first plate. The hinge assembly further includes a check strap having a first end portion configured to be attached to the first plate, a second end portion configured to be attached to the second plate, and a strip secured to the first end portion and to the second end portion. The strip has a length that is selected to limit opening movement of the door to a predetermined angle of opening. The hinge assembly further includes fasteners to secure the first end portion of the check strap and the first plate to the door and the second end portion of the check strap and the second plate to the door jamb. |
| US08549705B1 |
Hollow wheel set
A hollow wheel set, comprising mainly a wheel rack, a hollow rotation wheel, a restricting sleeve, and a restricting and fastening ring. The wheel rack includes a fixing arm, on said fixing arm is provided with a wheel fork. The hollow rotation wheel is sleeved onto the wheel fork. One end of the restricting sleeve is a sleeve connection portion, while the other end is a ring-shape blocking portion. The sleeve connection portion is sleeved and fixed on the outer perimeter of the wheel fork, and is located between the wheel fork and the hollow rotation wheel. The ring-shape blocking portion is on a side of the hollow rotation wheel. The restricting and fastening ring is fastened around outer perimeter of the wheel fork, and is locate on the other side of the hollow rotation wheel, to reduce size and weight of the hollow wheel set. |
| US08549690B2 |
Floor cleaning tool with a surrounding capture sheet
A floor cleaning tool is disclosed that provides for an improved method of gathering and picking up debris from the floor. In one embodiment, the floor cleaning tool has a handle, a wiping body wiping body comprised of a solid and continuous material connected at one end to the handle and a capture sheet covering the wiping body. The wiping body includes a first wiping side and a second wiping side, opposite the first wiping side wherein a length and width of the wiping body are each at least five times larger than a thickness between the first wiping side and second wiping side. The capture sheet covers the wiping body by wrapping continuously around the first wiping side and second wiping side. In one embodiment, the capture sheet includes a tacky surface outwardly facing from the wiping body. |
| US08549688B2 |
Method for producing shoes, strips therefor and shoe
A method for producing a shoe that can be adapted to the foot of a wearer, is made of hard, thermoplastic synthetic material and is worn for sports, includes heating a prefabricated shoe at least in sections and adapting the shoe by applying pressure from the outside and by shaping the heated area. The shoe is then cooled, a correction strip, which is made of a hard material and is taken from the foot, is introduced in to the prefabricated shoe and the heated shoe is pressed onto the correction strip by applying pressure. A strip correction and a shoe are also provided. |
| US08549685B2 |
Child sleeping restraint
The present invention relates to a sleeping restraint for a child that can be used to secure the child to the chest of an adult who is in a substantially horizontal position as well as to methods of using a sleeping restraint. In certain embodiments, the sleeping restraint comprises a chest strap for encircling the chest of an adult, first and second child restraining walls extending from the chest strap, and a restraining strap attached to the first child restraining wall for restraining a child in place on the adult's chest between the walls when the adult is lying on his back. |
| US08549683B2 |
Surgical head support
A cushioned head support device for safely and comfortably supporting a patient's head during procedures where the patient is positioned face down. The device affords easy access to the patient's face, providing multiple suitable openings for inserting medical devices as well as for viewing the patient. A mirror is provided so that medical personnel may view the patient's face conveniently and easily while working above the patient. The device is readily adjustable in multiple dimensions, providing for adjustment to accommodate any size face or head, as well as adjustments to raise or lower the height of the device or to tilt the device in any direction. The invention further comprises disposable cushions in various sizes to accommodate children as well as adults. |
| US08549680B1 |
Portable toddler mat
A protective pad for infants and toddlers to lie upon when away from home comprises a large rectangular textile assembly similar in size to a beach towel having a water-resistant bottom surface, a comfortable inner layer of foam rubber, and a top layer of soft fabric. The top layer is held in place via a perimeter zipper which enables removal and laundering thereof. The pad is provided with a raised foam rubber edge to serve as a barrier to dirt and debris. The pad may be folded up compactly and secured using hook-and-loop-type fasteners and transported or attached to a stroller using a pair of carrying handles. The pad also provides an on-board stake-style umbrella to provide shade for an occupying infant or toddler at park or beach settings. |
| US08549676B1 |
Combination packet containing disposable sanitary toilet seat cover and moist wipe
A combination packet containing disposable sanitary toilet seat cover and moist wipe which comprises a flexible enclosure having a first dry compartment and a second vapor moist compartment therein. A sanitary toilet seat cover is folded and carried within the first dry compartment of the flexible enclosure. A moist wipe is folded and carried within the second vapor moist compartment in the flexible enclosure. |
| US08549673B2 |
Protective articles containing N-halochitosan
Laminates made from films and powders of N-halochitosan are provided. The films and laminates can be used to make a variety of finished articles that can be used to provide protection from hazardous chemical and biological agents. |
| US08549672B2 |
Face mask and goggle system
A protective face mask system according to the present invention comprises a flexible mask body including an opening for receiving a lens, nose portion, a central portion positioned to the rear of and extending at least partially above the nose portion, a central receiving slot located between the nose portion and the central portion, right and left temple portions, each temple portion having a shaped receiving opening therethrough, left and right cheek portions, and at least one groove located adjacent one of the left and right cheek portions. A lens is provided sized to be received upon and cover the lens opening. The lens includes right and left temple portions including openings therein positioned to correspond to and align with the openings of the mask body when the lens is positioned for attachment to the mask body. The lens including at least a portion that snappingly engages the groove when a portion of the lens is inserted into the slot. |
| US08549669B2 |
Enhanced headwear package
The combination of a headwear piece, at least one object, and a tether. The headwear piece has a crown with a surface for engaging a wearer's head to maintain the headwear piece in an operative position on the wearer's head. The at least one object has an identification thereon that relates to at least one of: a) an event; b) a location; c) an institution; d) a product; e) a service; f) a person; g) an animate object; h) an inanimate object; i) a team; and j) a participant in an event. The tether maintains the at least one object on the headwear piece. An identification on the headwear piece is coordinated with the identification on the at least one object. |
| US08549668B1 |
Glove with abrasion-resistant elements
A glove is disclosed that includes abrasion-resistant finger elements on the inner surface of the glove, including in the finger stalls. The finger elements include abrasion-resistant elements that define extended channels between them. The finger elements are composed of an abrasion-resistant material. |
| US08549666B2 |
Convertible garment
Garments are convertible between multiple configurations so as to have an alternate appearance and/or be wearable as a different type of garment. Pants may be alternately configured so as to expose one of at least two possible surface treatments. The pants include a reversing panel having front and rear flaps that can be alternately wrapped around the left or right side. A garment alternately configurable for wear as a skirt or as a pair of short pants includes front and rear conversion tails. The front conversion tail is alternately affixable to the front or to the rear of the garment; the rear conversion tail is alternately affixable to the rear or to the front of the garment. A garment is also alternately configurable for wear in a sleeveless, wraparound manner, or for wear as a sleeved garment. |
| US08555411B2 |
Locking mobile devices in a personal area network (PAN)
A mobile device out of range of other devices in a wireless network may be locked to provide security. |
| US08555410B2 |
External interface access control
A method and apparatus of controlling access to a system containing vital corporation software and storing confidential data assets situated in an open accessible environment is provided. The method includes calculating a signature value for at least one file usable with the system, transferring the calculated signature value to a signature file, and providing at least one signature value in the signature file and at least one associated file to a file system configured to be received by the system. At least one signature value and at least one associated file are inspected by the system to verify the associated file is a known system software application asset. The system comprises an input/output data port configured to receive the external memory storage device, and an operating system capable of reading system data from and writing system data to the memory storage device. |
| US08555409B2 |
System and method for providing private session-based access to a redirected USB device or local device
Restricting access to a device from a server, where the device is remote to the server and is connected locally to a client that is remote to the server, is described. The operations may include facilitating interception, at the server, of a function call to create a symbolic link; facilitating determination that the intercepted function call to create the symbolic link corresponds to a device object associated with the device that is remote to the server and is connected locally to a client that is remote to the server; facilitating obtaining configuration data indicating whether access to the device is to be restricted; and facilitating creation of the symbolic link in a local namespace of an object manager namespace of the server, upon obtaining configuration data indicating that access to the device is to be restricted. |
| US08555407B2 |
On demand visibility services and smart directory
An on-demand communication system, device, method and program are provided which allows a consumer to request information from an on-demand visibility service. The on-demand visibility service places a request with the on-demand directory service that may then choose a relevant provider to be queried for this information based on situation-based access control logic. The on-demand visibility service then queries the relevant providers with the request for information. Providers may then gather information by optionally using sensors, and may then transmit a provider response to the on-demand visibility service. The on-demand visibility service may then forward this provider response in the form of an answer to the consumer, thereby satisfying the consumer request for information. |
| US08555403B1 |
Privileged access to managed content
Privileged access to managed content is disclosed. In some embodiments, a privileged portion of application code manages user access to managed content at a level of access greater than the user would otherwise be afforded. The privileged code moves a content management session up or down in levels of access as required to allow a user to perform through the application one or more specific actions it is desired to permit the user to do in a particular context (e.g., at a particular time in the lifecycle of an item of content and/or a particular point in a business process or work flow), including to permit the user to perform an action it is not desired to let the user perform in other contexts, such as write a particular value to a content item it is not desired to allow the user to write to otherwise. |
| US08555402B2 |
Dynamic selection of authorization processes
Systems, methods, and software are disclosed herein for licensing applications using a preferred authorization process dynamically identified based on conditions associated with an initiation of an application. Authorization is then attempted using the preferred authorization process. In some examples, the preferred authorization process is selected from at least a keyless authorization process and a key-based authorization process. |
| US08555401B2 |
Content provision system
The second content provision system determines, in response to a request by a user from a second terminal belonging to a second network, a second content being a same content as a first content, which is provided to the first terminal belonging to a first network or an alternative content for the first content and matching rights of the user. The second content is provided from the second network to the second terminal and can be used by the second terminal. The second content is determined by using content information specifying the first content which is in-use or which the use has interrupted and ownership information indicating the rights of the user and the content provision system acquires the content information and the ownership information from the first content provision system in response to the request from the second terminal. |
| US08555398B2 |
Role-based access to shared RFID data
An electronic product code information service (EPCIS) interface is provided, where the EPCIS interface is capable of allowing one or more accessing applications residing on a variety of systems and associated with a plurality of enterprises/organizations to receive EPC-related data. One or more roles of an entity attempting to receive EPC-related data through the interface may be identified. A query may be performed to generate a result set within an extent permitted by access authorization associated with the identified roles of the entity. |
| US08555395B2 |
Method and system for providing a media change notification on a computing system
A method for providing a media change notification on a computing system. The present method polls a media device of a computing system for a media change wherein the polling of the media device cannot be blocked by the computing system. When a media change is detected on the media device, a media change notification is generated. The media change notification is then output when the media change on the media device is detected. In so doing, the media change notification cannot be blocked by the computing system. |
| US08555394B2 |
Network security server suitable for unified communications network
A network security server constituted of: a device detection functionality, the device detection functionality arranged to detect devices on a network on an ongoing basis; a state extraction functionality arranged to read the state of each of the detected devices; an abstraction functionality arranged to translate each of the read states to a common abstract format; a state analysis functionality arranged to compare each of the translated read states with a predetermined database of states; and a session control functionality arranged to control communication of each of the detected devices responsive to the comparison with the predetermined database of states. |
| US08555389B2 |
Integrated firewall, IPS, and virus scanner system and method
A system, method and computer program product are provided including a router and a security sub-system coupled to the router. Such security sub-system includes a plurality of virtual firewalls, a plurality of virtual intrusion prevention systems (IPSs), and a plurality of virtual virus scanners. Further, each of the virtual firewalls, IPSs, and virus scanners is assigned to at least one of a plurality of user and is configured in a user-specific. |
| US08555386B1 |
System and method for countering detection of emulation by malware
Instructions of an application program are emulated such that they are carried out sequentially in a first virtual execution environment that represents the user-mode data processing of the operating system. A system API call requesting execution of a user-mode system function is detected. In response, the instructions of the user-mode system function called by the API are emulated according to a second emulation mode in which the instructions of the user-mode system function are carried out sequentially in a second virtual execution environment that represents the user-mode data processing of the operating system, including tracking certain processor and memory states affected by the instructions of the user-mode system function. Results of the emulating of the application program instructions according to the first emulation mode are analyzed for any presence of malicious code. |
| US08555383B1 |
Network data transmission auditing
Network computing systems may implement data loss prevention (DLP) techniques to reduce or prevent unauthorized use or transmission of confidential information or to implement information controls mandated by statute, regulation, or industry standard. Implementations of network data transmission analysis systems and methods are disclosed that can use contextual information in a DLP policy to monitor data transmitted via the network. The contextual information may include information based on a network user's organizational structure or services or network infrastructure. Some implementations may detect bank card information in network data transmissions. Some of the systems and methods may be implemented on a virtual network overlaid on one or more intermediate physical networks that are used as a substrate network. |
| US08555380B2 |
Automatic modification of executable code
A method for automatically modifying an executable file for a software agent is provided. The method comprises detecting original static entry and exit points in the executable file and generating corresponding transformed points; modifying the executable file by linking the executable file to the integrity services environment and embedding a signed agent manifest; loading the modified executable file into memory and registering a target list with the software agent's hypervisor, wherein the target list provides mappings between protected and active page tables; detecting dynamic entry and exit points in the executable file and generating corresponding transformed points; switching to a protected context, in response to a transformed exit point being invoked, and switching to an active context, in response a transformed entry point being invoked; and de-registering the software agent with the memory protection module, in response to the software agent being unloaded. |
| US08555377B2 |
Secure virtual machine
An approach to securely distributing and running virtual machines is described that addresses the inherent insecurity of mobile virtual machines by authenticating a user before establishing a specialized virtualization runtime environment that includes a filesystem driver inserted into the host operating system to provide secure access to a virtual machine by authorized hypervisors only. Further described is the creation of a SecureVM package that includes the various components used to perform the operations of installation, user authentication and establishment of the specialized virtualization runtime environment. |
| US08555372B2 |
Automatic firewall configuration
In one example a method is provided. The method includes (i) discovering, by a gateway router, a server in a local area network, wherein the gateway router discovers the server by sending a universal plug and play (UPnP) message identifying the gateway router as a gateway router with access configurable by the server; (ii) receiving, by the gateway router, a response from the server, wherein the response identifies the server as a server that desires to establish external access; (iii) determining, by the gateway router, whether the server is a trustworthy server, wherein determining comprises comparing information received by the server with a stored list of trustworthy servers; (iv) configuring, by the gateway router, a logical port to forward incoming connection requests to the server; and (v) forwarding, by the gateway router, incoming connection requests to the server. |
| US08555359B2 |
System and methods for automatically accessing a web site on behalf of a client
A system for performing an automated network-based login procedure on an interactive keypad image includes a software agent executable from a digital medium connected to the network for navigating to a login page, accessing the keypad image, and performing an automated login, and an automated login support application executable from the same or a different digital medium connected to the network, the support application including at least an image processor, an optical character recognizer, and an image data encoder and decoder. The software agent performs a login at the virtual keypad image based on character image matching and location information acquisition for each character of a client's specific set of credential characters included in the image of the keypad. |
| US08555358B2 |
System and method for secure telephone and computer transactions using voice authentication
A secure electronic payment system and method for conducting a secure transaction using voice authentication is provided. A merchant's computer transmits an authorization request to an access control server. The access control server places a telephone call to the purchaser and performs voice authentication to confirm the identity of the purchaser. The access control server then transmits a response to the merchant's computer. If the purchaser is authorized to access the account, payment is processed by the merchant and the transaction is completed. |
| US08555355B2 |
Mobile pin pad
A system is configured to: receive an authentication request for a transaction from a web server; identify a phone number of the mobile device based on identifying information of the user in the authentication request and the user information, transmit a message to the mobile device based on the phone number, receive a message response from the mobile device, determine whether the mobile device provided a mobile pin pad authentication for the user based on the message response, and transmit a success authentication response to the web server when the mobile device provided the mobile pin pad authentication for the user. |
| US08555354B2 |
Systems and methods for secure watchlisting
A watchlisting module is configured to securely and efficiently create, modify, manage, and store a watchlist. The watchlisting module is configured to generate a watchlist consisting of watchlist entries. Each watchlist entry encapsulates information about an entity to be associated with the watchlist. The watchlist entry includes information about the entity including a unique identifier for the watchlist, a unique identifier of the watchlist entry, a unique identifier for the entity, and access control information for membership process related to the watchlist. The watchlist entry also includes a State Lock. Watchlisting module is configured to utilize the State Lock to secure and verify a watchlist entry. |
| US08555353B2 |
Methods and apparatuses for controlling access to computer systems and for annotating media files
Methods and apparatuses for controlling access to computer systems and for annotating media files. One embodiment includes a method including generating a challenge to a user, wherein the challenge includes a verify part and a read part. The methods also includes prompting the user to solve both the verify part of the challenge and the read part of the challenge; receiving input from the user; determining if the input from the user relative to the verify part of the challenge corresponds with the known answer for the verify part of the challenge; and identifying the input from the user relative to the read part of the challenge as an answer to the read part of the challenge, if the input from the user relative to the verify part of the challenge corresponds with the known answer for the verify part of the challenge. |
| US08555350B1 |
System and method for ensuring persistent communications between a client and an authentication server
A system for facilitating persistent communications between entities in a network. In a specific embodiment, the system is adapted to facilitate fast reauthentication of a client performed by a server, such as an Authentication, Authorization, and Accounting (AAA) server, that is coupled to the client via a load balancer. The system includes a first message to be exchanged between the server and the client, wherein the first message includes a field identifying the server and/or the client. A matching module communicates with or is otherwise incorporated within the load balancer. The matching module includes one or more routines for employing the field to selectively route the first message to the client and/or server. In a more specific embodiment, the server a fast reauthentication module adapted to append the field in the message. The field includes sub-realm information identifying the server. |
| US08555344B1 |
Methods and systems for fallback modes of operation within wireless computer networks
Described herein are systems and methods for fallback operation within WLANs that rely on remote authentication procedures. When a primary network node authentication process fails, fallback access control parameters associated with a secondary network node authentication process are exchanged between a network node and an authentication server, wherein the secondary network node authentication process allows the network node to access other resources of a computer network. |
| US08555337B2 |
Method and arrangement for user friendly device authentication
The present invention relates to fraud prevention and authentication of a device to a user. The method of authenticating a personal device according to the invention comprises a set up sequence, wherein at least a first preferred output format is selected by the user, and a device configuration verification sequence. In the device configuration verification sequence a checksum is calculated and converted to a user friendly output format based on the user selected preferred output format. In addition the checksum may be calculated based on variable, and user selectable, keying material. The personal device, after being authenticated according to the above, may be used to authenticate a second device. |
| US08555335B2 |
Securing distributed application information delivery
In an example implementation, a data structure comports with a secure application instruction protocol. The data structure includes a first application-level request and a second application-level request. The first application-level request has application-specific instructions from a requestor and a requestor signature over the application-specific instructions from the requestor. The second application-level request has application-specific instructions from an intermediary and an intermediary signature over at least the application-specific instructions from the intermediary. |
| US08555334B2 |
Authentication system, authentication apparatus, authentication method and authentication program
An authentication system is provided. The authentication system includes: a storage section that stores association information where a plurality of instructions for individual data is associated with authentication methods which are to be used to authenticate a user (the individual data is previously allocated to a legitimate user individually); a selection section that selects, based on the association information, the authentication method corresponding to the instruction input by a user; and an authentication section that follows the authentication method selected to authenticate the user as the legitimate user based on a result of checking challenge data obtained from the user for the check against template data previously registered as authentication information for the legitimate user. |
| US08555331B2 |
Method and system of provisioning a feature for multiple media devices
An approach is provided for the self-provisioning of a feature corresponding to multiple media devices (e.g., set-top boxes). A request to provision a feature on a plurality of set-top boxes is received. It is determined whether the feature is compatible with each of the set-top boxes. The feature is automatically provisioned based on the request and the determination. |
| US08555329B2 |
Container format for multimedia presentations
In a method for transmitting a multimedia presentation comprising a number of media objects: the media objects are organized in a multimedia container or container format; identifiers referring to the media objects are organized in the same container; and an identifiable file coordinating the media objects is also provided in the container. |
| US08555324B2 |
Video download mechanism for transferring large data
A content delivery system stores large content as frames of video that can be served by content servers already optimized for streaming video. Instead of storing image tiles in separate files, the system treats each tile as a frame of a video and stores the tiles in a video format. This allows transfer of large data from a publisher to a content server by transferring a single file or a small handful of files (rather than thousands or millions of files). Web servers such as MICROSOFT Internet Information Server (IIS) include smooth streaming support that can return individual images as video frames as though the images were stored in separate files. Thus, the content delivery system provides easier management of large data for publishers while continuing to provide a smooth experience consuming the data for clients. |
| US08555323B2 |
Methods for replicating media contents and P2P VoD systems
There is disclosed a method for replicating media contents in a P2P VoD system comprising a plurality of peers. The method may comprise: determining that a candidate media unit shall be replicated into a local storage of one of the peers; checking whether said local storage has enough space to store the candidate media unit; if not, selecting one media unit previously stored in said local storage to be replaced; and replacing the selected media unit by the candidate media unit. |
| US08555322B2 |
Shared television sessions
Shared television sessions are described. In embodiment(s), television content can be received via a tuner of a tuner device. A shared television session can be established between rendering devices that share the tuner of the tuner device to receive the television content. A tuner configuration input can be received when initiated at a rendering device, and the tuner configuration input can be communicated to the tuner device to change the television content. The tuner device can receive different television content via the tuner according to the tuner configuration input. Tuner update data associated with the tuner configuration input can then be communicated to update the rendering devices that further share the tuner of the tuner device to receive the different television content. |
| US08555312B2 |
Multimedia channel sharing
An initiating viewer identifies a multimedia channel and submits a request to share the multimedia channel with at least one recipient viewer at another viewer premises. This request is processed by the multimedia receiver of the initiating viewer so as to generate a channel change request for submission to a service provider. In response to the channel share request, the service provider queries the recipient viewer to determine whether the recipient viewer accepts or rejects the offered multimedia channel. If the recipient viewer accepts the multimedia channel, the multimedia channel can be provided to the multimedia receiver of the recipient viewer either for storage for later playback or for immediate playback concurrent with the provision of the multimedia channel to the initiating viewer. Billing for costs associated with the shared multimedia channel is conducted based on billing feedback provided by the initiating viewer. |
| US08555311B2 |
Methods and devices for presenting guide listings and guidance data in three dimensions in an interactive media guidance application
Methods and devices for presenting guide listings and guidance data in three dimensions in an interactive media guidance application are provided. In some embodiments, methods for presenting guide listings and guidance data in three dimensions in an interactive media guidance application are provided, the methods comprising: presenting guide listings in a two-dimensional configuration; receiving a user selection of at least one of the guide listings in the two-dimensional configuration; identifying guidance data related to the selection; and presenting the guidance data so that the guidance data appears to be in a third dimension relative to the two-dimensional configuration. |
| US08555310B1 |
Signal processing apparatus and methods
A unified system of programming communication. The system encompasses the prior art (television, radio, broadcast hardcopy, computer communications, etc.) and new user specific mass media. Within the unified system, parallel processing computer systems, each having an input (e.g., 77) controlling a plurality of computers (e.g., 205), generate and output user information at receiver stations. Under broadcast control, local computers (73, 205), combine user information selectively into prior art communications to exhibit personalized mass media programming at video monitors (202), speakers (263), printers (221), etc. At intermediate transmission stations (e.g., cable television stations), signals in network broadcasts and from local inputs (74, 77, 97, 98) cause control processors (71) and computers (73) to selectively automate connection and operation of receivers (53), recorder/players (76), computers (73), generators (82), strippers (81), etc. At receiver stations, signals in received transmissions and from local inputs (225, 218, 22) cause control processors (200) and computers (205) to automate connection and operation of converters (201), tuners (215), decryptors (224), recorder/players (217), computers (205), furnaces (206), etc. Processors (71, 200) meter and monitor availability and usage of programming. |
| US08555303B2 |
Disk cartridge
A disk cartridge includes a case body that is capable of housing a plurality of disk-shaped recording media and is joined or separated by making a first shell contact with/separate from a second shell in an axial direction, and a lock lever that is rotatably supported and locks the first shell and the second shell in a joining manner, in the inside of the case body. A supporting shaft is provided to the case body, the lock lever includes a supported part and a lock part, a disk inserting/ejecting slot is formed, an open/close panel is provided to the first shell, the lock lever is supported on an end part of the case body, and an insertion concave part in which the lock part of the lock lever can be inserted and engaged is formed within an inner face of the open/close panel. |
| US08555301B2 |
Integrated disk driving module including a lateral surface plate bent from an upper plate
An integrated disk driving module is disclosed, the module including a base unit including a spindle motor fixture including an opening-formed upper plate, a lateral surface plate bent from the upper plate to form an accommodation space, and a spindle motor fixture concavely formed from the upper plate toward the accommodation space, wherein the spindle motor fixture is integrally formed with the upper plate; and a spindle motor fixed inside the spindle motor fixture to rotate a disk. |
| US08555297B1 |
Techniques for performing a remote procedure call using remote procedure call configuration information
Described are techniques for performing remote procedure calls (RPCs). An RPC API is described which provides for using an optimized technique and an unoptimized technique for performing RPCs. The optimized technique includes a client container performing a call to obtain RPC configuration information which is then stored by the client container and may be used by the client container in connection with multiple RPC invocations. Techniques are also described for communicating parameter information between containers executing in different address spaces by forming parameter information on the client side using embedded lists, encoding the parameter information on the client side prior to transmission to the server, and transmitting the encoded parameter information to the server which determines output parameters and returns the output parameters to the client. |
| US08555287B2 |
Automated capacity provisioning method using historical performance data
An automated system obtains performance data of a computer system having partitioned servers. The performance data includes a performance rating and a current measured utilization of each server, actual workload (e.g. transaction arrival rate), and actual service levels (e.g. response time or transaction processing rate). From the data, automated system normalizes a utilization value for each server over time and generates a weighted average for each and expected service levels for various times and workloads. Automated system receives a service level objective (SLO) for each server and future time and automatically determines a policy based on the weighted average normalized utilization values, past performance information, and received SLOs. The policy can include rules for provisioning required servers to meet the SLOs, a throughput for each server, and a potential service level for each server. Based on the generated policy, the system automatically provisions operation of the servers across partitions. |
| US08555284B2 |
Method, a mechanism and a computer program product for executing several tasks in a multithreaded processor
A method for executing several tasks in a multithreaded (MT) processor, each task having, for every hardware shared resource from a predetermined set of hardware shared resources in the MT processor, one associated artificial time delay that is introduced when a task accesses a hardware shared resource, the method including step (a) of establishing, for every hardware shared resource and each task to be artificially delayed, the artificial delay to be applied to each access of each task to every hardware shared resource; step (b) of performing the following steps (b1) to (b4) on the access of each task to be artificially delayed to every hardware shared resource in the predetermined set of hardware shared resources in the MT processor: step (b1) of verifying if a request is ready to be sent to the hardware shared resource; in case of positive result, Step (b2) of verifying if the hardware shared resource is ready to accept the request; in case of positive result, step (b3) of delaying the request by the artificial delay established for the hardware shared resource; step (b4) of allowing the request of the task to access the hardware shared resource. |
| US08555281B1 |
Scheduling of tasks based upon historical execution times
Methods, systems, and implementations are disclosed to schedule a plurality of tasks on one or more processors. The tasks may be part of a larger job based on a user initiated query for information retrieval. One example method of operation may include estimating, based upon historical actual execution times of tasks of a respective corresponding type, an expected execution time for each task of the plurality of tasks. The method may further include scheduling the plurality of tasks for execution on the one or more processors based upon the estimated expected execution time of each task. The scheduling procedure utilized ultimately produces an optimized task execution schedule, and in turn, minimizes the expected job completion time. |
| US08555280B2 |
Terminal device of non-android platform for executing android applications, and computer readable recording medium for storing program of executing android applications on non-android platform
Provided is a terminal device having a VM-based layer structure for executing heterogeneous applications. The terminal device includes: an application layer module including a first application and a second application; a platform layer module connected to a terminal processor and configured to operate the first application; and a middleware module configured to connect the platform layer module and the second application. |
| US08555279B2 |
Resource allocation for controller boards management functionalities in a storage management system with a plurality of controller boards, each controller board includes plurality of virtual machines with fixed local shared memory, fixed remote shared memory, and dynamic memory regions
Provided is a computer system capable of linking and integrally operating a plurality of virtual machines. In this regard, a memory management mechanism capable of securing a shared memory secured, before the activation of the virtual machines, in a physical address that can be designated and capable of securing local memories corresponding to the number of the virtual machines is realized. In relation to a virtual system realized by a cooperation process by the plurality of virtual machines using part of physical hardware, a fixed area, in which the physical address and the size are determined at the activation of a hypervisor, and a dynamic allocation area, which is managed by the hypervisor, allocated from a memory pool that is shared by virtual machines that execute other functions, and in which the physical address and the size are determined at the activation of the virtual machines, are allocated to the virtual machines constituting the virtual machine group. |
| US08555277B2 |
Method and apparatus for activating a virtual machine in a virtual solution
Embodiments of the present invention relate to a method for activating virtual machines in a virtual solution, including: for each virtual machine, activating activation items in a first activation item set independently of other virtual machines; and for at least one virtual machine, activating activation items in a second activation item set in coordination with activation of activation items of at least another virtual machine. There is further provided an apparatus for activating virtual machines in a virtual solution, including: a first activator for activating, for each virtual machine, activation items in a first activation item set independently of other virtual machines; and a second activator for activating, for at least one virtual machine, activation items in a second activation item set in coordination with activation of activation items of at least another virtual machine. |
| US08555269B2 |
System and method for securing web application code and verifying correctness of software
Methods, software tools and systems for analyzing software applications, e.g., Web applications, are described. A software application to be analyzed is transformed into an abstract representation which preserves its information flow properties. The abstract interpretation is evaluated to identify vulnerabilities using, for example, type qualifiers to associate security levels with variables and/or functions in the application being analyzed and typestate checking. Runtime guards are inserted into the application to secure identified vulnerabilities. |
| US08555265B2 |
Parallel processing of data
A data parallel pipeline may specify multiple parallel data objects that contain multiple elements and multiple parallel operations that operate on the parallel data objects. Based on the data parallel pipeline, a dataflow graph of deferred parallel data objects and deferred parallel operations corresponding to the data parallel pipeline may be generated and one or more graph transformations may be applied to the dataflow graph to generate a revised dataflow graph that includes one or more of the deferred parallel data objects and deferred, combined parallel data operations. The deferred, combined parallel operations may be executed to produce materialized parallel data objects corresponding to the deferred parallel data objects. |
| US08555264B2 |
System and method for efficient compilation and invocation of function type calls
A system and method for efficient compilation and invocation of function type calls in a virtual machine (VM), or other runtime environment, and particularly for use in a system that includes a Java Virtual Machine (JVM). The system comprises a virtual machine for executing a software application; a memory space for the application byte code comprising callsites generated using a function type carrier; a bytecode to machine code compiler which performs MethodHandle invocation optimizations; a memory space for the compiled machine code; and a memory space for storing software objects as part of the software application. The system enables carrying the function type from the original MethodHandle to a callsite in the generated bytecode, including maintaining generics information for a function type acquired from a target function, and generating a callsite based on the generics information for the function object invocation. |
| US08555263B2 |
System and method for code automation
A system is provided for computer application code automation comprising a code automation computer server configured for presenting an electronic user interface for receiving user input for generating a Structured Query Language (SQL) query, the user input comprising a plurality of SQL tokens, a processor, associated with the code automation computer server, for receiving the plurality of SQL tokens, the processor retrieving from memory and executing computer executable instructions for at least one of: (a) optimizing performance of the SQL query while receiving the user input, and (b) error checking the SQL query while receiving the user input, wherein the processor is adapted for automatically incorporating the generated SQL query into the computer application code and storing the computer application code in a non-transitory computer readable medium. |
| US08555261B1 |
Object-oriented pull model XML parser
A system and method for parsing XML is provided. The method includes associating an input stream with a pull model parser, accepting requests to selectively parse out XML items from the input stream and retrieving metadata information associated with the parsed out XML items. The method further includes checking the pulled XML item to determine whether it conforms to XML syntax and/or semantic standards and validating the pulled XML item to determine whether it conforms to a selected DTD. |
| US08555259B2 |
Verifying function performance based on predefined count ranges
A computer-implemented method of finding portions of a computer program exhibiting irregular performance can include detecting an entry into a function of a computer program under test indicating a current execution of the function and, responsive to detecting an exit from the function, determining a count of a computing resource utilized by the function during the current execution of the function. The count of the computing resource can be compared with a predetermined count range to determine whether the function is nonconforming to the predetermined count range. Usage information for the computer program under test can be output to a display of an electronic device resource, the resource usage information indicating that the function does not conform to the predetermined count range. |
| US08555257B2 |
System and method for networked software development
A host having a network interface communicating with a plurality of users and a plurality of target devices, a workbench tool including software development tools, the plurality of users having access to the workbench, at least one user creating a first sensorpoint module using the workbench and a database storing the first sensorpoint module, the host loading the first sensorpoint module onto at least one of the target devices. |
| US08555255B2 |
Method of tracing object allocation site in program, as well as computer system and computer program therefor
A data structure of a run-time object having a hash value field. The data structure allows an object allocation site to be traced from the run-time object, the object allocation site being a site in a program allocating the run-time object. A method for allowing an object allocation site to be traced from a run-time object includes embedding a value corresponding to the object allocation site in the program. A hash-value field includes the embedded value and the object identifier, and the tracing is performed by identifying the object allocation site that corresponds to the embedded value. A computer system for tracing an object allocation site includes a memory that stores the run-time object; an acquirer that acquires the value from a hash value field; and an identification unit that identifies the object allocation site that corresponds to the acquired value. |
| US08555252B2 |
Apparatus and method for loading and updating codes of cluster-based java application system
The present disclosure discloses embodiments of an apparatus and method for loading codes of cluster-based Java application system. The loading techniques provided by the present disclosure do not need to publish the latest codes to each server in the cluster or restart the Java application in each server of the cluster. The loading techniques only need to update the codes in the codes storage server, such as a SVN server. Each server in the cluster will automatically load the latest codes, thereby improving the usability of the Java cluster system. |
| US08555245B2 |
Automated application generation method and system
A modification method and system. The method includes retrieving by a computer processor of a computing system a list of features and plug-ins associated with an application. The features include features version metadata and the plug-ins include plug-ins version metadata. The computer processor compares features source code associated with the features with previous versions of associated source code. The computer processor generates modified features version metadata associated with the features version metadata. The modified features version metadata includes updated version labels differing from previous version labels of the previous versions of associated source code. The features are assembled into an application. |
| US08555242B2 |
Decentralized system services
A Decentralized System Services (DSS) architecture defines a framework for building fault-tolerant distributed applications across decentralized and heterogeneous systems. DSS enables “complexity through composition” by defining distributed designs as compositions of limited function and observable services which may be quickly and dynamically assembled to perform higher level functions. DSS defines a standardized interaction between distributed services using sessionless, asynchronous communications with explicit failure semantics. Accounting for latency, failure and state management all become a natural part of the design process. DSS includes a runtime implementation for managing concurrent services—the Common Concurrency Runtime (CCR), a protocol for service interactions—the Web Services Application Protocol (WSAP), and a set of required service behaviors which provide for composibility, location independence, and fault tolerance—Distributed Protocol Oriented Programming (DPOP). DSS also includes a set of base level infrastructure services which make it easy to communicate, secure, distribute, debug, and store content across devices. |
| US08555241B2 |
Automated scheduling of mass data run objects
Techniques are described in which indication of a computer application to be configured for use in a particular business enterprise is received. A mass data run object is identified. The mass data run object defines a computer operation to be performed by the computer application to transform business transaction data as part of a business process. The mass data run object identifies i) selection parameters to select business transaction data to be transformed by the computer operation defined by the mass data run object and ii) instructions, that when executed, perform the computer operation to transform the selected business transaction data. A mass data run object instance corresponding to the identified mass data run object is generated and scheduled for execution. |
| US08555240B2 |
Describing formal end-user requirements in information processing systems using a faceted, tag-based model
A method, including: providing a computer menu from which a processing goal can be created, wherein the menu includes a plurality of facets, and wherein each facet includes at least one tag; receiving a processing goal, wherein the processing goal includes a plurality of tags selected from the menu; executing at least one application that includes a plurality of components arranged in a processing graph to produce information that satisfies the processing goal; and outputting the information. |
| US08555238B2 |
Programming and development infrastructure for an autonomic element
Programming and development infrastructure for an autonomic element is provided. The system includes a control plane (ISAC), a host server, a management console, and a module development environment. The ISAC contains an Autonomic Controller Engine (ACE) and management module(s). The management module is comprised of a set of scenarios. The ISAC is embedded in a control plane. |
| US08555233B2 |
Integrated circuit optimization modeling technology
A design optimization method for a target circuit design specified by a machine-readable file, comprises providing a computer-implemented model as a function of a set of characteristics of circuit designs of circuit optimization achievable due to a circuit modification procedure, such as timing constrained gate length modification for leakage power reduction. Using values of said set of characteristics for the target circuit design, the computer-implemented model is applied to the target circuit design to produce an indication of susceptibility of the target circuit design to optimization. The model can be produced using Monte Carlo simulations of a set of virtual designs, and fitting a function of said characteristics to the results. |
| US08555232B2 |
Wire routing using virtual landing pads
Systems and methods for wire routing using virtual landing pads (VLPs) are described. In an embodiment, a method includes routing a wiring path between an output of a first circuit component and a VLP that represents an input of a second circuit component. For example, the VLP may have an area larger than the area of a physical pin of the second circuit component. The method may also include identifying a connection point on the VLP that is separated from an actual terminal of the second circuit, and completing the path between the connection point and the actual terminal. In some embodiments, the output of the first circuit component may also be represented by its own VLP. As such, systems and methods described herein may allow a circuit designer to perform routing procedures in a complex, highly integrated circuit, while reducing the circuit's overall capacitance and associated power consumption. |
| US08555227B2 |
Clock tree for pulsed latches
The invention concerns a computer implemented method of circuit conception of a clock tree (200) comprising: a plurality of pulse generators (202) each being coupled to the input of one or more pulsed latches and being arranged to generate a pulsed signal (PS); and a tree of buffers (204) for supplying a clock signal (CLK) to the pulse generators, the method comprising: the conception of the clock tree without pulse generators based on a timing analysis by the computer of the propagation of clock edges in the clock tree; and replacing by the computer in the clock tree at least one buffer, coupled to the input of each pulsed latch, by a pulse generator. |
| US08555226B1 |
Automatic verification of dependency
An approach is provided in which a formal verification tool sends a condition signal to a first circuit instance and to a second circuit instance, which are both instances of an electric circuit design. The formal verification tool selects a common input port and sends a first input value to the common input port of the first circuit instance and sends a second input value, which is different than the first input value, to the common input port of the second circuit instance. In turn, the first circuit instance generates a first output value and the second circuit instance generates a second instance value, which are utilized to verify dependencies between the electronic circuit's input ports and output ports. |
| US08555225B1 |
Hierarchical stress parameter annotation
In an embodiment, the design flow is modified to avoid the flattening process but still accurately annotate the transistors with stress parameters. The location-based stress parameters may be generated, but may not be provided to the LVS tool. Instead, a hierarchical LVS process may be performed, black-boxing lower level blocks that already have stress parameter assignments, preserving hierarchy, etc. The output database from LVS thus includes a cross reference between layout devices and schematic devices, as well as locations of the schematic devices. The database may then be queried for the transistors in the non-flattened design, and the stress parameters may be assigned to the transistors based on the location-based stress parameters. In this fashion the stress parameters may be assigned to the desired transistors, permitting annotation of these parameters into the schematics, without flattening the design and doing unnecessary work on blocks to be skipped. |
| US08555221B2 |
Partitioning for hardware-accelerated functional verification
A circuit design is partitioned for hardware-accelerated functional verification using a directed hypergraph with edge weights that are a function of slack. Slack may be computed as the difference between the early and late ranks for the source of an edge. The weight may further be computed as the difference between the edge's slack and a maximum slack value. In a preferred implementation each vertex also has multiple weights associated with resource requirements of different node types, and the partitioning is constrained to prevent vertex movement that would result in vertex weights for a given partition exceeding a partition resource capacity based on the accelerator architecture. Edge and vertex weights can be recomputed for the next level of partitioning. The partitioning process can be repeatedly iteratively until a termination criterion is met, the termination criterion being based in part on the number of directed cuts in each of the partitions. |
| US08555218B2 |
Decision modules
An abstract decision module primitive for placement within a logical representation (i.e., a netlist) of a circuit design is described. The decision module primitive receives as inputs alternative solutions for a given function or segment of a netlist. The alternative solutions include functionally equivalent, but structurally different implementations of the function or segment of the netlist. The decision module primitive alternatively selects between connecting one of the inputs to the netlist to provide a complete functional definition for the netlist based on constraint information. The selected input of the decision module may be updated as additional constraint information is determined throughout the various stages of the design process. In addition, alternative solutions for a given function or segment of the netlist may be added to and/or removed from the inputs of a decision module as additional constraint information is identified. |
| US08555215B2 |
Methods for decomposing circuit design layouts and for fabricating semiconductor devices using decomposed patterns
Methods for fabricating semiconductor devices are provided. In an embodiment, a method of fabricating a semiconductor device includes scanning a circuit design layout and proposing patterns for decomposed layouts. The proposed patterns are then compared with a library of prior patterns including a category of forbidden patterns and a category of preferred patterns. If a selected proposed pattern matches a forbidden pattern, the selected proposed pattern is eliminated. If the selected proposed pattern matches a preferred pattern, then the selected proposed pattern is identified for use in the decomposed layouts. Decomposed layouts are generated from the identified patterns. A plurality of masks is fabricated based on the decomposed layouts. Then a multiple patterning lithographic technique is performed with the plurality of masks on a semiconductor substrate. |
| US08555210B2 |
Systems and methods for stochastic models of mask process variability
Systems and methods are disclosed for a stochastic model of mask process variability of a photolithography process, such as for semiconductor manufacturing. In one embodiment, a stochastic error model may be based on a probability distribution of mask process error. The stochastic error model may generate a plurality of mask layouts having stochastic errors, such as random and non-uniform variations of contacts. In other embodiments, the stochastic model may be applied to critical dimension uniformity (CDU) optimization or design rule (DR) sophistication. |
| US08555209B2 |
Method for fabricating a semiconductor device using a modeling algorithm to model the proximity effect from the sub-layer
A method for forming a circuit layout comprises performing process proximity effect modeling based on process proximity effects caused by a sub-layer, wherein the sub-layer comprises an active layer positioned under a gate poly, and wherein performing the process proximity effect modeling includes calculating a pattern density of the sub-layer, incorporating results of the process proximity effect modeling into a modeling algorithm, and performing proximity correction using the results to manipulate a layout of a mask to be used when forming the circuit layout by photolithography. |
| US08555206B2 |
Methods and apparatus to present recipe progress status information
Example methods and apparatus to present recipe progress status information are disclosed. A disclosed example method involves displaying a user interface screen associated with a recipe being executed in a process control system. The recipe includes a plurality of process phases. A plurality of process stage progress indicator are displayed in the user interface screen in an arrangement representative of the process flow of the recipe. Each of the process stage progress indicators is representative of at least one of the process phases of the recipe. A first one of the process stage progress indicators is indicative of a progress of at least one of the process phases. The first process stage progress indicator is updated in substantially real-time based on information received from the process control system. |
| US08555205B2 |
System and method utilized for human and machine interface
The present invention discloses a system for human and machine interface. The system includes a 3-dimensional (3D) image capture device, for capturing a gesture of a motion object in a period of time; a hand-held inertial device (HHID), for transmitting a control signal; and a computing device. The computing device includes a system integration and GUI module, for compensating the control signal according to an image signal corresponding to the motion object, to generate a compensated control signal. |
| US08555204B2 |
Intuitive data visualization method
A computer software program, method and system has a data visualization scheme in the form of plural identifiable virtual characters in a familiar virtual environment that is relevant for the characters and in which the characters act in the context of the environment and in a manner that is indicative of the data or data set portrayed by each character. From the actions and interactions of the virtual characters in the context of the virtual environment, information about the nature and interactions of the data and data sets is quickly and intuitively appreciated by a viewer. |
| US08555203B1 |
Stackable icons
A graphical user interface (GUI) includes an icon stack comprising a plurality of icons in an area within the GUI, whereby the icons overlap. The GUI further includes at least one interstitial navigation box that is capable of displaying information about at least one item associated with one of the icons. |
| US08555200B2 |
Representing editable attributes of embedded content
A representational editing system for WYSIWYG editing of editable web pages with embedded content elements. The representational editing system presents embedded content elements in an editable manner that represents their actual appearance on the web page. Typically, the representational editing system displays an image in place of the embedded content. The representational editing system enables users to modify editable attributes of embedded content in a WYSIWYG editing environment. |
| US08555198B2 |
Annotations for electronic content
Embodiments are described for capturing, displaying, and navigating text annotations in a non-modifiable document. In some embodiments, a determination is made that a text annotation is to be created and a system determines the file position of the selected object. The file position of the selected object can be stored along with the created text annotation in another file or a non-read only portion of a file storing the document. Using the file position, the text annotation may be identified with the selected object without modifying the non-modifiable document. In some embodiments, once a text annotation is displayed a user may easily navigate among the captured annotations. |
| US08555194B2 |
Secondary user interface
A method for creating and accessing a graphical user interface in the overscan area outside the area of the display normally utilized by the common operating systems. This normal display area is generally known as the “desktop”. The desktop serves as a graphical user interface to the operating system. The desktop displays images representing files, documents and applications available to the user. The desktop is restricted in the common environments to a predetermined set of resolutions (e.g., 640×480, 800×600, 1024×768) as defined by VGA and SVGA standards. Displayable borders outside this area are the overscan area. |
| US08555191B1 |
Method, system, and apparatus for keystroke entry without a keyboard input device
A method, system, and apparatus for entering alpha-numeric and non-alpha numeric data without the use of a keyboard input device are provided. According to one method, a grid is displayed on a display screen that includes one or more alpha-numeric characters. Distinguishing characters are displayed adjacent to each alpha-numeric character. In response to receiving a selection within the grid, a determination is made as to whether the selected location contains an alpha-numeric character and, if so, a further determination is made as to whether a distinguishing character is present on two sides of the selected location. If a distinguishing character is present on two sides of the selected location, then the character located at the selected location is entered into a keyboard buffer as if a keyboard input device had been utilized to type the character. The grid may also include character strings corresponding to non-alphanumeric keystrokes that may be selected and entered into the keyboard buffer in a similar manner. |
| US08555189B2 |
Management system and management system control method
The present invention makes it possible to set a monitoring method for each of a plurality of monitoring-targeted objects. A node, such as a server, and a component, which is included in the node, are monitoring-targeted objects. An information acquiring part 140 acquires information from the monitoring-targeted objects. A control part 130 monitors the status of each of the monitoring-targeted objects based on the monitoring method set by a user for each of the monitoring-targeted objects, and outputs an alert in a case where a failure has been detected. A monitoring status is linked between monitoring-targeted objects that are associated to one another. |
| US08555186B2 |
Interactive thumbnails for transferring content among electronic documents
Embodiments of the invention relate generally to computing devices and systems, software, computer programs, applications, and user interfaces, and more particularly, to generating a reproduction of an electronic document, such as a thumbnail, that includes an input field. |
| US08555185B2 |
User interface for multiple display regions
User interfaces for multiple display regions are described. One embodiment provides an array of non-overlapping windows that are created from a set of overlapping windows, and a user can select one of the non-overlapping windows to obtain an enlarged view of that selected window while keeping the other windows in their non-overlapping state. In one embodiment, the array of non-overlapping windows can include minimized windows or windows in other virtual desktops (e.g. windows in other “Spaces”) or both. In one embodiment, only windows of a selected application are shown in non-overlapping mode while opened windows of other applications are not shown. |
| US08555183B2 |
Software-based system and method for changing structural feature designations
A software-based system for changing structural feature designations within a production environment includes a menu page component adapted to support a menu page; an information document component interfacing with the menu page component and adapted to support at least one information document having structural feature designations of structural features; and an edit component interfacing with the information document component and adapted to view and edit the structural feature designations to expedite flow of materials in the production environment. |
| US08555175B2 |
Display generation device, display generation method, program, and content download system
A display generation device, a display generation method, a program, and a content download system are provided. The display generation device for generating a display screen including one or two or more user-selectable playback control items is provided with a download section for downloading content data from a content server storing the content data, a data amount acquisition section for acquiring a data amount already downloaded and a data amount not yet downloaded by the download section among the content data, a rate acquisition section for acquiring a transmission rate of data from the content server to the display generation device, and a display screen generation section for generating the display screen including the playback control item according to the data amount acquired by the data amount acquisition section and the transmission rate acquired by the rate acquisition section. |
| US08555167B2 |
Interactive access to media or other content related to a currently viewed program
A method for providing content related to a multimedia program on a display device where currently viewed multimedia programs are monitored so that content related to the currently viewed multimedia program may be retrieved from a content source and displayed on a flexible user interface on the display device upon request by the user, in which the user is able to adjust a size and position of the flexible user interface on the display device. |
| US08555165B2 |
Methods and systems for generating a zoomable graphical user interface
Systems and methods according to the present invention provide a control framework for organizing, selecting and launching media items including graphical user interfaces coupled with an optional 3D control device for collection of the basic control primitives of point, click, scroll, hover and zoom which permit for easy and rapid selection of media items, e.g., movies, songs etc., from large or small collections. The remote control maps natural hand movements and gestures into relevant commands while the graphical display uses images, zooming for increased/decreased levels of detail and continuity of GUI objects to provide easy organization, selection and navigation among the media items by a user. |
| US08555163B2 |
Smooth streaming client component
A streaming abstraction system is described herein that provides application developers a client software development kit (SDK) on top of which to build smooth streaming solutions. The system reduces development time considerably and abstracts platform specific intricacies and protocol handling on the client. In addition, the streaming abstraction system makes it possible to monetize streaming content with advanced features like advertising and analytics and provides advanced capabilities like multiple camera angles, diagnostics, and error handling. In some embodiments, the streaming abstraction system provides an intermediate layer that operates between an application and an underlying client media platform. The intermediate layer manages smooth streaming protocol handling as well as interactions with the platform-specific runtime. |
| US08555162B2 |
Activation of fonts using font sets
Fonts may be activated based on the applications that are launched or operating on a computing device. Accordingly, if an application needs a particular set of fonts, the fonts may be activated upon launching of that application. Fonts may further be deactivated when they are no longer necessary or needed by the application (e.g., when the application is terminated). If supported by an operating system, instead of activating and deactivating the fonts, fonts may be pre-activated and then hidden from the operating system. The pre-activated fonts may be revealed when needed for the applications and then hidden again when the applications terminate. |
| US08555159B1 |
Dynamic display of web page content for editing and review
Facilitating definition of a web page is disclosed. An indication that an external data is to be incorporated into the web page from an external source, such as another web page, is received via an editing interface. The external data is retrieved in real time from the external source and displayed in the editing interface. |
| US08555158B2 |
Dynamically updating webpage style
A computer implemented method of presenting webpages at a client device or system, having one or more processors and memory storing one or more programs for execution by the one or more processors, includes, at a first time, presenting a first webpage having a first style, and in response to a refresh request at a second time, presenting a second webpage having a second style that is distinct from the first style. The first style and second style are determined in accordance with a value of a user selected variable, and the value automatically changes over time independent of user action. Furthermore, the user selected variable has a first value at the first time and a second value distinct from the first value at the second time. |
| US08555151B2 |
Method and apparatus for coupling a visual browser to a voice browser
A method and apparatus for concurrently accessing network-based electronic content in a Voice Browser and a Visual Browser can include the steps of retrieving a network-based document formatted for display in the Visual Browser; identifying in the retrieved document a reference to the Voice Browser, the reference specifying electronic content formatted for audible presentation in the Voice Browser; and, transmitting the reference to the Voice Browser. The Voice Browser can retrieve the specified electronic content and audibly present the electronic content. Concurrently, the Visual Browser can visually present the network-based document formatted for visual presentation in the Visual Browser. Likewise, the method of the invention can include the steps of retrieving a network-based document formatted for audible presentation in the Voice Browser; identifying in the retrieved document a reference to the Visual Browser, the reference specifying electronic content formatted for visual presentation in the Visual Browser; and, transmitting the reference to the Visual Browser. The Visual Browser can retrieve the specified electronic content and visually present the specified electronic content. Concurrently, the Voice Browser can audibly present the network-based document formatted for audible presentation in the Voice Browser. |
| US08555150B1 |
Constraint driven authoring environment
Techniques disclosed herein adapt a content authoring environment based on the specifications of destination electronic device for which that content is prepared. Such modification tailors features in the authoring environment to the destination device. The content authoring environment receives an identification of a destination device, such as a mobile phone, for which content is to be presented. The content authoring environment then modifies operation of itself to confirm to characteristics of the identified destination device. For example, such a modification can enable/disable authoring tools, provide device compatibility feedback in response to user content authoring, make changes to created content for device compatibility, and so forth. |
| US08555140B2 |
Low density parity check decoder for irregular LDPC codes
A method and system for decoding low density parity check (“LDPC”) codes. An LDPC decoder includes a control unit that controls decoder processing, the control unit causing the decoder to process the blocks of a low density parity check (“LDPC”) matrix out of order. A decoder embodiment may process the layers of the LDPC matrix out of order and/or perform partial state processing on out of order blocks of the LDPC matrix and/or generate R messages out of order. |
| US08555139B1 |
Integrated 2-level low density parity check (LDPC) codes
A method includes applying an error-detecting code to first input data to generate first protected data and applying the error-detecting code to second input data to generate second protected data. The method also includes generating a first encoded codeword by encoding the first protected data using a first low density parity check (LDPC) code, and generating an output by performing a binary exclusive-or operation on the first protected data and the second protected data. The method further includes generating a second encoded codeword by encoding the output of the of the binary exclusive-or operation using a second LDPC code, and multiplexing data for transmission over a communications channel based on (i) the first encoded codeword and (ii) the second encoded codeword. |
| US08555134B2 |
Turbo coding for upstream and downstream transmission over a channel
A method of transmitting data in a cable modem system includes the steps of encoding the data using forward error correction. The data is then encoded with Turbo encoding. The data is then sent to a modulation scheme. The data is then transmitted over a cable channel. The data is then demodulated. The data is then decoded using a Turbo decoder. An inverse of the forward error correction is then applied to the data. |
| US08555128B2 |
System and method for transmitting and receiving acknowledgement information
A system and method for transmitting and receiving acknowledgement information are provided. A method for communications device operations includes determining a hybrid automatic repeat request (HARQ) response for each CC in a set of configured CCs, thereby producing a set of HARQ responses, generating an information vector from the set of HARQ responses, encoding the information vector, and transmitting the encoded information vector. A sub-vector of one or more bits selected from the information vector is assigned a fixed vector value independent of HARQ responses for CCs not in a set of CCs when the set of CCs is not empty, where the set of CCs comprises at least one CC whose HARQ response is equal to DTX. |
| US08555127B2 |
Self-timed error correcting code evaluation system and method
Error correcting codes (ECCs) have been proposed to be used in high frequency memory devices to detect errors in signals transmitted between a memory controller and a memory device. For high frequency memory devices, ECCs have delay characteristics of greater than one clock cycle. When the delay exceeds one clock cycle but is much less than two clock cycles, an entire second clock cycle must be added. By calculating and comparing the ECC value in a static logic circuit and a dynamic logic circuit, the logic delay is substantially reduced. In addition, the ECC value may be calculated and compared using two sets of static logic gates, where the second static logic gate is clocked by a clock signal that is delayed relative to the clock signal of the first set of logic gates. |
| US08555124B2 |
Apparatus and method for detecting an approaching error condition
An apparatus and method are provided for detecting an approaching error condition within a data processing apparatus and includes a sequential storage structure arranged to latch an output signal generated by combinatorial circuitry dependent on a second clock signal. The sequential storage structure has a main storage element to latch a value of the output signal for provision to subsequent combinatorial circuitry. The sequential storage structure can be operated in either first or second modes of operation where, in the first mode, the predetermined timing window is ahead of a time at which the main storage element latches said value of the output signal enabling an approaching setup timing error to be detected. In the second mode, the predetermined timing window is after the time at which the main storage element latches said value of the output signal where an approaching hold timing error is detected. |
| US08555121B2 |
Pulse dynamic logic gates with LSSD scan functionality
A scannable pulse dynamic logic gate may include an evaluation network that evaluates dynamic inputs in response to assertion of an evaluate pulse. The evaluate pulse may be generated from a clock signal such that it is shorter in duration than the clock signal. During a normal mode of operation, when the evaluate pulse is asserted, the evaluation network may discharge a dynamic node depending on the state of the dynamic inputs. The dynamic node may then drive output device(s). When the evaluate pulse is deasserted, the dynamic node may be precharged. The gate may also include scan input devices, which, during a scan mode of operation, may load scan input data onto the output node in response to assertion of a scan master clock. A storage element of the gate may receive and capture a value of the output node in response to assertion of a slave scan clock. |
| US08555117B1 |
Defect detector for holographic storage systems
A system including a detection module, a reconstruction module, and a correlation module. The detection module receives first signals from a medium and detects data bits from the first signals. The reconstruction module reconstructs the data bits and generates second signals. The correlation module generates first correlation values by correlating the first and second signals and generates second correlation values by self-correlating the second signals. In response to at least one of the first and second signals including a floating number having a plurality of bits and a sign bit, the correlation module generates at least one of the first and second correlation values based on a plurality of most significant bits of the floating number and the sign bit of the floating number. The first and second correlation values indicate whether the data bits detected from the first signals include errors due to defects in the medium. |
| US08555116B1 |
Memory error detection
Systems and methods are provided for detecting and correcting address errors in a memory system. In the memory system, a memory device generates an error-detection code based on an address transmitted via an address bus and transmits the error-detection code to a memory controller. The memory controller transmits an error indication to the memory device in response to the error-detection code. The error indication causes the memory device to remove the received address and prevent a memory operation. |
| US08555114B2 |
Diagnostics methods for a communications device
A method facilitating the support of a communications device via diagnostic tools on the communications device and a remote computing device of monitoring predefined data elements associated with the operation of said communications device. |
| US08555113B2 |
System and method to manage problems with network-based services
A method includes receiving a problem report from a customer via an access interface of a plurality of access interfaces at a first horizontal layer of a problem management system, wherein the problem report indicates that the customer is having a problem with one of the network-based services, receiving a request from the customer for self-service problem resolution via the access interface, identifying a workflow related to the problem, obtaining the workflow from a second layer of the problem management system, providing a diagnostic tool to the customer via the access interface, according to the workflow, and providing the diagnostic tool to an agent via another access interface after the customer contacts the agent. |
| US08555109B2 |
Method and apparatus for distributed storage integrity processing
A distributed storage integrity system in a dispersed storage network includes a scanning agent and a control unit. The scanning agent identifies an encoded data slice that requires rebuilding, wherein the encoded data slice is one of a plurality of encoded data slices generated from a data segment using an error encoding dispersal function. The control unit retrieves at least a number T of encoded data slices needed to reconstruct the data segment based on the error encoding dispersal function. The control unit is operable to reconstruct the data segment from at least the number T of the encoded data slices and generate a rebuilt encoded data slice from the reconstructed data segment. The scanning agent is located in a storage unit and the control unit is located in the storage unit or in a storage integrity processing unit, a dispersed storage processing unit or a dispersed storage managing unit. |
| US08555107B2 |
Computer system and data processing method for computer system
A plurality of computers to execute jobs, a management computer to manage the execution of jobs and the disposition of data in the computers and a storage device storing data are interconnected via a network. The management program for the management computer divides the data into distributed data according to hint information and distributively disposes the distributed data and their replicas in memory storages allocated in memories of the computers. The computers execute the job using the distributed data allocated to their own memory. In the event of a fault in any of the computers, the management computer requests computers having the replicas of those distributed data disposed in the faulted computer to re-execute the job. |
| US08555105B2 |
Fallover policy management in high availability systems
The method determines whether a particular node of a high availability cluster is functioning properly or is a failed node. The method dumps node process state information as a dump data for the failed or crashed node in a shared storage area of the high availability cluster. A high availability cluster manager identifies the dump data that corresponds to the failed node as the most recent dump data for that failed node. The high availability cluster manager interrogates the dump data using kernel debugger services to identify a process trace and thereby identify the crash-causing application for the failed node. The method determines if the dump data includes a process match for the failed node process. The high availability cluster manager may initiate a crash-causing application notification to administrators or other entities of the high availability cluster. The method provides relocation and restoration capability of applications from the failed node to a fallover node and returns those application resources to the user and other entities using the high availability cluster. |
| US08555104B2 |
Frequency adapter utilized in high-speed internal buses
A frequency adapter for synchronizing data transfers between a low-frequency module and a high-frequency module connected to an internal bus. The frequency adapter includes a low-to-high synchronization unit for synchronizing data transfers from the low frequency module to the high-frequency module, wherein the low-to-high synchronization unit is clocked by a low frequency clock; and a high-to-low synchronization unit for synchronizing data transfers from the high frequency module to the low-frequency module, wherein the high-to-low synchronization unit is clocked by a low frequency clock. |
| US08555103B2 |
Deskewing apparatus for oscilloscope
A deskewing apparatus includes a power supply connector, a oscillator, a first switch unit, a second switch unit, a first logic member, a second logic member, a clock generator and a plurality of output channels. The oscillator generates an electrical signal with a predetermined frequency and sinusoidal waveform. The first switch unit and the second switch unit each generates on/off signals by controlling power on/off. The first logic member and the second logic member generate logic signals according to the corresponding on/off signals from the first switch unit and the second switch unit. The clock generator multiplies the frequency of the electrical signal based on the combination of the logic signals and converting the electrical signal from sinusoidal waveform into rectangular waveform. The output channels output the converted electrical signal. |
| US08555099B2 |
Device having multiple graphics subsystems and reduced power consumption mode, software and methods
Many computing device may now include two or more graphics subsystems. The multiple graphics subsystems may have different abilities, and may, for example, consume differing amount of electrical power, with one subsystem consuming more average power than the others. The higher power consuming graphics subsystem may be coupled to the device and used instead of, or in addition to, the lower power consuming graphics subsystem, resulting in higher performance or additional capabilities, but increased overall power consumption. By transitioning from the use of the higher power consuming graphics subsystem to the lower power consuming graphics subsystem, while placing the higher power consuming graphics subsystem in a lower power consumption mode, overall power consumption is reduced. |
| US08555097B2 |
Reconfigurable processor with pointers to configuration information and entry in NOP register at respective cycle to deactivate configuration memory for reduced power consumption
Described herein is a reconfigurable processor which uses a distributed configuration memory structure and an operation method thereof in which power consumption is reduced. A processing unit which configures the reconfigurable processor includes a functional unit, a distributed configuration memory, a no-operation (NOP) register, and a controller. The NOP register stores information which represents whether or not a NOP operation is performed at each clock cycle. The controller controls to deactivate the distributed configuration memory at a clock cycle at which a NOP operation is performed. |
| US08555096B2 |
Method and apparatus for selectively placing components into a sleep mode in response to loss of one or more clock signals or receiving a command to enter sleep mode
On a typical motherboard the processor and memory are separated by a printed circuit data bus that traverses the motherboard. Throughput, or data transfer rate, on the data bus is much lower than the rate at which a modern processor can operate. The difference between the data bus throughput and the processor speed significantly limits the effective processing speed of the computer when the processor is required to process large amounts of data stored in the memory. The processor is forced to wait for data to be transferred to or from the memory, leaving the processor under-utilized. The delays are compounded in a distributed computing system including a number of computers operating in parallel. The present disclosure describes systems, method and apparatus that tend to alleviate delays so that memory access bottlenecks are not compounded within distributed computing systems. |
| US08555095B2 |
Methods and systems for dynamically controlling operations in a non-volatile memory to limit power consumption
Systems and methods are disclosed for limiting power consumption of a non-volatile memory (NVM) using a power limiting scheme that distributes a number of concurrent NVM operations over time. This provides a “current consumption cap” that fixes an upper limit of current consumption for the NVM, thereby eliminating peak power events. In one embodiment, power consumption of a NVM can be limited by receiving data suitable for use as a factor in adjusting a current threshold from at least one of a plurality of system sources. The current threshold can be less than a peak current capable of being consumed by the NVM and can be adjusted based on the received data. A power limiting scheme can be used that limits the number of concurrent NVM operations performed so that a cumulative current consumption of the NVM does not exceed the adjusted current threshold. |
| US08555091B2 |
Dynamic power state determination of a graphics processing unit
According to some embodiments, a method and apparatus are provided to determine a first operating point and a second operating point associated with a graphics processing unit, automatically determine a plurality of voltage/frequency values between the first operating point and the second operating point, and define a plurality of power states of the graphic processing unit. One or more of the power states may be associated with one of the plurality of voltage/frequency values. Each of the plurality of voltage/frequency values may include both a voltage and a frequency. |
| US08555088B2 |
Method and apparatus for implementing secure and selectively deniable file storage
The invention concerns a method for writing data to a memory device arrangement comprising a first and a second memory device in which the first memory device comprises data blocks numbered with block numbers and the second memory device comprises at least one reference calculated from a data block digest and its physical block number. The invention is characterized in that it comprises the following steps: calculating the digest from at least part of the data block content, receiving at least one physical block number, to which the data block contents in the first memory device is stored, encrypting the data block content, storing the data block content to the first memory device to the position pointed by the physical block number, and storing or issuing a command to save the digest, or a number derived from it, and at least one said physical block number to the second memory device. Also a system, a computer program and server computer in accordance to the invention are presented. |
| US08555085B2 |
Enhancing useability of mobile devices that securely store data
Methods, computer-readable media, and systems for enhancing useability of mobile devices that securely store data. An input to transfer a computer software application executing on a mobile device from a foreground state of the mobile device to a background state of the mobile device is received. In response, noise data based on application data associated with the application is generated. Both the application data and the noise data are encrypted using the same encryption mechanism, but using different keys. When another input to transfer the application from the background state to the foreground state is received, then the encryption mechanism is executed on the application data and the noise data using a key requested in response to the other input. The application is transferred to the foreground state if the received key matches the key with which the application data was previously encrypted. Other items of data are discarded. |
| US08555084B2 |
Data encryption device and memory card
A data encryption device performs high-speed access to an arbitrary page when encrypting data and writing it to a storage device that can be accessed in a page unit or reading data therefrom and decrypting it. The device: encrypts data and writes it to the storage device or reads data from the storage device and decrypts it by a stream cipher; uses a counter mode of a block cipher to generate pseudorandom number series; specifies a data position in the storage device based on a page number and a page block number, by dividing one page into plural page blocks having a block length of the block cipher; and uses a value determined by a function of the page number, the page block number, and an arbitrary offset value, as an initial value of a pseudorandom number to be used in the counter mode. |
| US08555083B1 |
Systems and methods for protecting against unauthorized access of encrypted data during power-management modes
A method may include detecting initiation of a power-management mode that suspends the functionality of at least one component of a computing device while maintaining the functionality of the device's memory. The method may also include, before the device enters the power-management mode, (1) identifying, within the device's memory, an encryption key that is required to access encrypted data stored in the device's storage device, and (2) removing the encryption key from the device's memory in order to protect against unauthorized access of the encrypted data during implementation of the power-management mode. The method may also include, upon detecting discontinuation of the power-management mode, (1) obtaining user credentials from a user of the device in order to authenticate the user and, upon successfully authenticating the user, (2) using the user credentials to regenerate the encryption key in order to enable access to the encrypted data stored in the storage device. |
| US08555079B2 |
Token management
Systems and methods for generating replacement tokens are described herein. |
| US08555078B2 |
Relying party specifiable format for assertion provider token
A security component may be associated with a network-enabled application. The network-enabled application may request access to restricted content from a relying party (e.g., web site). The security component associated with the network-enabled application may receive authentication policy information from the relying party and send a user's authentication credentials to an assertion provider to authenticate the credentials. The relying party may trust the assertion provider to authenticate user credentials. Upon successful authentication, the assertion provider may return an assertion token to the security component and the security component may sign the assertion token as specified in the authentication policy information. Subsequently, the security token may forward the signed assertion token to the relying party and the relying party may grant access to the restricted content. |
| US08555076B2 |
Unique block header patterns for media verification
Authenticating the source of digital media is performed by using unique, randomly generated variably encoded frequency patterns to create mastering specific, profiles for sets end user media which can be verified by a manufacturer. A method for verifying the authenticity of an optical storage device includes the steps of: reading a randomly generated signature key value for the optical storage device; determining manufacturing information for the optical storage device; and matching read randomly generated signature key values and manufacturing information with known valid key the to determine the authenticity of the device. |
| US08555075B2 |
Methods and system for storing and retrieving identity mapping information
System and method for storing identity mapping information in an identity management system to enable a user authenticated at a first domain to access a second domain. The method may include digitally signing the identity mapping information by the user; providing the mapping information to an identity management system; and storing the user-signed mapping information after being further digitally signed by the identity management system. |
| US08555072B2 |
Attestation of computing platforms
A method and apparatus for attesting the configuration of a computing platform to a verifier. A signature key (SK) is bound to the platform and bound to a defined configuration of the platform. A credential (C(SK), CDAA(SK)) for the signature key (SK) is obtained from an evaluator. This credential (C(SK), CDAA(SK)) certifies that the signature key (SK) is bound to an unspecified trusted platform configuration. The platform can then demonstrate to the verifier the ability to sign a challenge from the verifier using the signature key (SK), and demonstrate possession of the credential (C(SK), CDAA(SK)) to the verifier, thereby attesting that the platform has a trusted configuration without disclosing the platform configuration to the verifier. |
| US08555071B2 |
Method of managing metadata
Managing metadata in a metadata transmission server by generating a plurality of metadata fragment data by partitioning metadata to be transmitted based upon predetermined segment units, selecting predetermined metadata fragment data from among the plurality of the metadata fragment data, generating metadata-related authentication information using the selected metadata fragment data, and transmitting the selected metadata fragment data and the metadata-related authentication information including data format information indicating type of the selected metadata fragment data. A metadata receiving client uses the transmitted metadata fragment data, the metadata-related authentication information and the metadata format type information to authenticate the received metadata. |
| US08555070B2 |
External interface access control for medical systems
A method and system of controlling access to a system in a medical environment is provided. The method includes calculating a signature value for at least one file usable with the medical system, transferring the calculated signature value to a signature file, and providing at least one signature value in the signature file and at least one associated file to a file system configured to be received by the medical system. At least one signature value and at least one associated file are inspected by the medical system to verify the associated file is a known medical software application asset. The medical system comprises an input/output data port configured to receive the external memory storage device, and an operating system capable of reading medical system data from and writing medical system data to the memory storage device. |
| US08555068B2 |
Secure mobile telephony
An system for and method of providing end-to-end encrypted real-time phone calls using a commodity mobile phone and without requiring service provider cooperation is presented. The system and method improve upon prior art techniques by omitting any requirement for mobile phones that are specially manufactured to include end-to-end encryption functionality. |
| US08555067B2 |
Methods and apparatus for delivering electronic identification components over a wireless network
Methods and apparatus enabling programming of electronic identification information of a wireless apparatus. In one embodiment, a previously purchased or deployed wireless apparatus is activated by a cellular network. The wireless apparatus connects to the cellular network using an access module to download operating system components and/or access control client components. The described methods and apparatus enable updates, additions and replacement of various components including Electronic Subscriber Identity Module (eSIM) data, OS components. One exemplary implementation of the invention utilizes a trusted key exchange between the device and the cellular network to maintain security. |
| US08555065B2 |
Method and apparatus for transmitting, receiving and decoding data using encoded patterns of changing colors
A system and method for encoding, transmitting and decoding data is described which defines a plurality of bit patterns into a predetermined color combination of red/green/blue colors. A message is formed from the plurality of bit patterns and the message is then arranged into a recognizable format with a message protocol. The message is transmitted to a decoder, which decodes the message and displays the message on a display. A use is provided to establish a two factor authentication mechanism to authenticate a user by a requester. |
| US08555064B2 |
Security system and method for wireless communication system
A security system processing method of a User Equipment (UE) and a security system for a wireless communication system are provided. The security processing method of the UE includes transmitting a Layer 3 message including a UE security capability to a Mobility Management Entity (MME) and the eNB, receiving a Access Stratum Security Mode Command (AS SMC) including a AS security algorithm selected by the eNB, as a result of verification of the UE security capability and information received from the MME, and a AS Message Authentication Code (MAC), transmitting a AS security mode complete message including the AS SMC to the eNB after verification of integrity of the AS SMC using the AS MAC, and transmitting, when receiving a Non Access Stratum (NAS) SMC including the UE security capability, a NAS security mode complete message to the MME after verification of integrity of the NAS SMC. |
| US08555060B2 |
Managing method, device and terminal for application program
A managing method for an application program is disclosed, which includes that: a first terminal converts a file of a specified application program stored by the first terminal per se into an intermediate file in a predetermined intermediate format, wherein the intermediate format can be identified by other terminals having a running environment of the application program (S101); and the first terminal performs backup management on the specified application program by storing the intermediate file into a specified storage location, so as to enable a second terminal to recover the application program that has been made a backup, wherein both the second terminal and the first terminal have the running environment of the application program (S103). A managing device for an application program and a terminal are further disclosed. By means of the solution of the disclosure, performing universal backup management on an application program is realized, such that terminals that need to recover the application program convert a file in the intermediate format into a format required by each terminal, so as to recover and normally use the application program. |
| US08555054B2 |
Apparatus and methods for protecting network resources
Apparatus and methods are provided for protecting network resources, particularly in association with automatic provisioning of new client devices. A global PKI (Public Key Infrastructure) scheme is rooted at a globally available server. Roots of PKIs for individual organizations also reside at this server or another globally available resource. To enable access to an organization's network, one or more authenticators are deployed, which may be co-located with access points or other network components. After a client device enabler (CDE) and an authenticator perform mutual authentication with certificates issued within the global PKI, the CDE is used to provision a new client device for the organization. After the client is provisioned, it and an authenticator use certificates issued within the per-organization PKI to allow the client access to the network. |
| US08555053B1 |
System and method for adjusting to drive specific criteria
Embodiments provide systems and methods for adjusting to drive specific criteria. Data blocks sent to a drive may be padded to a constant size over a period to ensure optimal drive performance. Systems for padding data blocks to a constant size over a period may include padding logic which may pad data blocks addressed to a drive to a constant size over a period. The padding logic may be contained in an appliance located upstream of the drive in a network. The appliance may be operable to intercept data blocks addressed to the drive over a period, pad the data blocks to a constant size and forward the data blocks to the drive such that the drive receives data blocks of a constant size over a period. |
| US08555050B2 |
Apparatus and method thereof for reliable booting from NAND flash memory
An apparatus for enabling booting from a NAND flash memory comprises a NAND flash controller connected to the NAND flash memory, wherein the NAND flash memory is configured to include at least a starter section for storing boot code, the starter section includes a predefined number of blocks to store copies of the boot code duplicated in a configurable number of blocks; and a fetch emulator for fetching a valid and complete starter block that includes the boot code. |
| US08555049B2 |
Secure boot terminal, secure boot method, secure boot program, recording medium, and integrated circuit
A terminal that performs secure boot processing when booting, thereby booting reliably even if, during updating of a software module, the power is cut off or the update is otherwise interrupted. The terminal comprises a CPU, a software module storage unit, a certificate storage unit, an updating unit for updating the software module and certificate, a security device provided with a configuration information storage unit for storing the configuration information of the software module, an alternate configuration information storage unit for storing the configuration information of a software module in the configuration before the update, and a boot control unit for verifying and executing the software module by using the certificate. The terminal verifies the certificate of the software module by comparing the configuration information stored by the configuration information storage unit with the configuration information stored by the alternate configuration information storage unit. |
| US08555048B2 |
Computer system for booting a system image by associating incomplete identifiers to complete identifiers via querying storage locations according to priority level where the querying is self adjusting
A computer system has extensible firmware interface firmware. The EFI firmware loads incomplete virtual boot data from a resource manager and then completes the boot data. The completed boot data is used to find an operating-system image to boot. The complete virtual boot data is transferred to the resource manager. |
| US08555045B2 |
Electronic meter for concurrently updating firmware and collecting meter usage with a micro controller calculates the usage when a reset time is longer than a predetermined period of storing time
There are provided an electronic apparatus and a meter which are operable during the updating of an operating program and firmware. The electronic apparatus operable during program updating includes an operation unit performing a preset operation, a micro controller controlling an operation result of the operation unit to be stored according to a predetermined period of storing time, and controlling a program received from the outside to be stored, an update controller allowing the program stored during the predetermined period of storing time to be updated in the micro controller, and a storing unit storing the program and the operation result under control of the micro controller. |
| US08555043B1 |
Dynamically updating a computer system firmware image
Methods, systems, apparatus, and computer-readable media for customizing a computer system firmware image utilizing a firmware configuration data structure. At least one firmware configuration data structure is created in a firmware image. Each data structure contains configuration data stored within a data field. A data structure signature identifying the data structure is stored within a data field of the data structure. A pointer to the configuration data within the data structure is stored in at least one firmware program module. An application may search for a firmware configuration data structure according to the data structure signature and content signatures corresponding to specific data entries, retrieve the applicable data structure and data entry, and store modifications to data stored therein. |
| US08555042B2 |
Apparatus, system, and method for resetting and bypassing microcontroller stations
An apparatus, system, and method are disclosed for resetting and bypassing microcontroller stations. A command module asserts and de-asserts a reset line in response to a command. A reset module resets a microcontroller station if the command module asserts and de-asserts the reset line within a time interval. In addition, the reset module bypasses the microcontroller station if the command module asserts and holds the reset line for a time period exceeding the time interval. |
| US08555040B2 |
Indirect branch target predictor that prevents speculation if mispredict is expected
In one embodiment, a processor implements an indirect branch target predictor to predict target addresses of indirect branch instructions. The indirect branch target predictor may store target addresses generated during previous executions of indirect branches, and may use the stored target addresses as predictions for current indirect branches. The indirect branch target predictor may also store a validation tag corresponding to each stored target address. The validation tag may be compared to similar data corresponding to the current indirect branch being predicted. If the validation tag does not match, the indirect branch is presumed to be mispredicted (since the branch target address actually belongs to a different instruction). The indirect branch target predictor may inhibit speculative execution subsequent to the mispredicted indirect branch until the redirect is signalled for the mispredicted indirect branch. |
| US08555038B2 |
Processor and method providing instruction support for instructions that utilize multiple register windows
A processor including instruction support for large-operand instructions that use multiple register windows may issue, for execution, programmer-selectable instructions from a defined instruction set architecture (ISA). The processor may also include an instruction execution unit that, during operation, receives instructions for execution from the instruction fetch unit and executes a large-operand instruction defined within the ISA, where execution of the large-operand instruction is dependent upon a plurality of registers arranged within a plurality of register windows. The processor may further include control circuitry (which may be included within the fetch unit, the execution unit, or elsewhere within the processor) that determines whether one or more of the register windows depended upon by the large-operand instruction are not present. In response to determining that one or more of these register windows are not present, the control circuitry causes them to be restored. |
| US08555037B2 |
Processing vectors using wrapping minima and maxima instructions in the macroscalar architecture
Embodiments of a system and a method in which a processor may execute instructions that cause the processor to receive an input vector and a control vector are disclosed. The executed instructions may also cause the processor to perform a minima or maxima operation on another input vector dependent upon the input vector and the control vector. |
| US08555029B2 |
Virtualized storage system and method of operating thereof
A storage system and method are provided including physical storage devices controlled by storage control devices constituting a storage control layer operatively coupled to the physical storage devices and hosts. The storage control layer includes: a first virtual layer interfacing with the hosts, operable to represent a logical address space characterized by logical block addresses, characterized by an Internal Virtual Address Space (IVAS) and operable, responsive to I/O requests addressed to logical block addresses, to provide protocol-dependent translation of said logical block addresses into IVAS addresses; and a second virtual layer interfacing with the physical storage space, and operable to represent available physical space to said hosts and characterized by a Physical Virtual Address Space (PVAS). Each address in PVAS having a corresponding address in IVAS. The second virtual layer is operable to translate PVAS addresses corresponding to IVAS addresses into addresses in physical address space in a protocol-independent manner. |
| US08555020B2 |
Reclaiming space occupied by an expired variable record in a non-volatile record storage
In a method for reclaiming space occupied by an expired variable record in a non-volatile record storage, a reclaim state data that includes a state of a reclaim operation is maintained. In addition, the state of the reclaim operation is marked to indicate a progress of the reclaim operation at a plurality of stages of the reclaim operation. The reclaim operation is implemented by sliding, one section at a time, the data in a first direction along the plurality of sections and by sliding, one section at a time, the variable records, excluding the expired variable record, in a second direction along the plurality of sections, to thereby remove the expired variable record. |
| US08555018B1 |
Techniques for storing data
Techniques for providing access to data are disclosed. In an embodiment, a method for providing access to data involves storing data among a plurality of data stores where at least two of the data stores differ in at least one ability to perform a data operation. A mapping associates data containers with locations of corresponding data among the data stores. At least a portion of the data is redistributed among the data stores according to at least one policy that defines where among the data stores said at least a portion of the data should be stored. A request from a requestor to access particular data corresponding a data container is received and the particular data is located using the mapping. The particular data is provided to the requestor. |
| US08555016B2 |
Unified optimistic and pessimistic concurrency control for a software transactional memory (STM) system
A method and apparatus for unified concurrency control in a Software Transactional Memory (STM) is herein described. A transaction record associated with a memory address referenced by a transactional memory access operation includes optimistic and pessimistic concurrency control fields. Access barriers and other transactional operations/functions are utilized to maintain both fields of the transaction record, appropriately. Consequently, concurrent execution of optimistic and pessimistic transactions is enabled. |
| US08555015B2 |
Multi-layer content protecting microcontroller
The present invention relates to a microcontroller designed for protection of intellectual digital content. The microcontroller includes a secure CPU, a real-time cipher, and a user programmable multi-layer access control system for internal memory realized by programmable nonvolatile memory. Programmable nonvolatile memory allows in-system and in-application programming for the end user. The programmable nonvolatile memory is mainly used for program code and operating parameter storage. The multiple-layer access control is an integral part of the CPU, providing confidentiality protection to embedded digital content by controlling reading, writing, and/or execution of a code segment according to a set of user-programmed parameters. The cipher incorporates a set of cryptographic rules for data encryption and decryption with row and column manipulation for data storage. All cryptographic operations are executed in parallel with CPU run time without incurring additional latency and delay for system operation. |
| US08555014B1 |
Automatic access management of clients to a storage system
Embodiments of the present invention provide a method of managing access of multiple client computers to a storage system that supports a limited number of logins. The method comprises, in response to a request to enable a subset of the clients to access resources of the storage system to perform a task, automatically configuring the storage system to provide the subset of the clients access to the resources, and, when the task is completed, automatically re-configuring the storage system so that the subset of the clients is no longer provided with access to the resources of the storage system. |
| US08555003B2 |
Notifying software components using a shared physical storage medium
Techniques for updating a cached version of data in a computer system upon a change of the data as stored in a shared storage system networked to the computer system are described. In accordance with such techniques, a notification from the shared storage system is received at the computer system upon attempting to access the shared storage system. The computer system then determines that the notification occurred due to an unregistering of the computer system's access to the shared storage system by a second computer system that has updated the data stored in the shared storage system. As such, the computer system re-registers its access to the shared storage system and updates the cached version of the data with the data in the shared storage system that was updated by the second computer system. |
| US08555000B2 |
Data storage device and data storing method thereof
A data storage device and a data storing method thereof, including first main memories coupled to a plurality of channels, second main memories coupled to the plurality of channels in common, a buffer memory temporarily storing data to be programmed to the first and the second main memories; and a controller configured to program data of victim cache lines from the buffer memory to the second main memories while data of a first victim cache line from the buffer memory is being programmed to the first main memories. The storing method includes that a victim cache line is selected based on cost-based page replacement. |
| US08554998B2 |
Systems, methods, and computer readable media for configuring a rewriteable non-volatile memory for presentation of media by a selected media presentation device model
Systems, methods, and computer readable media for managing digital media in a memory storage device associated with a mobile smart device are disclosed. According to one aspect, the subject matter described herein includes a method for configuring a rewriteable non-volatile memory for presentation of media by a selected media presentation device model. The method includes providing a rewriteable non-volatile memory configuration interface through which a user can select at least one media file and one of a plurality of media presentation device models. and providing a rewriteable non-volatile memory configuration manager, which, in response to selection of the at least one media file and the one media presentation device model via the configuration interface, accesses a database including entries corresponding to the plurality of media presentation device models and configures a rewriteable non-volatile memory according to information retrieved from the database to allow presentation of the at least one media file when the rewriteable non-volatile memory is present in the selected media presentation device model. |
| US08554996B2 |
Dynamically expanding storage capacity of a storage volume
A storage system includes at least one storage device on which are provided data storage volumes and an extended storage volume. The data storage volumes include a first data storage volume that is implemented with a data protection mechanism, and a second data storage volume that is implemented without the data protection mechanism. Also, an extended storage volume is provided that is initially un-allocated to any of the data storage volumes. A controller dynamically allocates at least one portion of the extended storage volume to the particular data storage volume to dynamically expand storage capacity of the particular data storage volume. |
| US08554995B2 |
Connecting a storage subsystem and an electronic device with a control device that hides details of the storage subsystem
An apparatus includes an external interface port to connect to an external electronic device, where the external interface port is to communicate over a communications path with the external electronic device according to a serial communication protocol. The apparatus has a control device to hide details of the storage subsystem from the external electronic device. The control device is configured to perform at least one of (1) expanding a storage capacity of at least one logical storage volume of the storage subsystem, and (2) migrating a portion of data stored in the storage subsystem to a new physical storage device. |
| US08554992B2 |
Automatic media readying system and method for a optical medium with file systems
In one aspect of the invention, a computer system comprises application logic executable to search an optical medium for at least one type of file system that may be resident on the optical medium. In response to identifying the presence of at least one type of file system resident on the optical medium, the system readies a media driver of an apparatus to make the at least one file system available for access. |
| US08554990B2 |
Nonvolatile memory system and related method of preserving stored data during power interruption
A nonvolatile memory system comprises a temporary power supply that supplies power in the event of an unexpected power interruption. The temporary power supply provides power while metadata stored in one or more buffers is compressed and transferred to a nonvolatile memory device. |
| US08554983B2 |
Devices and methods for operating a solid state drive
The present disclosure includes methods and devices for operating a solid state drive. One method embodiment includes receiving an indication of a desired number of write input/output operations (IOPs) per unit time performed by the solid state drive. The method can also include managing the number of write IOPs performed by the solid state drive at least partially based on the desired number of write IOPs per unit time, a number of spare blocks in the solid state drive, and a desired operational life for the solid state drive. |
| US08554979B2 |
Disk subsystem
A protocol controller disposed between switches in a fiber channel fabric switch circuit and disk drive units for converting a protocol to enable one-to-one connectivity established between controllers and disk drive units. |
| US08554977B2 |
Integrated circuits for accessing USB device
An integrated circuit for accessing a universal serial bus (USB) device via a USB 3.0 receptacle is provided. The integrated circuit includes a plurality of pins and a controlling unit. The pins include a first group for coupling to a first pair of differential pins of the USB receptacle, a second group for coupling to a second pair of differential pins of the USB receptacle, a third group for coupling to a third pair of differential pins to the USB receptacle, a ground pin, a first and second power pins. The second group is disposed between the first and third groups. The controlling unit controls the plurality of pins to receive or transmit the USB 2.0 or USB 3.0 signals. |
| US08554975B2 |
Mass storage device and mass storage assembly
There is disclosed a mass storage device (such as a hard disk drive) comprising an input connector for electrically receiving both a first set of data signals and a second set of data signals. The first set of data signals are used to store or retrieve information on the mass storage device, whereas the second set of data signals are electrically conducted to an output connector on the mass storage device. When an adjacent mass storage device is connected to the output connector, the second set of data signals are used to store or retrieve information on this adjacent mass storage device. |
| US08554974B2 |
Expanding functionality of one or more hard drive bays in a computing system
Methods, apparatus, and product are disclosed for expanding functionality of hard drive bays in a computing system that include: providing, by a connector in a hard drive bay, access to two or more data communication busses of different type; receiving, by the connector of the hard drive bay, a device mounted within the hard drive bay; and communicately coupling, by the connector of the hard drive bay, the device to one of the data communication busses. |
| US08554965B1 |
System and method for storing communications intended for different groups using a limited amount of space
A system and method stores wirelessly received communications for wireless retransmission, making space in a storage device, if necessary, by deleting any one or more communications corresponding to the same group as the received communication. If storage in the storage device remains insufficient, communications that have been previously retransmitted by that same device are deleted, according to one or more characteristics of such stored communications, such as age or number of times an instance of that communication has been received. If storage in the storage device remains insufficient, communications of a different group are deleted according to one or more characteristics of the stored communications. |
| US08554964B2 |
Method and apparatus for efficient synchronization request response
A data writing apparatus includes a tape drive, a buffer and non-volatile memory. When a synchronization request is received from a device sending data to be written to a tape, the apparatus is operable to copy data corresponding to the synchronization request from the buffer to the non-volatile memory. The data may be stored in the non-volatile memory until at least the time when the data which it is a copy of is written to the tape from the buffer. |
| US08554963B1 |
Storage system with multicast DMA and unified address space
A system and method for clients, a control module, and storage modules to participate in a unified address space in order to and read and write data efficiently using direct-memory access. The method for reading data includes determining a first location in a first memory to write a first copy of the data, a second location in a second memory to write a second copy of the data, where the first memory is located in a first storage module including a first persistent storage and the second memory is located in a second storage module including a second persistent storage. The method further includes programming a direct memory access engine to read the data from client memory and issue a first write request to a multicast address, where the first location, the second location, and a third location are associated with the multicast address. |
| US08554958B1 |
Smart printer cartridge
A system and method are disclosed for modifying the capabilities and functions of a printer after it is manufactured. A consumable/replaceable printer cartridge includes a storage device having updated and/or additional printer function data and other data for use by the printer control circuitry to execute printer functions and other types of functions. In addition, when the printer cartridge is installed in the printer the storage device may be utilized by the printer control circuitry as expanded memory for use in executing the updated and/or additional printer functions and other types of functions. |
| US08554953B1 |
Advanced logic system diagnostics and monitoring
The Advanced Logic System (ALS) is a complete control system architecture, based on a hardware platform rather than a software-based microprocessor system. It is significantly different from other PLC-type control system architectures, by implementing a FPGA in the central control unit. Standard FPGA logic circuits are used rather than a software-based microprocessor which eliminate problems with software based microprocessor systems, such as software common-mode failures. It provides a highly reliable system suitable for safety critical control systems, including nuclear plant protection systems. The system samples process inputs, provides for digital bus communications, applies a control logic function, and provides for controlled outputs. The architecture incorporates advanced features such as diagnostics, testability, and redundancy on multiple levels. It additionally provides significant improvements in failure detection, isolation, and mitigation for the highest level of integrity and reliability. |
| US08554951B2 |
Synchronization and ordering of multiple accessess in a distributed system
Several different embodiments of a massively scalable object storage system are described. The object storage system is particularly useful for storage in a cloud computing installation whereby shared servers provide resources, software, and data to computers and other devices on demand. In several embodiments, the object storage system includes a ring implementation used to associate object storage commands with particular physical servers such that certain guarantees of consistency, availability, and performance can be met. In other embodiments, the object storage system includes a synchronization protocol used to order operations across a distributed system. In a third set of embodiments, the object storage system includes a metadata management system. In a fourth set of embodiments, the object storage system uses a structured information synchronization system. Features from each set of embodiments can be used to improve the performance and scalability of a cloud computing object storage system. |
| US08554950B2 |
System and method for providing remote data access and transcoding for a mobile communication device
A system for providing information content over a network to a mobile communication device includes a transcoding system and a first network device. The transcoding system includes a plurality of transcoders. Each transcoder is operable to transcode the information content from a respective input content type into a respective output content type. The first network device is in communication with the transcoding system and includes a connection handler system. The first network device is operable to receive a first connection request that includes transcoder request data and to select a corresponding connection handler. The connection handler is operable to select one or more transcoders from the plurality of transcoders based on the transcoder request data. |
| US08554948B2 |
Methods, systems and computer program products for identifying traffic on the internet using communities of interest
Methods for identifying wanted traffic on the Internet are provided. The methods include determining a traffic history for a user of the Internet; identifying wanted traffic in a stream of Internet traffic based on the determined traffic history; and prioritizing the identified wanted traffic such that unwanted traffic is assigned a lower priority than the wanted traffic. Related systems and computer program products are also provided. |
| US08554947B1 |
Network data transmission systems and methods
Network data transmission systems and methods are described. In one embodiment, a method for transmitting data between two nodes of a network can include transmitting the data using a protection bandwidth of a first transmission path between the two nodes and, based on detecting a failure condition in the first transmission path, using a different second transmission path between the two nodes to transmit the data otherwise transmitted using the protection bandwidth of the first transmission path. In one embodiment, the systems and methods can be applied to networks that use a layer-1 redundancy scheme. |
| US08554943B1 |
Method and system for reducing packet latency in networks with both low latency and high bandwidths requirements
A method and structure for detecting whether the packets received by the switch are low latency packets or high bandwidth packets and routing detected low latency packets to a first one of a pair of switching structures and for high bandwidth packets to a second one of the pair of switching structures. The switch includes an output section for detecting whether a low latency packet is being received during transmission of a high bandwidth packet and, under such detected condition interrupting the transmission of the high bandwidth packet, transmitting the low latency packet, and then transmitting a remaining portion of the high bandwidth packet. The switch inserts delimiters at the start of transmission of the low latency packet and an end of transmission of the low latency packet. The transmission of the low latency packet commences immediately upon detection of such low latency packet. |
| US08554942B2 |
Multicast address to packet identifier mapping for broadcast systems
A mapping method for simplifying broadcast systems, such as Digital Video Broadcast Terrestrial (DVB-T). Broadcast address information is mapped to the Packet Identifier (PID) field of a Motion Picture Expert Group level 2 transport stream (MPEG2-TS). Table complexity can be minimized, or the service information (SI) tables can be removed without impacting hardware level discrimination of likely relevant packets. |
| US08554939B1 |
Systems and methods for downloading and viewing images
A system for displaying multiple images associated with an electronic message displays an image viewing icon in conjunction with the displayed electronic message on a client computer's monitor. In response to a single user selection of the image viewing icon, the system downloads from a document storage system a single document containing all associated images and displays the single document on the client computer's monitor. |
| US08554938B2 |
Web browser proxy-client video system and method
Method of controlling playback of Internet web page video on remote or high quality video displays using a remote control device, such as a smart phone. The method runs a first client browser on the remote control device, which in turn sends commands to a proxy browser with a data buffer. In response to user commands from the remote control device, the proxy browser retrieves and buffers video and non-video web page data from Internet servers, and sends this data to the remote control device. Upon user command, the proxy browser also sends selected buffered data to a second client browser that is connected to the remote or high quality video display. Media player playback commands on the remote control are echoed to a second media player on the second client browser, resulting in good synchronization between devices. Various compression, IP address adjustment, and public key methods are also discussed. |
| US08554934B1 |
Application single sign on leveraging virtual local area network identifier
A processor-implemented method for providing application single sign on leveraging a virtual local area network identifier is provided. The method comprises an authentication server providing a client device access to a network via association with a virtual local area network and a credential. The method also comprises the device invoking an application hosted on an application server and the application server identifying a virtual local area network tag associated with the device. The method also comprises the application server sending a message to the authentication server requesting linkage of the tag with a user identification associated with the device. The method also comprises the authentication server linking the tag with the user identification associated with the device and sending a message to the application server containing the identification. The method also comprises the application server using the identification to authenticate the device with the application and the device receiving access. |
| US08554930B2 |
Method and system for proof-of-possession operations associated with authentication assertions in a heterogeneous federated environment
A method, apparatus, system, and computer program product are presented in which federated domains interact within a federated environment. Domains within a federation are able to initiate federated single-sign-on operations for a user at other federated domains. A point-of-contact server within a domain relies upon a trust proxy within the domain to manage trust relationships between the domain and the federation. Trust proxies interpret assertions from other federated domains as necessary. Trust proxies may have a trust relationship with one or more trust brokers, and a trust proxy may rely upon a trust broker for assistance in interpreting assertions. To enhance security, domains may also require users to re-prove their identity through proof-of-possession challenges that are executed after a user has initiated a single-sign-on operation. |
| US08554929B1 |
Connection rate limiting for server load balancing and transparent cache switching
Each service in a computer network may have a connection rate limit. The number of new connections per time period may be limited by using a series of rules. In a specific embodiment of the present invention, a counter is increased each time a server is selected to handle a connection request. For each service, connections coming in are tracked. Therefore, the source of connection-request packets need not be examined. Only the destination service is important. This saves significant time in the examination of the incoming requests. Each service may have its own set of rules to best handle the new traffic for its particular situation. For server load balancing, a reset may be sent to the source address of the new connection request. For transparent cache switching, the connection request may be forwarded to the Internet. |
| US08554927B2 |
Method for sharing rights object in digital rights management and device and system thereof
A method for sharing Rights Object (RO) of a specific DRM content resident in a certain device with different devices (or terminals) in a Digital Rights Management (DRM) system, in which a first device and a second device can share an RO for DRM content by performing a mutual authentication between the first device and the second device to set a session therebetween; creating, by the first device, a second RO for the second device; and transferring the second RO from the first device to the second device through a particular interface. Thereby, while the first device consumes a specific DRM content with employing the first RO, the second device simultaneously consumes the specific DRM content with the second RO transferred from the first device. |
| US08554921B2 |
Device for wireless data exchange as well as method for establishment of a wireless connection between in particular a medical sensor unit and a computer
An apparatus and method to enable a simple installation of a sensor unit (in one example an intra-oral x-ray sensor) on a network. The sensor unit is preferably a sensor in the medical field, and it is provided that the sensor unit is itself fashioned as an access point and establishes its own network on which a computer automatically logs on in order to enable a data transfer between the sensor unit and the computer. Due to this measure no expertise is necessary for the installation of the sensor unit. |
| US08554914B2 |
Providing client access to devices over a network
A centralized service identifies a pool of devices that can be accessed by clients over a network. Devices can include a local or network-accessible device, and a configurable file that represents a portion of a device (e.g., a SCSI storage device). In some cases, the devices (or the file representing a portion of the device) can be identified by an assigned logical unit number. The centralized service assigns one or more devices to a target, and associates client information with the target. The centralized service also can also assign the target a logical unit number, and assign the target to a protocol-independent portal, which further operates through protocol-dependent miniports. In one embodiment, a client accesses a network device by accessing the appropriate port through an appropriate miniport protocol (e.g., Ethernet, fiber channel, etc.), and by submitting appropriate target authorization. |
| US08554911B2 |
Mimic support address resolution
Mimicking network devices with a computing device having first and second network interface cards, the first network interface card connecting the computing device to an external network and the second network interface card connecting the computing device to a local network, including obtaining an IP address of a device on the local network, determining an IP address for the second network interface card based on the obtained IP address of the device on the local network, and assigning the determined IP address to the second network interface card. |
| US08554910B2 |
Method and device for pushing data
The disclosure provides a method and device for pushing data and relates to the Internet. The method includes acquiring data which meet a predetermined condition, acquiring attributes of reading-performed-users that have browsed the data, and determining a common attribute of the reading-performed-users; selecting reading-not-performed-users that have the common attribute and have not browsed the data; and pushing the data to the reading-not-performed-users. The device includes a common attribute acquisition module, a reading-not-performed-user selection module and a pushing module. According to the method and device for pushing data provided by the embodiments of the disclosure, the reading-not-performed-users that have the common attribute and have not browsed the data may be determined based on the data that meet a predetermined condition and a common attribute of the reading-performed-users, and the data are pushed to the reading-not-performed-users. Thus, the reading-not-performed-users may acquire their interesting data accurately. |
| US08554908B2 |
Device, method, and storage medium for detecting multiplexed relation of applications
A configuration information collection unit 1502 and a transaction collection unit 1503 collect a transaction as the configuration information about an IT system and communication data, and stores them in a CMDB 1504. A multiplexed application detection unit 1501 detects as a candidate for a multiplexed application the software of applications multiplexed by evaluating whether or not the application names of the software of applications deployed to a target to be monitored on the IT system match each other. Then, it detects a multiplexed application by evaluating whether or not one or more of evaluation items of a subnet in which a candidate for a multiplexed application is performed, transaction context as the data relating to the names of an applications performed before and after the candidate for a multiplexed application, and transaction information as the transmission/reception data of the candidate for a multiplexed application match each other. |
| US08554907B1 |
Reputation prediction of IP addresses
Daily query counts for e-mail messages sent from a number of IP addresses having unknown reputations are collected and logged, and optionally plotted. The logged query count data may optionally be normalized. The normalized query count data may also be plotted. The normalized data is divided into regions (numerically or graphically). Next, the divided regions are tagged (symbolically or graphically) with unique, symbolic identifiers such as letters, numbers, symbols or colors. Patterns for each unknown IP address are formed based upon the tagged regions. Common good and bad patterns are also identified for known good and bad IP addresses. The reputation of these unknown IP addresses are then predicted using these identified good and bad patterns using a suffix tree (for example). Finally, an output identifying the determined reputations of these unknown IP addresses is generated and output. |
| US08554906B2 |
System management method in computer system and management system
To enable the setting of a suitable threshold for a component of each of apparatuses configuring a system. By using management software, a threshold for monitoring the performance of an apparatus to be monitored is set beforehand. When an acquired performance value exceeds the threshold, the acquired performance value is detected as a performance fault event. Further, the management software has a correlation analysis rule representing a causal relationship between the performance fault events in the managed apparatus. When detecting an event, the management software performs fault cause analysis processing to specify a fault cause apparatus and an apparatus (affected apparatus) affected by the fault from a plurality of received events. |
| US08554905B2 |
Network system, terminal and recording medium
A network system includes printers as terminals interconnected via a network. Each of the printers can obtain information on the others, and transmit the obtained information together with information on itself to a browser computer as a controller. Therefore, by obtaining the information only from one of the printers, the computer can obtain together with it the information on the others. In this system, it is possible to obtain the information on the printers efficiently without using a server computer. |
| US08554904B2 |
Abnormal point locating apparatus, method, and storage medium
An abnormal point locating method includes: a link primary abnormality judgment procedure that acquires information on a link through which each observation flow passes, locates a link through which an observation flow observed at an observation point passes, and judges whether the located link is normal or abnormal based on the observation flow; and a link secondary abnormality judgment procedure that judges a probability of abnormality based on a result of the link primary abnormality judgment procedure by using a connection relationship as seen from each observation point. |
| US08554901B2 |
Verification of configuration information in BGP VPNs
Described are mechanisms for verifying configuration information in 2547 BGP VPNs. An originating PE generates a first knowledge digest encoding first configuration information associated with a current set of information advertised for a VRF. The originating PE also generates a second knowledge digest encoding second configuration information associated with cumulative information advertised for the VRF. The originating PE is capable of receiving a message from a user PE, the message including a third knowledge digest encoding third configuration information related to the user VRF. The originating PE is capable of comparing the first knowledge digest to the third knowledge digest and producing a first indication if the third configuration information encoded in the third knowledge digest is not a subset of the first configuration information encoded in the first knowledge digest. |
| US08554900B2 |
Virtual machine migration
A source virtual machine (VM) hosted on a source server is migrated to a destination VM on a destination server without first powering down the source VM. After optional pre-copying of the source VM's memory to the destination VM, the source VM is suspended and its non-memory state is transferred to the destination VM; the destination VM is then resumed from the transferred state. The source VM memory is either paged into the destination VM on demand, or is transferred asynchronously by pre-copying and write-protecting the source VM memory, and then later transferring only the modified pages after the destination VM is resumed. The source and destination servers preferably share common storage, in which the source VM's virtual disk is stored; this avoids the need to transfer the virtual disk contents. |
| US08554898B2 |
Autonomic computing system with model transfer
Methods and systems are provided for autonomic control and optimization of computing systems. A plurality of component models for one or more components in an autonomic computing system are maintained in a system level database. These component models are obtained from a source external to the management server including the components associated with the models. Component models are added or removed from the database or updated as need. A system level management server in communication with the database utilizes the component models maintained in the system level database and generic component models as needed to compute an optimum state of the autonomic computing system. The autonomic computing system is managed in accordance with the computed optimum state. |
| US08554897B2 |
Data sharing between smart devices
Data sharing between networked smart devices is disclosed. One embodiment of the present disclosure pertains to a method for data sharing with one or more associated smart devices via a network. The method comprises displaying, on a display unit of the smart device, an image for each one of the associated smart devices within coverage of the network and an image of shared data. The method also comprises effecting a change in a first image for a first smart device of the associated smart devices when the first smart device is targeted as a target device for the data sharing. The method further comprises communicating the shared data with the first smart device via the network when, on the display unit, the image of the shared data is moved to or from a domain of the first image of the first smart device. |
| US08554883B2 |
Apparatus and method for sharing a generic configuration across a group of network devices
Various embodiments provide an apparatus and method for sharing a generic configuration across a group of network devices. An example embodiment includes sending a scope challenge to a plurality of network devices; receiving a response to the scope challenge from a plurality of in-scope network devices; sending a configuration change message including a configuration change to the plurality of in-scope network devices; and receiving a commit message from the plurality of in-scope network devices indicating that the configuration change has been committed. |
| US08554880B2 |
System for classification, location and transmission of music playlists
A server (1) transmits playlists, each playlist including a description of content acquisition information, and playlist configuration data represented between playlists in numerical values. A terminal device (2) receives playlists and playlist configuration data from the server (1), and for a reproduction of content, changes a playlist to be used in accordance with playlist configuration data to reproduce a content of playlist after change. This allows the terminal device (2) to reproduce content in accordance with a state of mind a user may have, based on the playlist configuration data. |
| US08554879B2 |
Method for audio and video control response and bandwidth adaptation based on network streaming applications and server using the same
A method for audio and video control response and bandwidth adaptation based on network streaming applications is disclosed. A server delivers a received control command to a stream controller while a player empties the expired streaming data stored in a buffer thereof. The stream controller controls the input source of a video/audio capturer. The receiver buffer estimator of the receiver estimates whether the amount of the streaming data stored in the buffer is within a safe range and delivers the estimation result and bandwidth variation information to a stream adaptor. If the amount of the stream data is less than a threshold value, the timestamp scalar is adjusted based on the estimation result and the bandwidth variation information, thereby adjusting the consumption rate of the streaming data in the buffer of the player for re-accumulating streaming data of the buffer. |
| US08554878B2 |
Method and a system for incorporating reliable messaging in web services client applications via an API
A method and a system that incorporate Web services reliable messaging in a Web services client application via an application programming interface (API). The method includes obtaining a Web services proxy object from the client application and using this object for creation of a logical sequence from a sequence factory. The Web services client application transmits a reliable message sequence to the Web services provider based on the logical sequence. |
| US08554877B2 |
Motor drive with integrated server module
The present invention relates to a drive system that includes a module that operates as a server, where at least sometimes the module is at least one of directly integrated with another module that operates as a drive and fully integrated to include the drive. The server allows for communications with one or more terminals via an internet-type communications medium, while the drive is for controlling, monitoring and/or otherwise interacting with at least one motor, electromechanical machine, or other appropriate type of machine/process. In at least some embodiments, the server is capable of providing web pages, executable programs and/or other information including, for example, information in accordance with an FTP protocol onto the internet for receipt by the terminals. The terminals communicate commands and other information via the internet back to the server, which in turn can influence the drive and the controlled machine/process. |
| US08554876B2 |
User profile service
Systems, methods, and device are provided for a user profile service. One embodiment includes a method for user profile service. The method includes collecting user profile data from different network sources in a localized database. Business rules are provided to an application server to manage access to the collected user profile data in the database. The method further includes allowing different network service applications to access the collected user profile data as determined by the business rules. |
| US08554873B1 |
Custom event and attraction suggestions
A computing device may determine a geographic location of the computing device. The computing device may receive information associated with a user. The information may include a search history, a browsing history, an electronic communication message, a social media profile, and a geographic location history. The computing device may determine, based on the information associated with the user, a predicted interest of the user. The computing device may determine, based on the predicted interest of the user, events within a threshold distance from the geographic location of the computing device. The computing device may determine, based on a strength of a relationship between the predicted interest and respective event information associated with each of the events, a ranking of the events. The computing device may output, based on the ranking, at least a portion of the event information for at least one of the events. |
| US08554869B2 |
Providing an interface to browse links or redirects to a particular webpage
Disclosed herein is a technique for providing an interface that allows a user to navigate backwards through linked webpages. Initially, a request to display inlinks of linking webpages that contain a link to a particular webpage is received. In response to the request, a new page that contains a set of inlinks that correspond to a set of linking webpages that each contain a link to the particular webpage is provided. Each of the inlinks may be associated with a particular clickable item. An indication of a selection of a clickable item, associated with a particular inlink is received. In response, a second new page which contains a second set of inlinks that correspond to a second set of linking webpages that each contain a link to the webpage that corresponds to the particular inlink is provided. Some of the displayed inlinks may correspond to webpages that redirect to the particular webpage. |
| US08554862B2 |
Method and apparatus for the collection, formatting, dissemination, and display of travel-related information on a low-cost display bank
A low-cost display bank that displays travel-related information in a public travel-related area and includes one or more slave low-cost display units, and a master low-cost display unit that includes a communication interface that receives travel-related information, a display bank control unit that sends identification information to a display bank data management unit through the communication interface, receives a display bank unit profile containing display parameters based on the identification information through the communication interface, receives travel-related information from the display bank data management unit in accordance with the received display parameters through the communication interface, sends the received travel-related information intended to be displayed on the one or more slave low-cost display units to the one or more slave low-cost display units, and displays the received travel-related information on the master low-cost display unit and the one or more slave low-cost display units based on the received display parameters. |
| US08554859B2 |
Handheld electronic device and associated method providing time data in a messaging environment
An improved handheld electronic device and an associated method are provided in which time data regarding certain aspects of a messaging conversation on a handheld electronic device are made available to a user. Such time data is provided, for instance, in situations where an interruption has occurred during a messaging conversation. Time data can also be provided to a user on demand in certain circumstances. |
| US08554858B2 |
Multi-media messaging
Methods, systems, and machine-readable mediums are disclosed for creating multimedia messaging service (MMS) messages. In one embodiment, the method comprises receiving a message in a first format, adapting the message to a MMS message, and sending the MMS message to a user device. |
| US08554856B2 |
Enforced unitasking in multitasking systems
A computer system includes one or more devices that are capable of multitasking (performing at least two tasks in parallel or substantially in parallel). In response to detecting that one of the devices is performing a first one of the tasks, the system prevents the devices from performing at least one of the tasks other than the first task (such as all of the tasks other than the first task). In response to detecting that one of the devices is performing a second one of the tasks, the system prevents the devices from performing at least one of the tasks other than the second task (such as all of the tasks other than the second task). |
| US08554854B2 |
Systems and methods for identifying terms relevant to web pages using social network messages
Systems and methods for retrieving social network messages and/or web pages in response to search queries are described. One embodiment of the invention includes generating a word list from at least a portion of the content of the web page using a web and message server system, generating an initial list of relevant terms based upon the word list using the web and message server system, identifying additional relevant terms using messages posted to at least one social network based upon the initial list of relevant terms, and creating an updated list of relevant terms by using the web and server system to combine terms in the initial list of relevant terms with the additional relevant terms identified using messages posted to at least one social network. |