| Document | Document Title |
|---|---|
| US08562095B2 |
High resolution sensing and control of electrohydrodynamic jet printing
Provided are various methods and devices for electrohydrodynamic (E-jet) printing. The methods relate to sensing of an output current during printing to provide control of a process parameter during printing. The sensing and control provides E-jet printing having improved print resolution and precision compared to conventional open-loop methods. Also provided are various pulsing schemes to provide high frequency E-jet printing, thereby reducing build times by two to three orders of magnitude. A desk-top sized E-jet printer having a sensor for real-time sensing of an electrical parameter and feedback control of the printing is provided. |
| US08562087B2 |
Refrigerator and method for controlling same
A refrigerator and a method for controlling such a refrigerator is provided in which a receiving box may be automatically drawn in and out together with a door that forms a front face thereof in response to a command input at an input unit, thereby increasing user convenience. |
| US08562084B2 |
Enclosure corner seals and assemblies
A sealing assembly for sealing a corner of an enclosure is disclosed. The sealing assembly includes a substantially rigid bracket and a flexible seal. The bracket includes a first latch and a second latch. The first and second latches are configured for releasable connection to an enclosure adjacent a corner with the first and second latches on opposing sides of said corner. The bracket is configured to provide a force to couple the flexible seal to a corner of an enclosure when the bracket is attached to said enclosure. The flexible seal includes a first surface for coupling to the corner of the enclosure, and a second surface opposite the first surface. At least a portion of the second surface is configured for contact with the bracket. The flexible seal may include a connector for releasable connection to the bracket. |
| US08562080B2 |
Brake system for engine-operated vehicle and controlling method thereof
A brake system provided with a brake booster using intake negative pressure of an engine for boosting a brake operating force for a vehicle. A requested braking force is detected base on an operating amount of a brake pedal, and when the requested braking force is less than a threshold value, a master cylinder pressure prevailing in the master cylinder using an operating force boosted by the brake booster is supplied to the wheel cylinder. On the other hand, when the requested braking force is greater than or equal to the threshold value, brake fluid pressure having been boosted by a pump is supplied to the wheel cylinder. The threshold value is set to a value that becomes greater the larger the negative pressure inside the brake booster. |
| US08562078B2 |
Hydrocarbon production from mines and tunnels used in treating subsurface hydrocarbon containing formations
A system for treating a subsurface hydrocarbon containing formation includes one or more substantially horizontal or inclined tunnels extending from one or more shafts. A production system is located in at least one of the tunnels. The production system is configured to produce fluids from the formation that collect in the tunnel. |
| US08562073B2 |
Vehicle seat
A backrest frame is provided with a cushion plate of one substantially square plate form positioned behind the waist from the upper part of the back of a vehicle seat occupant, movably back and forth by way of a plurality of upper and lower parallel seat springs, one end of either one of a pair of right and left seat springs of the plurality of upper and lower parallel seat springs is connected to a pair of lower link mechanisms provided rotatably on the backrest frame, and a rear end collision sensor is formed by the cushion plate between the seat springs for moving a headrest forward, and a coupling part of the other end of the seat spring is directly attached to the lower link mechanism. |
| US08562067B2 |
Air guiding device for a motor vehicle
An air guiding device for a motor vehicle has a spoiler lip (12) extending in the transverse direction (FQ) of the vehicle, and an actuating device (34) for the spoiler lip (12) in such a manner that the spoiler lip (12) is movable between a retracted rest position (RS) and an extended maximum position (MS). The spoiler lip (12) has, in the region of the longitudinal side (22) thereof which is directed toward a roadway, a flexurally elastic rod (24) that is guided movably in a guide device (26). A displacement measuring device (40) detects a position of the rod member (24). |
| US08562066B2 |
Camping vehicle comprising a tent construction that can be folded out
The invention relates to a camping vehicle (150) comprising at least one vehicle wall (155), a tent construction (101) that can be folded out and has at least one individual tent wall (102), which can be converted from a stored state into an erected state and a frame construction (103). The vehicle wall or walls (155) and the tent wall or walls (102), in a design in which they adjoin one another, together form part of a delimiting wall construction, which when erected defines at least one single internal habitable area of the camping vehicle. The delimiting wall construction is provided with an inflation connection (104) and closing means (105, 106) that close respective openings (107, 117) for the habitable area or areas. According to the invention, the delimiting wall construction is designed in such a way that it can be inflated with the closing means closed from the stored state into an inflation state that temporarily occurs during the erection of the tent construction. The frame structure is designed in such a way that it is converted at least partially into its operating state during the inflation procedure and once the inflation procedure has been completed, said erected state is maintained at least temporarily upright. |
| US08562065B2 |
Vehicle trim panel having beverage retainer and method
A vehicle trim panel assembly is provided having a beverage retainer formed in a storage compartment on the door of an automotive vehicle. The trim panel assembly includes a storage receptacle and a trim panel arranged to define at least a portion of the storage receptacle. The trim panel includes a base portion connected to a beverage retainer portion via a living hinge. The beverage retainer portion is pivoted about the living hinge into position within the storage receptacle. |
| US08562059B2 |
Seat for a bi-directional work vehicle
An improved mechanism for a movable seat for use on a bi-directional work vehicle that laterally shifts the lower seating surface as it is pivoted between raised and lowered positions to increase clearance adjacent to the seat to improve operator ingress and egress to the vehicle operator platform. The incorporation of a biasing mechanism enables the seat mechanism to automatically reposition the seat for maximum ingress/egress clearance when the vehicle operator rises from the seat. |
| US08562057B1 |
Multi-torque double pivot hinge for a closure of a vehicle
A multi-torque double pivot hinge includes a first leaf having a first body and a second leaf having a second body. A first hinge shaft extends through the first body and defines a first pivot axis. A second hinge shaft extends through the second body and defines a second pivot axis. A connector connects the first leaf to the second leaf. The second leaf together with the connector is rotatable about the first pivot axis between a closed position and an intermediate open position. The connector engages the first leaf in the intermediate open position which prevents rotation of the connector past the intermediate open position and transfers a pivoting axis from the first pivot axis to the second pivot axis. The second leaf is then rotatable about the second pivot axis between the intermediate open position and a fully open position. |
| US08562053B2 |
Hoist ring assembly and method
A hoist ring assembly includes an anchor subassembly with bushing, retainer and threaded fastener elements, and a loop subassembly with a lifting loop and pair of pin elements. The assembly is adapted such that the lifting loop is rotatable through a 360-degree angle about a major axis, and pivotable through at least 180-degree angle about a minor axis. The assembly can be rapidly assembled or disassembled, and incorporates one or more components which may be substantially fabricated by way of forging operation, particularly the retainer member. |
| US08562051B2 |
Disposal utensil
The invention provides a utensil 10 includes a body 12 and a water entry point 14. The body 12 is in the form of a scoop and is fabricated from a thermoplastic polymer, e.g. Polyvinyl chloride. The body 12 is substantially cylindrical in shape and is typically truncated along its length. The inner portion of the body 12 defines a scoop-like excrement receiving surface 16 which extends from a free end region 18 of the body 12. Water is then supplied via the entry point 14 into the body 12 at a pressure sufficient to discharge the excrement received therein and disposed of into the drainage system. |
| US08562050B1 |
Self-aligning and engaging concrete cylinder and mold lifting tool
Self-aligning and engaging concrete cylinder and mold lifting tool including a plurality of arms pivotally connected to a rod. The rod travels thru a tube and is connected to a handle. The plurality of arms are also pivotally connected to the tube. The plurality of arms are actuated in unison, synchronously, simultaneously, or otherwise to move together radially by lifting the handle up and down. Thus when the handle is drawn upward, the plurality of arms close around the circumference of the concrete cylinder mold. The circumference of the concrete cylinder mold can be any diameter ranging between the fully extension diametrical position of the plurality of arms and the fully retracted diametrical position of the plurality of arms. A demolded concrete cylinder gripper attachment can be removable attached to the lifting lugs to securely engage the demolded concrete cylinder for lifting and moving the demolded concrete cylinder. |
| US08562043B2 |
Alignment devices
An alignment device for attachment to a mounting support for vehicle front ends, whereby the alignment device is configured to receive a crash box that connects the mounting support to a bumper bracket. The alignment device includes a first abutment element and a second abutment element between which the crash box can be inserted and which are provided upon receiving the crash box to rest on opposite sides of the crash box. At least one abutment element is designed such that when receiving the crash box, it presses the same against the other abutment element, whereby one or more holding devices are provided on at least one of the first or second abutment elements that serve to limit the insertion of the crash box into the alignment device. |
| US08562039B2 |
Vehicle handle apparatus
A door handle apparatus for a vehicle is provided with a handle base to be fixed to a door of the vehicle and an operating handle. One end of the operating handle is pivotally coupled to the handle base. On the other end of the operating handle, an operating leg protrudes. The operating leg portion includes a stopper protrusion for butting with a part of the handle base to define a termination of a rotating stroke of the operating handle is provided. The operating leg portion further includes a shake preventing protrusion on a free end side of the stopper protrusion. |
| US08562035B2 |
Self-aligning safety lock
A safety lock mechanism is provided that facilitates accurate and consistent alignment between a locking bolt and a locking receptacle prior to engaging the locking bolt. To this end, a safety lock configured to mount to a door frame is provided with an internally disposed hard stop that protects the electrical and mechanical components within the safety lock housing from door impact shock. An extended portion of the hard stop protrudes through the housing facing the direction of door travel. A corresponding receptacle assembly configured to mount to the door is fabricated to include a bolt receptacle hole as well as an open window that engages with the extended portion of the hard stop when the door is in the closed position. When the window in the receptacle is engaged with the extended portion of the hard stop, door movement is limited in five directions even when the locking bolt is not yet engaged. An optional magnet embedded in the hard stop can limit door movement in the sixth direction by magnetically latching to a striking plate mounted behind the window. Thus, the window and the hard stop pre-position the receptacle for proper alignment between the locking bolt and the locking bolt receptacle, ensuring that the locking bolt will properly engage with the receptacle when advanced. |
| US08562023B2 |
Vehicle with pneumatic tire and method for cooling tire in the vehicle
The first invention relates to a vehicle with pneumatic tires characterized in that the vehicle comprises a cooling unit which expels a fluid to cool the pneumatic tire from the outside thereof at least when the air pressure of the pneumatic tire decreases. And, the second invention relates to a tire cooling method in the vehicle with pneumatic tires comprising: a step of monitoring the air pressure of the pneumatic tire during running, and a step of expelling a fluid toward the pneumatic tire so as to cool the pneumatic tire from its outside when the air pressure falls below a predetermined value. |
| US08562020B2 |
Steering column support apparatus
Construction of a steering column support apparatus is achieved that is able to suppress an increase in the height dimension, maintain a function of the steering column 6a being able to displace smoothly in the forward direction during a secondary collision and prevent the steering column from dropping down even when the steering column 6a is displaced in the forward direction due to a secondary collision. The steering column support apparatus comprises a non-dropping bracket 45 that is fastened to the vehicle body, a dropping bracket 46 that is supported by the steering column 6a, a pair of bolts 47 and a pair of support capsules 16a. During a secondary collision, the supporting force of the support capsules 16a for supporting the non-dropping bracket 45 is lost and the steering column 6a displaces in the forward direction together with the bolts 47, support capsules 16a and dropping bracket 46, however, does not drop from the non-dropping bracket. |
| US08562017B2 |
Vehicle seat including side airbag system
A vehicle seat including a side airbag system, in which an airbag body accommodated inside a seatback of the vehicle seat is configured to deploy when the vehicle is collided from a side thereof and a deployment groove which is configured to improve the deployment of the airbag body is formed to a cushion pad of the seatback, wherein a guide portion which is configured to guide the deployment of the airbag body towards a desired height is formed to the deployment groove. |
| US08562016B2 |
Curtain airbag device and method of manufacturing the same
In at least one embodiment of the present invention, an airbag capable of maintaining a stable attachment to a vehicle for a long period and a method of manufacturing the airbag are provided. The curtain airbag device comprises an airbag body accommodated to a window upper edge of a vehicle for expanding and inflating toward inside of the vehicle in a compressed state when it is deployed. A plurality of strip-shaped coupling members are coupled with the airbag body. A plurality of brackets are coupled with the airbag body for fixing the airbag body to the vehicle. Each bracket has a coupling hole through which each strip-shaped coupling member is inserted and a fixing hole into which a tightening member is inserted. The airbag body is coupled with the brackets by the strip-shaped coupling members as well as the airbag body is fixed to the vehicle through the brackets by the tightening members. |
| US08562015B2 |
Vehicle side airbag device
A side airbag with interior partitioned into plural chambers. The side airbag configured in a bag shape by an outer cloth and an inner cloth is partitioned by partitioning members into a lower chamber (one or more high pressure chambers) on the high pressure side during inflation and deployment and a upper chamber (low pressure chamber). The partitioning members are each configured from a single piece of cloth or from plural pieces of cloth that have been integrated together in advance. The partitioning members are each provided with a partitioning wall, a diffuser and a non-return valve. |
| US08562008B2 |
Stabilizer coupling
A stabilizer coupling for use in a roll stabilizer for a motor vehicle has at least one actuator, with the actuator being formed by an outer profile element and an inner profile element. An elastically deformable body is arranged between the outer profile element and the inner profile element. The outer profile element is formed as a hollow profile component, in particular a hollow profile component constructed as an extruded profile and made from a light metal alloy. |
| US08562006B2 |
Inline skate wheel
A wheel for an inline skate that may reduce rolling friction and provide a wider rolling base giving more stability. The wheel comprises a hub for receiving an axle and a wheel body defining a circumference of the wheel. The wheel body comprises a circumferential surface extending along the circumference of the wheel. The circumferential surface comprises a first contact surface and a second contact surface for being in rolling contact with a skating surface on which the inline skate moves. The wheel body also comprises a receding surface extending from the first contact surface to the second contact surface and forming a recess between the first contact surface and the second contact surface. |
| US08562005B2 |
User propelled vehicle having a channel to receive an illuminatable means
A scooter (110) includes a platform (116) that has an upperside and an underside. First and second walls (146, 148) depend from the underside of the platform (116) and away from the upperside of the platform (116) so as to define a space (142) between the walls (146, 148). The first wall (146) defines a void (140) that has a length that is substantially equal to the length of the space (142). At least one illuminatable means (112) is provided on the platform (116). A control box (144) for the illuminatable means (112) is provided between the first and second walls (146, 148) and within the space (142). The scooter (110) is a collapsible microscooter. |
| US08562004B2 |
Children'S knee boards and methods of riding the same
Knee boards for riding in a kneeling position on a ground surface and methods of riding the same. Knee boards include a body with a knee support region, front and rear wheel assemblies, and a gripping member. The body defines an open kick region laterally adjacent to the knee support region. The open kick region permits a user to extend his/her foot to contact and kick the ground surface to propel the knee board and the user along the ground. Some knee boards include a left knee support region and a right knee support region laterally spaced from the left knee support region, and which collectively define the open kick region therebetween. Some knee boards include a central knee support region and a body that defines a left kick region and a right kick region to the left and right of the knee support region, respectively. |
| US08562003B2 |
Cart brake and cart with user-operable brake
A brake for a wheeled cart of the type having a container supported on at least a pair of rear wheels carried on a cart frame, that includes a brake manipulator pivotally mounted on the cart frame in, and including a handle portion and a cam portion. An elongate brake member is pivotally attached to the manipulator and extends into a position proximate the at least one. A braking element is positioned on a lower end of the brake member for being selectively moved into and out of frictional braking engagement with a tread surface of the wheel. |
| US08562000B2 |
Turbine combustion system transition piece side seals
A seal strip (54) with a central relatively thin portion (68) and first and second thicker side portions (70, 72) that may be wedge-shaped adjacent the central portion. Each side portion may be formed of a linear array of base-in prisms (56), where each prism includes a base adjacent and normal to the central portion, and a thickness tapering distally toward an adjacent edge of the seal strip. The base-in prisms of each side portion may be separated by transverse slots (55) along the length of the strip. The transverse slots of the first side portion may be unaligned with the transverse slots of the second side portion along the length of the strip. A retention pin (58) may extend normally from an end of the seal strip. The seal strip may be mounted in tapered slots (49) of a gas turbine transition exit frame (48). |
| US08561998B2 |
Nitrided piston ring resistant to the propagation of cracks
This invention refers to the solution of problem of spalling of the nitrided layer in piston rings for Flex-fuel engines, without jeopardizing the wear resistance, suggesting for such purpose a nitrided piston ring (100,100′) equipped with two nitrided layers (1,2), with metallic base (3) composed mainly of iron and whose superficial hardness presented is of about 800 Vickers, decreasing in a substantially linear manner up to about 400 Vickers for a distance to the surface of up to 90 microns (μm). |
| US08561995B2 |
Metal-to-metal annulus seal arrangement
A metal-to-metal seal is used to seal between two tubular members. In one embodiment, a metal-to-metal seal forms a seal in an annulus housing between an inner and outer diameter of tubular members of an adjustable casing sub. The seal can have an inner and an outer sealing ring, or more than one pair of inner and outer sealing rings, that can be set in place by a running tool. An energizing ring can have a tapered or bulbous surface, and can create a pre-load force against the sealing rings. |
| US08561993B2 |
Target impact-point sensing system
A target includes multiple segments that are vibrationaly isolated from each other. A vibration sensor is coupled to each segment to provide vibration signatures representative of a segment being impacted by a projectile. |
| US08561990B1 |
Playing card mirror viewer
An apparatus that holds playing cards is herein disclosed, employing a mirror system therein a housing to allow only the holder of the cards to view them, while reducing the holding and movement of the cards. To use, a user would slide the cards face-down from below onto a level surface of the apparatus. Once in place, a set of mirrors would be used to allow only the player to see the value on face of the cards. This feature restricts other players to view the cards and also reduces the possibility of “body language” providing clues as to the value of the cards. Additionally, the apparatus allows players without the use of their hands or arms to play a game of cards as well. Also, cards would not be subject to damage from frequent bending and lifting. |
| US08561989B2 |
Card reader
A platform 12 is set on a game table 20, and a card shooter 22 is mounted on the platform 22. The platform 12 is provided with a card guide unit 50, and the card guide unit 50 guides cards, which are pulled out one by one from the card shooter 22, onto the game table 20. The card guide unit 50 is provided with black light sensors 60 that read from a card an ultraviolet-ray reaction code including the number of the card. There is provided a card reader that is capable of utilizing an existing card shooter, is high in reading precision, and is high in the threshold value of the card speed at the time of reading. |
| US08561982B2 |
Sheet conveying apparatus, automatic document feeding apparatus including same, image forming apparatus with first sheet conveyance guide having an opening
A sheet carrying apparatus, being applicable in (i) an automatic document feeding apparatus and/or (ii) paper feeding and conveying mechanism of an image forming apparatus, has an opening in that part of a curved guiding surface of a lower conveyance guide of a sheet conveyance guiding section constituting a curved conveyance path, which receives a front end of a document fed to the curved conveyance path. The opening has such a size in a guide width direction orthogonal to a document conveying direction, which is passable for a small size sheet not larger than a predetermined size. With this, the small size sheet passed through the opening is sorted out. |
| US08561980B2 |
Apparatus and method for singling sheet material
In an apparatus for singling sheet material, multiple picks are avoided by a retaining device ensuring that sheet material entrained with the sheet to be singled is retained not only on one side but also on the other side of the sheet to be singled. While the first retaining device is located opposite a singling gap of the singling device and is continually effective, the second retaining device acts before, or in, the singling gap from the other side of the singling gap and is only activated after the sheet to be singled is reliably grasped by the singling device, and deactivated when it has left the singling gap. |
| US08561979B2 |
Open/close mechanism for paper tray for use in image forming apparatus
An open/close mechanism can be used for paper trays of an image forming apparatus. The open/close mechanism includes a plate member provided on a side of a housing of the image forming apparatus and configured to pivot upon an axis between an open position and a close position, and a box member that is arranged in the housing beneath the plate member and that can be drawn out of the housing from the side. The open/close mechanism includes also includes a restricting unit that is coupled to the plate member and that abuts against the box member when the box member is set in the housing and when the plate member is in the open position thereby restricting detachment of the box member from the housing. |
| US08561975B2 |
Rotary joint and worktable using the same
A rotary joint includes a shaft, at least one input member defining an input hole rotatably sleeved on the shaft, and a plurality of sealing members positioned between the shaft. the at least one input member and an output member are fixed on the shaft. The shaft, the at least one input member, and the sealing members defines a circular channel cooperatively communicating with the input hole. The output member defines at least one output hole corresponding to the input member. The shaft defines at least one transmission hole intercommunicating the at least one output hole and the circular channel. |
| US08561973B2 |
Pull action clamp with toggle lock
A clamp for clamping a work piece to a fixture includes a base for mounting to the fixture and a handle having a body portion and an arm portion. The handle includes a pivotal connection to the base. The clamp further includes a holding member and a latch. The holding member has a holding position for clamping the work piece to the fixture and a pivotal connection to the handle. The latch includes a first end portion and a second end portion. The first end portion is engaged with the base for locking the holding member in the holding position and becomes disengaged from the base by moving the second end portion in a direction generally away from the arm portion of the handle. The latch has a pivotal connection to the handle. |
| US08561971B2 |
Carburetor
A carburetor has a throttle element rotatably supported on a throttle shaft and a choke element rotatably supported on a choke shaft. A first coupling element is fixedly connected to the throttle shaft. A second coupling element is connected to the choke shaft. The first and second coupling elements define in a locked position a start position of throttle element and choke element. The locked position is released by rotation of the throttle shaft in opening direction of the throttle element. The locked position is released by rotation of the choke shaft in opening direction of the choke element. One of the first and second coupling elements is an at least partially elastic coupling element. Upon rotation of the choke shaft from the locked position into an open position, the elastic coupling element is elastically deformed and releases the locked position between the first and second coupling elements. |
| US08561970B1 |
Aeration system
An aerator for aerating a liquid within a container having a main body portion and an opening. The aerator includes a pump assembly configured to provide an air flow, a cannulated shaft, and a manifold assembly configured to be fluidly coupled to the pump assembly by way of the cannulated shaft. The manifold assembly is configured to distribute the air flow to a plurality of radially arranged manifold nozzles, wherein the radially arranged manifold nozzles are configured to generate a plurality of air bubbles having a radial velocity configured to direct the plurality of air bubbles radially outward from the manifold assembly such that the plurality of air bubbles travel vertically upwards generally towards the opening of the container without generally contacting the main body portion of the container or the cannulated shaft. For example, the manifold assembly may be configured to generate the plurality of air bubbles having a radial velocity of 2.0 feet/second to 3.0 feet/second. |
| US08561969B2 |
Deck handrail cover
The present invention relates generally to deck handrails, and more particularly to wooden deck handrails. Specifically, the invention relates to a protective deck handrail cover for deteriorating wood deck handrails constructed in most decks and porches exposed to the harsh effects of extreme weather conditions. |
| US08561967B2 |
Device for loading a self expandable prosthesis into a sheath
An assembly comprising: a protective sheath and a loading device for loading a self-expandable prosthesis into the sheath, the loading device having a conical distal section, which radially compresses the prosthesis and an annular lip that engages with the interior of the distal end of the sheath to guide the prosthesis into the sheath while protecting the sheath from damage. |
| US08561966B2 |
Cam valve
In a step motor driven cam valve a stem freely ascends and descends within a body having an in-flow passage, an out-flow passage, a valve chamber, and a valve seat. The stem is descended by an actuator, composed of a step motor and a cam mechanism located at a position above the stem, that changes a rotational motion of the step motor to a linear motion and transmits the linear motion to the stem. A diaphragm within a valve chamber or a valve body at a lower end part of the stem rests on the valve seat. A lift support mechanism that supports the actuator to freely ascend and descend is arranged at a bonnet that covers the valve chamber. A height fine-adjustment mechanism, arranged at the lift supporting mechanism, finely adjusts the height of the actuator relative to the stem so as to perform zero-point adjustment of the valve. |
| US08561964B2 |
Electric control valve and valve body device thereof
The present invention discloses a valve body device for an electric control valve comprising a valve seat (21) and a fixing frame (22) connected with the valve seat (21), wherein, the valve seat (21) is provided on its outer wall with a first positioning groove (211) extending circumferentially, and the direction towards which the first positioning groove (211) opens is perpendicular to the axial direction of the valve seat (21), and wherein, the fixing frame (22) is provided with a positioning flat plate portion (221) fitted with the first positioning groove (211), and the positioning flat plate portion (221) is inserted into the first positioning groove (211) and fixedly connected with the valve seat (21). The fixing frame of the valve body device may be mounted on the valve seat after the valve seat and the cap is welded, which may prevent the fixing frame from being damaged, and may allow the fixing frame and the valve seat to be positioned accurately with each other and thus to be welded in a convenient and reliable way. The present invention also discloses an electric control valve including the above described valve body device. |
| US08561962B1 |
Vibration mount
A vibration mount having a body for coupling to an object to be supported by the vibration mount, a flexible member forming a foot on the body and together with the body, forming a chamber therein, a center member within the chamber and coupled to move in unison with the body, a valve having a first valve member coupled to move in unison with the central member and a second valve member coupled to move in unison with the flexible member, a connection for coupling air under pressure to the chamber through the valve member, and a vent for venting the chamber though the valve. The valve couples air under pressure from the connection to the chamber when the first and second valve members are in a first relative position, couples air in the chamber to the vent when the first and second valve members are in a second position, and does not couple air under pressure from the connection to the chamber or couple air in the chamber to the vent when the first and second valve members are between the first and second positions. |
| US08561959B2 |
Viewing object retention device
A viewing object retention device allows a viewing object to be arranged at an optimum position and enables an angle of the object to be adjusted so as to accord with a direction of a face of a viewer. The device includes a fixed base part, an arm part one end portion of which is turnably joined to the base part, and the other end portion of which extends along an axis line from this joining point toward a space above the viewer, a viewing object retention part located at the other end portion of the arm part to retain the object and a revolving mechanism that displaces the retention part angularly to the axis line with the turning of the arm part with the joining point. |
| US08561943B2 |
Truss-shaped engine pylon and method of making same
An aircraft engine pylon comprises a top wall, a bottom wall, a left side wall, and a right side wall. The left side wall includes a left truss structure along with a left upper ledge and a left lower ledge. The right side wall includes a right truss structure along with a right upper ledge and a right lower ledge. The top wall is joined with the left upper ledge and the right upper ledge and an upper truss structure is formed in the left upper ledge, the right upper ledge, and the top wall. The bottom wall is joined with the left lower ledge and the right lower ledge and a lower truss structure is formed in the left lower ledge, the right lower ledge, and the bottom wall. |
| US08561941B2 |
Pin system for the connection assembly of an engine pylon underneath a wing of an aircraft
A connection assembly of an engine pylon underneath an aircraft wing, the wing being provided with a fitting, the engine pylon being provided with a fork joint nested in the fitting and fixed to the said fitting by means of a traversing pin system, including: an external primary pin, a secondary pin mounted inside the primary pin, a primary shoulder mounted directly around the primary pin, at a blind end of the pin system, to block the said pin in translation, a secondary shoulder mounted around one end of the secondary pin, at a blind end of the pin system, to block the system in rotation, and an interlocking assembly mounted around the primary pin and the secondary pin, at a free end of the pin system, to block the pin system in translation. |
| US08561940B2 |
Arrangement for the suspension of a jet engine to a supporting structure
An arrangement (1) for suspending a jet engine (12) to a supporting structure (5) attached to an aircraft fuselage, includes a suspension beam (6) to which the engine casing (13) is fitted by a forward suspension (7), a rearward suspension (8) and at least one thrust rod (9) arranged at an angle relative to the suspension beam (6). In order to provide an arrangement for the suspension of a jet engine (12) which enables weight to be saved and deformation of the jet engine (12) to be reduced, the rearward suspension (8) and the thrust rod (9) are connected to the engine casing (13) by a lightweight framework (11). |
| US08561937B2 |
Unmanned aerial vehicle
The various embodiments of the present invention provide an unmanned aerial vehicle comprising a hemispherical body, a brushless type electrical, a propeller, a plurality of wingtip devices, a plurality of servo motors and each of the plurality of the servo motors is connected to each of the plurality of the wingtip devices respectively, a plurality of carbon rods, and a casing. The brushless type electrical motor provides a lifting force for a vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) and the plurality of wing tip devices are classified into three types of wing tip devices and the three types of wing tip devices are controlled by the respective servo motors to control yaw, pitch and roll movements thereby stabilizing and controlling the movement of an aircraft. |
| US08561935B2 |
STOL and/or VTOL aircraft
An STOL and/or VTOL aircraft comprises (1) a fuselage having a front end, a rear end and two lateral sides, the fuselage defining a substantially horizontal central longitudinal axis of the aircraft; (2) an aircraft tail arranged at the rear end of the fuselage and including a rudder and an elevator on each side of the fuselage with movable surfaces for controlling the aircraft; and (3) a wing on each side of the fuselage having a front edge, a trailing edge and an upper surface extending from the front edge to the trailing edge. A device for controlling the airflow over the upper surfaces of the wings comprises openings in these upper surfaces for the egress of air from interior spaces within the wings and air pump apparatus for pressurizing such interior spaces. |
| US08561933B2 |
Dispensing gap defined between loading door and main body of automatic towel dispenser
A towel dispenser includes a housing for receiving toweling. The housing includes a main body; a loading door that is configured to rotate relative to the main body between a closed position and an open position; and a guide system that includes a first roller attached to the main body and a second roller attached to the loading door. The towel dispenser may include a motor for driving dispensing of the toweling from the housing and an associated sensor. The towel dispenser can be mounted to an underside of a cabinet. In an aspect, the front wall of the main body and a lip of the loading door collectively define a gap to which the guiding system guides the toweling and through which towels are dispensed when the loading door is in the closed position. |
| US08561932B2 |
Friction coupling for a reversible belt tensioner
A friction coupling has a drive part, an output part, and a friction element which can transfer a friction moment between the drive part and the output part. A release element is provided which after a predetermined rotation angle of the friction coupling can act on the friction element so that a reduction of the friction moment occurs. |
| US08561929B2 |
Mobile sizing station
A mobile sizing station includes a crushing device and a hopper device. A conveyor device extends between a hopper of the hopper device to a crusher mechanism of the crushing device to transport material fed to the hopper to the crusher mechanism to crush the material. The hopper of the hopper device is supported on a base that has a plurality of frame members. A first frame member is pivotally connected to a second frame member and is also rotatably supported such that the first frame member is rotatable. The second frame member is pivotally connected to a third frame member and the third frame member is connected to the hopper. The hopper is thereby rotatable and is tiltable about the pivotal connections between the second and third frame members and is also tiltable about the pivotal connection between the first and second frame members. |
| US08561928B2 |
Rotary valve for blowing insulation machine
A machine for distributing loosefill insulation is provided. The machine includes a shredding chamber having an outlet end. The shredding chamber includes a plurality of shredders configured to shred and pick apart the loosefill insulation. A discharge mechanism is mounted at the outlet end of the shredding chamber. The discharge mechanism is configured for distributing the loosefill insulation into an airstream. The discharge mechanism includes a shaft mounted for rotation within a housing. The shaft includes a plurality of vanes extending radially from the shaft. A plurality of seals is mounted to the shaft and to the vanes. The seals are configured to seal against the housing as the shaft rotates. A blower is configured to provide the airstream flowing through the discharge mechanism. The shaft and the vanes are a one-piece structure. |
| US08561922B2 |
Faucet aerator
A faucet aerator is provided with a plurality of pins oriented in a flow direction, spaced apart from one another, and extending essentially over the distance between a flow-dispersing device and an adjacent grid and/or lattice structure. The pins each have an evaporation surface, which is situated outside the region that is struck directly by the individual streams but can be wetted by the water flowing through the aerator housing and for this purpose, the pins are situated laterally outside the projection of the through-flow holes oriented in the flow direction. These comparatively long pins around which the flowing water circulates are covered by an enveloping water film even after the water valve is closed, which results in an increased humidity and therefore a reduced evaporation in the housing interior of the aerator housing. This prevents a complete drying-out of the interior of the aerator housing. |
| US08561921B1 |
Plural component mixing system
A plural component mixing system includes an automatic balance feature to balance the pressure of two or more components as they are mixed. The pressures or flow rates of the two components are monitored. If there is a difference in pressure or flow rate greater than a specified amount, a bleed valve is opened for a short period of time to balance the flows. A computer with a touch screen is used to set the pressure and flow rate differences that trigger the bleed, and to set the time period for the bleed. |
| US08561918B2 |
Nozzle and method for treating an interior of a workpiece
A nozzle for treating an interior of a workpiece by means of a highly pressurized fluid medium flowing out of at least one nozzle channel. The nozzle channel branches off from a supply borehole provided in the form of a blind hole. The nozzle is designed in such a manner that the nozzle channel, starting from the bottom end area of the supply borehole, extends at an angle less than or equal to 90° to the supply bore hole in the inflowing direction, the bottom of the supply borehole being provided with an elevation whereby narrowing the transition area to the nozzle channel. |
| US08561917B2 |
Apparatus and method for cleaning or de-icing vehicle elements
A liquid heating assembly including a heat-conductive displaceable element and a liquid heating enclosure defining a liquid heating volume including a primary liquid heating volume portion and a secondary liquid heating volume portion, separated by the heat-conductive displaceable element, the primary liquid heating volume portion including a heat exchanger for directly heating liquid in the primary liquid heating volume portion and for indirectly heating liquid in the secondary liquid heating volume portion via the heat-conductive displacement element. |
| US08561913B2 |
Device for dispensing water with variable temperatures
A device for dispensing water includes a water tank for keeping water at a tank temperature higher than the desired temperature of the water to be dispensed. A tank inlet is connected to a source of water. device includes a mixing device with a first water supply, a second water supply and a water discharge connected to a dispensing point. The first water supply is connected to a hot water pipe originating from a central hot water source arranged at a distance, and the second water supply is connected to a tank outlet. The mixing device includes a control device which is designed to mix water from the first and second water supply in such a manner that the water to be dispensed substantially has a desired temperature. |
| US08561911B2 |
RFID switch tag
Various embodiments of RFID switch devices are disclosed herein. Such RFID switch devices advantageously enable manual activation/deactivation of the RF module. The RFID switch device may include a RF module with an integrated circuit adapted to ohmically connect to a substantially coplanar conductive trace pattern, as well as booster antenna for extending the operational range of the RFID device. The operational range of the RFID switch device may be extended when a region of the booster antenna overlaps a region of the conductive trace pattern on the RF module via inductive or capacitive coupling. The RFID switch device may further include a visual indicator displaying a first color if the RFID switch device is in an active state and/or a second color if the RFID switch device is in an inactive state. |
| US08561908B2 |
Information processing system, clients, server, programs and information processing method
An information processing system including an IC chip, a client driving the IC chip to carry out predetermined processing, a server connected to the client by a communication network, wherein the client has a processing-command requesting section configured to request for transmission of a processing command to the server; an ID-acquisition-command sender section configured to transmit an ID acquisition command; a chip-ID extraction section configured to extract the chip ID; and a processing-command sender section configured to embed the extracted chip ID into the processing command and transmit the command. The server has a command-group sender section configured to send the command. The IC chip has a chip-ID sender section configured to transmit data; a chip-ID determination section configured to determine whether the chip ID in the command is identical with the chip ID of the IC chip; and a processing execution section configured to carry out the predetermined processing. |
| US08561907B2 |
Flicker-free illumination apparatus
A flicker-free illumination apparatus (28) for a code reader (10) has an illumination control (26) which is configured for a pulsed operation with an illumination intensity varying between light pulses (30) and pulse pauses (32). The illumination control (26) is further configured to maintain a non-zero illumination intensity during the pulse pauses (32), such that a basic intensity (34) remains. |
| US08561905B2 |
Hybrid-type bioptical laser scanning and digital imaging system supporting automatic object motion detection at the edges of a 3D scanning volume
A hybrid-type bi-optical bar code symbol reading system having a vertical housing section with a vertical scanning window, and a horizontal housing section with a horizontal scanning window, from which laser scanning planes are projected and intersect within a 3D scanning volume defined between the vertical and horizontal scanning windows. An automatic object edge-motion detection subsystem is provided for detecting the entry and exit of objects at the edge of the 3D scanning volume, and generating control signals in response thereto. A digital imaging subsystem is supported within the system housing and automatically projects a field of view (FOV) within the 3D scanning volume in response to control signals generated by the automatic object edge-motion detection subsystem and timer settings managed by a system controller. |
| US08561904B2 |
Optical apparatus
Disclosed is an optical apparatus that allows a target pattern to be imaged adequately at low cost and allows the apparatus to be miniaturized. With this optical apparatus (1), light L output from one light source (2) is collimated through a collimation lens (3) and divided into first light beams L1L and L1R by a diffractive optical element (4), and, by a computer-generated hologram (5), first light beams L1L and L1R are each divided into second light beams L2LO, L2LI, L2RI and L2RO, and these second light beams L2LO, L2LI, L2RI and L2RO form a guide pattern whereby whether or not a focused state is achieved cane be decided. |
| US08561902B2 |
Systems and methods for weigh scale perimeter monitoring for scanner-scales
Systems and methods for reducing erroneous weighing of items such as by detecting items extending beyond a periphery of a weigh platter whereby in one configuration, the system employs a light guide for routing a light beam to a detector operative to detect interruption of the beam due to an item encroaching upon or overhanging an edge of the platter. In another configuration, the scale includes a perimeter gap between the platter outer edge and scanner housing frame or checkout counter, a light beam directed angularly upward through the gap is partially obstructed by the frame and platter whereby light exits the gap forming a light plane, wherein an object placed on the platter extending across the gap intersects the light plane thus scattering light rays, some of which are sensed by a detector. Various indicators for alerting the operator of off-scale detection are also described. |
| US08561900B2 |
Data transfer system, data acquisition device, data acquisition method, data accumulation device, data transmission method, and program for the same
A data acquisition device includes a wireless communication unit for performing wireless communication of data with a data accumulation device in which data is accumulated, a type registration unit wherein data types of necessary data are registered beforehand, a type comparison unit for comparing the data type of data received via the wireless communication unit with data types registered in the type registration unit, a data extracting unit for extracting only data of which the data type matches, and a data holding unit for holding the extracted data. |
| US08561899B2 |
Time-varying barcodes for information exchange
Embodiments of the present invention provide time-varying barcodes for information exchange. Specifically, embodiments of the present invention provide a system and method for communicating information between electronic devices via a time-varying barcode image sequence. In a typical embodiment, information to be transmitted is divided into packets. A barcode image is generated from each packet. Each barcode image is displayed sequentially with varying display times based on the complexity of the barcode image. A second electronic device reads and decodes the barcode image sequence until the entire information is received. |
| US08561898B2 |
Ratio-metric horizon sensing using an array of thermopiles
An example method includes receiving output voltage data from an array of at least four thermopiles placed around the circumference of a projectile such that for any rotation of the projectile during flight thereof, at least a pair of the thermopile having upwardly-facing fields of view referenced to the earth-fixed coordinate system. The method includes determining the pair of upwardly-facing thermopiles based on the output voltage data from the array, with the respective pair of thermopiles including a thermopile p and next adjacent thermopile p+1. The method includes determining a ratio of the output voltage data from thermopiles p and p+1, and applying the ratio to a function associating, for any pair of thermopiles n and n+1, a ratio of output voltage data from thermopiles n and n+1, and a roll angle θn of thermopile n referenced to the earth-fixed coordinate system. |
| US08561897B2 |
Load tracking utilizing load identifying indicia and spatial discrimination
Methods and apparatus for determining the location of one or more unit loads in a coordinate space in a facility, comprising an integrated system that identifies a load by reading indicia on the load, determines the position of the indicia in the coordinate space, and stores the indicia position and load identity in a Label Map. A mobile subsystem on each conveying vehicle identifies the location and orientation of that vehicle using a position/orientation sensor, determines the identity of the load, establishes a Target Cube to discriminate the desired load from nearby loads, confirms acquisition of the load, and communicates the information to a fixed-base subsystem. Load identity and the location and orientation of the vehicle when a load is deposited are used to create a Load Map that contains the identity, position and orientation of all identified loads in the coordinate space. |
| US08561895B2 |
Terminal including imaging assembly
A terminal includes a housing, a touch screen, and an imaging assembly. The imaging assembly in one embodiment is disposed in the housing so that an imaging axis extends externally from the housing. The imaging assembly can be utilized for capture of images disposed externally to the housing. In one embodiment a frame of image data captured utilizing an imaging assembly can be processed for attempting to decode a decodable indicia. In one embodiment a frame of image data captured utilizing an imaging assembly can be stored. |
| US08561893B2 |
Techniques and systems for supporting podcasting
Improved podcasts and techniques that facilitate their use are disclosed. The improved techniques can pertain to creating, publishing, hosting, accessing, subscribing, managing, transferring, and/or playing podcasts. According to one aspect, a client application can subscribe to podcasts and then automatically monitor the podcasts for updates to be downloaded. In the event that user interest in a podcast becomes inadequate, downloading of further updates can be restricted. According to another aspect, a podcast can be subscribed to through use of a portable subscription file. According to still another aspect, podcast feeds can be enhanced to include segment elements and other metadata. |
| US08561891B2 |
Fast cash at ATM
Apparatus and methods for an enhanced cash withdrawal transaction option are provided. The enhanced cash withdrawal transaction option may include using an ATM to display an initial ATM display. The initial ATM display may display multiple transaction options, the multiple transaction options including at least one cash withdrawal amount. Apparatus and methods for an additional enhanced cash withdrawal transaction are provided. The additional enhanced cash withdrawal transaction may enable a user to type an ATM PIN in an ATM keypad followed by a cash withdrawal amount. Apparatus and methods for an enhanced ATM customer display are also provided. The enhanced ATM customer display according to the systems and methods of the invention may customize an ordered ATM customer flow based on historical customer usage data. |
| US08561889B2 |
Banking terminal that operates to cause financial transfers responsive to data bearing records
A portable terminal operates to cause financial transfers responsive to data read from data bearing records in the form of user cards. The user cards include credit and/or debit cards. Data corresponding to the card data is stored in at least one memory of the terminal. The terminal includes a wireless communication device. The terminal operates to wirelessly communicate data corresponding to card data to one or more remote computers to cause financial transfers to or from selected accounts. The terminal also operates to provide outputs corresponding to account balances and to receive data corresponding to receipts. |
| US08561885B1 |
Processing of non-currency at cash handling devices
Non-currency items such as lottery tickets, coupons and the like may be recognized and reconciled by a retail store and a financial institution without having to physically transmit the non-currency item to a sponsor of the non-currency item or the financial institution. Instead, a retail store or other organization may electronically transmit information regarding the non-currency item to the sponsor for confirmation of payment and to the financial institution for recognition. In some configurations, the financial institution may be configured to request confirmation of payment from the sponsor (i.e., instead of the retail store). Reconciliation of a cash handling device or a portion thereof (e.g., a cash register drawer) my take into account both non-currency items and currency items so that non-currency items do not have to be separately and/or manually reconciled. |
| US08561876B2 |
Golf club
A preferable golf club 2 is provided with a head 4, a shaft 6, a sleeve 8, and a screw 10. The head 4 is provided with a head body 14 and an engaging member 16. The head body 14 is formed by joining a plurality of members. The plurality of members includes a face member 112, a crown member 110, a sole member 114, and a hosel member 116. Preferably, the face member 112, the crown member 110, and the sole member 114 are produced by press processing a rolled material. Preferably, a through hole 130 into which a lower end part of the hosel member 116 can be fitted is formed in the sole member 114. In the golf club 2, the head body 14 and the shaft 6 are detachably mounted to each other without destruction of a bonding agent. |
| US08561875B2 |
Method and device for connecting pipes; motor vehicle with a device of this type
The invention relates to a method for shaping pipes with the steps connecting a pipe end with a coupling of a connection device for pipes, in particular a quick connector, through friction welding and controlling the region of formation of the molten mass formed during friction welding. The contamination of the inside of the pipe due to welding beads can be prevented with the aid of the invention. |
| US08561873B2 |
Staple line reinforcement for anvil and cartridge
A surgical stapling apparatus including a cartridge assembly defining a first tissue contacting surface, an anvil assembly defining a second tissue contacting surface, and a surgical buttress releasably secured to at least one of the first tissue contacting surface and the second tissue contacting surface is provided. The buttress provides a uniform profile to be used on both the anvil and cartridge of a loading unit. |
| US08561871B2 |
Indicators for surgical staplers
A surgical stapler including one or more visual indicators is provided. The surgical stapler includes a body and a stapling assembly positioned at a distal portion of the body. The stapling assembly includes a cartridge assembly and an anvil assembly. An alignment pin is mounted on the stapling assembly and configured to engage the anvil assembly. A visual indicator of engagement of the alignment pin with the anvil assembly, clamping and/or stapling can be provided. |
| US08561870B2 |
Surgical stapling instrument
A surgical stapler can comprise an anvil comprising a staple pocket formed in a tissue contacting surface. The staple pocket can comprise a midline or centerline, a first forming cup, and a second forming cup. The first forming cup can comprise a first interior sidewall comprising a first vertical portion which is substantially perpendicular to the tissue contacting surface. The second forming cup can comprise a second interior sidewall comprising a second vertical portion which is substantially perpendicular to the tissue contacting surface. The first vertical portion and the second vertical portion can extend through the centerline, wherein the first interior sidewall and the second interior sidewall can comprise a trap for deforming a first staple leg of a staple to a first side of the centerline and for deforming a second staple leg of the staple to a second side of the centerline. |
| US08561867B2 |
Gas combustion type fastener driving machine
In a gas combustion type fastener driving machine, a fuel gas and air are stirred by a fan within a combustion chamber, a stirred air-fuel gas mixture is burned by an ignition spark, and a striking piston is actuated by a combustion pressure to drive a fastening member. The machine is provided with a fan motor (320) for rotating the fan, and a control circuit board (100) for controlling an action of the fan motor (320). The control circuit board (100) detects an actuation signal for an igniter (310) that generates the ignition spark and controls a rotation speed of the fan motor (320) based on the actuation signal. |
| US08561866B2 |
Backpack frame system
The present invention involves the provision of a backpack frame assembly and associated load carrying devices. The backpack frame includes a plurality of stays having flexible joints therebetween. A membrane is secured to certain of the stays and helps resist flexing of joints between adjacent stay end portions. Load carrying devices may be provided and are releasably mounted to the frame assembly. The distance between the assembly's shoulder straps and hip belt can be adjusted to accommodate user's having different torso lengths by using an adjuster sheet to separate hook and look members attaching a shoulder strap assembly to a frame assembly. The adjuster sheet can operate as a support element when not operating as an adjuster. The adjuster sheet can be constructed of a laminated composite material and include reinforcing ribs formed therein. |
| US08561864B2 |
Magnetic vehicle rack
A magnetic vehicle rack having an elongated body constructed from a flexible polymeric material. The elongated body generally including an arciform cross-sectional profile, an oblate top surface, a planar bottom surface having one or more permanent magnet(s) disposed flush with the bottom surface and an axially aligned aperture dimensioned to axially receive an incurvate spine therethrough. Positioning of the incurvate spine within the elongated body uniformly distributes static and dynamic loads throughout the magnetic vehicle rack. |
| US08561857B2 |
Container caps and systems
Caps and container systems suited to dispensing products like cosmetics. Some of the caps include two portions that can be coupled together and that include a dispensing system that has at least two open positions and at least one closed position. |
| US08561856B2 |
Valve assembly with positioning means for a keg with an inner bag
A beverage valve assembly includes a bottom wall section; a tubular part extending downward from the bottom wall section; an outer apron extending upward from the bottom wall section; and at least one positioning device. The tubular part has a top opening to receive a dispensing element. The top opening is arranged in the middle section of the upper outer surface of the bottom wall, and the tubular part has an upper inner tubular wall section with at least one sealing surface. The outer upward standing apron is arranged at a distance from the top opening of the tubular part. The bottom wall includes at least one valve positioned between the top opening of the tubular part and an inner sidewall section of the outer upward standing apron. The positioning device has at least one opening or gap. |
| US08561852B2 |
Dosing head for dispensing a fluid from a container
A dosing head for dispensing a fluid from a container is presented. The dosing head has an inlet opening connected to the container, an outlet opening connected to the inlet opening via a conduit, a pump provided in the conduit, and a aerating opening. The dosing head can be used in an upside down position. A liquid seal is arranged between the aerating opening and the container. The seal can include an aerating channel that is rotated twice through about 180° and which can be assembled from two mutually connected parts. The liquid seal can have a restriction which prevents liquid form reaching the aerating opening when upside down. |
| US08561849B1 |
Foam spray head assembly
A foam spray head assembly includes a push head, a mounting member, a netted member, an air valve, a main plunge, a piston unit, a rod unit, a resilient member, a cylinder unit and a valve. The netted member has a first net and a second net. The air valve has a first groove and a second groove. The main plunge has a first plunge and a second plunge. The first plunge is located in the second groove and defines a first chamber. The piston unit has a first piston and a second piston. The rod unit extends through the main plunge. The resilient member is mounted to the second plunge. The cylinder unit has a first cylinder and a second cylinder. The first piston is movable in the first cylinder and forms a second chamber. The second piston is movable in the second cylinder and forms a third chamber. |
| US08561845B2 |
Capsule for two-component materials
Capsule (10) for two or more components of a material which are to be mixed together, comprising a cartridge (11) comprising an outlet (12), a first component chamber (13) for containing a first component, and a second component chamber (14) for containing a second component, the two chambers (13, 14) opening into the outlet (12); and a piston (15) which at least with its front end sits in the cartridge (11), lies with its rear end outside the component chambers (13, 14) and, when it is pushed forwards, presses the two components out of their component chambers (13, 14). |
| US08561843B2 |
Spout and container with spout
A spout (20) which attaches to a container body (10), wherein the spout (20) is provided with a spout body (21), and a closing portion (22) which closes a discharge port of the aforementioned spout body (21); the aforementioned spout body (21) has an attachment (24) which is attached to a container body (10) in a liquid-tight manner, and an outer cylinder (25) which is positioned on the outer side of the container body (10); and the closing portion (22) is connected to a discharge port of the outer cylinder (25) in a manner which enables it to be snapped off, and is provided with projections (29) which extend toward the spout body (21) side. In addition, there is a spouted container (1) to which the aforementioned spout (20) is attached. |
| US08561842B2 |
Valve apparatus for selectively dispensing liquid from a plurality of sources
A valve apparatus includes a valve body having a first inlet, a second inlet, an outlet, and a passageway in communication with the inlets and outlet. A valve member disposed within the passageway inhibits communication between the first inlet and the second inlet and, in a first position, the second inlet and the outlet. The valve body includes a float chamber communicating with the first inlet and the outlet. A float member disposed within the float chamber is buoyant and is operatively engageable with the valve member. The float member is displaceable upwards by liquid in the chamber to enable communication between the first inlet and the outlet. When liquid from the first inlet is depleted, the float member lowers to seal the first inlet from the outlet. The valve member moves to a second position thereby to enable the second inlet to be in communication with the outlet for dispensing liquid from the second source. |
| US08561838B2 |
Capsule loading device for feeding a capsules dispensing machine
Device for facilitating the loading of capsules into a machine for dispensing capsules or for preparing drinks based on these capsules comprising: a detachable tube (2) containing stacked capsules (8) furnished with an opening (24) for the capsules to pass through the tube, means (4) of aligning the tube allowing the tube (2) to be aligned through a capsule receiving zone (5) for the capsules to descend by gravity into this zone. The alignment means (5) comprise means (6) for retaining the capsules in their stack when the tube (2) is moved with its opening (24) oriented downwards, in the direction of the position in which the tube is aligned with the reception zone (5). |
| US08561836B2 |
Crate with collapsible wall
A crate or container, such as for transporting egg cartons or other items includes a base, opposed side walls and a rear wall extending upward from the base. A front wall opposite the rear wall includes an upper section and a lower section having a pair of rails extending upward therefrom. The upper section is selectably slidable on the rails between an upper, closed position and a lower, retracted, open position. In the retracted position, access to the interior of the crate is provided through the front of the crate. |
| US08561831B2 |
Device housing and manufacturing method
A device housing includes a glass panel, a metal frame, and a housing body. The metal frame defines a plurality of through holes, and the glass panel is latched in the metal frame. The housing body includes a base and a reinforcement portion integrally formed together. The base surrounds the metal frame and the glass panel, and the reinforcement portion extends through the through holes of the metal frame and is bonded to the glass panel. |
| US08561829B1 |
Composite pressure vessel including crack arresting barrier
A pressure vessel includes a ported fitting having an annular flange formed on an end thereof and a tank that envelopes the annular flange. A crack arresting barrier is bonded to and forming a lining of the tank within the outer surface thereof. The crack arresting barrier includes a cured resin having a post-curing ductility rating of at least approximately 60% through the cured resin, and further includes randomly-oriented fibers positioned in and throughout the cured resin. |
| US08561828B2 |
Receptacle for pharmaceutical containers
The invention relates to a receptacle (10) for pharmaceutical containers, wherein a plurality of containers are arranged in rows next to one another and behind one another, and each container is arranged in a tube-like receiver (15). According to the invention, the container is cylindrically shaped, and a stop element (16) is integrated in each receiver (15), said element limiting the axial movement of the container in the receiver (15). |
| US08561827B2 |
Storage vessel chamber for storing fuels such as hydrogen
A storage vessel for storing a fluid substance, said storage vessel including a plurality of abutting individually sealed storage chambers, each chamber capable of withstanding super atmospheric pressure, with adjacent chambers forming at least one fluid passageway therebetween, characterized in that at least one said chamber includes an external peripheral seal configured to be relatively weaker than the remainder of said vessel. |
| US08561825B1 |
Dual wall tumbler
A drinking vessel includes a first receptacle having a first circumferential side wall extending from a closed bottom end to a shoulder having a peripheral edge defining a first diameter. An externally-threaded attachment portion, defining a second diameter smaller than the first diameter, extends from the shoulder to a circumferential lip. A second receptacle configured to fit inside the first receptacle has a second circumferential side wall extending from a closed bottom end to an upper rim defining an open top end. A circumferential flange, depending downwardly from the rim and fitting coaxially around the attachment portion, has a lower end separated from the shoulder by a circumferential gap. The flange has an outer surface and an internally-threaded portion that mates with the attachment portion. A resilient element has a grip portion fixed to the outer surface of the flange and a sealing portion configured to seal the gap. |
| US08561819B1 |
Stand for holding clothing accessories
A stand for holding and storing clothing accessories, such as neckties, belts and footwear in an easily seen accessible position has an elongate freestanding generally rectangular upright frame, a flat planar horizontal platform or shelf at a lower end thereof for holding and storing shoes and other footwear; a second flat planar platform or shelf disposed at an angle above the lower platform or shelf also for holding and storing shoes and other footwear, a tie rack at a top end of the frame for holding and supporting a plurality of neckties in laterally adjacent relation in a plurality of rows at various heights, and a plurality of hooks mounted on outer facing sides of the frame in parallel spaced relation at various heights for holding and storing a plurality of belts supported thereon by hooking their buckles on the hooks. |
| US08561815B2 |
Mounting frames for holding electronic devices
Mounting frames for holding electronic devices are described. An example mounting frame for holding electronic devices includes an elongated extruded body having two substantially parallel wiring cavities extending along a length of the body and separated by a wall within the body. The wiring cavities have respective openings facing in opposite directions, and opposing faces of the body have respective process control device mounting rails and respective mounting channels. Each of the mounting channels is configured to hold the mounting frame to a structure. |
| US08561808B2 |
Filter assembly
A filter assembly comprises a filter housing (23) into which a filter element is insertable. A core element (38) is provided extending within the housing (23). The filter assembly comprises a coupling assembly (200) that is insertable into the housing (23), the coupling assembly (200) comprising a leaf spring (201) having a span larger than an internal diameter of the filter housing (23), such that when the leaf spring (201) is inserted into the filter housing (23) the outer edge of the leaf spring (201) engages an inner surface of the filter housing (23) and the leaf spring (201) bulges in the direction of insertion of the leaf spring into the housing, preventing removal of the leaf spring, in a direction opposite to the insertion direction, from the filter housing (23), the coupling assembly (200) comprising a connecting part for connecting the core element (38) to the coupling assembly (200). |
| US08561806B2 |
Measurement apparatus and method thereof
A measurement apparatus includes a support frame to support a feed mechanism, an orientation mechanism, a measurement mechanism, a transfer mechanism, and an unloading mechanism. The feed mechanism includes a first holding assembly, a first elevation assembly, a second elevation assembly, and a first clipping assembly. The first elevation assembly and the second elevation assembly are positioned under the holding assembly, and the first clipping assembly is positioned over the holding assembly. The measurement mechanism includes a support stage and at least one calibration head. The transfer mechanism includes at least one pickup head. The orientation mechanism includes a driving member and a securing assembly driven by the driving member. The unloading mechanism has the same structure as the feed mechanism. The disclosure further provides a measuring method using the measurement apparatus. |
| US08561804B2 |
Screen clamp
A screen clamp (400) including a track (402) configured to secure a shaker screen (420) to a shaker, the track including an angled surface configured to contact a corresponding beveled edge of the shaker screen, the screen clamp further including an upper retainer (404) configured to extend from an inner wall of the shaker over at least a portion of the shaker screen. |
| US08561800B2 |
Multi-position stackable container
A container includes a base and a plurality of walls extending upward from a periphery of the base. A pair of supports are movable between a nesting position and at least one stack position. In one embodiment, the container includes projections outwardly from opposed walls that can be supported on the supports of an identical container. |
| US08561794B2 |
Device for securing a junior golf bag to a golf cart and methods of use thereof
Devices for securing a junior golf bag to a golf cart and methods of use thereof are shown. A golf bag insert device and a tilted golf bag securing device each provide junior golfers to have better access to their clubs (both visually and physically) without worries of their clubs or bag becoming dislodged from the cart. |
| US08561793B2 |
Container with resilient member
A container for consumer goods comprising an outer shell, an inner housing and a resilient member arranged between the outer shell and the inner housing. The inner housing has an opening and is mounted within the outer shell for rotational movement relative thereto between a closed position, in which the opening is covered by the outer shell and an open position in which the opening is at least partially exposed. The inner housing is resiliently biased towards the closed position by the resilient member. |
| US08561791B2 |
Balanced link for dry coal extrusion pumps
A link which defines a link body that includes a multiple of link plates integral with a link body, the link body disposed at least partially forward of a forward edge of the multiple of link plates. |
| US08561788B2 |
Differential impulse conveyor with improved tray
A differential impulse conveyor (10) is provided for moving goods, including a tray (12) having a tray floor (14) supporting goods, with the tray movable in a forward direction and a backward direction. A drive motor (16) is provided for moving the tray floor in the forward direction and the backward direction. The tray floor includes plurality of dimples (20) each projecting upward from an adjacent product supporting surface (22) of the tray floor. Each dimple (20) includes an upwardly projecting pusher portion (24) for pushing goods forward during the forward movement of the tray, and a tapered ramp portion (26) extending upward from the product supporting surface and engaging the pusher portion for moving goods in front of the pusher portion. |
| US08561785B2 |
System and method for detecting the rotation of an idler wheel through a non-rotating shaft
The system and method comprising at least one idler wheel for use with a drag chain mechanism. The device for use with the idler wheel has a rotatable shaft for receiving the rotational force of the idler wheel, and transmits that force to a rotation indicator which is external to the enclosed space where the idler wheel is located. The rotation indicator thus provides a reliable method for indicating to an external sensor or operator whether an idler wheel is rotating within acceptable operational parameters. |
| US08561784B2 |
Apparatus and method for conveying organ packages to a processing station
An apparatus and method for conveying organ packages to a processing station or stations is provided. The apparatus can include a tray-conveyor having a series of trays movable in the conveying direction. Each such tray is arranged to receive an organ package. The tray-conveyor has at least one discharge-station for the organ packages that are to be moved to the processing station or stations. |
| US08561778B2 |
Cap-lining machine feed assembly and method
An assembly for moving caps through a cap-lining machine includes a track for the downstream movement of the caps to a cap-lining location in the cap-lining machine. A first gate is mounted downstream from the cap-lining location for movement between first and second positions preventing and allowing downstream movement of the caps, respectively. A sensing location is formed in the track downstream from the cap-lining location. A second gate is mounted downstream from the sensing location for movement between first and second positions preventing and allowing downstream movement of the caps, respectively. The first gate moves to the first position in response to a sensor sensing the arrival of one of the caps at the sensing location, and the second gate moves to the second position in response to the first gate moving to the first position. |
| US08561777B2 |
Coin sensor
A coin sensor performs time-domain eddy-current testing using an inductance in one arm of a Maxwell bridge which is driven by a bipolar square wave having randomly-selected intervals between transitions, the output of the bridge being sampled at a high frequency. A processor stores a model which receives the drive signal and adjusts coefficients of the model so that the output matches the sampled measurements. Acceptance criteria are applied to the adjusted coefficients for coin classification purposes. |
| US08561776B2 |
Imaging unit and coin identifying apparatus
An imaging unit images a subject having an unevenness pattern on a surface. The imaging unit includes: a surface light source that emits with a constant output illumination light illuminating the surface of the subject; an imager that receives reflected light reflected by the surface of the subject; and a beam splitter that is arranged at a location at which the illumination light emitted from the surface light source and the reflected light incident on the imager intersect with each other. The illumination light emitted from the surface light source is incident on the surface of the subject via the beam splitter. The reflected light reflected by the surface of the subject is incident on the imager via the beam splitter. The illumination light incident on the surface of the subject includes parallel light that is perpendicularly incident on the surface of the subject, and diffused light. |
| US08561772B2 |
Roller, sprag or ratchet one-way clutch with two backing plates
A one-way clutch is provided that includes a first race, a second race having relative rotational movement with the first race, a locking mechanism to allow relative rotational movement between the races in one direction only and first and second backing plates connected with the first race. |
| US08561771B2 |
Moveable catenary system for carrying containers using an electric container freight train
A moveable catenary system for carrying a container using an electric container freight train includes: a main rail track disposed beside a freight platform; a plurality of catenary masts disposed beside the main rail track; fixed support units fixedly coupled in a cantilever shape to the catenary masts, respectively, with the exception of the catenary masts corresponding to the freight platform; vertical driving support units coupled in the cantilever shape to the catenary masts corresponding to the freight platform so as to vertically rotate the catenary masts, respectively; a fixed catenary coupled to the fixed support units such that positions at which the vertical driving support units are disposed are cut and the vertical driving support units are disposed inside and along the main rail track; a moveable catenary connected to the vertical driving support unit, the movable catenary being circularly moved in a vertical direction according to the vertical rotation of the vertical driving support units; and switching units connecting the moveable catenary to the fixed catenary when the vertical driving support units are disposed in a horizontal direction. According to the present invention, freight cars of the electric container freight train may be moved beside the freight platform to reduce the time required for loading containers into the freight cars of the electric container freight train or unloading containers mounted on the freight cars. Furthermore, the rail track may be simply arranged. |
| US08561768B2 |
Vehicle damper and method
A damper for use in vehicle and automotive applications can include a structure for sealing a top portion of the damper such that standing water is prevented from residing adjacent the cylinder/tube, piston rod, gaskets, o-rings, grommets, or other structures located at a top portion of the damper. The structure for sealing the top portion of the damper can include a seal that is located between a rod guide and the damper tube such that water and debris are kept from entering an inner portion of the damper mechanism. |
| US08561767B2 |
Shock absorber having self pumping unit
A shock absorber, in which external gas is sucked by movement of a piston rod to obtain compressed gas, which is used for inhibiting the “lag” phenomenon. A piston valve is connected to one end of a piston rod received in an inner shell and moved between rebound and compression strokes, an inner space of the inner shell being divided into a rebound chamber and a compression chamber by the piston valve. A reservoir chamber is provided in an outer shell outside of the inner shell to supply oil to the compression chamber in the rebound stroke and to recover oil in the compression stroke. The shock absorber has a high pressure tank with a high pressure chamber installed outside of the outer shell, and a self pumping unit for sucking gas and pumping it into the high pressure chamber using energy generated by movement of the piston rod. |
| US08561764B2 |
Damping device for a two-wheeled vehicle
A damping device for a two-wheeled vehicle having a first and a second damper chamber which are coupled to one another through a flow connection. The flow connection includes at least one flow valve provided with a damping channel. A magneto-rheological fluid is provided in the damping channel of the flow valve wherein the flow valve includes at least one magnetic device such that the damping channel of the flow valve can be exposed to a magnetic field of the magnetic device. The flow valve further includes at least one spring device. The magnetic device of the flow valve is provided on a valve piston and the valve piston is received in a deflection chamber to resiliently deflect counter to a spring force of the spring device such that the magnetic field of the magnetic device effective in the damping channel depends on the resilient deflection of the valve piston. |
| US08561762B2 |
Brake piston with steel core and phenolic outer layer
A brake piston may include a steel core and a phenolic outer layer that may be overmolded to the steel core. |
| US08561760B2 |
Hydraulic system for working vehicle
A low-pressure pump supplies oil stored in a steering case to a steering device as lubricating oil via a steering lubricating circuit. A high-pressure pump supplies the oil stored in the steering case to a clutch via a high-pressure circuit. A transmission lubricating circuit branches off from the high-pressure circuit via a relief valve and supplies lubricating oil to a transmission device. A transmission-lubricating assist circuit is provided so as to branch off from the steering lubricating circuit and is connected to the transmission lubricating circuit. A transmission case stores the oil used to lubricate the transmission device. A scavenging pump returns the oil stored in the transmission case to the steering device. |
| US08561759B2 |
Rescue arrangement
The invention relates to a rescue arrangement for effecting a rapid descent from a higher level to a lower level. The rescue arrangement comprises guiding means which extend between the higher level and the lower level, as well as carrying means which are connectable to the guiding means for carrying a person or another object from the higher level to the lower level along the guiding means. Magnetic braking means, which comprise a series of permanent magnets, are located on the guiding means or the carrying means for slowing down the carrying means at least near the lower end of the guiding means. |
| US08561748B1 |
Suspension configuration for a seat
A seat suspension includes a lower support frame having a first slot, an upper support frame having a second slot, and a biasing member between the upper and lower support frames. A first suspension arm is connected to the lower support frame at a first end for rotation with respect to the lower support frame and connected to the upper support frame at a second end for rotation with respect to the upper support frame. A second suspension arm is connected to the first slot in the lower support frame for rotation with respect to the lower support frame and for translation with respect to the lower support frame along the first slot, and a second end coupled to the second slot in the upper support frame for rotation with respect to the upper support frame and for translation with respect to the upper support frame along the second slot. |
| US08561747B2 |
Pneumatic mechanical power source
An mechanical power system provides torque without using a heat engine where fossil-fuel engines have conventionally been used, by replacing the fossil-fuel burning engine with a rotary pneumatic motor and feeding pressure-regulated compressed gas to the rotary pneumatic motor. The rotary pneumatic motor can be used anywhere, and requires preferably compressed nitrogen in a non-liquid state. Automotive, marine and electrical generating applications are adaptable, and auxiliary power is available for emergencies where a supply of compressed gas has been exhausted. A screw-type compressor can be electrically powered to supply compressed gas to the pneumatic motor where tanks of compressed gas have been exhausted. An electrical generating power plant includes an array of solar panels for generating direct current (DC) and a DC/AC converter for converting the DC to alternating current (AC) and outputting a portion of the AC via a power plant output port to supply an AC load. |
| US08561745B2 |
Saddle-type vehicle
A saddle-type vehicle is provided with: a seat on which a driver sits; a fuel tank positioned in front of the seat; an engine positioned below the fuel tank and having a crankcase and a cylinder projecting upward from a front of the crankcase; and a fuel vapor passage that is connected to the fuel tank and emits evaporated fuel in the fuel tank to an outside of the fuel tank. At least a part of the fuel vapor passage passes behind the cylinder. The fuel vapor passage is connected to the crankcase mat a portion in a rear side of the cylinder and opens toward oil in the engine. |
| US08561741B2 |
Air guide duct structure for vehicle
An air guide structure for guiding outside air in front of the vehicle to equipment to be cooled. Ai air guide duct structure (20) is provided with: left and right side-wall ducts (46, 68) provided to the left and right sides of equipment (16) to be cooled; and left and right seal sections (47, 69) protruding from the inner wall surfaces (46a, 68a) of the left and right side-wall ducts toward the equipment (16) to be cooled. The left and right seal sections (47, 69) are spaced by a predetermined distance (S1) from the equipment (16) to be cooled toward the front of the vehicle body. Air pressure during the travel of the vehicle elastically deforms the right and left seal sections (47, 69) to cause the seal sections to make contact with the equipment (16) to be cooled. |
| US08561740B2 |
HVAC system for a work vehicle
An HVAC system for a work vehicle having an operator cab includes a first chamber having an for receiving airflow exterior of the cab. The inlet is adjacent to a first source for moving air for use independent of the HVAC system, the inlet arranged to cause a first change of direction of airflow inside the first chamber. The first chamber resulting in both a first air pressure reduction and a first reduction of airflow velocity while inside the first chamber sufficient to reduce an amount of particles entrained in the airflow while the particles are within the first chamber. A second chamber in fluid communication with the first chamber and configured to cause both a second change of direction and a third change of direction of airflow while inside of the second chamber prior to reaching a third chamber for mixing air flow with recirculated air from the cab. |
| US08561737B2 |
Charging cable-housing device and vehicle
A charging cable-housing device includes: a charging cable that supplies electric power from an external electric power source to a vehicle; a bobbin which is rotatable, and on which the charging cable is wound, and which is disposed in a rear portion of the vehicle; a casing that houses the bobbin, and that has an extraction opening through which the charging cable is extracted out; and a guide member that guides the charging cable led out from the bobbin from above the extraction opening toward the extraction opening. |
| US08561735B2 |
Self-contained axle module
A self-contained axle module for a vehicle having a support structure is provided. The self-contained axle includes a housing removably coupled to the support structure and an output shaft extending from the housing. An electric motor is coupled to the housing and drives the output shaft. Two wheel end assemblies are coupled to the output shaft, and an independent suspension assembly is coupled between each wheel end assembly and the housing, so that the independent suspension assemblies and the wheel end assemblies and the electric motor and the housing are removable from the vehicle as a unit by detaching the housing from the support structure. |
| US08561732B2 |
Offset drive system for utility vehicles
A wheel driven utility vehicle includes a frame and two small volume high speed alternating current electric motors arranged side by side for driving the vehicle. Alternatively high speed direct current, hydraulic or pneumatic direct current motors may be used with suitable controls. Each motor has an output shaft which drives an offset planetary gear reducer. Each offset planetary gear reducer is affixed to the electric motor and includes an output carrier interconnected with an output shaft. Each output shaft includes first and second chain drive sprockets which drive chains interconnected with shafts driving the front and rear wheels respectively. Each offset planetary gear reducer enables use of space saving high speed relatively low-torque alternating current electric motors with attendant large speed reductions. Gear reduction enables the production of sufficient torque at the wheels of the vehicle. Applications in addition to utility vehicles are also specifically contemplated. |
| US08561731B2 |
Hardmetal for use in oil and gas drilling applications
A down hole drill bit is disclosed that includes a plurality of cutting elements mounted on a cutting structure. At least one of the plurality of cutting elements comprises a wear resistant material, the wear resistant material comprising coarse grains disposed in a binder matrix phase, wherein the binder matrix phase comprises nanoparticles uniformly dispersed therein. |
| US08561726B2 |
Vertical drilling system for controlling deviation
Systems and methods for controlling deviations during drilling operations include securing a plurality of stabilizers to a lower portion of a drill string. The stabilizers can have a substantially triangular cross-sectional area oriented perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the drill string, and a plurality of blades secured to the stabilizer at points associated with corners of the triangular cross-sectional area. The resulting system can exhibit improved stability and stiffness, an improved flow area, a reduced annular velocity, an increased penetration rate, and a longer usable life. |
| US08561724B2 |
Expanding mill having camming sleeve for extending cutting blade
Downhole cutting tools comprise a mandrel, a housing, a sleeve and a cutting blade. The mandrel comprises an inner wall surface defining a bore, and an outer wall surface. The housing is secured to the outer wall surface of the mandrel and comprises an opening. The sleeve is engaged with the outer wall surface of the mandrel. The sleeve comprises a profile that is operatively associated with a profile of the cutting blade such that movement of the sleeve causes the profile of the piston to slide along the profile of the cutting blade. In so doing, the cutting blade is radially extended outward through the opening in the housing to abrade an object located outside the housing. Movement of the sleeve can be achieved by pumping fluid down a bore in the mandrel to slide the sleeve long the outer wall surface of the mandrel. |
| US08561723B2 |
Magnetic hammer
Drilling apparatus having a drillstring and operable to rotate the drillstring and operable to provide vibration axially to the drill head. Relies upon vibrational apparatus positioned to provide the vibration reliant upon interactive magnetic arrays, as a consequence of the relative rotation caused by a mechanical input to at least one array or set of arrays of the vibrational apparatus. One of the arrays or sets of arrays moves synchronously, in rotation, with the drillstring when the drillstring is rotated. |
| US08561721B2 |
Drill head connection
A drill head system and method of use is shown. Drill head systems shown provide for a secure drill head connection to a cylindrical portion or sonde housing, while still allowing for easy removal of a drill head without using pipe wrenches, breaker bars, etc. An internal fastener further provides easy assembly and disassembly of the drill head by protecting components from dirt or other debris. A tapered connection with male and female fittings are shown in one example that further provide a robust joint between components such as a drill head and a sonde housing. |
| US08561715B2 |
Control method for a hand-operated power tool
A hand-operated rotary power tool and a method of operating the tool is disclosed. The tool has an electric motor for driving a rotary tool, a sensor device for detecting a blockade of the tool and a triggering device, which, in response to a blockade detected by the sensor device, reverses a direction of rotation of the electric motor prior to the blockade for a predetermined duration and immediately following induces the electric motor to again rotate in the direction of rotation. |
| US08561714B2 |
Hand-held power tool
The invention relates to a hand-held power tool having a bearing race inserted into a bearing socket. The bearing socket and the bearing race have recessed ring sectors positioned relative to one another in an overlapping manner. The ring sector of the bearing race is configured by breaking out a circumferential section of the bearing race, which is defined by predetermined breaking points. |
| US08561709B2 |
Liner top packer seal assembly and method
Disclosed herein is a method of sealing a liner top packer to a tubular. The method includes, positioning the liner top packer within a tubular and moving a sleeve of the liner top packer in a first axial direction thereby radially deforming a first deformable metal member and a second deformable metal member. The method further includes sealably engaging the radially deformed first deformable metal member with a tubular and sealably engaging the radially deformed second deformable metal member with the first deformable metal member and a body of the liner top packer. |
| US08561708B2 |
ID centralizer
An apparatus and methods of spacing a tool from walls of tubing are provided as embodiments of the present invention. The apparatus can include a centralizer that is inserted in the tubing, the centralizer having inwardly arched sides or inwardly arched bow springs so that an inner diameter of the centralizer increases from a longitudinal midpoint to a longitudinal end point of the centralizer. The centralizer has a smaller diameter than the tubing so that it can be positioned inside of the tubing downstream of a seating ring in a relaxed position so that when the tool passes through the centralizer, the inwardly arched sides or inverted bow springs expand towards an inner wall of the tubing to centralize and inhibit radial movement of the tool when deployed through the inwardly arched sides of the centralizer. |
| US08561706B2 |
Riser pipe with rigid auxiliary lines and offset connectors
The connection system allows to assemble two sections of a riser pipe used for offshore drilling, the riser pipe comprising a main tube and at least one auxiliary line arranged parallel to said tube. The connection system comprises a connector A for assembling two main tube sections and connecting means B1 for assembling two auxiliary line sections.Connecting means B1 are arranged, with respect to connector A, in such a way that the overall dimensions E of the connection system are smaller than the sum of the overall dimensions EA of the connector and of the overall dimensions EB1 of the connecting means. |
| US08561705B2 |
Lead impression wear bushing
A wear bushing having a lead impression block is landed axially above a casing hanger and actuated to test an elevation of lock ring grooves formed in a wellhead. Then, drilling operations are performed through the wear bushing. The wear bushing includes a first tubular member having an axis and a second tubular member coaxial with the first tubular member. The second tubular member moves down to actuate a lead impression assembly to measure an elevation within the wellhead with the lead impression block. After the drilling operations are completed, the deformed lead impression block is retrieved along with the wear bushing. |
| US08561702B2 |
Hot fluid recovery of heavy oil with steam and carbon dioxide
Combustion gases with relatively high levels of carbon dioxide (CO2), steam, and/or hot water, may be used to improve recovery of heavy hydrocarbons from geologic formations and/or from surface mined materials. These gases reduce the viscosity and/or increase hydrocarbon extraction rates through improvements in thermal efficiency and/or higher rates of heat delivery for a given combustor an capital investment. Such high water/CO2 content combustion gases can be formed by adding water to combustion gases formed by burning fuel. The pressure to inject the combustion gases and extract heavy hydrocarbons may be provided by diverting high pressure expanded gases from wet combustion in a gas turbine, or by reducing the pressure drop across a turbine and using the expanded hot gases for extraction. |
| US08561701B2 |
Methods for cementing in a subterranean formation using a cement composition containing calcium silicate hydrate seeds
According to an embodiment, a method of cementing in a subterranean formation comprises: introducing a cement composition into the subterranean formation, wherein the cement composition comprises: cement; water; and calcium silicate hydrate (C-S-H) seeds, wherein a test cement composition consisting essentially of: the cement; the water; and the C-S-H seeds, and in the same proportions as in the cement composition, develops a compressive strength of at least 1,200 psi (8.3 MPa) when tested at 24 hours, a temperature of 60° F. (15.6° C.), and a pressure of 3,000 psi (20.7 MPa); and allowing the cement composition to set. According to another embodiment, the C-S-H seeds are mesoscopic particles, nanoparticles, or combinations thereof, and wherein the C-S-H seeds are in a concentration in the range of about 1% to about 5% by weight of the cement. |
| US08561699B2 |
Well screens having enhanced well treatment capabilities
A well screen assembly with enhanced well treatment capabilities. A well screen assembly can include a well treatment substance secured to the well screen assembly, and at least one reactive component of a well treatment stimulant. The reactive component can also be secured to the well screen assembly. A method of treating a well can include expanding a well screen assembly outward in a wellbore of the well, thereby decreasing a distance between a well treatment substance and a wall of the wellbore. Another method of treating a well can include contacting multiple reactive components of a well treatment stimulant with each other in the well, thereby dispersing a well treatment substance about a well screen assembly. |
| US08561698B2 |
Downhole fluid injection
Downhole tools and methods are provided for injecting fluid into a formation. A downhole tool may include a first chamber of injection fluid separated from a second chamber of working fluid by a piston. The working fluid may be employed to apply pressure to the piston to direct injection fluid from the first chamber to the formation. A flow regulator may regulate flow of the injection fluid from the first chamber to the formation. |
| US08561691B2 |
Method and apparatus for erosion control for use with flow control devices
A flow control device for use in a wellbore which has a nozzle with an output to provide a jet of fluid and a structure proximate the nozzle. The structure is positioned a set distance away from the output of the nozzle, where the set distance is greater than a length of a potential core of the jet of fluid. |
| US08561688B2 |
Compact jar for dislodging tools in an oil or gas well
This invention relates to a jar used to dislodge tools stuck in a well. The jar includes two housing portions movable with respect to each other. A release collet forms a portion of one of the housings. A release sleeve is carried by a mandrel and is located within the release collet. After a given amount of movement of the housing with respect to the mandrel, the release mechanism is activated and the two housing sections rapidly move with respect to each other. A hammer portion of the mandrel then strikes an anvil in the anvil housing, thus applying an upward force to the tool lodged in the well. |
| US08561678B2 |
Heat exchanger tank and related apparatuses
A heat exchanger (such as a radiator) that provides for a consistent tank-to-header joint location. The tank generally includes at least two indentations and at least one isolator having a base at least partially disposed in one of the indentations and a coupler extending from the base for coupling the tank to at least one other component of the heat exchanger. |
| US08561677B2 |
Cooling/heating panel with holding device
A cooling/heating panel has a planar radiation panel (12), a metallic holding member (18) arranged partially on a backside of the radiation panel (12), and a resin heat exchange pipe (16) held by the holding member (18). The holding member (18) has: a flat soaking plate (20) which is superimposed on the radiation panel (12); and a holding portion (22) which is erected on the soaking plate (20) and latches the heat exchange pipe (16). The heat exchange pipe (16) has an outside diameter larger than an inside diameter of the holding portion (22) before the heat exchange pipe (16) is attached to the holding portion (22) and in a state in which the heat exchange pipe (16) is attached to the holding portion (22), the holding portion (22) holds a side face of the heat exchange pipe (16) repulsively from both sides. |
| US08561675B2 |
Spray type heat-exchanging unit
A spray type heat-exchanging unit includes a main body; a distributive refrigerant spray module located in an upper part of the main body and having an extended distributor and a refrigerant spray surface; and a plurality of heat exchange tubes provided in the main body below the distributive refrigerant spray module. A liquid refrigerant is guided into the extended distributor to drip onto the refrigerant spray surface, and then uniformly sprayed onto the heat exchange tubes. Gaseous refrigerant produced by evaporation in heat exchange in the main body is recovered via a top opening of the main body, making the mechanical refrigerating apparatus more efficient than a refrigerating apparatus adopting a flooded evaporator, and minimizing the refrigerant charge amount and material cost required by the heat-exchanging unit. |
| US08561672B2 |
Regenerative heat exchanger with a plurality of radial seals for separating gaseous media
A regenerative heat exchanger for the heat exchange of gaseous media with a substantially cylindrical heat storage body including a radial seal for use in a regenerative heat exchanger and a method for separating gaseous media in a regenerative heat exchanger. The heat storage body of the regenerative heat exchanger may include a plurality of radially extending sector walls which subdivide the heat storage body into sectors. At least two heat storage chambers which are arranged behind one another in the radial direction are provided within a sector, which heat storage chambers are arranged for the through-flow of gaseous media. |
| US08561669B2 |
Casting equipment for the casting of sheet ingot
Equipment for the semi-continuous direct chill (DC) casting of sheet ingot or slabs of different dimensions, in particular for rolling purposes, including a mold frame (2) with a pair of facing long side walls (3) and a pair of facing short end walls (4). The walls of the mold define an upwardly open inlet for the supply of metal and a downwardly facing outlet provided with a starter block (5) on a movable support which prior to each casting closes the opening. The equipment includes a device for changing the mold dimensions where at least one end wall can be displaced to enable casting of ingots with different sizes, and it further includes a device for indirect and direct cooling of the metal during casting. The equipment also includes apparatus for flexing the long side walls (3) of the mold, thereby enabling adjustment of the flexible middle part of the long side walls (3) inwardly or outwardly to adapt to the desired sheet ingot size, the desired casting speed and/or alloy composition. |
| US08561662B2 |
Apparatus and a method for curing a liner of a pipeline
The present invention relates to an apparatus for curing a liner of a pipeline where the liner includes a resin which is curable by exposure to electromagnetic radiation of a specific wavelength or a specific wavelength range. The apparatus comprises a housing defining opposite first and second ends, an outer wall of a substantially cylindrical configuration, and an inner wall defining a substantially unobstructed through-going passage extending longitudinally through the housing between the first and second ends, and further comprises a pair of power supply wires for the supply of electrical power to the apparatus and extending from the first end of the housing, and a plurality of LED's irradiating electromagnetic radiation of the specific wavelength or the specific wavelength range. The plurality of LED's is positioned and substantially evenly distributed at the outer wall of the housing, and is connected through an electronic circuit to the pair of power supply wires. The plurality of LED's is further connected in thermal conductive relationship to heat dissipating elements freely exposed at the inner wall of the housing in the through-going passage of the housing for allowing a stream of cooling fluid to pass through the passage for dissipating heat from the heat dissipating elements and cooling the LED's. |
| US08561658B2 |
Fuel recovery system and method
Vehicle fuel removal system for vehicles raised upon a automotive lift or driven over a automotive work pit. The device features a piercing spear member with engagement to a hydraulically translating member of smaller diameter for piercing the fuel tank. The small diameter member acts to allow flow of fluid around the spear head and down along the small diameter translating member. The hole produced by the piercing spear tip can be adapted to allow the insertion of a bung (where required). This assembly is surrounded by a funneling basin to direct fuel flow to a receiving hose. The described members can be engaged upon a rolling support or on an arm of a pivoting wall mounted support.A residual fuel removal system from the fuel tanks of vehicles raised upon a automotive lift or driven over a automotive work pit. The device features a piercing spear member operatively engaged to a hydraulically powered translating member of smaller diameter for piercing the fuel tank. The small diameter member acts to allow flow of fluid around the spear head and down along the small diameter translating member. The hole produced by the piercing spear tip can be adapted to allow the insertion of a bung (where required). This assembly is surrounded by a funneling basin to direct fuel flow to a receiving hose. The described members can be engaged upon a rolling support or on an arm of a pivoting wall mounted support. |
| US08561657B2 |
Marine fuel tank ullage system
A ullage system for a marine fuel tank that maintains an exact ullage space in all marine refueling situations including refueling in moving or pitching and rolling situations. The invention includes two ball valve assemblies that are inserted into a fuel tank at approximately the same level. The two assemblies typically are at opposite ends of the tank. One of the ball valves is smaller than the other in diameter. The smaller valve is coupled to an air vent; the larger valve is coupled to the filler tube. An important feature of the present invention is that it can typically be made to fit any marine fuel tank simply by changing the length of a vent tube to reach the correct ullage level for the tank at hand. The components of the present invention can be made from standard fuel valve materials. |
| US08561650B1 |
Weaving apparatus
Weaving apparatus for use in weaving threads into a woven structure includes a base including a retaining structure, a support portion removably engaging with the retaining structure, and a first insert engaging with the support portion. The first insert includes an upper portion defining a receptacle, and a second insert includes a base having an upper portion and a wall projecting from a lower surface of the upper portion. The second insert is positionable in engagement with the first insert by positioning the wall of the second insert at least partly into the receptacle of the first insert. A weaving platform is operatively positioned between the first and second inserts and around at least part of the wall of the second insert. The weaving platform includes slits around its circumference adapted to secure threads during use of the apparatus for weaving. |
| US08561649B1 |
Three-dimensional surface weaving
A weaving process for direct manufacture of three-dimensional structures with bidimensional walls with corners, without the need for sewing or other assembly between two ridges. The weaving is made by transforming weft threads into warp threads for making at least one face. The process is particularly adapted for the weaving of reinforcing elements for composite structures of corner fitting type. |
| US08561646B2 |
System and methods for multiple service line plug deployment
Embodiments of the present invention include a system for locating and restoring service lines during pipeline restoration. According to some embodiments of the present invention, a system for service line plug transport and dispensing includes at least one magazine tray including a plurality of service line plugs and a plug advancement mechanism for pushing at least one of the plurality of service line plugs off of the magazine tray and onto an applicator fitting. According to embodiments of the present invention, the applicator fitting includes a magnet configured to interact with a magnet inside the at least one of the plurality of service line plugs. |
| US08561644B2 |
Pulsator apparatus and method of operation
A pulsator comprises a valve chamber and an armature arranged in the valve chamber. An electrically powered coil at least partially surrounds the valve chamber and generates a magnetic flux. A magnetic pole piece is arranged in the valve chamber and has a metal surface. The armature has a first end nearest the magnetic pole piece and a second end. The first end of the armature has a metal surface and the second end has a first sealing surface and a second sealing surface. |
| US08561642B2 |
Check valve for transport and storage containers for fluids
A transport and storage container for fluids having a check valve that allows the contents of the storage container to be substantially completely emptied. A valve housing of the check valve has a valve face against which a valve flap rests against in its closed state. |
| US08561639B1 |
Flow check valve assembly and method
The present invention provides, in part, a valve assembly and method that maintains balance of flow to pressure. In one embodiment, the present invention includes a main body component, a chamber body component, a fluid control plate and seal, and a chamber cap. The chamber body component is adapted to slidingly engage the main body member. A spring assists in biasing the chamber body component in position within the main body component. The chamber cap with a sealing ring assists in preventing backflow of fluid into an outer body or tube member while also providing an opposing force to movement of the chamber body member within the main body member. A sealing ring is also provided around the head portion of the chamber body member. An additional sealing ring can be provided in a cavity on the outside of the main body member. |
| US08561638B2 |
Check valve
A check valve includes a main-casing, a sub-casing, a positive-pressure valve and a negative-pressure valve. The positive-pressure valve has through holes and a negative-pressure valve seat. The negative-pressure valve has leg portions. A cap is disposed within the positive-pressure valve. A positive-pressure spring is disposed between the positive-pressure valve and the sub-casing, and a negative-pressure spring is disposed between the positive-pressure valve and the cap. A positive-pressure flow path for releasing fuel vapor is formed between an outer circumference of the positive-pressure valve and an inner circumference of the main-casing, at further outward position than the positive-pressure spring. A negative-pressure flow path for introducing outside air is formed between an inner circumference of the positive-pressure valve and the leg portions and an outer circumference of the cap and between the through holes and the leg portions, at further outward position than the negative-pressure spring. |
| US08561636B2 |
System and method for leakage control and/or testing of piping and discharge points for non-compressible fluids
System and method for controlling leakage and/or testing of pipe systems and discharge points for incompressible fluids, said system including one or more automatic valve arrangements (10) arranged in a pipe system in connection with the fluid supply to a processing plant or building comprising rooms (16) having one or more discharge points (17) to open and close the fluid supply. The system includes a control device (13) provided with communication devices and arrangements (24) to detect activity in rooms (16) with discharge points (17) or the processing plant. The system comprises a pressure control arrangement (20) arranged between the automatic valve arrangement (10) and rooms (16) having discharge points (17) or the processing plant. The pressure control arrangement (20) is arranged for increasing the pressure in the pipe system. |
| US08561635B2 |
Hydrant security system
A locking system is provided for interconnection to a hydrant. The locking system is generally comprised of a lock body and lock that work in concert to block the operation of hydrant components, namely a control rod and/or a stem screw, that controls fluid flow through the hydrant. |
| US08561632B2 |
Quick-acting valve having metering relief
A quick-acting valve 1 having metering relief is used in particular for oxygen lances, wherein the actual sealing body 10 inside the valve tube 2 has a two-part design and accommodates the valve spring 8 with the housing parts 16 and 17 of the spring. The gas is conducted around the sealing body 10, so that the gas pressure cannot have an effect on the actuation by way of the hand lever 3. The rear housing part 17, which is located behind the front housing part 16 can be displaced inside the front housing part 16, and has a flow-promoting design, being displaced against the force of the valve spring 8, and specifically with the help of the hand lever 3, so that it now can be actuated independently of the gas pressure with precise metering control. |
| US08561631B2 |
Liquid impact pressure control methods and systems
The present invention discloses apparatuses, systems, and methods for controlling liquid impact pressure in liquid impact systems. The liquid impact systems include at least one gas and a liquid, the gas having a density (PG) and a polytropic index (κ) and the liquid having a density (PL). The methods include the step of calculating a liquid impact load of the liquid on the object by determining a parameter Ψ for the system, wherein Ψ is defined as (PG/PL) (κ−1)/κ. The systems are also configured to utilize the parameter Ψ. The parameter Ψ may be adjusted to increase or reduce the liquid impact load on the system. Automatic, computer-implemented systems and methods may be used or implemented. These methods and systems may be useful in applications such as LNG shipping and loading/off-loading, fuel tank operation, manufacturing processes, vehicles dynamics, and combustion processes, among others. |
| US08561626B2 |
Capacitive sensing system and method for operating a faucet
An electronic faucet comprises a spout having a passageway configured to conduct fluid flow through the spout, an electrically operable valve coupled to the passageway, and a single capacitive sensor coupled to a portion of the faucet. The single capacitive sensor provides both a touch sensor and a proximity sensor for the electronic faucet. |
| US08561625B2 |
Sun-tracing sunshade apparatus
A sun-tracing sunshade apparatus includes a support, a first top shade member rotatably mounted on the support, a lateral shade member pivotally coupled to the first top shade member, a drive unit installed in the support and adapted for rotating the first top shade member relative to the support, a sun tracker electrically coupled with the drive unit and adapted for sensing the direction of the sun and providing a corresponding signal to the drive unit, and a push member mounted on the support and movable to touch the lateral shade member and to further bias the lateral shade member relative to the first top shade member. Thus, the first top shade member can be turned subject to the direction of sunlight to move the lateral shade member to the optimal shading position, providing excellent sun-shading effect. Further, when the lateral shade member is moved to the front side of the user, it can be lifted by the push member, avoiding hindering the user's sight. |
| US08561622B1 |
Make-up applicator pad
A make-up applicator pad made of a flexible material and including an upper portion and a lower portion. The upper portion has a concave upper edge, an exterior face and an interior adhesive face. The lower portion has an exterior face and an interior adhesive face. Interior adhesive faces are of a non-toxic material. Upper and lower protective covers removably cover upper and lower interior adhesive faces when the make-up applicator pad is not in use. The concave upper edge has a cooperative concave shape, to be placed adjacent to the lower eyelid of a person. In use, the upper protective cover is removed and the concave upper edge is placed below the lower eyelid of a person. Then, the lower portion protective cover is removed to secure make-up applicator pad in place. When done applying the make-up, the user peels make-up applicator pad off from the face. |
| US08561620B2 |
Hairstyling apparatus
The invention refers to a hairstyling apparatus (11) comprising: a first arm (12); a second arm (14), connected to said first arm (12) so as to allow the apparatus to be opened and closed by moving said arms, respectively, apart and close, one to the other,—at least one first heatable element (15) positioned on said first arm and at least one second heatable element (35b) positioned on said second arm, whereby the apparatus also comprises one or more seats (19) suitable for housing therein at least one treatment device (20) suitable for releasing a hair substance in operative conditions. |
| US08561618B2 |
Adjustable nasal passage expander
An article to improve nasal passage air flow may be a strip that comprises a flexible resilient material, and has a first end and a second end, and a top surface and a bottom surface, with at least a portion of the bottom surface at the first end of the strip comprising a first adhesive surface, and at least a portion of the bottom surface at the second end of said strip comprising a second adhesive surface. The strip may serve to dilate a user's nasal passage when the first end of the strip is secured using the first adhesive bottom surface to be proximate to an alar facial groove of the user's nose, with the second end of the strip being pulled up at a slight angle and laterally to achieve desired nasal passage expansion and thereafter being secured to the user's face, at roughly a 20-25 degree angle. |
| US08561616B2 |
Methods and devices for the indirect displacement of the hyoid bone for treating obstructive sleep apnea
An implant for treating obstructive sleep apnea includes an elongated body having a central region, a first end, and a second end opposite the first end. The central region of the elongated body engages inframandibular musculature that extends between a mandible and a hyoid bone. The first and second ends of the elongated body are optionally anchored to the mandible. The elongated body is under tension for urging the inframandibular musculature in an inferior direction, which, in turn, pulls the hyoid bone anteriorly for minimizing the likelihood of occurrence of obstructive sleep apnea episodes. |
| US08561614B2 |
Multi-layer cuffs for medical devices
An inflatable cuff may be adapted to seal a vessel of a patient, such as a trachea when associated with a medical device, such as an endotracheal tube. In one embodiment, an inflatable cuff made from multiple layers is provided where one or more layers are chosen to improve sealing of the tube in the vessel. In exemplary embodiments, the individual layers may improve sealing by swelling in the presence of moisture, being wettable by the tissues of the trachea, or both. In one implementation, the inflatable cuff may be made of any combination of layers that perform either or both of these functions. |
| US08561613B2 |
Respiratory mask assembly for stabilizing patient interface
A respiratory mask assembly for delivering a flow of pressurized breathable gas to a patient includes a structure configured to contact a) at least one point on the patient's forehead, b) two points on the patient's temples, the two temple points being on opposite sides of the patient's face, and c) two points on the patient's cheek, the two cheek points being on opposite sides of the patient's face; a frame, being part of the structure, rigidly connected to other elements of the structure and configured to support a cushion in contact with the patient's face; and a plurality of straps connected to the other elements of the structure and configured to hold the frame against the at least one forehead point, the two temple points, and the two cheek points in a fully constrained manner. |
| US08561610B2 |
Medicament dispensing device, medicament magazine therefor and method of removing a medicament from a medicament chamber
A medicament dispensing device, a medicament magazine thereof, and a method of removing a medicament from the medicament magazine. The inhaler has a mouthpiece (9) and an air channel (4) connected thereto, as well as a medicament magazine with at least one medicament chamber containing a powdered medicament. A drive current is produced in the air channel, while a vacuum flow (5′) can be produced by the drive current and a constriction formed in the air channel. This narrowest part of the air channel that produces the vacuum flow is connected to a removal opening (2) which communicates with a control opening (3), in order to form an emptying current through the control opening via the removal opening. In a preferred embodiment the at least one medicament chamber including the control opening, the removal opening and a fill opening are housing in the one-piece medicament magazine. |
| US08561606B2 |
Heat and moisture exchange unit
A heat and moisture exchange unit for use with a patient breathing circuit. The unit includes a housing, an MDI port assembly and a heat and moisturizing medium. The housing forms a patient-side port, a ventilator-side port, and a containment region between the patient-side port and the ventilator-side port. The MDI port assembly includes a frame projecting into the containment region and configured to receive a portion of a metered dose dispenser. The frame terminates at an outlet end, forming a flow passage. The heat and moisturizing medium is maintained within the containment region so as to define a medium face most proximate the outlet end of the MDI port assembly. The unit is characterized by the absence of a body between the outlet end and the medium face. |
| US08561603B2 |
Solar collector and solar heating system using same
A solar collector includes a substrate having a top surface and a bottom surface opposite to the upper surface, a sidewall, a transparent cover, and a heat-absorbing layer. The sidewall is arranged on the periphery of the top surface of the substrate. Thea transparent cover is disposed on the sidewall opposite to the substrate to form a sealed chamber with the substrate together. The heat-absorbing layer is disposed on the upper surface of the substrate and includes a carbon nanotube film having a plurality of carbon nanotubes. The carbon nanotubes in the carbon nanotube film are aligned along a same direction or along different directions. |
| US08561602B2 |
Gas feature and method
Gas fire devices are provided that produce a swirling flame by passive means using the kinetic energy of gas exiting through burner ports located in a burner and the kinetic energy of air drawn through louvers or flaps radially positioned on the base of a plenum. Situated above the burner and plenum is a chimney, which surrounds the flame and may be a translucent or transparent material to help observers better see the flame. |
| US08561601B2 |
Heat exchanger with fastener
A clamshell heat exchanger includes a first clamshell half and a second clamshell half. The first and second clamshell halves each include a through-hole therein. The first and second clamshell halves form a passageway, with a seal region located between portions of the passageway. A fastener is located within the first and second through-holes within the seal region. The fastener is configured to rigidly join the first clamshell half to the second clamshell half while allowing relative lateral motion between said first and said second clamshell halves. |
| US08561600B2 |
Paintball loader
A paintball loader for use on a paintball gun for feeding paintballs is provided. The paintball loader includes a container for holding a plurality of paintballs, a paintball agitator rotatably mounted in the container, the paintball agitator including at least two fins extending substantially perpendicular to the axis of rotation, the fins spaced apart from each other forming a gap therebetween large enough to accommodate more than one paintball. At least two paintballs are positioned in the gap between the fins. A motor is configured to rotate the paintball agitator. The container includes an exit tube exiting from the bottom portion of the container and leading to an inlet tube of the paintball gun. A microprocessor in communication with a sensor may also be provided for controlling the motor. A deflector for deflecting paintballs may also be provided, the deflector movably attached to the interior surface of the container. |
| US08561594B2 |
Internal combustion engine controller
In an internal combustion engine controller, a clock trouble determination signal from a clock trouble determining circuit that diagnoses any clock input trouble is transmitted in parallel with an abnormality diagnosis signal outputted from an abnormality diagnosing circuit and causes it to be inputted to a trouble/abnormality signal output circuit, and the trouble/abnormality signal output circuit achieves logical summing to output one line of resultant trouble/abnormality output OR signals to a microprocessor (MP). The MP outputs to the trouble/abnormality signal output circuit a trouble/abnormality confirmation input signal, and makes definite any of an abnormal state, a clock trouble state and a normal state based on the result of switching control of the status level of the pertinent trouble/abnormality output OR signal. |
| US08561592B2 |
Method and system for generating an in-cylinder pressure sensor signal
A method and a control module that includes a filter coefficient determination module that generates filter coefficients based upon an engine operating conditions. The control module includes a filter module that filters the in-cylinder pressure signal with a filter having the filter coefficients to form a filtered pressure signal and an engine control module that controls the engine using the filtered pressure signal. |
| US08561591B2 |
Integrated fuel injector igniters having force generating assemblies for injecting and igniting fuel and associated methods of use and manufacture
Embodiments of injectors configured for adaptively injecting and igniting various fuels in a combustion chamber are disclosed herein. An injector according to one embodiment includes an end portion configured to be positioned adjacent to a combustion chamber, and an ignition feature carried by the end portion and configured to generate an ignition event. The injector also includes a force generator assembly and a movable valve. The force generator assembly includes a first force generator separate from a second force generator. The first force generator creates a motive force to move the valve between the closed and open positions into the combustion chamber. The second force generator is electrically coupled to the ignition feature and provides voltage to the ignition feature to at least partially generate the ignition event. |
| US08561587B2 |
Direct injection event-based engine starting
A method for starting an internal combustion engine having direct fuel injection, comprising of adjusting a number of direct injections per combustion cycle based on a cylinder event number from a first cylinder event. |
| US08561581B2 |
Two-stroke uniflow turbo-compound internal combustion engine
A radial, two-stroke uniflow internal combustion (IC) cylinder and multiple cylinder engine, the cylinder having a cylinder wall and a cylinder head, the cylinder head having an exhaust port, a fuel injector, and a spark means disposed through the cylinder head, a piston reciprocally mounted in the cylinder for movement alternately through compression and power strokes, and an inlet swirl port disposed through the cylinder wall providing fluid communication into the cylinder chamber, and having an annular exhaust air manifold in exhaust gas communication with each exhaust ports, and an exhaust-driven radial in-flow turbine that drives the inlet air compression. |
| US08561579B2 |
Water/alcohol injection tuning system
An injection system for injecting one or both of water and alcohol into an internal combustion engine includes a system monitor, a control module and a mixture delivery system. The system monitor can have a parameter level display, the control module can be adapted to receive one or more user-supplied parameters and the control module can be further adapted to store the one or more user-supplied parameters. The control module can also be comprised of a plurality of connectors and at least one electrical signal generator. The injection system can also be comprised of electrical wiring and a mixture delivery system having a pressure source. |
| US08561576B2 |
Chute for immobilizing livestock
A portable chute for immobilizing an animal having a frame structure configured to receive an animal, an entrance gate having a movable retainer member associated therewith for selectively engaging the rear portion of the animal, an exit gate having a selectively movable stanchion member for adjustably controlling the size of an opening associated therewith for immobilizing the head and neck area of the animal, at least one belly strap associated with an elongated arm operatively coupled thereto for engaging the animal's midsection when positioned within the frame structure, and an arm assembly operatively connected to the frame structure for pivotally rotating the entire chute between an upright vertical loading/unloading position and a horizontal operative position for treating the hooves of the animal. The chute assembly can be mounted to the bed of a vehicle and is always maintained in its vertical position above ground level. The vehicle may include a stabilizer assembly for further supporting the vehicle when the chute is pivotally rotated between its horizontal and vertical positions. |
| US08561575B2 |
Apparatus for dulling animal claws and methods of manufacturing the same
A dulling assembly includes a corrugated bundle having a plurality of generally vertically oriented planar paperboard sheets with fluted paperboard sheets located therebetween, each fluted paperboard sheet being adhered to the two planar paperboard sheets it is located between, and a plurality of grains of sand adhered with glue to a top surface of the corrugated bundle. A method of creating a dulling assembly includes the steps of providing a corrugated bundle, applying glue to a top surface of the corrugated bundle; and applying sand to the top surface of the corrugated bundle. |
| US08561573B2 |
Litter box odor device
The present invention is a plastic litter box odor device that is an active recovery system that includes a removable hood that includes an interior perimeter pathway, an interlocking connection that removably attaches the removable hood to the device, a carbon container that is refillable and serves as a filter media to the device and an odorless exhaust vent that is an outlet point where odors are expelled away out of the device and a removable litter tray that is removably attached to the removable hood and contains cat litter used in combination with the device. The device also includes an air passage that includes odors emitted from the cat litter contained in the removable litter tray within the removable hood, a fan motor that is disposed within the removable hood and a motion sensor switch that senses incoming airflow and odors. |
| US08561572B2 |
Gas supply system, substrate processing apparatus and gas supply method
Prior to wafer processing, pressure ratio control is executed on a divided flow rate adjustment means so as to adjust the flow rates of divided flows to achieve a target pressure ratio with regard to the pressures in the individual branch passages. As the processing gas from a processing gas supply means is diverted into first and second branch pipings under the pressure ratio control and the pressures in the branch passages then stabilize, the control on the divided flow rate adjustment means is switched to steady pressure control for adjusting the flow rates of the divided flows so as to hold the pressure in the first branch passage at the level achieved in the stable pressure condition. Only after the control is switched to the steady pressure control, an additional gas is delivered into the second branch passage via an additional gas supply means. |
| US08561571B2 |
Apparatus and method of applying a coating solution
A method of applying a coating solution onto an upper surface of a glass plate that is transported in a substantially horizontal attitude, according to the first aspect of the present invention, the method including the steps of transporting the glass plate into a coating chamber, and opening the plurality of coating nozzles which are positioned in a row at constant intervals therebetween along a curved shape of the upper surface of the glass plate in a width direction of the glass plate perpendicular to the direction of transporting the glass plate by the nozzle position adjusting means and the nozzle height adjusting means, to thereby inject the coating solution when the coating nozzles are located in a region of the upper surface of the glass plate which extends from the leading edge of the glass plate to the rear edge of the glass plate. |
| US08561570B2 |
Droplet discharge device and method for forming thin film
A droplet discharge device is configured to control the drive corresponding to a prescribed set of the nozzles selected to discharge droplets during a main scan when the droplets are arranged in the first partition regions, based on a pre-measured distribution of a droplet discharge amount of each of the prescribed set of the nozzles so that the droplet discharge amount approximates a predetermined optimal amount, and to control the drive waveforms corresponding to the nozzles included in a plurality of potential combinations of the nozzles selected to discharge droplets during a main scan when the droplets are arranged in the second partition regions, based on a pre-measured distribution of an average droplet discharge amount calculated from an amount of droplets discharged from the each of the nozzles in all the potential combinations so that the droplet discharge amount approximates the predetermined optimal amount. |
| US08561568B2 |
Apparatus for manufacturing light guide film
An exemplary apparatus for manufacturing a light guide film having patterns simultaneously formed on two opposite surfaces thereof, includes a first conveyor roller, a second conveyor roller, a imprinting group roller, two coating devices, two solidifying devices, a first template and a second template. The imprinting group rollers are positioned between the first and second conveyor rollers, including a first imprinting roller and a second imprinting roller opposite to the first imprinting roller. The two coating devices are positioned between the first conveyor roller and the imprinting group roller. The two solidifying devices are positioned between the imprinting group rollers and the second conveyor roller. The first template has a first imprinting pattern, and is fixed on a circumferential surface of the first imprinting roller. The second template has a second imprinting pattern, and is fixed on a circumferential surface of the second imprinting roller. |
| US08561567B2 |
Food storage and management system
The present invention is directed toward a food storage container comprising a body with a mechanism for denoting a time in which a food item was placed in the storage container for storage. In one embodiment, the time designation mechanism comprises a plurality of rings where each ring comprises at least one marker. Time is denoted by aligning the marker with a label located proximate to said ring. |
| US08561566B2 |
Coupling
A coupling for coupling a fall (26) to a lifeboat (1) comprising locking portions and a receiving portion constituting a hollow (10) having a open end and an upwardly facing aperture (15). The locking portion (25), hollow (10) and aperture (15) having a form preventing the locking portion (25) from passing through the aperture (15). The coupling further comprises actuators (30, 35, 39) controlled by a controller (40). A string (27) may be provided for easy retrieval of the locking portions upon the retrieval of the lifeboat (1). |
| US08561562B2 |
Device for reducing frictional resistance of ship body
In a friction reducing device for a ship body by forming an air bubble curtain on a ship's bottom by generating air bubbles from air ejection holes formed on the bottom, the air ejection holes are arranged in a ship width direction to constitute a plurality of air-ejection hole groups. The air-ejection hole groups include at least a center air-ejection hole group formed at the center of the ship width direction at a bow side and a pair of side air-ejection hole groups formed at a stern side from the center air-ejection hole group at both sides of the center air-ejection hole group in the ship width direction. A length of the center air-ejection hole group in the ship width direction is formed to be longer than a length of each of the side air-ejection hole groups in the ship width direction. |
| US08561561B2 |
Watercraft, water diverter, entanglement system, and defense system for watercraft
A watercraft includes a hull and a water diverter. The water diverter comprises at least one first deflector configured to direct water upward and outward from the hull of the watercraft to create a wave. The water diverter may include a support structure in the shape of a hollow tube for the first deflector, and a second deflector positioned above the first deflector. An entanglement system for defending watercraft includes a main cable attached to the watercraft and at least one strand section. Each strand section includes a connector and a plurality of strands attached to the connector, and each strand section is attached to the main cable. A defense system for watercraft can include both a water diverter and an entanglement system. |
| US08561557B2 |
Primary oxidant feed to oxy-fired circulating fluidized bed (CFB)
A system for feeding a primary oxidant to an oxy-fired circulating fluidized bed (CFB) boiler. The system includes a plurality of bubble cap assemblies each comprising a stem and a bubble cap with at least one exit hole, each bubble cap connected via a stem to at least one windbox, the windbox containing at least one manifold. A plurality of pipes are provided, each pipe located within a bubble cap assembly with an open end located either at, above or below the exit holes of the bubble caps and an opposite end connected to the manifold located inside each windbox. Recycle gas is piped into the windbox, to the stem, and exiting from the exit holes located in the bubble cap into the CFB. Oxygen is piped into the manifold, through the pipes and exiting through the exit holes located in the bubble cap. The pipe may further contain means placed at its open end, to prevent accidental inlet of hot particles into the pipe, such as a debris shield placed above and proximate to the open end of the pipe or by having the open end oriented in a downward direction. An insulating gap may also be placed inside the bubble cap to reduce thermal conductance between the bubble cap outer surface that is exposed to hot bed material and the inner surface of the bubble cap, being in contact with oxygen. |
| US08561552B2 |
Foldable table with anti-torsion arrangement
A foldable table includes a table top, two leg frames foldably coupling with a bottom side of the table top, and a torsion resistance frame including two longitudinal side frames parallelly provided along two longitudinal side portions of the table top respectively, and two lateral side reinforcing members laterally extended between the longitudinal side frames at two lateral side portions of the table top to form an anti-torsion frame for encircling with a peripheral portion of the table top. The torsion resistance frame is integrated with the bottom side of the table top, making it a one-piece table frame structure with increased rigidity at its maximum level, resistance to the external force of torsion and distortion. The table, having the maximum utility with minimum materials, has increased durability, comfort in usage and convenience for transportation and has lowered energy consumption in the manufacture of household furniture. |
| US08561550B2 |
Deck ledge table
A deck table is provided that includes a table section and a clamping mechanism that are attachable to a number of vertical posts in order to position the support surface on the posts in a horizontal position. The table section includes support surface and a bottom support that can be positioned against the posts and engaged by the clamping mechanism that extends between the posts. The clamping mechanism is rotatably attached to the table section and can be releasably engaged with the vertical posts to enable the table to be readily repositioned and/or removed from the posts, as desired, without disassembly of the component parts of the table. |
| US08561549B2 |
Ramp for evacuation device
A foldable ramp for evacuation of a vehicle, the ramp including hingedly connected primary and secondary side members, a primary fixed panel fixedly attached the primary side members, a primary flipping panel extending between the primary side members adjacent the primary fixed panel and having a first end pivotally connected to the primary side members and a second end free from the side members, and a secondary flipping panel extending between the secondary side members and having a first end free from the side members and hingedly connected to the second end of the primary flipping panel and a second end pivotally connected to the secondary side members. The ramp is configurable between a folded and a deployed position, with the panels in the deployed position forming a ramp surface and the panels in the folded position being stacked one against the other. |
| US08561546B2 |
Bogie
The invention provides a bogie which comprises a bolster, two side frames and four constant contact dampers, two sides of two ends of the bolster are respectively provided with a wedge pocket; the four constant contact dampers are respectively arranged in four wedge pockets, and each of the four constant contact dampers comprises a wedge and a damping spring; the damping spring is arranged in an inner cavity of the wedge; one end of the damping spring bears against a top inner surface of the inner cavity of the wedge, and the other end of the damping spring bears against a bottom plate of the wedge pocket, wherein the bogie further comprises four through holes and four ejectors which respectively correspond to the four constant contact dampers; the through holes are arranged on the bottom plate, and the position of each of the four through holes on the bottom plate corresponds to the position where the damping spring bears against the bottom plate and a load spring of the bogie; and one end of the ejector penetrates into the damping spring, and the other end of the ejector bears against the load spring through the through hole. The bogie of the present invention solves the technical problem that the deformation of the damping springs keeps constant whether a car is empty or loaded in the prior art, and thus improves the damping effect of the bogie. |
| US08561545B2 |
Industrial locomotive construction
A method is disclosed for constructing a locomotive, in part, from serviceable used parts from one or more other locomotives. The principal part that is used in this new locomotive configuration is a single, used locomotive truck assembly. The various embodiments and configurations of the present invention are directed generally to a purpose-built locomotive that incorporates parts from other locomotives in a unique way. The present invention can be summarized as a method creating a simple locomotive that is well adapted to switching and spotting functions that shares commonality with other larger locomotives both in terms of components and design. Because this new piece equipment is built in part from a plentiful supply of under-valued surplus components, it will be economical to construct and maintain. The locomotive may also include a self-elevating system so that the truck assembly can be accessed or removed rapidly for maintenance or repairs. |
| US08561542B2 |
Shotgun shells having colored projectiles and method of using same
The invention includes a number of shotgun shells having colored projectiles. When each shooter in a party of shooters utilize shotgun shells which have a projectiles of a color which is uniquely distinctive to that shooter then one is able to determine, by post-shooting inspection of an animate or inanimate target which was fired at by multiple shooters of said party, which of said shooters actually struck the target, how many times and at what place on said target The invention is therefore useful in accurately crediting each shooter for the accuracy of their shooting. |
| US08561539B2 |
Method for regulating a web tension and/or register
In a method for regulating a web tension and/or a register of a processing machine used to process a material web (101), in particular a shaftless printing press (100), the material web (101) is processed in at least one processing unit (111-114, 121-124, 131-134); the elasticity module of the material of the material web (101) is changed by moisture entering the material, and/or by moisture leaving the material, a quantity that represents the addition of moisture to the material and/or the loss of moisture from the material being taken into account in the regulation. |
| US08561538B2 |
Laser leveling highlight control
An apparatus for preparing a flexographic printing member includes a laser for forming a relief image that consists of both fine-featured regions and coarse-featured regions; and leveling a top most surface of at least one of the coarse-featured regions with the laser. |
| US08561536B2 |
Stochastically lasered film roller
A film roller for offset printing having a surface with projections and recesses, characterized in that said projections and recesses form an irregular random pattern. |
| US08561533B2 |
Compression apparatus and method
An apparatus is provided for compressing a loose solid feedstock. The apparatus includes a two stage compressor. The first compression stage is a screw compressor. The second compressor stage is a reciprocating compressor. The reciprocating compressor operates co-axially with, and receives its feed from, the screw compressor. A choke cone maintains pressure in the outfeed from the compressor stages. The reciprocating compressor includes a piston that is driven by a pair of hydraulic rams. The position and operation of the hydraulic rams, the screw conveyor, and the choke cone is monitored by sensors. The reciprocating compressor, the screw conveyor, and the choke cone are all adjustable in real time to control the compression of the feedstock according to a pre-programmed schedule that need not have equal compression and retraction strokes. The operation of the screw conveyor may be advanced or eased off depending on the motion of the reciprocating compressor. The operation of the choke cone may be actively controlled to obtain a coordination with the compressor stages. |
| US08561531B2 |
Hand-held battery powered center punch band clamp tool
A battery powered banding tool is adapted with a punch for use in tightening and securing center punch type band clamps. A hand-held electrically powered drill is configured for rotationally driving a band tensioner mounted thereto. The band tensioner includes a gear box, and a mount including a generally U-shaped rigid strap which engages the rear of the driving tool to secure the gear box. The gear box contains a worm gear axially coupled to the chuck for powered driven rotation thereby. The worm gear is in intermeshing relation with a winder gear disposed within the gear box and configured for rotation about an axis disposed generally perpendicular to the worm gear axis. A winder, defining a band-receiving slot, is affixed to the winder gear and rotationally driven thereby. A punch assembly, defining a band-receiving slot, is disposed in forwardly spaced aligned relation with the winder. The punch assembly includes a pivotal punch that functions to allow the user to lock a center punch band clamp by deforming the band within the confines of the band buckle upon impact. |
| US08561525B2 |
Nano timer control system
The invention provides a pressure controlled device and a system for managing the heating time of a pressure controlled device. The system includes a sensing device that allows the timing of a heating period for the pressure controlled device based on temperature and/or pressure values sensed inside the pressure controlled device. A RFID tag is coupled to the sensing device and is operable for generating timing information. The sensing device and the RFID tag are powered by a nano electromechanical (NEM) device that is operable by a source of pressurized air. |
| US08561517B2 |
Firearm having a handle assembly for charging and forward assist
A firearm includes a receiver and a bolt carrier disposed in the receiver. The bolt carrier is moveable between a firing position and a rearward position. A rod is fixed relative to the bolt carrier and a hand guard is coupled to the receiver about the rod. A handle assembly is slideably supported by the hand guard and is moveable toward the receiver to define a charging motion and away from the receiver to define a forward assist motion. The handle assembly receives the rod during both of the charging and forward assist motions. An arm is coupled to the base and is moveable between a disengaged position spaced from the rod and an engaged position abutting the rod. When the arm is in the engaged position, the handle assembly is moved to move the rod and the bolt carrier in either of the charging and the forward assist motions. |
| US08561512B2 |
Cutoff saw and stand with integrated dust filtration system
A cutoff saw and filtration system provides convenient multi-stage filtration for a cutoff saw. The filters are effective in capturing the dust and debris created by the saw without becoming clogged. The filters may be easily cleaned and serviced. |
| US08561511B2 |
Anvil with vacuum width adjustment
A method and apparatus is provided for cutting an elastomeric laminate that may include a layer of reinforcement cords, into a desired length without cutting through the cords. The method includes the step of cutting through the gum portion of the elastomeric composite material at a desired skive angle, and then opening up the skived cut. Next, the cord reinforcement layer is cut without severing the reinforcement cords. An elastomeric composite strip cut to the desired length is produced and has cut ends. One of the cut ends has the gum portion cut at a desired skive angle adjacent an overhang portion of the reinforcement layer. The opposite end of the elastomeric composite segment also has a skived portion to mate with the skived portion of the first cut end, and a gap in the cord ply to mate with the cord overhang of the first end, resulting in a splice. An improved anvil having independently controlled vacuum zones and adjustable width vacuum zones is also provided, as well as improved cutting mechanisms. |
| US08561508B2 |
Hard turning micro-machine tool
A micro-scale apparatus for supporting a tool for hard turning comprises a base, a pivot coupled to the base, an actuator coupled to the base, and at least one member coupled to the actuator at one end and rotatably coupled to the pivot at another end. A tool mount is disposed on the at least one member. The at least one member defines a first lever arm between the pivot and the tool mount, and a second lever arm between the pivot and the actuator. The first lever arm has a length that is less than a length of the second lever arm. The actuator moves the tool mount along an arc. |
| US08561503B2 |
Motor-generator and prime mover gearing assembly
An example mechanical transmission assembly receives an input rotating at a first rotational speed and provides an output rotating at a second rotational speed. The mechanical transmission selectively adjusts the second rotational speed. The input is provided by a prime mover. The output is provided to a hydraulic pump assembly that rotatably drives a motor-generator. |
| US08561500B2 |
Bicycle with bearing preload mechanism
A crankset for a bicycle that includes a first crank, a second crank, a spindle, a bearing, and a preload mechanism. Each of the first crank and the second crank has an end adapted to engage a pedal. The spindle defines an axis and includes a first end that is coupled to the first crank and a second end that is coupled to the second crank. The bearing positioned around the spindle between the first crank and the second crank to permit rotation of the spindle. The preload mechanism is coupled to the spindle between the bearing and the first crank. The preload mechanism includes a washer that extends circumferentially around the spindle and a cam member that is engageable with the washer to move the washer along the axis to preload the bearing. |
| US08561499B1 |
Centrifugal pendulum absorber
A pendulum absorber assembly for a torque converter including a first spring retainer, a second spring retainer, and a floating flange positioned between the first spring retainer and the second spring retainer. The pendulum absorber assembly also includes a drive plate affixed to the floating flange, a plurality of arcuate springs disposed between the second spring retainer and the drive plate, and a plurality of pendulum weights affixed to the second spring retainer, wherein the pendulum weights are made of tungsten alloy. |
| US08561498B2 |
Bicycle eccentric bottom bracket
An eccentric bottom bracket for a bicycle. The eccentric bottom bracket includes opposing first and second members. The first member and the second member each include a body and a flange. Each body is sized and shaped to penetrate an opening of a bottom bracket shell of a bicycle. Each flange is sized and shaped to prevent complete admittance of the member into the bottom bracket shell. Each body also has a bearing guide with an axis that is parallel to but offset from a center axis of the bottom bracket shell when that body is fit into the bottom bracket shell. The eccentric bottom bracket also includes a tightening assembly for selectively applying a compressive force between the body of the first member and the body of the second member. The compressive force secures the first member and the second member to the bottom bracket shell. |
| US08561490B2 |
Farm vehicle power take-off
A farm vehicle power take-off device, in particular for a tractor, wherein an output shaft is connected selectively by a drive to a first and second input shaft rotating at different speeds. The selective connection is made by moving a selector sleeve between three settings, in a first and second of which, the output shaft is connected to the first shaft to rotate at a first and second angular speed respectively, and, in a third of which, the output shaft is connected to the second shaft to rotate at a third angular speed different from the first and second angular speed. |
| US08561487B2 |
Testing apparatus for extension device
A testing apparatus includes a support mechanism, a pushing device, and a clamping device secured to the driving member. The clamping device secures a product. The pushing device includes a guiding pipe, a driving member moveably attached to the guiding pipe, and an elastic member received in the guiding pipe. The elastic member is connected to a first end of the driving member. The first end of the driving member is received in the guiding pipe. The clamping device is secured to the driving member. Wherein the guiding pipe is adapted to receive air, the driving member is adapted to be driven by air to move along a first direction, and the elastic member is adapted to rebound to pull the driving member to move along a second direction opposite to the first direction. |
| US08561486B2 |
Particle interrogation devices and methods
Devices, apparatus and methods are disclosed for non-contact pneumatic sampling and sampling of surfaces, persons, articles of clothing, buildings, furnishings, vehicles, baggage, packages, mail, and the like, for contaminating aerosols indicative of a hazard or a benefit, where the contaminating aerosols are chemical, radiological, biological, toxic, or infectious in character. In a first device, a central orifice for pulling a suction gas stream is surrounded by a peripheral array of convergingly-directed gas jets, forming a virtual sampling chamber. The gas jets are configured to deliver millisecond pneumatic pulses that erode particles from solid surfaces at a distance. In another aspect of the invention, a suction gas stream is split using an air-to-air concentrator so that a particle-enriched gas flow is directed to a particle trap and any particles immobilized in the particle trap (including any adsorbed vapors associated with the particles) are selectively analyzed to detect trace residues associated with explosives. |
| US08561484B2 |
Sorbent devices with longitudinal diffusion paths and methods of using them
Certain aspects and examples are directed to sorbent devices and methods of using them. In certain embodiments, a sorbent device comprising a body comprising a sampling inlet, a base and a longitudinal diffusion path between the inlet and the base is provided. In some embodiments, the sorbent device can include at least two sorbent materials fluidically coupled to the longitudinal diffusion path, in which the sorbent materials are arranged from a material with a weakest sorbent strength to a material with a strongest sorbent strength with the weakest sorbent strength material adjacent to the sampling inlet. |
| US08561483B1 |
Preconcentrator with high volume chiller for high vapor pressure particle detection
Apparatus and method for collecting particles of both high and low vapor pressure target materials entrained in a large volume sample gas stream. Large volume active cooling provides a cold air supply which is mixed with the sample gas stream to reduce the vapor pressure of the particles. In embodiments, a chiller cools air from ambient conditions to 0-15° C. with the volumetric flow rate of the cold air supply being at least equal to the volumetric flow rate of the sample gas stream. In further embodiments an adsorption media is heated in at least two stages, a first of which is below a threshold temperature at which decomposition products of the high vapor pressure particle are generated. |
| US08561476B2 |
Document handling device with support frame and torsion meter measuring torsional deformation of the support frame
A document handling device has a support frame with four legs, at least one of which is height-adjustable. The support frame includes a torsion meter and a display for displaying a torsion of the support frame. The display is arranged in a position where it is visible for a person adjusting the height of the at least one height-adjustable leg. In an embodiment, it is possible to perform state detection between subsequent droplet ejections, thereby obtaining a highly reliable inkjet process. |
| US08561474B2 |
Triaxial cell for the testing of geomaterials in compression and in tension
The invention relates to a triaxial cell for testing geomaterials on specimens. The triaxial cell has at least one piston for subjecting a specimen to stress directed along the longitudinal axis of the specimen. Hydraulic means are provided for subjecting the lateral wall of the specimen to a stress, under the pressure of a fluid. The cell has at least one sealed test chamber-in which the specimen is placed, and a circuit for the controlled pressurization of said test chamber with a fluid, called the pressurizing fluid, and for the controlled draining of said fluid therefrom. The cell has mechanisms for subjecting the specimen to a tensile force, which are configured for removably fastening it between two attachments intended to move apart or closer together under the action of the piston so as to subject said specimen to longitudinal stress or on the contrary to remove the load therefrom. |
| US08561471B2 |
Capacitive pressure sensor with improved electrode structure
An improved capacitive manometer comprises a diaphragm that is constrained relative to an electrode structure spaced from the diaphragm. An electrode support structure is arranged to support the electrode structure and comprises a compliant ring including at least three flexures integrally formed in the ring and angularly spaced around the alignment axis. The electrode support is clamped in place relative to the diaphragm at the locations of the compliant ring flexures. |
| US08561465B2 |
Rotation rate sensor
A rotation rate sensor includes: a mounting device; a first drive frame having a drive, which is designed to set the first drive frame into a first oscillatory motion along an axis of oscillation relative to the mounting device; a first stator electrode; a first actuator electrode coupled to the first drive frame in such a way that in a rotary motion of the rotation rate sensor due to a Coriolis force, the first actuator electrode being displaceable in a first deflection direction relative to the first stator electrode; and an evaluation device configured to determine a voltage applied between the first stator electrode and the first actuator electrode, and to specify information regarding the rotary motion of the rotation rate sensor while taking the determined voltage value into account. |
| US08561464B2 |
Method and device for unbalance correction on a vehicle wheel
Disclosed is a method for correcting an unbalance on a vehicle wheel including a rim and a tire, which includes measuring the unbalance of the vehicle wheel in an unbalance measuring station, rotating the vehicle wheel in the unbalance measuring station into a defined angular position and transmitting the defined angular position and the correction data to a control device for controlling an applicator head of a balancing station, transferring the vehicle wheel from the unbalance measuring station to the balancing station by means of a gripper arranged on a handling device and centrally locating and holding it in the balancing station, loading a corrective element which has one side coated with an adhesive and exhibits the weight amount determined in the unbalance measuring station into the applicator head of the balancing station, and rotating the vehicle wheel and/or the applicator head in dependence upon the control device in such a way that the corrective element in the cavity of the wheel rim reaches the correction plane and the attachment location on the attachment surface, and fastening the corrective element by pressing its adhesive-coated side against the attachment surface of the rim. |
| US08561463B2 |
Method for the automatic detection and identification of errors in a balancing machine
A method is disclosed for the automatic detection and identification of errors in a balancing machine during operation, in which a rotor provided with an unbalance is rotatably mounted in a vibratory bearing in the balancing machine and is set in rotation by a drive, the rotational frequency of the rotating rotor and the vibrations stimulated by the rotor are measured and measurement signals which comprise the measured values of the rotational frequency and the vibrations are generated and delivered to an evaluation computer. The evaluation calculation is based on mathematical models of the dynamic properties of the balancing machine which describe stimulations of the machine structure due to the unbalance, in particular in the balancing planes, and/or due to the rotor geometry and/or due to the bearing and/or possible damage to the bearing. Features such as vibration characteristics and/or process parameters are calculated by a signal-model-based method from the measurement signals, and discrepancies are established by comparing the calculated features with predetermined normal features of an error-free process. |
| US08561462B2 |
Storage tank assembly and system for storing waste cooking oil
A storage tank and method for monitoring thereof is provided. The tank includes a first panel that defines a mounting surface for carrying a heating element. The heating element extends into the tank for heating liquids stowed therein. A sidewall interconnects the first panel and a spaced-apart second panel. A support extends from a bottom-facing surface of the second panel for supporting the tank in a spaced-apart relation from a nearby surface. The support further defines an upward-facing pocket for receiving a portion of the heating element. A control system may monitor the storage tank and alert a service provider of operative conditions thereof. |
| US08561460B2 |
Ratiometric plunger assembly for volume sensing applications
A volume sensing system for use in determining a volume of a variable volume reservoir can include a lower plunger that can have a first end adapted to move with a bottom of the reservoir. An upper plunger can be slidable relative to the lower plunger. A lower biasing member can be positioned substantially between a base of the reservoir and the upper plunger, and the upper biasing member can be positioned between the upper plunger and an interference member. The upper biasing member can have a predetermined stiffness relative to the lower biasing member such that upon movement of the lower plunger, the upper plunger can move at a predetermined fraction of the amount of movement of the lower plunger, where the predetermined fraction can be determined at least in part by the predetermined stiffness of the upper biasing member relative to the lower biasing member. |
| US08561459B2 |
Volume gauge
Several aspects of the volume gauge may be implemented with a pressure sensing system and/or a motion sensing system. The pressure sensing system for volume measurements may include a chamber, a pressure changing device, a pressure sensing device, and a processor. The motion sensing system for volume measurements may include a container, a flexible seal, a heating device, a sensing device, and a processor. |
| US08561458B2 |
Corrosion rack and method of monitoring corrosive elements
The current invention relates to a bracket for use in conjunction with test coupons to allow for the consistent and long term monitoring of corrosive elements in a facility. The invention is able to have multiple coupons attached to a single bracket allowing for the testing various corrosive elements. Additionally the coupons can be placed at varying angles and locations to allow for a more complete analysis of the environments. |
| US08561455B2 |
Sensor head for film measurements
A sensor head for measurement of a film, includes a guide surface (14) for the film, at least one sensor element (28, 30) integrated in the guide surface for measuring a property of the film, and a generator for generating an air cushion between the guide surface (14) and the film, the generator including a system for supplying a pressure medium, and a guide member (12) that is made of a porous material and forms at least a part of the guide surface (14) and is adapted to distributedly discharge the pressure medium into the air cushion, the guide member (12) having a channel system (16, 18) that divides the guide surface (14) into a plurality of fields (20, 22) that, if not disconnected, are connected only by narrow lands, the channel system being configured for draining the pressure medium from the air cushion. |
| US08561454B2 |
Photoacoustic sensor
A photoacoustic gas sensor, system and method is generally described. In some examples, a photoacoustic gas sensor includes a MEMS-based wavelength-selective optical modulator and a ring array of acoustic sensors. The MEMS-based optical modulator can be adapted to provide flexible wavelength selectivity such that a large number of chemical compounds may be detected. The ring array of acoustic sensors can be adapted to measure photoacoustically generated acoustic signals without the need for resonant enhancement of a photoacoustic cell of the gas sensor. In some examples, a unique uncorrelated and deterministic signal may be used to modulate each light wavelength of interest. Signal processing may be used that allows the simultaneous measurement of the absorption spectra of multiple optical wavelengths as well as the rejection of unwanted acoustic noise. |
| US08561448B2 |
Duct blank seam and apparatus for making a duct blank seam
A flanged duct blank has a male part defined by lead notches formed at each side of a leading end and has a female part defined by trail notches formed at each side of a trailing end. The male part includes a lock tab. The female part includes a leg part and a Z-bend. The Z-bend includes a leg part and a gap. The duct blank is repeatedly clamped and bent by a pivoting wiper to form a duct portion. The pivoting wiper includes a clench tool that has a retractable rib and a retractable roller. With the lock tab inserted into the Z-bend and the retractable rib engaged with the Z-bend, the retractable roller clenches the leg part over the lock tab to lock the male and female parts together in a duct seam. |
| US08561447B2 |
Twisting device adapted to simultaneously twist a plurality of electric bar conductors for making a stator or rotor winding for an electric machine and an extractor assembly suitable for cooperating with said twisting device
A twisting device (10) is described adapted to simultaneously twist a plurality of bar electric conductors (11) for making a stator or rotor winding for an electric machine, comprising: at least one first body (12) extending around a twisting axis (Z-Z) and comprising a first circular array of channels (15) having center on such an axis (Z-Z); and—at least one second body (13), extending around and coaxial with the first body (12), comprising a second circular array of channels (16) with center on the twisting axis (Z-Z); associated with each of the channels (15) of at least one of said first and second arrays, a channel extension groove (15A) extending longitudinally in a direction parallel to the twisting axis (Z-Z) and projecting from the respective channel (15) in a direction (CC) circumferential with respect to said axis (Z-Z). |
| US08561446B2 |
Method and device for fabricating bonding wires on the basis of microelectronic manufacturing techniques
Bonding wires for sophisticated bonding applications may be efficiently formed on the basis of a corresponding template device that may be formed on the basis of semiconductor material, such as silicon, in combination with associated fabrication techniques, such as lithography and etch techniques. Hence, any appropriate diameter and cross-sectional shape may be obtained with a high degree of accuracy and reliability. |
| US08561443B2 |
Semi-active electrorheological fluid clutch for electronic door lock
A clutch for an electronic door lock includes a first shaft, a second shaft, a spring, a rheological fluid, and a plunger. The second shaft has an aperture therein and is axially co-aligned with the first shaft and is rotatably mounted adjacent the rotatable first shaft. The spring is disposed in the aperture in the second shaft. The rheological fluid is held within the aperture and is capable of changing viscosities in response to the application of an electrical current across the fluid. The plunger is biased by the spring into selective coupling engagement with the first shaft and is capable of selective motion into the aperture in response to contact by a camming surface of the first shaft due to relative rotation of the first shaft with respect to the second shaft. |
| US08561441B2 |
Lockable container arrangement
A lockable container arrangement includes an interior and an exterior, the container includes a base part, a cover pivotally attached to the base part for displacement between a closed position in which the cover and the base delimit a substantially enclosed space and an open position, a lock mounted on the container, the lock including a lock catch operable from the exterior of the container, which lock catch engages a receiving portion to lock the container. The container arrangement can be selectively set in a key operated mode where the lock catch is operable by a key, or in a push button operated mode where the lock catch is operable by the application of a force onto the lock by a user. |
| US08561440B1 |
Pivoted cover lock
A slide bolt lock for locking a pivoting garage door to a garage door frame includes a backing plate has a door mount adapted to fix the backing plate to the door. The backing plate includes a pair of opposed risers, each of which has an aperture therein. The backing plate further includes a lock socket. A rigid slide bolt is slidably and pivotally captured within the apertures of each riser and further includes fixed thereto a lock cover. The slide bolt and the lock cover are slidable between an extended position and a retracted position. The lock cover includes a lock mechanism adapted to selectively and lockingly engage the lock socket of the backing plate when the slide bolt is in the extended position, wherein the lock cover substantially covers the backing plate. |
| US08561437B2 |
Washing machine and sound control method thereof
Disclosed herein are a washing machine and a sound control method thereof that are capable of canceling noise generated during an operation of the washing machine and, at the same time, informing a user of information related to the operation of the washing machine using a sound. The sound control method includes operating the washing machine according to an inputted operation command, sensing noise generated during the operation of the washing machine, reading a sound to cancel the sensed noise, and outputting the read sound in a state in which the read sound is mapped with the noise. Consequently, it is possible mask the noise, thereby minimizing the noise. Also, it is possible to sense a start and an end of each operation and a change of the operation based on the noise pattern, sense a user's access to the washing machine, and output a feedback sound, thereby informing of the progress information of the washing machine. |
| US08561431B2 |
Method of manufacturing optical fiber base material
A method of manufacturing an optical fiber base material having very little impurity which deteriorates the transmission characteristic of an optical fiber is provided. The method of manufacturing an optical fiber base material including: producing a core member for the optical fiber base material by dehydrating and transparently vitrifying a base material formed by depositing glass particles; and drawing the core member and then adding a cladding thereto at a desired core to cladding ratio, wherein the dehydrating includes suspending the base material in a furnace tube having a heating region in a first atmosphere at a first temperature, the base material passing through the heating region as upwardly moving, and the transparently vitrifying includes situating the base material below once and then allowing the base material to pass through the heating region in a second atmosphere at a second temperature as upwardly moving again. |
| US08561430B2 |
Immersed burner with regulated flame
The melting of glass batch materials by at least one submerged burner generating a flame within the molten batch materials. At least one gas inlet separate from the burner is close enough to the burner to interact with the flame. The separate influx interacts with the flame of the burner to regulate it, thereby reducing the risk of molten materials entering the burner. |
| US08561428B2 |
Dwell time control method and system with automatic pressure switch point adjustment
A dwell time control system and method for automatically adjusting the selection and timing of a sequence of pressures used to drive the plunger in a parison mold during the parison forming process. The timing of characteristics of the observed press curve from one or more previous parison forming cycles are ascertained and used to control the timing of the changes in pressure during a subsequent parison forming cycle. The timings of these changes of pressure are determined as predetermined percentages of the timings of the characteristics in order to prevent the blow mold from being forced open and in order to prevent the occurrence of an overpressed finish. |
| US08561426B2 |
Crimped orifice for flare fitting
A flow restriction or metering device for a refrigerant system includes a crimped or otherwise formed tubular insert that is installed within a standard flare fitting. The flare fitting can be similar to those used for coupling two refrigerant lines, or the fitting can be part of a service valve, such as those used for charging, discharging, or servicing refrigerant systems. The insert provides a fixed orifice having a predetermined flow coefficient. The insert is removably clamped within the fitting and extends into a refrigerant line that connects to the fitting. |
| US08561420B2 |
Evaporator assembly for an HVAC system
An air conditioning system for a vehicle includes a compressor, a condenser, a first sub-cooler, a metering device, and an evaporator assembly. The evaporator assembly includes an evaporator and a second sub-cooler. The second sub-cooler is arranged below the evaporator such that water condensation from the evaporator drains onto the second sub-cooler to cool the second sub-cooler such that a temperature of the refrigerant exiting the second sub-cooler is less than a temperature of the refrigerant exiting the first sub-cooler. |
| US08561417B1 |
Fluid-sensing switch system with redundant safety alarm capability
A fluid-sensing switch system that can monitor pre-established threshold fluid levels in the primary drain pan inside an air conditioning unit or other condensate-producing unit, and also in a secondary drain pan positioned under the unit. Once the threaded plug of a sensing probe is connected to the unit's weep hole, it positions a center sensor providing a first power potential through a false-trigger-reducing resilient piece in a position to wait for rising fluid capable of breaching a weep hole dam. A substantially circular sensor is also present provides the second power potential needed for signal generation. A signal-generating member connected to both sensors is electrically connected to the unit to shut it off, and/or activate a pump that removes fluid from the secondary drain pan. The signal-generating member provides the redundant safety alarm capability, when mounted on a secondary drain pan. Anti-microbial elements are optional, but preferred. |
| US08561416B2 |
Method for thermoelectric energy conversion in an exhaust gas recirculation system
A method for managing thermal energy in an internal combustion engine including an exhaust gas recirculation system and an engine cooling system includes recirculating a portion of an exhaust gas through the exhaust gas recirculation system that is in thermal communication with a first side of a thermoelectric device, flowing an engine coolant into thermal communication with a second side of a thermoelectric device, and controlling electric current between an electrical energy storage device and the thermoelectric device to transfer thermal energy between the recirculated exhaust gas and the engine coolant. |
| US08561410B2 |
Outlet guide vane structure
An outlet guide vane structure for a gas turbine engine includes outlet guide vanes supported between inner and outer outlet guide walls. The guide walls form a diffuser aft of the guide vanes. The outer guide wall is secured directly to a compressor casing. A support structure, for example for supporting turbine nozzle guide vanes, is connected to an outer case of the engine at a flange. The support structure includes struts which pass through the outlet guide vane structure to provide a load path by which loads on the support structure are transferred to the outer case independent of the outlet guide vane structure. |
| US08561409B2 |
Quarls in a burner
A quarl of a burner for a gas turbine engine is provided. Fuel and air is mixed and provided to the burner. The quarl is arranged to house a main flame. Stability is achieved by a quarl, which is formed from a plurality of quarl sections, wherein each quarl section includes the configuration of the conical shell of a truncated cone and are distributed consecutively one after the other in the downstream direction of the burner, wherein a most narrow part of the shell of a downstream quarl section surrounds the widest part of the shell of the closest upstream quarl section and wherein an annular channel for premixed air and fuel is arranged between two consecutive quarl sections. |
| US08561401B2 |
Pedal feel simulator actuator and cutoff assembly
A braking system includes an emulator cylinder, an emulator actuator piston within the emulator cylinder, an emulator actuator chamber within the emulator cylinder defined in part by the emulator actuator piston, a pedal feel simulator including an input port in fluid communication with the emulator actuator chamber and an output port, a selector piston movable within the emulator cylinder between a first position and a second position, and a poppet valve operably connected to the emulator actuator piston, the poppet valve movable by the emulator actuator piston between a deactivated position and an actuated position and configured such that (i) when the selector piston is in the first position and the poppet valve is in the actuated position, the poppet valve is closed and the emulator actuator chamber is not in fluid communication with the reservoir through the poppet valve, and (ii) when the selector piston is in the second position and the poppet valve is in the actuated position, the poppet valve is open and the emulator actuator chamber is in fluid communication with the reservoir through the poppet valve. |
| US08561400B2 |
Hydraulic circuit of injection cylinder in die-casting apparatus
A hydraulic circuit of an injection cylinder in a die-casting apparatus, which can achieve IN restriction and OUT restriction in a quickly switchable manner with a single circuit and which allows manufacturing of a high-quality molded product. The hydraulic circuit includes: a first pressure oil path supplying pressure oil to the injection cylinder; a second pressure oil path returning the pressure oil from the injection cylinder; a first flow control valve controlling a flow of the pressure oil through the first pressure oil path; a second flow control valve controlling a flow of the pressure oil through the second pressure oil path; a bypass pressure oil path connected to the second pressure oil path for bypassing the second flow control valve; a bypass on-off valve provided on the bypass pressure oil path and opening/closing the bypass pressure oil path with the pressure oil; and a controller controlling each valve. |
| US08561396B2 |
Exhaust gas purification apparatus
An exhaust gas purification apparatus including a first exhaust gas treatment member carrying an oxidation catalyst, a three-way catalyst, or a NOx storage reduction catalyst which is used for purifying exhaust gas from an internal combustion engine, a second exhaust gas treatment member having a hydrocarbon (“HC”) storing function disposed on the downstream side of the first exhaust gas treatment member, and a heat dissipating unit disposed between the first exhaust gas treatment member and the second exhaust gas treatment member. An upstream side of the heat dissipating unit is formed into a heat insulating structure, and a further upstream side thereof is formed into a heat retaining structure. Even when an internal combustion engine is accelerating, the exhaust gas flowing into the HC adsorption material can be cooled efficiently and HC can be adsorbed before the temperature of the three-way catalyst or the NOx purification catalyst rises to an HC light-off temperature. |
| US08561395B2 |
Poka-yoke mounting system for an exhaust treatment device
An exhaust treatment system includes an emissions treatment device for treating exhaust emitted from an internal combustion engine. The exhaust treatment system includes a frame adapted to support first and second spaced apart portions of the exhaust treatment system. The emissions treatment device interconnects the first and second portions and is in receipt of exhaust from the first portion and provides treated exhaust to the second portion. A first bracket is fixed to the frame and includes one of a protrusion and a receptacle. A second bracket is adapted to be fixed to the emissions treatment device and includes the other of the protrusion and the receptacle. The protrusion is positioned within the receptacle when the emissions treatment device is properly positioned. The protrusion interferes with one of the second bracket and the emissions treatment device to preclude assembly when the emissions treatment device is improperly positioned. |
| US08561394B2 |
Procedure and control unit for an accelerated heating of a catalyst in an exhaust gas system of a supercharged combustion engine with a variable valve control
Suggested is a procedure for heating a catalyst in the exhaust gas system of a supercharged combustion engine with direct fuel injection and variable gas exchange valve control by producing a reactive exhaust gas fuel/air mixture in the exhaust gas system, whereby an air percentage of the reactive fuel/air mixture is thereby produced that air is rinsed from a suction system of the combustion engine over its combustion chambers into the exhaust gas system. The invention distinguishes itself thereby that the combustion engine is operated in idle mode after a cold start with a greater valve overlap and/or a greater valve overlap profile than in a normal operation where the catalyst is already heated as well as with an apportionment of a fuel amount that has to be injected before a combustion into at least two partial injections per ignition and combustion chamber and with a suboptimal ignition angle efficiency. |
| US08561391B2 |
Determination of a nox and soot emission occurring during the operation of an internal combustion engine
In order to very accurately ascertain the pollutant emission of the motor vehicle, which occurs during the operation of an internal combustion engine, without the use of complex measurement and test engineering, it is proposed, that during the operation of the internal combustion engine at least one cylinder pressure is in each case acquired at specifiable crankshaft angles, scanning values of a heating rate assigned to the acquired cylinder pressures are determined, the scanning values of the heating rate are provided to a specifiable model as input values, a crankshaft angle assigned to the initiation of combustion, an air/fuel ratio and an exhaust gas recirculation rate are ascertained and provided to the model as input values and the pollutant emission is determined as a function of the input values using the model. |
| US08561389B2 |
System for inerting a volume in a vehicle
A system is provided for inerting a volume in a vehicle has at least one exhaust gas extraction point on at least one internal combustion engine of the vehicle, and exhaust gas line for routing exhaust gas from the exhaust gas extraction point to the volume, and at least one exhaust gas inlet on the volume for introducing exhaust gas to generate a low-activity environment in the volume. Precisely in vehicles with internal combustion engines, using exhaust gas for inerting a volume makes it possible to suggest an especially simple, cost-effective and robust solution to guard against the formation of an ignitable mixture in the volume or the like. |
| US08561387B2 |
Method for checking the seal of a reagent injector
In a method for checking the seal of a reducing agent injector of an SCR exhaust gas aftertreatment system of an internal combustion engine comprising at least one reducing agent tank, a reducing agent pump, a reducing agent injector and an NOx sensor connected downstream from the SCR catalytic converter, the following steps are carried out: a) Generation and/or detection of a release state of the SCR system in which no reducing agent is stored in the SCR catalytic converter; b) Determining a setpoint NOx value in the exhaust gas; c) Starting the seal check with a closed reducing agent injector by increasing the reducing agent pressure; d) Detecting the NOx signal at the NOx sensor, and a) Evaluating the NOx signal. |
| US08561385B2 |
Flying object
A flying object is provided with an engine comprising a combustion chamber with a combustion space and a nozzle with a nozzle space following the combustion chamber, the transition between combustion chamber and nozzle lying in a plane in which a cross-section of the combustion space converges, in which thrust control in terms of magnitude and/or thrust vector can be carried out in a simple manner, it is provided that a centre body adapted to have combustion products flowing around it is at least partially arranged in the nozzle space, outside of the combustion space, and at least three jet vanes are arranged at the centre body. |
| US08561381B2 |
Method for unsleeving trays
A system for unstrapping and unsleeving a tray is provided. The system comprises a tray-transport configured to transport a tray in the system, a strap cutter configured to cut a strap on the tray, a strap-removal portion configured to remove the strap cut by the strap cutter, and an unsleeving station configured to remove a sleeve from the tray. The unsleeving station is configured to remove the sleeve from the tray after the strap-removal portion removes the cut strap. |
| US08561375B2 |
Line synchronization
A system for producing and transporting portions of food includes a filling machine for continuously transporting a stream of food, a separating device for dividing portions from the transported food stream, and a transport device for delivering the portions to a subsequent processing device. To prevent fluctuations in portion size and weight, the system further includes a sensor unit for generating a portion request signal in response to a portion request from the subsequent processing device. The sensor unit outputs the portion request signal to the filling machine, which is designed to control the continuous transportation of the food stream using the portion request signal. The system is operable to synchronize the entire line, including the filling machine, the separating device, the transport device, and the subsequent processing device. |
| US08561374B2 |
Article of manufacture for wood construction
An article of manufacture for wood construction, comprising: a plurality of layers facially attached to each other, each layer comprising a plurality of primary wood members, each neighboring two of the primary wood members being connected by a plurality of connecting wood members, each connecting wood member extending between the two neighboring primary wood members, each one of the layers being oriented with each primary wood member of the layer overlapping a plurality of respective connecting wood members of a neighboring one of the layers. |
| US08561373B1 |
Bamboo I-beam with laminated web and flanges
A high strength bamboo I-beam is provided comprising a bamboo web formed from bamboo boards formed by splaying, pressing and planing bamboo culm and having flanges laminated to the top and bottom of the web. The I-beam flanges each comprise a laminated bamboo flange element on either side of the web portion wherein the top and bottom edges of the web portion are flush with the top and bottom flanges of the I-beam. The flange elements are formed from laminated strips of splayed, pressed and planed bamboo culm. The I-beam is bonded with non-formaldehyde adhesives. Orientation of the high fiber cortex regions of the bamboo boards imparts structural characteristics to the beam. The bamboo I-beam provides a lightweight, low cost, high strength, and fire resistant load bearing construction component. |
| US08561371B2 |
Barrier wall and method of forming wall panels between vertical wall stiffeners with support members extending partially through the wall panels
A sound barrier wall has a plurality of footings spaced apart and vertical “I” beam wall stiffeners mounted to the footings. Alternatively, the vertical wall stiffeners are mounted to a crash barrier. A horizontal wall stiffener can be disposed between the adjacent vertical wall stiffeners. A plurality of wall panels is vertically stacked between adjacent vertical wall stiffeners. Each wall panel includes a sound insulating block, and plurality of support members disposed on opposite sides of the sound insulating block for providing structural support. Each support member has a head portion in contact with a surface of the sound insulating block and a stem portion extending into the sound insulating block. An “I” beam can be disposed between the vertically stacked wall panels. A top cap is mounted over the vertically stacked wall panels and protective layer is formed over the wall panels and vertical wall stiffeners. |
| US08561367B2 |
Parapet vent
A water vapor release and moisture seal device for use in association with brick, wood, stone, and cement or concrete masonry unit (CMU) buildings is provided. The device has a first layer metal housing and second layer metal housing which are inserted over the top of the parapet walls of a flat or slightly slanted-roofed building. A water resistant cloth and mesh material layer is inserted between the metal housings. A fastener secures the second layer metal housing to parapet wall of the building in two places, once each on the exterior and interior of the parapet wall. The housings interlock with each other on the exterior side of the wall and with a fastener on the interior side of the wall. The device is secured to the top of a wall of a building and allows the wall to breathe properly and eliminate moisture. |
| US08561366B2 |
Connection system for connecting construction elements suitable for use in the construction of buildings
The invention relates to the field of techniques for connecting construction elements suitable for use in the construction of buildings, in the sector of civil engineering. The connection system (1) connects a first construction element (2) to a second construction element (3) and comprises at least one retaining element (1a) integral with the first construction element (2) and an anchoring device (1b) connecting the retaining element (1a) to the second construction element (3); the anchoring device (1b) comprises two wings (4) and a middle part (5), which connects the two wings (4) and is placed in contact with the retaining element (1a); the intrados of the two wings (4) lies on a same plane; the axes of the two wings (4) provide an angle therebetween with the vertex pointing the first construction element (2); each of the two wings (4) is connected to the second construction element (3). |
| US08561357B2 |
Apparatus and method for door and window head flashing
A universal flashing is provided for windows and doors. A head flashing assembly is fabricated at a construction site to fit specific door or window widths. A center section which may be extruded with a sloped base, a rear flange, and a front lip. End caps may be provided to snap or glue on the center section. The end caps have a perpendicular fin which serves as an end dam to block the lateral movement of water. The assembly may be inverted for use as a sill pan. The center section may be cut to a desired length and installed over arched windows or doors by bending to shape as it is installed. For arched applications, a combination of rigid and flexible PVC may be coextruded to provide a desired cross sectional profile that is flexible enough to be bent around the arch, but stiff enough to retain its cross section for drainage. |
| US08561356B2 |
Panel assembly and accessories
A panel assembly includes multiple base boards, multiple cover panels, multiple shelves and multiple accessories so as to be fixed to a wall. The multiple base boars and the multiple cover panels define a path, a space and a gap. The path, the space and the gap communicate with each other. Sand the shelves or the accessories are inserted into the path, the space and gap. The panel assembly can be quickly assembled and replaced to change the arrangements and suitable for decoration and display or storage. |
| US08561355B2 |
System for extending the height of cubicle walls
A system for extending the height of a cubicle wall is disclosed. The system comprises a vertical wall extender and a clamp. The clamp further includes an upper channel that receives the vertical wall extender, the upper channel further includes a fixing element that fixes the vertical wall extender to the upper channel, and a screw. The clamp also includes a lower channel that is mounted to the existing cubicle wall, the lower channel further includes two halves, the first half containing a nut channel with a nut disclosed therein, the second half containing a slot through which the screw can thread into the nut. Further improvements for the system are disclosed, along with a method for using the system. |
| US08561354B2 |
Lower door structure for flush glass system
An automobile door assembly is provided that includes an outer panel, an inner panel, a moveable glass piece having an inboard surface, wherein the moveable glass piece is disposed between the outer panel and the inner panel. The assembly also includes a glass guiding member operably connected to the inboard surface of the glass piece. The assembly further includes a retaining structure having a channel configured to slideably retain the glass guiding member, wherein the retaining structure is operably connected to the inner panel. |
| US08561353B2 |
Quarter window
A quarter window attached to a door frame of a vehicle rear door includes a quarter window panel and a window frame. The quarter window panel is made of a synthetic resin material. The window frame includes a division bar and a sealing portion. The division bar is configured such that a glass run can be fitted to the division bar and a part of the division bar serves as a part of the sealing portion. The sealing portion is integrally coupled to the quarter window panel so as to extend along the periphery of a side of the quarter window panel that faces inside of the vehicle. A part of the sealing portion is capable of being fitted to the door frame. The quarter window panel and the window frame are integrally molded. The window frame is made of a synthetic resin having a high rigidity. A fixing portion for fixing the window frame to the door frame is integrally formed with the window frame. |
| US08561351B2 |
Skirt for slide-glide door
A solid skirt seal mounted to the bottom edge of a slide-glide door panel hinged to rotate about an axis generally parallel to the bottom edge of the door panel, a spring biasing the hinged skirt seal to rotate the lower edge of the skirt seal in a downward direction, and a flexible cover extending between the lower edge of the skirt seal and the lower edge of the door panel. |
| US08561349B2 |
Quickly slideable and incrementally adjustable barrier
A barrier for the inside of a home. The barrier includes two partitions that slide relative to each other to increase and decrease a distance between ends of the barrier. The partitions slide into and out of confronting relationships with each other. The partitions engage each other at upper and lower locations and further at a medial location where an elongate member of one partition is received in a tube engaged to the other partition. A threaded piece upon being turned brings pressure to bear upon an end of the tube such that the partitions can be incrementally expanded apart and thereby pressurized between two locations within the home so as to block off one portion of the home. The threaded piece is slideable along the elongate member. |
| US08561348B2 |
Security automatic garage door closer
A security kit is provided for automatic closing of a garage door after a predetermined time of garage door being open. The security kit comprises a replacement wall switch for operating the garage door operating mechanism. The replacement wall switch comprises a timer module and a sensor disposed to detect that the garage door is open or closed. The sensor is coupled to a timer input. The sensor and the timer cooperatively operate such that when the sensor detects that the garage door is closed, the timer is reset and disabled, and further cooperatively operate such that when the sensor detects that the garage door is open, the timer initiates timing a predetermined time period. The timer operates a switch at end of the predetermined time period to cause the garage door mechanism to close the garage door. |
| US08561345B2 |
Apparatus for displaying a plant
An apparatus for displaying a plant is described. The apparatus includes a first substantially horizontal member that engages a first surface of a structure at a first vertical position. A second substantially horizontal member engages a second surface of the structure at a second vertical position that is lower than the first vertical position. The first surface is opposite to the second surface. A frame is coupled to the second substantially horizontal member and is shaped to support a pot containing the plant. The weight of the supported plant urges the first substantially horizontal member against the first surface of the structure and urges the second substantially horizontal member against the second surface of the structure, thereby securing the apparatus to the structure. |
| US08561335B2 |
Firearm including improved hand guard
A firearm includes a receiver and a barrel connected to the receiver. A hand guard extends from the receiver and defines a hand guard bore. The receiver includes a threaded end and the hand guard includes a flange extending into the hand guard bore and abutting the receiver about the threaded end. A hand guard nut abuts the flange of the hand guard and threadedly engaging the threaded end of the receiver. The hand guard nut sandwiches the flange between the hand guard nut and the receiver for attaching the hand guard to the receiver. The hand guard includes a first hand guard portion and a second hand guard portion removably attached to the first hand guard portion. The second hand guard portion is slid from an assembled position to a disassembled position to expose the hand guard nut in the hand guard bore. |
| US08561330B2 |
Mounting spring, system and method for mounting a sign
A mounting system and method for tautly mounting a flexible material sign includes a plurality of mounting springs affixed to an associated sign structure. Each of the plurality of mounting springs includes a base portion, a grasping portion and a spring portion. The base portion is adapted to be secured to an associated sign structure, such as a structure to which the flexible material sign is to be mounted, a frame or similar structure surrounding the flexible material sign, etc. The grasping portion includes a finger adapted to be received within an aperture of the flexible material sign. The spring portion is disposed between the base portion and the grasping portion for applying a tension to the flexible material sign. |
| US08561328B2 |
Steam generating device provided with a hydrophilic coating
A steam generating device includes a steam chamber provided with a hydrophilic coating. The hydrophilic coating includes an acid phosphate compound and boron, such as a salt of boron with a metallic element. T he coating promotes steaming and is resistant to flaking. |
| US08561327B2 |
Ironer bed
An ironer bed comprising a pair of metal plates (6, 7) that are joined by welding in two layers such that, between the plates, passages (5) are provided for a heat medium; and are configured such that they are capable of partially enclosing an ironer roller (12-15). The plate (7) that faces towards the ironing roller (12-15) is made of non-alloy or low-alloy steel; and the plate (6) that faces away from the ironer roller (12-15) is a plate of stainless steel which is thinner than the former plate. |
| US08561322B2 |
Sole with adjustable sizing
A sole with adjustable sizing is disclosed. The sole includes a fixed region and an adjustable region. The adjustable region is deformable when the sole is heated to a melting point associated with the adjustable region. The shape and size of the sole may be adjusted by deforming the adjustable region. |
| US08561321B2 |
Air injection nozzle, and tenter oven using the nozzle
An air injection nozzle has an air injection face with a number of air injection holes arrayed at an interval (Py) in first and second staggered rows. The first row and the second rows are positioned at an interval (Px). The air injection face and the sheet running face confront each other at a distance (L). The air injection holes in the air injection face have a diameter (D). The interval (Px), the interval (Py), the distance (L) and the diameter (D) satisfy Formula (1): 6≦(L/D)/(Px/Py)≦9, and Formula (2): 4≦L/D≦8. This air injection nozzle is employed as a resin film heat treating apparatus in a tenter oven to be used for manufacturing the resin film. |
| US08561320B2 |
System and method for determining status of a drying cycle and for controlling a dryer
A method for determining status of a drying cycle comprises receiving, at a first time, a first signal from a bladder pressure sensor configured to be responsive to changes in a weight of a container of the dryer, the container retaining materials to be dried. At a second time, the controller receives a second signal from the bladder pressure sensor. A change in the bladder pressure signals is calculated based on difference between the second signal and the first signal, and the change in the bladder pressure signals is interpreted as a change in the weight of the container. Based on the change in the weight of the container and the length of time, a rate of change in the weight of the container is calculated. |
| US08561319B2 |
Industrial automatic production method for sludge dewatering into a dry sludge powder and equipment thereof
The present invention involves to the industrial automated producing method for dewatering the sludge into the dry sludge powder and the assembly thereof. The present method is to realize the industrial automated production in the industrial automated producing assembly, especially in the main equipment, dehydrator, for dewatering the sludge into the dry sludge powder, so as to dewater the sludge having the moisture content below 85% into the dry powder having the moisture content below 5%. The method and assembly of the present invention realizes recycling, reducing, stabilizing, and reusing the sludge, and can be widely applied for dewatering process of the domestic, industrial or riverway sludge or sediment. |
| US08561317B2 |
Facility and system for drying forage
A system for drying freshly grown forage involving the steps of placing loose mass forage on a receiving system; transporting the loose mass forage from the receiving system to a detangling mechanism; passing the loose mass forage through the detangling mechanism to break up any large clumps of forage and to create a forage carpet of a substantially uniform thickness; passing the forage carpet through a drying oven containing multiple chambers; drying the forage carpet to moisture content below the desired moisture content for the forage; and adding moisture to the forage carpet to bring the moisture content of the forage up to the desired moisture content. |
| US08561311B1 |
Apparatus for measuring and cutting treads
The invention is an apparatus for accurately measuring and cutting a stair tread. The apparatus has an length-adjustable bar to determine the width of a step and, at each end of the bar, sidewall adjustment assemblies that are pressed up against the sidewall and tightened into place. The sidewall assemblies have two or more movably coupled plates that accommodate out-of-square condition of a sidewall. A noseplate assembly on the front of the sidewall adjustment assembly allows an adjustment to accommodate the thickness of the tread material. |
| US08561310B2 |
Method to determine the launch angle of a golf putter face during a putting stroke
A method of determining the launch angle of a putter by evaluating the roll performance of a golf ball after being struck by a golf putter during the execution a putting stroke. The golf ball is placed on a flat testing platform having a nap upper surface and a putting stroke is made by a golfer causing the golf ball to move forward along said platform. As the ball moves along the nap surface, the ball creates skid and roll marks on the nap surface. These marks are compared against a series of known marks to determine the precise launch angle of the putter face of the golf putter being used to execute the stroke. |
| US08561308B2 |
Automatic pin adjustment for archery sights
Certain embodiments of the present disclosure deal with an archery sight mounted or mountable on an archery bow. The sight incorporates an indicator or adjustment assembly to indicate or control the desired position of one or more additional sight pins based on sighted in positions of two base sight pins. |
| US08561307B2 |
Method and apparatus for vehicle service system optical target assembly
A method and apparatus for determining the alignment of a vehicle wheel using an optical target assembly secured to the vehicle wheel in a non-determined position, the optical target assembly having a dimensionally stable shape and a plurality of optical target elements disposed on a plurality of target surfaces. Images of the optical target elements are acquired by an imaging system, together with target identifying indicia, and utilized together with previously stored target characterization data to determine a spatial orientation of the optical target assembly and an alignment of the vehicle wheel onto which it is secured. |
| US08561305B2 |
Adjustable utility knife
A knife includes a handle enclosing one or more of a blade, a blade shuttle, a transmission, and a trigger, where the handle includes a blade aperture. The blade shuttle is longitudinally moveable relative to the handle from a rest position to a first extended position and the blade shuttle is moveable longitudinally from the first extended position to a cutting position when the blade is engaged in a workpiece. The blade shuttle is automatically retracted from the cutting position to the rest position when the blade is disengaged from the workpiece. The blade is detachably secured within the blade shuttle and protrudes a first distance through the blade aperture at the first extended position. The blade is extended from the first distance a substantially fixed length when engaged in the workpiece. The blade is adapted to automatically retract within the handle when disengaged from the workpiece. |
| US08561301B2 |
Razors
Razor handles are provided for razors having a battery-powered functionality. Methods of manufacturing such handles are also provided. In one implementation, the handle comprises: a load comprising a motor coupled to a power source; a user-operable switch for controlling energy flow between the power source and the load; a control logic; an arming circuit to prevent the user-operable switch from causing drainage of the power source; and a locking circuit that receives a switch signal from the user-operable switch and an arming signal from the arming circuit, wherein the locking circuit outputs a motor control signal to the control logic in response to the states of the switch signal and the arming signal, wherein the arming circuit comprises a timer for changing the state following lapse of a time interval and an arming switch having a first state and a second state. |
| US08561300B2 |
Combination shaving and trimming device
A combination shaving and trimming device includes a handle having an upper end and lower end, a powered trimmer disposed adjacent the upper end, a wet-shaving razor attachment adapted for mounting over the trimmer onto the upper end of the handle. The combination shaving and trimming device includes alignment guides providing one way attachment of the wet-shaving razor attachment to the trimmer. |
| US08561299B2 |
Gas turbine rotor assembly methods
Method of assembling a rotor assembly of a gas turbine engine having a plurality of components. The method comprises in one aspect calculating the bending forces due to the mass distribution along the rotor. In another aspect, an optimization routine iterates different rotor arrangements, comparing the calculated bending moments to determine a set of component positions that minimizes the bending forces. In another aspect, mass corrections are optimized to balance the rotor assembly. |
| US08561294B2 |
Method of manufacturing circuit board
A method of manufacturing a circuit board includes the steps of preparing a fiber piece housing paste, fabricating a filtered recovery paste, fabricating a reuse paste, sticking a protective film, forming a hole, and filling the hole with the reuse paste. Furthermore, the method includes the steps of forming a protruded portion constituted of the reuse paste, disposing a metallic foil on both sides of a second prepreg to carry out pressurization, heating the second prepreg to cure the second prepreg and the reuse paste, and processing the metallic foil into a wiring pattern. |
| US08561293B2 |
Method for manufacturing wiring board
There is prepared an insulation layer generation member having a support film and a semi-cured insulation layer provided on a surface of the support film. Subsequently, the insulation layer generation member is affixed to a pad such that the pad contacts the semi-cured insulation layer. The semi-cured insulation layer is cured, to thus generate an insulation layer. Subsequently, the insulation layer is exposed to laser by way of the support film, thereby opening an opening in the insulation layer. |
| US08561290B2 |
Work line module and work facility
Work line module comprises a plurality of machines (103-106) having a plurality of working functions and non-work facility (107, 108) such as a conveying machine can cooperate so as to produce a necessary amount even if the necessary amount is varied. A plurality of work machines (103-106) for mechanically working a workpiece (124) and non-work facility (107, 108) for processing the workpiece (124). One work machine (106) is a multifunction furnishing machine having a function of measuring the workpiece (124) in addition to a function of mechanically working the workpiece (124). A conveying machine (109) having robots (185-187) for conveying the workpiece (124) between the work machines (103-106), and between the work machines (103-106) and the non-work facility (107, 108). |
| US08561288B2 |
Electronic display test device and related method
Some embodiments include a connection device for electrically coupling an electrical device to a test system. The connection device can include at least one suction cup configured to be coupled to the electrical device, spring loaded connector pins configured to electrically couple the electrical device to the test system, and a support frame coupled to the at least one suction cup and the spring loaded connector pins. The at least one suction cup can include three suction cups including a first suction cup, a second suction cup, and a third suction cup, and the support frame can include a first end coupled to the first suction cup, a second end opposite the first end and coupled to the second suction cup, and a third end between the first and second ends and coupled to the third suction cup. Other embodiments of related devices and methods are also described herein. |
| US08561281B2 |
Stacked family molding and subsequent assembly process
The subject invention relates to a precision injection molding of multi-piece parts and the subsequent handling and assembly of those parts produced from the mold. In an exemplary embodiment, a surgical suture package with a top part and a bottom part is molded and assembled. In such a method and system, the top parts and bottom parts are first molded utilizing a family mold and then are transferred to a stacker. The stacker is able to stack the top part and bottom part on top of one another on a pallet. The parts are then transported to a welder in order to weld the top part and bottom part together. The completed surgical suture packages are then transferred to a magazine for storage and shippage. |
| US08561278B2 |
Joint arthroplasty devices and surgical tools
Disclosed herein are methods, compositions and tools for repairing articular surfaces repair materials and for repairing an articular surface. The articular surface repairs are customizable or highly selectable by patient and geared toward providing optimal fit and function. The surgical tools are designed to be customizable or highly selectable by patient to increase the speed, accuracy and simplicity of performing total or partial arthroplasty. |
| US08561276B2 |
Sputtering apparatus
A sputtering bracket includes a curved plate body, a plurality of frames, and a plurality of fastening members. The body defines a plurality of through holes and has an inner concave side. The frames are pivotally connected with the curved plate body and received in the respective through holes. Each frame is rotatable relative to the curved plate body such that either one of opposite sides thereof can be exposed at the inner concave side. The fastening members are mounted on the curved plate body body, and are spring-loaded for resilient engagement with the respective frames. |
| US08561271B2 |
Methods for manufacture a capacitor with three-dimensional high surface area electrodes
A method for making a capacitor having improved capacitance efficiency which results from increasing the effective area of an electrode surface is disclosed. Specifically, an improved “three-dimensional” capacitor may be constructed with electrode layers having three-dimensional aspects at the point of interface with a dielectric such that portions of the electrode extend into the dielectric layer. Advantageously, embodiments of a three-dimensional capacitor drastically reduce the space footprint that is required in a circuit to accommodate the capacitor, when compared to current capacitor designs. Increased capacitance density may be realized without using high k (high constant) dielectric materials, additional “electrode-dielectric-electrode” arrangements in an ever increasing stack, or serially stringing together multiple capacitors. |
| US08561268B2 |
Belt buckle and method for producing a belt buckle
A belt buckle having an insertion part having at least a belt opening for guiding a belt and an insertion appendage extending in a direction of insertion with holding catches at both sides projecting in the perpendicular direction, and a receiving part having a basic body with at least a belt opening for guiding a belt and with an insertion opening, beginning at an inserting side of the basic body for inserting the insertion appendage of the insertion part in the direction of insertion, and with latches pivotally mounted to the basic body, which in the locking position in the inserted state of the receiving part and the insertion part cooperate with holding catches and retain the insertion appendage in the insertion opening of the receiving part. |
| US08561266B2 |
Holder arrangement for an aircraft or a spacecraft and an aircraft or a spacecraft
In a holder arrangement of an aircraft or spacecraft comprising a structural member, a holder comprising at least one lower part and at least one upper part is provided, and these are formed so as to be able to be clamped together to be attached with a non-positive fit to a fastening portion of the structural member. The fastening portion can be clamped between the lower part and the upper part. The holder arrangement is characterised by at least one fixing strip which can be connected to the fastening portion of the structural member in the longitudinal direction thereof and which comprises a fixing profile for fixing the holder to the structural member in the longitudinal direction of the structural member with a positive fit. An aircraft or spacecraft has at least one holder arrangement of this type. |
| US08561261B2 |
Needle bearing hinge assembly
Disclosed is an enclosed needle bearing hinge mechanism having externally rotatable race surfaces, internal needle bearings, an internal pathway for introducing grease into the assembly for improved lubrication, reduced wear and a construction adapted to support large door or latch loads. The assembly comprises a housing having at least one needle bearing in contact with an outer rotating race, stationary or counter-rotating interior races, a central pin shaft and an internal pathway for lubrication to be communicated from a topmost grease fitting to the contact interface between the needle bearing and outer rotating race. One or plurality of needle bearing assemblies and counter-rotating outer races may be present within the assembly, each with an independent grease pathway branch. The pathway comprises a hollow internal conduit that allows lubricant to contact each needle bearing in the assembly, reducing friction and improving longevity of the hinge bearing assembly. |
| US08561259B2 |
Dampening hinge
A dampening hinge for example, for furniture, having a hinge cup with a U-shaped pin, a connecting arm and a hinge base, where one end of the connecting arm is attached to the upper arm of a U-shaped pin and the other end of the connecting arm is attached to the hinge base, the lower arm of the U-shaped pin is attached to a pull rod of a damper mounted on the hinge base by means of a hinge arm module; the hinge arm module includes a swinging arm and a movable swinging arm, where the middle portion of the swinging arm is attached to the hinge base, one end of the swinging arm is hinged with the lower arm of the U-shaped pin and the other end of the swinging arm is hinged with the movable swinging arm, the movable swinging arm is further connected to the pull rod of the dampener and the hinge base, is described. |
| US08561258B2 |
Hubless caster technology
Embodiments of the present invention provide a hubless caster that is at least as aesthetically pleasing as prior art hubless casters but that is significantly more durable. In one aspect, a hubless caster is provided that includes a frame member having two opposed sides. A generally ring-shaped mount portion projects from at least one of the two opposed sides of the frame member. In some embodiments, the hubless caster has the following three components mounted on the mount portion, in sequence moving radially outwardly from the mount portion: a) an annular backbone member defining an inner bearing race, b) a rolling element, and c) a wheel defining an outer bearing race. |
| US08561257B2 |
Nozzle construction for a cleaning head
A surface cleaning head for a vacuum cleaner comprises an open sided air flow passage upstream of an n enclosed air flow passage extending from an opening in the surface cleaning head to an air outlet. The open sided airflow chamber comprising an upper wall and a rear depending wall extending downwardly from the upper wall. The rear depending wall has a lower end that is positioned above the lower end of wheels. The opening is provided in a rear half of the upper wall of the air flow chamber forwardly of the rear depending wall and inwardly of the sides. |
| US08561254B2 |
Systems and methods for transferring heat and/or sound during fluid extraction and/or cleaning processes
Systems and methods for transferring heat and/or sound during liquid extraction and/or cleaning processes are disclosed. A fluid extraction system in accordance with a particular embodiment includes a fluid extractor having an outlet positioned to deliver extracted waste fluid, and a fluid tank operatively coupled to the extractor. A blower, having an air intake and an air outlet through which blower air passes, is operatively coupled to the extractor outlet to draw the extracted waste fluid from the extractor. A muffler is positioned at least partially within the liquid tank and has a flow path along which the blower air passes. In particular embodiments, the muffler can also provide a heat exchanger function, for example, to heat cleaning fluid provided to the extractor. |
| US08561250B2 |
Extendable application device
An extendable application device which allows a user to apply soap, lotion, medication, or various other substances to areas of the body which may be difficult to reach. The device can function as a traditional scrubbing or application device but may also be extended so that the user's back, shoulders, or other areas can be addressed as well. Exemplary embodiments use an elastic member that can elongate to allow an extended reach. Some embodiments may be used in retail packaging assemblies in order to secure retail items and provide pleasing aesthetics. |
| US08561248B2 |
Flexible, ergonomic toothbrush with replaceable bristles
The flexible, ergonomic toothbrush with replaceable bristles has a handle, a bristle block having bristles extending therefrom, and a brush head frame configured to removably receive the bristle block. The brush head frame has a pair of parallel prongs that define a recess and that slidably engage opposite sides of the bristle block so that the bristle block can be selectively disposed in first and second operative positions in the recess, the bristles extending in opposite directions in the operative positions. A neck interconnects the handle and the brush head frame, the neck being flexible relative to the handle. |
| US08561244B2 |
Illuminated flashing toothbrush and method of use
A toothbrush can include a handle and a head. At least one bristle can be attached to the head. The toothbrush can also have an illumination member, an illumination circuit and an activation device. A pliant base on the handle can be used to activate the activation device to initiate the illumination circuit. |
| US08561243B2 |
Cleaning tool device
A cleaning tool device (1) for a pipe (10), the cleaning tool (1) being moved internally in the pipe (10) while rotating about substantially the center axis (12) of the pipe (10), and the cleaning tool (1) being provided with a leading cleaning body (2) at its free end portion (4), and there being arranged, close behind the free end portion (4), a tool support (6) which is arranged to bear on the internal jacket surface (16) of the pipe (10), the tool support (6) being provided with at least one rotatable support cleaning body (8′, 8″, 8′″ and 8″″). |
| US08561239B2 |
Articulating cage
An articulating cage configured to raise and lower with respect to a fixed structure. The articulating cage comprises support structures affixed to the fixed structure and that include one or more springs. The articulating cage includes lifting arms that are pivotally connected to the support structures at one end and to a cage portion at the other end. A load chain connects to the springs at one end and to the lifting arm at the other near to the location where the lifting arm connects to the cage portion. |
| US08561236B2 |
Stepped-edge and side-support members, assemblies, systems, and related methods, particularly for bedding and seating
Stepped-edge and side-support members, systems, assemblies, and related methods for an innerspring assembly or other core are disclosed. In one embodiment, an innerspring assembly or core is provided having an interior area of a first height surrounded by one or more exterior, perimeter area(s) of shorter height(s) to provide a stepped-edge innerspring assembly or core. At least a portion of side-support members are placed onto at least a portion of the top surface of the perimeter area to provide edge-support for the innerspring assembly or core. In this manner, a greater portion of the side-support members can be disposed in the sleeping area of the innerspring assembly or core since the underlying perimeter area provides spring support to the side-support members. Further, this support can assist in retention and/or recovery of the shape of the side-support members to further prevent or reduce compression set of the side-support members. |
| US08561234B1 |
Surgical bed clamp apparatus
A medical table and clamp apparatus provides a medical table having sides and at least one rail extending along a side. A specially configured clamp travels along the rail, the clamp having a non metallic clamp body. The clamp body has a pair of spaced apart appendages with a recess therebetween. An opening such as a metallic, internally threaded sleeve extends through the body. The sleeve has one sleeve end portion in communication with the recess. An externally threaded shaft threadably engages the internally threaded sleeve. A spherically shaped bearing is mounted on one end. A pusher or pressure plate is mounted on the spherically shaped bearing of the shaft with a connection. The pusher plate is supported by the shaft and the spherically shaped bearing within the recess. Each appendage has an end portion that grasps the rail. The pusher plate is movable toward or away from the sleeve. |
| US08561232B2 |
Configurable cushion device
A configurable cushion device is provided that protects from injury or discomfort caused by items in contact with a person. In one embodiment, the device includes a cushioned pillow wrapped in a protective case that includes a plurality of fastener straps for attaching the device to an object such as a seat belt. The protective case may include an internal or external pocket and may be made of a frictional material or include one or more grippers that provide additional friction against the object to keep the cushion device in a desired location with respect to the object or the person. The cushion device may also include a strap with a connector to allow the device to be secured around a larger object such as the waist of a person. The device may also include a drape cloth that is secured to the interior of the protective case and can be taken out and draped around an object or a person. |
| US08561231B2 |
Leg elevating device, system, and method
The present disclosure describes devices, methods, and systems for leg elevation. The leg elevating device includes a leg support platform, a base platform positioned adjacent the leg support platform, and a first and second lift positioned between and coupled to the leg support platform and the base platform. The leg support platform can have a first horizontal position relative the base platform when the first and second lift are in a first position, an angled position relative the base platform when the first lift is in a second position and the second lift is in the first position, and a second horizontal position relative the base platform when the first and second lift are in a second position. Also, the leg support platform can be a predetermined height above a floor surface when in the first horizontal position, such that the leg elevating device is locatable under furniture. |
| US08561218B1 |
Toilet flange stabilizer
A toilet flange stabilizer comprising a flat ring with a center hole, wherein the flat ring is sized to fit over a lip of a flange; a plurality of holes disposed on the flat ring; a plurality of slots disposed on the flat ring; a plurality of arms attaching to an outer periphery of the flat ring and the arms radiating away from the flat ring, further a first segment of the arms extend downward from the flat ring and then a second segment of the arms bend upward wherein the second segments lie on a first plane that is parallel to a second plane of the flat ring; and an arm hole disposed on each second segment of each arm; wherein the toilet flange stabilizer rests over the lip of a flange. |
| US08561217B2 |
Protective helmet with cervical spine protection and additional brain protection
A protective helmet, which includes a motion restrictor device, is disclosed which has at least one strut member associated with the helmet and a harness assembly, and the at least one strut member includes a locking assembly associated with the strut member, which upon a predetermined force being sensed by a force sensor or a predetermined amount of or rate of acceleration being sensed by an acceleration sensor, stops substantially all relative motion between the ends of the strut member and the predetermined force is substantially transferred from the helmet to the harness assembly. |
| US08561214B2 |
Articles of apparel incorporating cushioning elements and methods of manufacturing the articles of apparel
Articles of apparel may include a base layer having a first surface and an opposite second surface. The base layer defines an aperture extending through the base layer and from the first surface to the second surface. Cushioning elements may have a first material layer, a second material layer, and a plurality of foam components. The first material layer and the second material layer are bonded to the second surface of the base layer. The foam components are located between and secured to the first material layer and the second material layer. In addition, the foam components are positioned to correspond with a location of the aperture. In some configurations, a bonding element may be utilized to bond the first material layer and the second material layer to the base layer. |
| US08561213B2 |
Multi-paneled protective undergarment
A protective undergarment (10), shown in the form of shorts, includes integrally formed protective panels (22, 26, 30) that exhibit slash-proof properties. The protective areas (22, 26, 30) are made from a flexible Kevlar® knit or the like, and extend to cover the groin, crotch, substantial areas of the buttocks and the inner thigh regions of both legs. The protective panels (22, 26, 30) are externally snitched to a low thermal burden material (18, 20), such as a polyester mesh, that provides elasticity and completes the structure of the shorts (10). The Kevlar® knit is flexible and preferably lies directly against the skin of a user to provide blast wave and ballistic fragment deflection while permitting mobility in a lightweight arrangement. Varying thickness of the Kevlar® knit can be used in the protective areas (22, 26, 30) selectively to enhance protection against blast wave and fragment penetration. The shorts (10) find particular application in battlefield theatres where military personnel are exposed to bomb threats. |
| US08566958B2 |
Method for authorizing contents play rights in use of a recording medium
A method for authorizing an off-line image device to play contents in use of a recording medium, including recording an encrypted key on a recording medium; recording contents on the recording medium using the encrypted key; and recording information as to a play right to play the contents recorded on the recording medium. Thus, the off-line image device can be authorized to play contents in use of the recording medium. As a result, the off-line image device can play contents that are recorded on the recording medium and must be authorized to play the contents. |
| US08566954B2 |
Method and apparatuses for authorising provision of indirected content associated with a presentity of a presence service
The invention provides a method of authorizing provision of in-directed content to a user of an IPcommunications network. The in-directed content is associated with a presentity subscriber of a presence service, the presence service including authorization rules regarding users to which the in-directed content may be provided. The in-directed content is stored at a content server that is not controlled by the presence service. The method includes receiving at an authorization proxy in the network a request from the user to be provided with the in-directed content, and identifying the presentity subscriber associated with the requested in-directed content. The authorization proxy retrieves the authorization rules to verify that the user is authorized to receive the in-directed content. Subject to the verification, the in-directed content is provided from the content server the user. |
| US08566952B1 |
System and method for encrypting data and providing controlled access to encrypted data with limited additional access
A system and method allows signed permissions to be used to decrypt data. Unsigned permissions may also be used to decrypt data up to a limit. |
| US08566951B2 |
Apparatus and methods for setting security to storage unit and computer
Methods and apparatus are provided for inhibiting data writing to an optical disc drive connected to a computer. A BIOS confirms presence of a security function of an optical disc drive. When the optical disc drive possesses the security function, the BIOS delivers a command to the optical disc drive to set it to a read-only mode. The optical disc drive that has received the command sets the drive per se to operate in the read-only mode. Since a command for setting it to the read-only mode and a command for releasing it are delivered to the optical disc drive only by the BIOS, when a control is transferred to an Operating System (OS), setting of the read-only mode cannot be released by the OS and other OS's, or application software. |
| US08566944B2 |
Malware investigation by analyzing computer memory
Technology is described for malware investigation by analyzing computer memory in a computing device. The method can include performing static analysis on code for a software environment to form an extended type graph. A raw memory snapshot of the computer memory can be obtained at runtime. The raw memory snapshot may include the software environment executing on the computing device. Dynamic data structures can be found in the raw memory snapshot using the extended type graph to form an object graph. An authorized memory area can be defined having executable code, static data structures, and dynamic data structures. Implicit and explicit function pointers can be identified. The function pointers can be checked to validate that the function pointers reference a valid memory location in the authorized memory area and whether the computer memory is uncompromised. |
| US08566941B2 |
Method and system for cloaked observation and remediation of software attacks
A method and system provide security for a communication network and for one or more nodes within the network. Software can be distributed throughout the network from a centralized location or administrative console. The software can be made resident in the kernel of the operating system of a receiving node. The software can provide an observation functionality, an analysis functionality, a reporting functionality and a remediation functionality or some subset of those functionalities. |
| US08566940B1 |
Authenticated operations and event counters
Apparatus and methods protect a memory device from a security attack. A security attack may lead to an unusually high number of security events, such as power cycling of a device hosting the computing system and/or memory device. Power cycling events of the memory device can be counted. A count value can be maintained of power cycling events occurring within a particular period of time. The count value can be compared to a threshold number. Normal operation is permitted if the count value does not exceed the threshold number. A security action is invoked when the count value exceeds the threshold number. |
| US08566938B1 |
System and method for electronic message analysis for phishing detection
A system and method for analyzing electronic messages for phishing detection are disclosed. In one example, email characteristics are obtained by parsing a received email message from a sender/sender organization to a recipient/recipient organization based on a set of predetermined email characteristics; the email characteristics of the received email message are then compared with email characteristics associated with the recipient/recipient organization and/or the sender/sender organization, and the received email message is then declared as a phishing electronic message based on the outcome of the comparison. |
| US08566937B2 |
Information processing apparatus and method for preventing unauthorized cooperation of applications
An information processing terminal (40) includes: a network control unit (250); an installation control unit (260); a process control unit (200) for starting up an application and establishing cooperation among applications including the application; an access-history map updating unit (290) for updating an access-history map (281) which represents history information on an access relationship among the applications when a request is made to start up the application or to establish cooperation among the applications; and an unauthorized-cooperation-of-applications control unit (220) for (i) determining whether or not an unauthorized cooperation, which is directed at sensitive information kept secret, is established among the applications with reference to information obtained from the access-history map (281) and an application authorizing list (271), and (ii) controlling execution of the application using an application execution control technique in the case where a result of the determination shows that the unauthorized cooperation is established. |
| US08566930B2 |
Monitoring module
A system and associated method for monitoring the execution of software on one or more computers by receiving traffic from within the monitored computer(s). The monitoring may take place passively, such that the operation of the monitored computer or computers is completely unaffected by the monitoring. More intensive monitoring, such as maintenance of a shadow copy of the RAM of the monitored computer, may be initiated upon recognition of a pattern in the data received from the monitored computer. The execution of software on the monitored computer may be halted by the monitoring module. The monitoring module may also read from or write to the memories of the monitored computer. |
| US08566928B2 |
Method and system for detecting and responding to attacking networks
A system and method for detecting a first network of compromised computers in a second network of computers, comprising: collecting Domain Name System (DNS) data for the second network; examining the collected data relative to DNS data from known comprised and/or uncompromised computers in the second network; and determining the existence of the first network and/or the identity of compromised computers in the second network based on the examination. |
| US08566926B1 |
Mobility protocol selection by an authorization system
An authorization system in a home wireless network comprises a communication interface and a processing system, wherein a wireless communication device associated with the home wireless network transfers a request to a visited wireless network for access to an internet. The communication interface is configured to receive an authorization request for the wireless communication device transmitted from the visited wireless network. The processing system is configured to select one of a visited internet connection and a home internet connection for the wireless communication device, wherein the visited internet connection links the wireless communication device to the internet without using the home wireless network and wherein the home internet connection links the wireless communication device to the internet through the home wireless network. The communication interface is configured to transfer the authorization response for delivery to the visited wireless network indicating the selected one of the visited internet connection or the home internet connection. |
| US08566918B2 |
Method and apparatus for token-based container chaining
According to one embodiment, an apparatus may intercept a request to access a resource represented by a resource token. The apparatus may receive a hard token representing identification information of a device. The apparatus may determine, based at least in part upon the hard token and the resource token, at least one token-based rule specifying compliance criteria required to consume the resource. The apparatus may receive at least one token representing compliance information of the device in response to a request for compliance information of the device. The apparatus may then compare the compliance information against the compliance criteria to determine that the device is capable of consuming the resource. The apparatus may then generate a compliance token representing the determination that the device is capable of consuming the resource, and communicate the compliance token to facilitate the provisioning of a container to the device. |
| US08566917B2 |
Efficient single sign-on and identity provider configuration and deployment in a database system
Various techniques and procedures related to user authentication, identity providers, and single sign-on (SSO) are presented here. One approach creates an SSO link between two organizations in a streamlined manner using an internal cross-user systemwide digital certificate, and without processing any user-created, user-uploaded, or user-assigned digital certificates. Another approach presented here configures an identity provider service for an entity or organization by processing a single user command. The identity provider service is automatically configured in the background without processing any additional user commands, user instructions, or user-entered data. |
| US08566912B2 |
Zone migration in network access
The present disclosure is directed to providing a network user the ability to travel between different zones or locations within a network environment, such as, for example, a hospitality location, without requiring a user to re-login to the new location, while requiring a user to re-login to other locations within the network environment. |
| US08566910B2 |
Method and apparatus to bind a key to a namespace
A method includes identifying an application installed on a device as an authorized application of a certain domain, the application being signed with a private key; deriving a signer identity using a public key that forms a key pair with the private key; mapping the certain domain to another domain using a deterministic function map; making a request to the another domain to obtain a list of signer identities that are authorized to act on behalf of the certain domain; determining whether the signer of the application is in the list and, if it is, authorizing the application to act with the same privileges as granted in the certain domain. Apparatus and computer programs for performing the method are also disclosed. |
| US08566905B2 |
Electronic device, use restriction method for electronic device, and computer-readable recording medium
An electronic device includes a display part, a system control part for designating a display target to be displayed by the display part and switch the display target to another display target, a display control part for instructing the display part to display an operation screen corresponding to the display target designated by the system control part, and a receiving part for receiving a request for initiating the exclusive use of the display part from a use restriction application and receiving a request for terminating the exclusive use of the display part from the use restriction application. In a case where the receiving part receives the request for initiating the exclusive use of the display part, the system control part ceases switching the display target to the other display target until the receiving part receives the request for terminating the exclusive use of the display part. |
| US08566902B2 |
Secure messaging center
A secure messaging system is disclosed wherein messages are transmitted to a user based on a feature unique to the user, such as an account number. The user authenticates himself, then messages associated with the user can be displayed. |
| US08566898B2 |
Method and apparatus for securing information in a wireless network printing system
A method and apparatus for securing information in a wireless network printing system are provided. The information security method includes setting and storing service items to be allowed according to wireless security levels supported by the wireless printer, selecting one of the wireless security levels, and executing a service requested by a user if the requested service is one of allowed service items for the selected wireless security level. |
| US08566897B2 |
System and method for a master scheduler
A system and method for associating and controlling multimedia supporting events with a primary event. The events are translated into tasks and sent to media servers for execution at a predetermined time by being further translated into media specific tasks to control a bit-pump. |
| US08566896B2 |
Addressable network interface units suitable for use in FTTX and RFOG networks and related methods of controlling bandwidth allocation and identifying noise sources in such networks
An addressable optical network interface unit includes an optical input and a radio frequency output. The unit also includes an optical-to-electrical conversion circuit that converts optical signals received at the optical input into radio frequency signals, a directional coupler that is coupled to an output of the optical-to-electrical conversion circuit and a radio frequency receiver that is coupled to a first output of the directional coupler. The radio frequency receiver receives radio frequency signals input through the optical input. The unit also includes a controller that is coupled to the radio frequency receiver, and a filter circuit that is coupled to a second output of the directional coupler. The filter circuit includes multiple signal paths that filter out signals in different frequency ranges. Switches are provided that select one of the signal paths through the filter circuit. These switches are controlled in response to data contained in the radio frequency signal. The controller is configured to generate control signals that control the settings of at least some of the switches based at least in part on a filter control signal received through the optical input. |
| US08566895B2 |
System and method for incremental implementation of new service capabilities
A system for gradually implementing network services to end users includes substantially redundant first and second control networks, connectable to the end users through a routable communications network. The first control network provides a first service capability to all the end users. The second control network provides a second service capability to a first portion of the end users, the second service capability replacing the first service capability of the first portion of the end users. The second control network subsequently provides the second service capability to a second portion of the end users, while continuing to provide the second service capability to the first portion, the second service capability replacing the first service capability of the second portion of the end users. The second service capability provided to the second portion of the end users may include revisions based on feedback from the first portion of end users. |
| US08566892B2 |
Network system and image projection apparatus
A network system includes an image projection apparatus that projects image data; a first terminal; and a second terminal where the first terminal includes an original image data storing unit that stores original image data and a corresponding information generating unit that generates corresponding information in which image identification data of the image data for projection, generated from the original image data, capable of identifying the original image data and terminal identification data for identifying the first terminal correspond with each other, and the image projection apparatus includes a request sending unit that sends, upon receiving a request for delivering the image data being projected from the second terminal, the request for delivering the original image data including the image identification data, which is included in the corresponding information stored in the storing unit, to the first terminal. |
| US08566891B2 |
Systems and methods for monitoring, troubleshooting and/or controlling a digital television
A system for monitoring, troubleshooting, controlling, calibrating and/or configuring a digital television is provided. The system includes a functionality module configured to perform one or more functions of a digital television. The system includes a testing module associated with the digital television, communicatively coupled to the functionality module and being configured to receive from the functionality module, data indicative of the one or more functions of the digital television. The testing module is configured to perform processing using the received data to determine whether to alter one or more parameters associated with the one or more functions of the digital television. |
| US08566889B2 |
Control apparatus, content transmission system and content transmission method
Disclosed herein is a control apparatus for accepting a request for transmission of a content from a content transmission apparatus to the control apparatus and for passing on the request to the content transmission apparatus by way of a communication network allowing a transmission quality to be reserved and for issuing a request to a content accounting server to carry out a content accounting process according to the substance and content quality wherein the control apparatus: receives a specified substance and quality of the content and transmits a request to the content transmission apparatus to transmit the content; determines a transmission quality on the basis of the specified content quality and makes a reservation for the determined transmission quality of a transmission line on the basis of the transmission quality; and issues a request to a transmission-quality accounting server to carry out an accounting process according to the transmission quality. |
| US08566888B2 |
System for updating channel lineup for broadcasting and switched digital broadcasting services
In a system that is capable of operating in a broadcast mode and a switched mode, it is advantageous to be able to shift program delivery between the two modes. Thus when one video program is being delivered to at least a first customer in a first mode, this program may be delivered to at least a second customer in a second mode that is different from the first mode. In this manner, the video program that is being delivered to first customer will be maintained in the original mode while new requests for this program will be served in a different mode until the delivery of the program to the first customer has been completed. In other words, legacy program delivery is maintained until the program delivery has been completed or otherwise terminated, while delivery of the program in response to new requests for the same program will be delivered in a different mode instead. |
| US08566885B2 |
Method and apparatus for controlling time-scale modification during multi-media broadcasts
One embodiment of the present invention is a method for broadcasting information to a client device, which device utilizes presentation rates to present information at various presentation rates, and which method includes: (a) broadcasting information; and (b) broadcasting guidance information used to determine presentation rates for use by the client device in presentation of the information; wherein the guidance information is transmitted at or not at a time of broadcast of the broadcast information. |
| US08566884B2 |
Socially collaborative filtering
In one embodiment, a method comprises identifying user selection preferences of an identified user having accessed the network, the identifying based on an accumulation of user selection inputs executed by the identified user, relative to input options presented to the user and identifying respective available network items, the accumulation including an identification of the input options not having been selected by the identified user; determining a group of network users having a highest correlation of shared interests with the identified user, based on identifying preferred network items for the identified user, and identifying first network users providing highest relative user affinity values for each of the preferred network items; and determining at least one of new network items most likely to be preferred by the identified user, based on determining, from among network items not presented to the identifier user, the preferred network items for each of the first network users in the group. |
| US08566883B2 |
Method of controlling media devices of a hospitality establishment to associate credit with guest room for use toward pay-per-use media function, and system and controller thereof
A hospitality establishment includes guest rooms having media devices installed therein. Each guest room has one or more in-room media devices for providing a pay-per-use media function. A media system controller dynamically associates a credit corresponding to a monetary value with a particular guest room in response to an occurrence of a first event, configures an in-room media device of the particular guest room to indicate the credit associated with the particular guest room and allow a guest of the particular guest room to utilize at least an amount of the credit toward an order of the pay-per-use media function, activates the pay-per-use media function on at least one of the in-room media devices of the particular guest room in response to a received order, and decreases the credit associated with the particular guest room according to the amount of the credit utilized toward the received order. |
| US08566881B2 |
Live integration of push-to-talk (PTT) audio with independent video feed
The present invention discloses a mosaic video channel and a system for generating the mosaic video channel. A system in accordance with the present invention indicates an audio input for a mosaic video channel displayed on a monitor, with a plurality of individual video feeds being presented at a given time, and comprises a plurality of video cells presenting at least video information, each video cell having a respective audio portion associated with the video cell, an announcer audio portion, and an indicator, coupled to the respective audio portions, for indicating to an announcer that at least one of the respective audio portions is active. |
| US08566880B2 |
Device and method for providing a television sequence using database and user inputs
A device for providing a television sequence has a database interface, a search request receiver, a television sequence rendition module and an output interface. The database interface accesses at least one database, using a search request. The search request receiver is formed to control the database interface so as to acquire at least audio content and at least image content separate therefrom via the database interface for the search request. The television sequence rendition module combines the separate audio content and the image content to generate the television sequence based on the audio content and the image content. The output interface outputs the television sequence to a television sequence distributor. |
| US08566879B2 |
Method and apparatus for navigating video content
Methods and apparatus for navigating video content. Digital markers may be placed at desired locations within recorded or cached video content. In one embodiment, these markers (or bookmarks) may be used to instantly jump to a particular scene or location within a video presentation. Such markers may be manually or automatically placed during live caching of video content or playback of previously recorded content. In another embodiment, selectable thumbnailed images that are representative of the video content at previously bookmarked locations may be presented to a user. Such selectable thumbnailed images may be integrated with a DVR status bar and, when selected, may be used to begin viewing stored video content from the bookmark corresponding to which ever thumbnail is chosen. |
| US08566875B2 |
System and method for controlling settings for television services
The present disclosure provides a system, method and computer-readable medium for providing a television service. A group of settings relating to a television service is received from a customer device. A portal is provided to a remote device that enables updating the group of settings. A change to at least one setting is received from the remote device, and the change is made to the at least one setting at the customer device. |
| US08566874B2 |
Control tools for media content access systems and methods
In one of many possible embodiments, a system includes a media content processing subsystem including an output driver configured to provide at least a component of a media content instance to a display for presentation to a user, and a receiver configured to receive an input command initiated by the user during the presentation of the component of the media content instance. The media content processing subsystem is further configured to select a control pane from a group of control panes based on the input command, each of the control panes including a different set of control tools, and provide, in response to the input command, the control pane to the display for concurrent presentation of both the component of the media content instance and the control pane to the user. |
| US08566873B2 |
Program guide enhancements
According to the invention, a method for formulating a program guide screen is disclosed. In various steps, program description information and promotional data is received. The promotional data comprises one or more of the following: a video clip, a video clip with audio accompaniment, an audio clip, an animation, an animation with audio accompaniment, a still image with audio accompaniment, a still image, a plurality of still images, and a plurality of still images with audio accompaniment. A predetermined program is associated with the promotional data and program description information. The guide screen is formulated with the promotional data and program description information. |
| US08566872B2 |
Broadcasting system and program contents delivery system
Provided is a summary management method including: a step for receiving a program signal providing a program, a step for acquiring a summary of a web content associated with the program together with the summary management information, and a step for managing the acquired summary according to the management information. |
| US08566871B2 |
Multiple interactive electronic program guide system and methods
A multiple Interactive Program Guide (IPG) system provides different television programming and different IPGs to several different users respectively. A single set-top box is capable of providing programming and scheduling data to several different television sets. Each of the different IPGs share a common database. Therefore, a first IPG being viewed by a first user can display data added or modified via a second IPG by a second user of the system. Furthermore, the data added or modified by the second user can influence the viewing rights of the first user. Also, all the competing and conflicting requests for limited resources, such as VCR scheduled recordings, will be brought to the users' attention and will be displayed by the system. |
| US08566870B2 |
Higher speed high definition television (HDTV) channel and external input surfing
A high definition television (HDTV) is capable of displaying one or more streams. Typical stream changing is accomplished by freshly determining the stream settings (frame rate, resolution, refresh method) as each stream is detected, resulting in slow to tortuously slow stream surfing. Here, the HDTV stream settings are stored in a list of present streams, so that stream surfing may continue at much higher rates without redetermining the stream settings with each stream change. The improved stream surfing may be turned on or off at user discretion. Additionally, individual streams, as well as other audio/video inputs may also be edited to user-desired stream settings by accepting user inputs. The HDTV may automatically detect HDTV settings for each currently tuned stream of a list of potential streams, or may download the HDTV setting for a specific location of the HDTV. |
| US08566867B1 |
Pre-fetch ads while serving ads in live stream
Described herein are techniques related to pre-fetching ads while serving ads in a live streaming video. In one implementation, the pre-fetching mechanism will set up a default set of ads pre-fetching criteria on a client and then the client will parse new/extra ads pre-fetching criteria from a live stream. Next the default set of ads pre-fetching criteria on the client will update via the parsed new/extra ads pre-fetching criteria. Now a notification from the live stream to pre-fetch ads is received by the client and the pre-fetched ads are obtained from the live stream. The client will receive a notification from the live stream to show ads and pre-fetched ads will be shown on the client. This Abstract is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims. |
| US08566866B1 |
Web identity to social media identity correlation
An identification server correlates the web browsing behavior of individuals with their use of social media systems. Based on these behaviors, web identifiers (referred to as identities or IDs) may be matched to social media identifiers; these matches being determined, stored, and output as a confidences that the web identity of the user corresponds to a social media identity. Each web identity may be associated with one or more social media identities. The identity correlations between web identities and social media identities may be used along with other alignments to provide information regarding the time-based media (e.g., advertisements) a user may have likely been exposed to, and to provide targeted advertisements. |
| US08566864B2 |
Apparatus and method for providing emergency communications
A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a server having a controller operable to monitor for emergency messages over a broadcast network and over the Internet, obtain an emergency message based on the monitoring where the emergency message comprises text data, audio data, schedule data and location data and where the text and audio data correspond to a plurality of languages, generate an alert message comprising the schedule data, the location data and at least a portion of the plurality of languages of the text and audio data, and multicast the alert message over an Internet Protocol Television network to a plurality of set top boxes, wherein each of the set top boxes presents a text alert that is synchronized with an audio alert based on the multicast alert message when the location data corresponds with a location of the set top box. Other embodiments are disclosed. |
| US08566855B2 |
Audiovisual user interface based on learned user preferences
A method and apparatus for providing an audiovisual user interface based on learned user preferences is described. In one implementation, the method involves collecting a set of user preferences for a user; providing a metadata stream associated with an audiovisual input; comparing elements within the metadata stream with the set of user preferences to form a comparison; and outputting a message to the user if the comparison indicates that the metadata stream matches one or more elements of the set of user preferences. The message may be output either acoustically or visually, and may relate to the audiovisual input, which may be audio, video, or both audio and video. The audiovisual input may be blocked based on a restricted message, and may be accessed upon a successful password query. |
| US08566854B2 |
Apparatus for rotating disk with improved anti-slip torque
An apparatus for rotating a disc is disclosed, wherein the apparatus for rotating the disc includes a rotation shaft; a turn table coupled to the rotation shaft and having a felt that makes contact with a disc; a center guide member inserted into the rotation shaft and coupled to an inner face of the disc; a clamp magnet sucking a clamp unit that is faced with the turn table and makes contact with an upper face of the disc toward the felt; an elastic member interposed between the turn table and the center guide member and the elastic member elastically supporting the center guide member in an axial direction of the rotation shaft, wherein an anti-slip torque that is applied to the upper face of the disc by using the clamp unit and the elastic member is stronger than a rotation torque that is generated by the turn table to prevent slipping of the optical disc from the turn table. |
| US08566849B2 |
Name service object clustering
A naming service clustering method which permits naming service load balancing over a set of object references contained within the same cluster such that loads are equitably distributed among servers. Each cluster contains its own unique object binding table which contains object references which each typically represent a single server. Load balancing is performed using a load balance algorithm (e.g., Round Robin). The specific algorithm which is used to perform load balancing is specified upon creation of each naming service cluster. The method provides transparent load balancing among multiple object references in the same cluster. In addition, transparent “failover” among object references in the same cluster is achieved. The method also provides a dynamic addition of new object references into a cluster via binding, along with the dynamic removal of old object references from a cluster via unbinding. |
| US08566846B2 |
System and method for configuring drivers
Driver systems and methods are provided, such as those that include identifying a process corner of a driver; and configuring the driver based on the identified process corner. Further embodiments provide a method that includes detecting a process corner of a driver, setting a reference voltage of a calibration circuit based on the process corner detected, and configuring the driver based on the reference voltage. |
| US08566845B2 |
System and method for optimizing multi-pathing support in a distributed storage system environment
A Multi-Pathing Optimization Module (MPOM) interfaces with a client to route a data access request along a most optimal path to a storage system serving data container stored on a striped volume set (SVS). The MPOM constructs and references a Location Data Structure (LDS) containing striping rules associated with the SVS, a list of network elements (N-blades) operatively connected to the client, and a list of disk elements (D-blades) sharing a node of the storage system with the listed N-blades. The MPOM executes a Client_Locate( ) function on a per data access request basis to identify the D-blade serving the volume which will receive the request. When possible, the MPOM routes the data access request directly to the N-blade sharing a node with the identified D-blade, thereby using the most optimal path from the client to the SVS. |
| US08566840B2 |
Method and system for kernel level filtering
An embodiment of the invention pertains to a method of filtering messages in a kernel of an operating system. The method includes receiving message traffic from network and determining information that indicates contents of each message in the kernel. The method also includes selectively passing the message from the kernel to one or more applications based on the information and according to at least one criterion, where the least one criterion is associated with a respective application of the one or more applications. |
| US08566839B2 |
System and method for automated content presentation objects
Provided is a system and method for centralizing common messaging functionality across a plurality of heterogeneous Mobile data processing System (MS) applications, and for synergistically bringing new messaging functionality to those applications. New synergistic presentation/messaging capability is provided with distributable presentation objects in areas of Out-Going Messages (OGMs), Out-going Caller Messages (OCMs), Confirmation Of delivery Messages (COMs) and ADvertising messages (ADs). OGMs include messages which are played to callers in a phone call recording system. OCMs include messages that can be left automatically to a phone call recording system by a caller. COMs include messages that are automatically sent based on a delivery. ADs include messages for conveying advertising information. Different message types are automatically presented for a variety of triggering events, and in accordance with reconciling an originator's intent and an observer's preferences. In a preferred embodiment, the Location Based eXchange method and system is leveraged. |
| US08566836B2 |
Multi-core system on chip
A multi-core system on a chip (200) is described in which a speed information for each core (210, 220, 230, 240), such as the maximum operation speed (Fmax), is extracted and stored in a storage device, such as a device control registry (215), where it may be accessed and used by the operating system when allocating workload among the cores by selecting the fasted core (e.g, 210) to run any applications or tasks that can not be executed on a plurality of cores. |
| US08566834B2 |
Mechanism for application management during server power changes
The present disclosure provides, in some embodiments, a method for managing applications and resources. According to some embodiments, a power orchestrator may comprise (a) receiving information handling system resource status, (b) receiving one or more application registrations from one or more applications to be executed on the information handling system, (c) formulating a resource priority schedule using the received resource status and the one or more application registrations, (d) formulating a resource allocation schedule in accordance with the resource priority schedule, (e) communicating the resource allocation schedule to the one or more applications, and (f) allocating one or more resources to the one or more applications in accordance with the resource allocation schedule. A method may comprise, according to some embodiments, determining whether one or more of the one or more applications will submit a registration update and/or determining whether available resource(s) match demand and adjusting resource status to match demand. |
| US08566831B2 |
Execution of work units in a heterogeneous computing environment
Work units are transparently offloaded from a main processor to offload processing systems for execution. For a particular work unit, a suitable offload processing system is selected to execute the work unit. This includes determining the requirements of the work unit, including, for instance, the hardware and software requirements; matching those requirements against a set of offload processing systems with an arbitrary set of available resources; and determining if a suitable offload processing system is available. If a suitable offload processing system is available, the work unit is scheduled to execute on that offload processing system with no changes to the work unit itself. Otherwise, the work unit may execute on the main processor or wait to be executed on an offload processing system. |
| US08566830B2 |
Local collections of tasks in a scheduler
A scheduler in a process of a computer system includes a local collection of tasks for each processing resource allocated to the scheduler and at least one general collection of tasks. The scheduler assigns each task that becomes unblocked to the local collection corresponding to the processing resource that caused the task to become unblocked. When a processing resource becomes available, the processing resource attempts to execute the most recently added task in the corresponding local collection. If there are no tasks in the corresponding local collection, the available processing resource attempts to execute a task from the general collection. |
| US08566829B1 |
Cooperative multi-level scheduler for virtual engines
A device for providing a plurality of virtual machines utilizes a multi-core processor having a plurality of cores, each with a memory cache, and a shared memory resource in communication with the cores. The device utilizes a cooperative, multi-level scheduler. The multi-level scheduler includes a primary scheduler and a plurality of secondary schedulers, each supporting a subset of the physical cores. The primary scheduler assigns a group of threads to one of the processor cores. The secondary scheduler associated with the processor core to which the group of threads was assigned schedules execution of individual ones of the threads. The secondary scheduler also provides an indication of lock status to the primary scheduler. The lock status information can be used by the primary scheduler to avoid preempting a thread that holds a lock. |
| US08566824B2 |
Migrating a virtual machine to a target machine
The present invention is directed to systems and methods for providing disaster recovery services using virtual machines. The invention provides an inexpensive and minimally intrusive way to provide disaster recovery services including recovery of the state of computer processors and devices. The system includes a production host and a backup host that communicate via a communications link. The state of the processor and devices on the production host are periodically stored onto backup host and can be restored in the event of an emergency. Additionally, the invention includes two business methods for utilizing the system and methods for providing disaster recovery services. |
| US08566820B1 |
Method and system for installing software
Method and system are disclosed for providing multiple installations of a software application. The method/system creates an installation template from a single correct or “golden” installation of the software application and uses the installation template to produce additional installations of the software application. In one embodiment, any references to a specific host or computing system in the files or directories of the installed software application are replaced with a temporary variable in the installation template. The installation template may then be stored on a designated server and uploaded to any computing system needing a new installation of the software application. Once uploaded, the variable is replaced with system-specific references to complete the new installations. Since the installations are produced from the installation template and not from floppy disks or CD-ROMs, the process takes significantly less time. |
| US08566818B2 |
Method and system for configuring a consolidated software application
A system and method for selectively configuring features and functions of a consolidated software application for particular end users. |
| US08566813B2 |
Method and system generating execution file system device
Provided is a method and system generating an execution file. The method includes determining number-of-calls information for a number of functions and then generating the execution file by locating the functions based on the number-of-calls information. |
| US08566808B2 |
Object storage and synchronization hooks for occasionally-connected devices
A system may include an application programming interface (API) layer, a cache layer, and an object storage/access layer. The API layer may expose an interface to store a business object and an interface to retrieve the business object, and may transmit a request to store the business object and a request to retrieve the business object, and the cache layer may cache the business object and transmit the request to store the business object and the request to retrieve the business object. The object storage/access layer may receive the request to store the business object and, in response to the request to store the business object, to invoke a serialization method exposed by the business object to store the data associated with the object in a data structure. The object storage/access layer may also receive the request to retrieve the business object and, in response to the request to retrieve the business object, to invoke a deserialization method of the business object to deserialize the data associated with the business object in the data structure. |
| US08566807B1 |
System and method for accessibility of document object model and JavaScript by other platforms
A method and system for allowing for access to a Document Object Model and JavaScript of Web-page on a server-side is disclosed herein. The present invention analyzes the JavaScript of the Web-page on the server-side with a JavaScript parser and engine. The present invention converts the Document Object Model and JavaScript of the web-page into an accessible format. The present invention allows for access of the accessible format of the Document Object Model and JavaScript of the Web-page by other platforms such as JAVA, RUBY-ON-RAILS, PHP and .NET. |
| US08566805B2 |
System and method to provide continuous calibration estimation and improvement options across a software integration life cycle
A method and system of calibrating estimates for software projects is provided. More particularly, a method and system is provided to continuously provide calibration estimation and improvement options across a software integration life cycle. The method is implemented in a computer infrastructure having computer executable code tangibly embodied on a computer readable storage medium having programming instructions operable to: compare actual data associated with a phase of a project to expected results used to develop a strategic development plan for the project; and calibrate efforts in the strategic development plan for future activities of the project based on the actual data. |
| US08566803B2 |
Benchmark profiling for distributed systems
Embodiments of the invention may be used to generate a benchmark profile for a computing job configured to execute on distributed systems. The benchmark profile may be used to predict the performance of components of a computing job for a variety of different distributed computing system architectures. A profiling tool evaluates the computing job to identify the particular performance characteristics of the application and match this with benchmarks that are most representative of the identified performance characteristics and store them in the benchmark profile. The identified benchmarks may then be run on different configurations of a distributed computing system in order to predict the performance of the application for a variety of scenarios. |
| US08566794B2 |
Checkpoint entry insertion during test scenario creation
A test module can be configured to initiate test scenario creation for a target application, and an interaction entry definition module can be configured to define, during the test scenario creation, a plurality of interaction entries representing a sequence of user interactions with a plurality of user interface elements of the target application. A test scenario compiler can be configured to include the plurality of interaction entries in a test scenario file representing a test scenario, and a checkpoint entry definition module can be configured to receive an indicator that a property of a user interface element from the plurality of user interface elements has been selected for verification, and configured to define a checkpoint entry configured to trigger verification of the property of the user interface element from the plurality of user interface elements based on the test scenario file during test scenario verification of the target application. |
| US08566793B2 |
Detecting and displaying errors in database statements within integrated development environment tool
Embodiments of the invention provide database integration within an integrated development environment (IDE) tool for displaying database structure and other database information, query editing and execution, and error detection for database statements embedded in program source code. Embodiments of the invention integrate database connectivity and error detection into the IDE tool, thereby potentially reducing the time required for database-aware application development. |
| US08566788B2 |
Predictive prefetching to improve parallelization of data retrieval subtasks
In a system in which documents are generated dynamically in response to user requests, historical data is collected regarding data retrieval subtasks, such as service requests, that are performed to generate such documents. This data is used to predict the specific subtasks that will be performed to respond to specific document requests, such that these subtasks may be initiated preemptively at or near the outset of the associated document generation task. A subtask that would ordinarily be postponed pending the outcome of a prior subtask can thereby be performed in parallel with the prior subtask, reducing document generation times. In one embodiment, the historical data is included within, or is used to generate, a mapping table that maps document generation tasks (which may correspond to specific URLs) to the data retrieval subtasks that are frequently performed within such tasks. |
| US08566786B2 |
Portlet template based on a state design pattern
A method for designing object-oriented software for implementing portlets, and an associated computer system and computer program product. The portlets are available to a user of the software who clicks on a link of a first page to identify an action object of an Action class and a state object of a State class. The software includes the State class, the Action class, and program code. The State class includes a method for displaying a view of a page. The Action class includes an actionPerformed method for performing an action and a setState method for setting the state object into the session. The program code is adapted to execute: the actionPerformed method of the action object to perform the action; the setState method of the action object to set the state object; and the method of the state object to display a view of a second page. |
| US08566785B2 |
Information processing device, method of processing information, and program
An information processing device for providing a program selected on the basis of a predetermined theme among recorded programs and programs to be received to a user. A special program is generated by selecting a predetermined program on the basis of a predetermined theme such as ‘person of the today’, ‘hot drama’, among recorded programs and programs to be received to a user and the contents of the selected program is displayed on a screen as information of a recommendation program. The contents of the special program are changed according to preference of the user, a displaying time of the screen, and setting by the user. |
| US08566783B2 |
Determining a navigation path for a constraint language editor
A method and navigation helper for generating constraint language codes for navigation in a constraint language editor. The constraint language editor generates model/instance-related constraint expressions according to the loaded model/instance and related constraints. The navigation is a path implementing the constraints. The method includes parsing the loaded model/instance; calculating a possible association related to the element through the type of the navigation-related element in the model/instance; and calculating a possible navigation path according to the association. A method for generating constraint language codes in a constraint language editor and the constraint language editor includes loading the model/instance; loading constraint patterns for storing parameters and a constraint code template; invoking corresponding helpers, according to the types of parameters stored in the constraint patterns; and generating constraint codes according to the generated parameters and the constraint code template. |
| US08566782B2 |
Generating application data editors
A method, computer program product and system for generating an editor to be executed through a graphical user interface of a computer, for editing the persistent data of an application, the persistent data being described and stored in a data object model using a modeling language defining a hierarchical organization of classes, their attributes and the relations between classes, comprising retrieving the root class and starting from the root class, creating a page per class for creating the instances of the class. Each page of a current class comprises an Edit section for editing the attributes of the class, a Table section which lists all the instances of the class when they will be created and a hyperlink section for listing pointers to other pages corresponding to the target classes in relation with the current class. |
| US08566779B2 |
Visually prioritizing information in an agile system
An apparatus and method for prioritizing tasks in a software development environment includes drag-and-drop functionality to prioritize tasks displayed in the window of a browser application executing on a user system. In one embodiment, a prioritizer screen is built at a server using information stored in a workload database object and sent to the user system over a network using interprocess communications. |
| US08566776B2 |
Method to automatically add power line in channel between macros
In a particular embodiment, a method is disclosed that includes automatically adding a first power line in a channel between at least two macros when less than two system power supply lines with opposite polarities are detected within the channel. |
| US08566774B2 |
Optimized buffer placement based on timing and capacitance assertions
A method is provided for optimized buffer placement based on timing and capacitance assertions in a functional chip unit including a single source and multiple macros, each having a sink. Placement of the source and macros with the sinks is pre-designed and buffers are placed in branches connecting the source with the multiple sinks. The method includes: calculating an estimated slack for each branch based on cycle reach, calculating a minimum slack for each branch, arranging branches according to the calculated slack to evaluate at least one most critical branch, inserting decoupling buffers in all branches except the most critical branch(es) and placing decoupling buffers close to the source, globally routing the most critical branch(es) and fixing slew conditions within this branch, globally routing at least one subsequent branch as arranged according to the calculated slack and fixing slew conditions within this branch(es), and routing all remaining branches. |
| US08566770B2 |
Layout method for soft-error hard electronics, and radiation hardened logic cell
This invention comprises a layout method to effectively protect logic circuits against soft errors (non-destructive errors) and circuit cells, with layout, which are protected against soft errors. In particular, the method protects against cases where multiple nodes in circuit are affected by a single event. These events lead to multiple errors in the circuit, and while several methods exist to deal with single node errors, multiple node errors are very hard to deal with using any currently existing protection methods. The method is particularly useful for CMOS based logic circuits in modern technologies (.ltoreq.90 nm), where the occurrence of multiple node pulses becomes high (due to the high integration level). It uses a unique layout configuration, which makes the circuits protected against single event generated soft-errors. |
| US08566769B2 |
Method and apparatus for generating memory models and timing database
A method and apparatus are provided for using a memory timing database. A plurality of characterization memories are defined, which can be mapped to a memory resource. Each characterization memory has different memory parameters. A plurality of variants of tiling each characterization memory to the memory resource are also defined. Timing characteristics of each tiling variant of each characterization memory are stored in the memory timing database for the memory resource based on sets of input ramptimes and output loads. |
| US08566759B2 |
Structure for on chip shielding structure for integrated circuits or devices on a substrate
A design structure is embodied in a machine readable medium for designing, manufacturing, or testing an integrated circuit. The design structure comprises: a conductive structure surrounding and accommodating a circuit or a circuit device arranged on a substrate and at least one feed through capacitor and one transmission line associated with the conductive structure and providing the power supply and signals to the circuit or circuit device respectively. The design structure also comprises a shielding structure surrounding a circuit or a circuit device arranged on a substrate and at least one feed through capacitor or a transmission line arranged on a side of the shielding structure. |
| US08566755B2 |
Method of correcting photomask patterns
A method of predicting photoresist patterns defined by a plurality of photomask patterns is described. The measurement data of photoresist patterns defined by patterns on a photomask that are arranged similar to the photomask patterns are provided. A physical optical kernel and a mathematical load kernel as a part of a Gaussian distribution function or other distribution function or as a combined function including a part of a Gaussian distribution function or other distribution function are provided. The optimal values of the parameters of the mathematical load kernel are determined by fitting the experiment data with a simulation based on the graphic data of the patterns on the photomask and the kernels. Photoresist patterns defined by the photomask patterns are simulated based on the graphic data of the photomask patterns, the physical optical kernel, and the mathematical load kernel with the optimal values of the parameters determined. |
| US08566754B2 |
Dual-purpose perturbation engine for automatically processing pattern-clip-based manufacturing hotspots
One embodiment of the present invention provides a system that automatically processes manufacturing hotspot information. During operation, the system receives a pattern clip associated with a manufacturing hotspot in a layout, wherein the pattern clip comprises a set of polygons in proximity to the manufacturing hotspot's location. Next, the system determines if the pattern clip matches a known manufacturing hotspot configuration. If the pattern clip does not match a known manufacturing hotspot configuration, the system then performs a perturbation process on the pattern clip to determine a set of correction recommendations to eliminate the manufacturing hotspot. By performing the perturbation process, the system additionally determines ranges of perturbation to the set of polygons wherein the perturbed pattern clip does not eliminate the manufacturing hotspot. Subsequently, the system stores the set of correction recommendations and the ranges of perturbation into a manufacturing hotspot database. |
| US08566749B2 |
Analysis of complex data objects and multiple parameter systems
A computer facilitates multiple parameters data analysis by special visualization and navigation methods. Data to be analyzed is loaded from an external source the computer displays the data in response to user input using a variety of methods including data tables, slices of data spaces, hierarchically navigated data spaces, dynamic slice tables, filters, sorting, color-mapping, numerical operations, and other methods. Data and inputs are shared among multiple users for collaborative analysis. |
| US08566747B2 |
Method of and system for browsing and displaying items from a collection
In accordance with an embodiment, a method of browsing and displaying items from a collection is provided. Information about each of plurality of items is stored in machine-readable storage media. A group of the items is selected for display. One of a plurality of image sizes is assigned to each of the items of the group. Images that are representative of each of the items of the group are displayed on a display screen using the assigned image sizes. A particular position on the display screen that is occupied by a particular one of the items of the group can be selected randomly. The image size assigned to each item can be representative of the corresponding item's rank according to at least one sorting criterion. |
| US08566746B2 |
Parameterization of a categorizer for adjusting image categorization and retrieval
A system and method for digital object categorization or retrieval are provided. The method includes providing for a selector to be graphically presented to a user. The selector is variably adjustable within a range, by the user, to adjust a level of noise in at least one of digital object categorization and digital object retrieval. The range of the selector is normalized over a set of digital object categories based on scores output by a trained categorizer for each of a set of labeled test objects for each of the set of digital object categories and a label for each of the test objects. Selector position information is received by the system and at least one of digital object categorization and digital object retrieval is performed, based on the selector position information. One or more of the method steps may be performed with a computer processor. |
| US08566745B2 |
Method and system for project and portfolio management
A method and system for project and portfolio management is disclosed. The method may include tagging one or more data records of projects of a plurality of projects with one or more tags, and displaying on a display device the one or more tagged data records with information relating to said one or more tags. A computer program product is also disclosed. |
| US08566743B2 |
Computer method and system for topographical representation of textual data
Computer system, method and apparatus generate and display a graphical representation of a body of text. The graphical representation serves as a text map allowing navigation operations and other user interaction. The text map enables improved navigation of the body of text. Computer-based geographic mapping operations (e.g., zoom, pan, highlight, etc.) are used to navigate the text. The text map may have various graphical feature overlays also navigable by and interactive to the user. |
| US08566740B2 |
Interactive data forecasting features for a graphical user interface
A computer system and related display techniques are presented here. The system generates and provides a graphical user interface (GUI) control element to enable user adjustment of sales forecast data, and provides a hover box associated with the GUI control element, the hover box graphically indicating adjustment status information for the sales forecast data. The system also provides a forecast table panel in the GUI. In response to receiving a request corresponding to selected forecast data included in the forecast table panel, the system generates an opportunities list panel in the GUI. The opportunities list panel includes a listing of individual opportunities and related status corresponding to the selected forecast data. |
| US08566733B2 |
Apparatus and method for content management of a portable device
A content-management apparatus of a portable device. The apparatus includes a display unit to display content by time and function in a content area having a time axis and a function axis, and a content generation unit to combine at least two sets of content. |
| US08566732B2 |
Synchronization of widgets and dashboards
Systems, methods, computer-readable mediums, user interfaces and other implementations are disclosed for synchronizing widgets and dashboards. |
| US08566731B2 |
Requirement statement manipulation system
A requirement statement manipulation system is configured to create and edit requirement statements of various types. The requirement statement manipulation system may generate an interactive visual environment to receive input used in manipulating a requirement statement through creation or editing. The interactive visual environment may include specific requirement-type interfaces allowing requirement statements of a specific type to be manipulated. The interactive visual environment may manipulate requirement statements based on textual input, as well as through text generation. |
| US08566730B2 |
Graphical user interface that identifies the reasons for public disagreements
A single place where all of us can meet on an equal basis 24/7 from anywhere we can reach to, and communicate back from, in the universe is now being built. The present invention is an interface for universal information exchange over a public data network (e.g., Internet). Explicit agreements to Rules of Response are used to cause its users to identify all possible questions and disagreements expressed with symbols through the interface. The result is a universal information exchange that can be used by all as a common meeting point from anywhere to exchange and verify information, answer questions, resolve disagreements, and exchange any combination of goods and services. |
| US08566728B2 |
Calendar entry display method
A method of displaying a calendar entry of an electronic calendar application is disclosed. The method includes determining if a user of the electronic calendar application is within a specified distance of a location of an appointment corresponding to the calendar entry at a specified time prior to the appointment. In response to determining that the user is within the specified distance at the specified time, displaying an indication with the calendar entry that the appointment is face-to-faceable. In response to determining that the user is not within the specified distance at the specified time, displaying an indication with the calendar entry that the appointment is not face-to-faceable. |
| US08566727B2 |
Method and system for automating a user interface
Certain embodiments relate to providing automated, custom displays of images and tools for manipulating the images. Certain embodiments include a method for providing an automated user interface for healthcare workers. Certain embodiments of the method employ a network to execute the steps of retrieving an image from an image archive, processing the image to generate image-specific information, identifying data related to the image, mining the data related to the image, and displaying the image along with a custom selection of user interface tools. |
| US08566722B2 |
Multiple-carousel selective digital service feeds
Methods and systems for presentation of content through an interface to provide personalized video feeds to a user. The video feeds are harvested from feed items gathered at various Internet sources. Those video feeds are referenced by icons or channels that rotate about, or scroll within, a first carousel. Video feeds are arranged in columns and/or rows that rotate about, or scroll within, a second carousel. Movement in one carousel causes movement in the other in a synchronous manner even though the movement may be at different speeds. |
| US08566718B1 |
Live demonstration of computing device applications
A feature of a computing device application may be selected by user or other input and then demonstrated using a demonstration application. The demonstration application may select simulated user inputs from a script or other source that, when input to the computing device application, drive it to demonstrate the selected feature. The demonstration application may then begin to input the one or more simulated user inputs to the computing device application. Before all of the simulated user inputs have been input, the demonstration application may determine that the user has interrupted the demonstration. In response to the determination, the demonstration application may cease inputting the simulated inputs, leaving the computing device application in the state it was in at the time of interruption, thereby enabling the user to explore the application or feature of the application being demonstrated at a time and in a manner of the user's choosing. |
| US08566713B2 |
Data transfer method and system
A method for utilizing an object in cooperation between computer apparatus and a mobile device, comprises the steps of: a) identifying an object shown on a screen associated with computing apparatus; b) determining the coordinates of said object on said screen; and c) transmitting said object and/or its metadata. |
| US08566712B1 |
Image management
A server receives information from a user, where the information designates one or more images that the user is interested in seeing when viewing a web portal. The server stores the received information. The server generates a web page that includes links to one or more of the designated images based on the stored information, where the web page is generated when the user visits the web portal and sends the generated web page to the user. |
| US08566708B1 |
Merging electronic document redraws
The subject matter of this document can be implemented in, among other things, a method that includes displaying a visual representation of an electronic document. The method also includes receiving an input to affect a modification of the electronic document, the modification including two or more document change operations, and causing each of the two or more document change operations to be applied to the electronic document. The method also includes determining a redraw approach for redrawing a portion of the visual representation of the electronic document based on the two or more document change operations, such that the redraw approach includes fewer redraws than document change operations. The method further includes performing a redraw of a portion of the visual representation of the electronic document based on the redraw approach. |
| US08566703B2 |
Page description data processing apparatus, page description data processing method, and recording medium
It is confirmed whether or not page description data contain an object for stroking a path. If the page description data contain the object for stroking a path, then it is confirmed whether or not a curved path construction operator is contained in the object. If the curved path construction operator is contained in the object, line segments of a polygonal path which is approximated to a curved path of the curved path construction operator are determined, and the curved path construction operator is replaced with a plurality of straight path construction operators which correspond respectively to the line segments of the polygonal path. |
| US08566701B2 |
Converting metadata for applications having different metadata formats
System, apparatus and method for managing documents and metadata generated by a plurality of software application systems are provided. |
| US08566684B1 |
Decoding and optimized implementation of SECDED codes over GF(q)
A plurality of columns for a check matrix that implements a distance d linear error correcting code are populated by providing a set of vectors from which to populate the columns, and applying to the set of vectors a filter operation that reduces the set by eliminating therefrom all vectors that would, if used to populate the columns, prevent the check matrix from satisfying a column-wise linear independence requirement associated with check matrices of distance d linear codes. One of the vectors from the reduced set may then be selected to populate one of the columns. The filtering and selecting repeats iteratively until either all of the columns are populated or the number of currently unpopulated columns exceeds the number of vectors in the reduced set. Columns for the check matrix may be processed to reduce the amount of logic needed to implement the check matrix in circuit logic. |
| US08566675B2 |
Data handling
Methods and apparatus to facilitate determining or selecting a depth of error detection and/or error correction coverage, and detecting and/or correcting errors in data in accordance with the determined or selected depth of error detection and/or error correction coverage. |
| US08566672B2 |
Selective checkbit modification for error correction
Error correction code (ECC) checkbits are generated for each write access to a memory address based on both the data to be written (the write data) and the memory address. The ECC checkbits are stored with the data and, in response to a read access at the memory address, are employed to check for errors in both the address and the data provided in response to the read access (the read data). The ECC checkbit generation process can result, for particular memory addresses, in checkbits that can incorrectly indicate whether errors are present in the read data. Accordingly, the checkbits can be selectively inverted based on the memory address so that the checkbit pattern will not result in an incorrect error detection or correction. |
| US08566670B2 |
RAM memory device selectively protectable with ECC
An SRAM memory device including a plurality of memory cells arranged in a plurality of rows and a plurality of columns; each row of memory cells is adapted to store a RAM word; the RAM word includes a corresponding data word, a corresponding ECC word to be used for error detection and correction purposes and a corresponding applicative word to be used during debugging operations. The SRAM memory device further includes a configurable port adapted to receive a RAM word and to program corresponding memory cells of a selected row based on the received RAM word during a writing access of the SRAM memory device. The SRAM memory device further includes a memory controller unit including circuitry for selectively configuring the configurable port in one among a plurality of modes. The plurality of modes includes a first mode, wherein the configurable port is configured in such a way to disable the programming of the data word and of the corresponding ECC word of the received RAM word and at the same time enable the programming of the applicative word of the received RAM word during the writing access. The plurality of modes includes a second mode, wherein the configurable port is configured in such a way to disable the programming of the applicative word of the received RAM word and at the same time enable the programming of the data word and of the corresponding ECC word of the received RAM word during the writing access. |
| US08566667B2 |
Low density parity check code decoding system and method
The subject technology provides a decoding solution that supports multiple choices of code rates. A decoder may be configured to receive a selected code rate from a plurality of code rates. On the selection of the code rate, the decoder may determine a circulant size based on the code rate, and, on receiving the codeword, update, during one or more parity-check operations, a number of confidence values proportional to the circulant size in each of a plurality of memory units, each number of confidence values corresponding to a portion of the codeword. |
| US08566666B2 |
Min-sum based non-binary LDPC decoder
Various embodiments of the present invention provide systems and methods for min-sum based decoding of non-binary LDPC codes. For example, a non-binary low density parity check data decoding system is discussed that includes a variable node processor and a check node processor. The variable node processor is operable to generate variable node to check node message vectors and to calculate perceived values based on check node to variable node message vectors. The check node processor is operable to generate the check node to variable node message vectors and to calculate checksums based on variable node to check node message vectors. The check node processor includes a minimum and subminimum finder circuit operable to process a plurality of sub-messages in each variable node to check node message vector. The check node processor also includes a select and combine circuit operable to combine an output of the minimum and subminimum finder circuit to generate the check node to variable node message vectors. |
| US08566660B2 |
Built-in-self-test using embedded memory and processor in an application specific integrated circuit
A test method for an ASIC uses an embedded processor in the ASIC to execute test routines from an embedded memory or an external memory. During ASIC production, the test routines can comprehensively test of the blocks of the ASIC without a complicated test pattern from test equipment. The test routines can also perform power-up tests in systems or end products containing the ASIC. Test selection, activation, and result output can be implement using a few terminals of the ASIC. |
| US08566658B2 |
Low-power and area-efficient scan cell for integrated circuit testing
An integrated circuit comprises scan test circuitry and additional circuitry subject to testing utilizing the scan test circuitry. The scan test circuitry comprises at least one scan chain having a plurality of scan cells, with the scan chain being configured to operate as a serial shift register in a scan shift mode of operation and to capture functional data from at least a portion of the additional circuitry in a functional mode of operation. At least a given one of the scan cells of the scan chain comprises output control circuitry which is configured to disable a functional data output of the scan cell in the scan shift mode of operation and to disable a scan output of the scan cell in the functional mode of operation. |
| US08566655B2 |
Method for operating a communication system having a plurality of nodes, and a communication system therefor
In a method for operating a communication system having a plurality of nodes which have access to a shared channel, a transmission process for transmitting a message via the channel is monitored for bit errors, and when a bit error occurs, a signaling message is transmitted via the channel in order to signal the bit error. In order to allow communications processes between the nodes to be controlled as a function of a bit error rate of the channel, a signaling rate of the signaling messages is measured and a bit error rate of the channel is determined as a function of the signaling rate. |
| US08566654B2 |
Debugging site errors by an admin as a guest user in a multi-tenant database environment
An approach for debugging site errors in a multi-tenant database system is disclosed. An example method can include receiving a request from a site administrator to access an enhanced error message and determining if the site administrator is approved for viewing the enhanced error message by evaluating exceptions associated with the enhanced error message, the request, and the site administrator. The example method further includes modifying a detailed error message related to the request for generating the enhanced error message, and providing the enhanced error message to the site administrator based on the approval determination. |
| US08566652B1 |
Command queuing in disk drives
A method and system for command queuing in disk drives may improve performance by queuing multiple commands and sequentially executing them automatically without firmware intervention. The method may use a number of queues, e.g., a staging queue for commands to be executed, an execution queue for commands currently being executed, or a holding queue for commands which may have been executed but have not received a status report from a host. |
| US08566647B2 |
Debugger presentation of parallel application threads
User interface technologies for viewing the state of threads of a target parallel application, such as a massively parallel application intended to run on a GPGPU system, during debugging of the target parallel application are disclosed. The target parallel application includes a kernel, and the kernel includes a set of threads. Coalesced thread information of the threads is presented with the user interface technologies based on user-controllable criteria. |
| US08566643B2 |
Small form factor pluggable (SFP) checking device for reading from and determining type of inserted SFP transceiver module or other optical device
A SFP checking device (SFP Check) connects to a SFP transceiver and a PC or laptop via a USB cable. The SFP Check uses the default web browser of the PC, without an internet connection, to display details of the SFP transceiver such as wavelength, description, range, manufacturer, among other information, in accordance with program code provided to the PC via the SFP Check. All of the information a technician in the field needs to determine which SFP transceiver is the right one for a selected application and optical link is available from the SFP Check. The SFP Check and SFP transceiver both receive power via the USB cable connection to the PC. The SFP Check appears to the PC as a memory stick. A method is provided for determining the drive letter associated with the SFP Check and the program coder or file(s) it provides to the PC. |
| US08566641B2 |
Fault tolerant batch processing
Among other aspects disclosed are a method and system for processing a batch of input data in a fault tolerant manner. The method includes reading a batch of input data including a plurality of records from one or more data sources and passing the batch through a dataflow graph. The dataflow graph includes two or more nodes representing components connected by links representing flows of data between the components. At least one but fewer than all of the components includes a checkpoint process for an action performed for each of multiple units of work associated with one or more of the records. The checkpoint process includes opening a checkpoint buffer stored in non-volatile memory at the start of processing for the batch. |
| US08566635B2 |
Methods and systems for improved storage replication management and service continuance in a computing enterprise
Systems and methods for management of replicated storage. Features and aspects hereof provide management of data replication among a plurality of storage systems in a manner substantially transparent to host systems attached to the storage systems. The storage systems are coupled to one another through a replication link. One storage systems is designated the primary storage system and all others are designated secondary storage systems. A common logical volume is defined with a common logical volume device identifier used by all of the replicating storage systems of a replication group and their respective attached host systems. The primary storage system processes I/O requests directed to the logical volume by accessing its physical storage volume and forwarding the request to be replicated to all secondary storage systems over the replication link. Secondary storage systems process I/O requests by shipping them over the replication link to the primary storage system for processing. |
| US08566634B2 |
Method and system for masking defects within a network
A method and system for masking defects within a network are disclosed. In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, a method for masking defects within a network comprises detecting by a service entity defects within a network. The method further comprises determining a number of detected defects associated with a network component included in the network. The method further comprises generating by the network component a summary alarm if the number of detected defects within the network is greater than a first threshold. |
| US08566631B2 |
Serially shutting down extension units to time extend power to CPU from charging backup supply
A programmable controller includes one or more extension units; a CPU unit for controlling the extension units; and a charging element. The CPU unit includes a voltage detection circuit for detecting an output voltage of the charging element and outputting a voltage reduction signal when the detected output voltage is lowered to a level equal to or lower than a reference value and a signal output circuit for outputting a power supply stop signal in response to the voltage reduction signal. Each extension unit includes a voltage detection circuit for detecting an output voltage of an power circuit and outputting a power supply stop signal when the detected output voltage is lowered to a level equal to or lower than a reference value and a power supply stop circuit for stopping the power circuit in response to the power supply stop signal. |
| US08566629B2 |
Information processing apparatus and method of operation of data transfer circuit
An information processing apparatus transferring data between at least a plurality of processors through first and second routes running through first and second data transfer circuits, which retires the first and second routes so as to reduce the power consumption under the control of a system control device. The system provides a unit for measuring the amounts of data transfer on the first and second routes and measures the usage rates of the first and second routes. It monitors the measured usage rates by the system control device and, when the usage rates are below a predetermined value, controls the first or second data transfer circuit to make it retire the first or second route. |
| US08566625B2 |
System and method for determining transmitting frequency to maintain remote application server connectivity
A system and method for maintaining connectivity between a host system running an Always-On-Always-Connected (AOAC) application and an associated remote application server includes determining a timing interval Ti for sending keep-alive messages. The timing interval Ti may be determined by selecting a value for a timeout (Ti) to a value between a maximum timeout (Tmax) and a minimum timeout (Tmin), transmitting a keep-alive message, at an interval based on Ti, across a network connection between a client platform running an Always-On-Always-Connected (AOAC) application and a remote application server associated with the AOAC application, checking a status of the network connection, increasing the value for Tmin if the network connection is still active and decreasing the value for Tmax if the network connection has been dropped. |
| US08566624B2 |
Diagnostic and managing distributed processor system
A network of microcontrollers for monitoring and diagnosing the environmental conditions of a computer is disclosed. The network of microcontrollers provides a management system by which computer users can accurately gauge the health of their computer. The network of microcontrollers provides users the ability to detect system fan speeds, internal temperatures and voltage levels. The invention is designed to not only be resilient to faults, but also allows for the system maintenance, modification, and growth—without downtime. Additionally, the present invention allows users to replace failed components, and add new functionality, such as new network interfaces, disk interface cards and storage, without impacting existing users. One of the primary roles of the present invention is to manage the environment without outside involvement. This self-management allows the system to continue to operate even though components have failed. |
| US08566622B2 |
Computer wake up circuit
A computer wake up circuit, for awaking a computer which is in a sleep state via a computer serial port, includes an AT89 series microcontroller, a switching circuit, an input circuit. The switching circuit is coupled to the pins P3.2 (INT0) and P3.7 of the AT89 series microcontroller, for triggering the AT89 series microcontroller to output an control signal. The input circuit comprises a first resistance, a control switch, a second resistance, and a third resistance. One end of the first resistance is coupled to pin P3.1 (TXD) of the AT89 series microcontroller, the other end of the first resistance is coupled to an input end of the control switch. An output end of the control switch is coupled to the second pin of the computer serial port via the second resistance, and is coupled to the third pin of the computer serial port via the third resistance. |
| US08566620B2 |
Data processing having multiple low power modes and method therefor
A method is provided for operating a data processing system having a memory. The memory is coupled between a first power supply voltage terminal for receiving a first variable potential and a second power supply voltage terminal for receiving a second variable potential. An initial difference between the first variable potential and the second variable potential is not less than a first voltage. The method comprises: receiving a command to transition the data processing system from a first power supply voltage to a second power supply voltage; changing the second variable potential so that a difference between the second variable potential and the first variable potential is greater than the first voltage; and after changing the second variable potential, changing the first variable potential, wherein a difference between the first variable potential and the second variable potential is not less than the first voltage. |
| US08566616B1 |
Method and apparatus for protecting designs in SRAM-based programmable logic devices and the like
Use of an electronic design in a configurable device is controlled by a secure device. The configurable device includes an authorization code generator having a sequence generator and an encryption core implementing an encryption algorithm. The secure device uses the same sequence generator and encryption core in its own authorization code generator. The sequence generators in the configurable device and secure device generate identical streams of values that are encrypted using the encryption algorithm. The encrypted values are compared in the configurable device by a comparator. When the streams of encrypted values are not identical, the electronic design is prevented from operating. Where the period of the sequence generated by the sequence generators is long, such as 264, the output of the encryption cores will contain that many different encrypted values, a substantial amount of highly randomized output used as authorization code for the protection of the electronic design. |
| US08566608B2 |
Methods and apparatus for securing keystrokes from being intercepted between the keyboard and a browser
The invention described herein provides a method and system for foiling a keylogger by creating a custom keyboard driver and passing the keystrokes directly to the browser in an encrypted format. The browser (which is used to access the Internet) has a component that decrypts the keystroke before it is sent to the website. Thus the present invention enables the user to go to any website and enter sensitive information (passwords, credit card numbers, etc.) without the keystrokes being intercepted by Keyloggers.In general terms, the invention described herein provides a method and system for (1) modifying the keyboard driver, (2) encrypting the keystrokes between the keyboard driver and the browser, and (3) notifying the user if the invention has been compromised. |
| US08566607B2 |
Cryptography methods and apparatus used with a processor
In a first aspect, a first cryptography method is provided. The first method includes the steps of (1) in response to receiving a request to perform a first operation on data in a first memory cacheline, accessing data associated with the first memory cacheline; (2) performing cryptography on data of the first memory cacheline when necessary; and (3) speculatively accessing data associated with a second memory cacheline based on the first memory cacheline before receiving a request to perform an operation on data in the second memory cacheline. Numerous other aspects are provided. |
| US08566603B2 |
Managing security operating modes
A storage device that supports Trusted Computer Group (TCG) security allows management of TCG security features by a Basic Input/Output System (BIOS) using non-TCG security commands supported by the BIOS. In one implementation, a BIOS that does not support TCG security but does support ATA security can use ATA drive unlock to invoke TCG drive unlock on the storage device. Further, the storage device can be transitioned among multiple security operating modes (e.g., Undeclared, ATA security or TCG security). |
| US08566600B2 |
Password management outside of a BIOS
In accordance with at least one presently preferred embodiment of the present invention, there is broadly contemplated herein the managing of a POP not solely in the BIOS but at least partly in a more secure location. In accordance with a particularly preferred embodiment of the present invention, this location could be in a NVRAM (non-volatile random access memory) inside a TPM (trusted platform module). Most preferably, this location will contain code that the BIOS preferably will need to access and employ in order to complete the booting of the system. |
| US08566593B2 |
Method and apparatus of deriving security key(s)
A method, apparatus and a wireless communication system to derive security key(s) over an air link in a secure manner by sending by a mobile station over the air a single direction permutation of a mobile station ID, establishing keys with the base station and sending the mobile station real ID in a secure manner. |
| US08566589B1 |
Method and apparatus for identifying a web server
Method and apparatus for identifying a web server is described. In some examples, an initial request by a client to an intended web server is identified. A fingerprint for the intended web server is determined responsive to the initial request. A subsequent request by the client to the intended web server is detected. A response to the subsequent request is received from a responding web server. Verification of the responding web server as the intended web server is performed using the fingerprint. |
| US08566587B2 |
Network system and method for operating network system
A control network system connected with a node having a unique identifier includes a KDC4B for distributing a first key to the node for cryptographic communication, a PS4B for supplying a function name and a second key corresponding to the unique identifier to the node by the cryptographic communication using the first key, and a PS for supplying the node with setting information used for the cryptographic communication using the second key in response to a request using the function name. |
| US08566585B2 |
System and a method for processing system calls in a computerized system that implements a kernel
A computer implementing a kernel, the computer including: (a) a processor that is configured to run processes in kernel mode and to run other processes not in kernel mode, wherein the processor is configured to run in the kernel mode the following processes: (i) selecting a rule out of a group of rules that is stored in a kernel memory of the computer, in response to system call information that pertains to a system call made to a kernel entity of the kernel; (ii) assigning a priority to the system call in response to the rule selected; and (iii) selectively enabling transmission of the system call to a hardware device of the computerized entity, in response to the priority assigned to the system call; (b) a memory that includes the memory kernel; and (c) the hardware device that is configured to execute the system call, wherein execution of the system call by the hardware device results in modifying a state of the hardware device. |
| US08566584B2 |
Method, apparatus, and system for processing dynamic host configuration protocol message
A method, apparatus, and system for processing a Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) message are disclosed. The method includes: receiving a DHCP message, where the source address of the DHCP message is a Cryptographically Generated Address (CGA) and a signature of a DHCP message sender is carried in the DHCP message; verifying the CGA and the signature; and processing a payload of the DHCP message after the verification of the CGA and the signature succeeds. The CGA and the signature are verified in the embodiment of the present invention, thus improving the security of DHCPv6, and bringing convenience for key management due to publicity of the public key. In addition, because the life of the public key is long, configuration on the DHCP server and/or the network client is convenient. |
| US08566583B2 |
Packet handling in a mobile IP architecture
A method of handling IP packets transmitted from a correspondent node to a mobile node via an intermediate node using the IPsec security protocol. The method comprises, at the correspondent node, identifying specified selector information within the part of the packet to be encrypted, and incorporating the identified information or a digest thereof into a header part of the packet which is to be sent unencrypted, transmitting the packet from the correspondent node to said intermediate node, and, at the intermediate node, receiving the transmitted packet and identifying a policy to be applied to the packet using said information or digest contained in the packet, and applying the policy to the packet. |
| US08566579B2 |
Obfuscated authentication systems, devices, and methods
Embodiments of the present invention are directed toward authentication systems, devices, and methods. Obfuscated executable instructions may encode an authentication procedure and protect an authentication key. The obfuscated executable instructions may require communication with a remote certifying authority for operation. In this manner, security may be controlled by the certifying authority without regard to the security of the electronic device running the obfuscated executable instructions. |
| US08566578B1 |
Method and system for ensuring compliance in public clouds using fine-grained data ownership based encryption
A method and system for ensuring compliance in public clouds using fine-grained encryption based on data ownership that includes a process for ensuring compliance in public clouds using fine-grained encryption based on data ownership that is implemented, at least in part, at a gateway computing system through which data passes from the enterprise, and/or one or more end users, prior to being sent to the public cloud. In one embodiment, the data is classified, the ownership of the data is determined, the associated encryption keys are obtained, and the data is encrypted, automatically at the gateway computing system before the data is transferred to the public cloud, and in a manner that is transparent to end-users. |
| US08566576B2 |
Run-ahead approximated computations
Mechanisms are provided for performing approximate run-ahead computations. A first group of compute engines is selected to execute full computations on a full set of input data. A second group of compute engines is selected to execute computations on a sampled subset of the input data. A third group of compute engines is selected to compute a difference in computation results between first computation results generated by the first group of compute engines and second computation results generated by the second group of compute engines. The second group of compute engines is reconfigured based on the difference generated by the third group of compute engines. |
| US08566574B2 |
Secure encrypted boot with simplified firmware update
An approach is provided in which a security module, such as a TPM, identifies a change to a boot configuration used in a secure boot operation. This identification results in a non-release of a secret value that is stored in a memory controlled by the security module. The non-release of the secret value is detected by a boot process when the boot process is initiating a session of the information handling system. In response to the detection by the boot process, the boot process retrieves an update encryption key and then decrypts an update copy of a disk encryption key stored on a nonvolatile storage area of the information handling system using the retrieved update encryption key. The nonvolatile storage area also includes a primary copy of the disk encryption key that has been encrypted with the secret value. |
| US08566573B1 |
Selectable initialization for adapters
The present embodiments provide a mechanism for selecting from among a plurality of initialization sequences to be executed as part of system startup. The present embodiments thus address the problem of certain initialization sequences not executing because they apply to the same function as another initialization sequence that is positioned ahead of the subject initialization sequence in storage of an adapter. |
| US08566572B2 |
Method, device and non-transitory computer readable storage medium for masking the end of life transition of a electronic device
A method of masking the end-of-life transition of a microprocessor electronic device including reprogrammable non-volatile memory containing an end-of-life state variable. On booting, the value of the variable is loaded into RAM. After executing any current command, it is verified whether the value of the variable stored in RAM is FALSE. If the response is negative, the end-of-life transition is executed. Otherwise, initialization or execution of the command is continued. On detecting an intrusive attack, it is instantiated by writing the TRUE value to the end-of-life state variable in RAM only and then deferring writing of the TRUE value to the variable in the non-volatile memory until the next write operation. The invention is applicable to any electronic device, smart card, etc. |
| US08566571B2 |
Pre-boot securing of operating system (OS) for endpoint evaluation
Methods and apparatus involve evaluating endpoint computing assets. The endpoint has both a traditional operating system for applications, and the like, and another operating system during a pre-boot phase of operation. During use, the traditional operating system identifies a last evaluation status of the computing device at a time just prior to shutting down. Upon a next booting, the pre-boot operating system loads and examines [reads] the last evaluation status. If the last evaluation status requires any completion action in order to comply with a predetermined computing policy, either or both the operating systems attend to its effectuation, including communication/handoff by way of one or more security agents. In a variety of ways, effectuation occurs by: determining a present location of the computing device, quarantining the computing device from certain network traffic; VPN enforcement; patching applications; firewall involvement; etc. Computer program products are also disclosed. |
| US08566569B2 |
State machine-based filtering of pattern history tables based on distinguishable pattern detection
Machine-based filtering of a pattern history table includes identifying a matching previous occurrence of a current branch instruction in an address history vector (AHV), the AHV storing addresses, or partial addresses, of most recently occurring branch instructions. In response to determining a direction history of the previous occurrence matches a direction history of the current branch, the machine-based filtering includes comparing the outcome of the previous occurrence with the outcome of the current branch instruction, and preventing the pattern history table from being updated with the outcome of the current branch instruction when the outcome of the previous occurrence does not match the outcome of the current branch instruction. |
| US08566568B2 |
Method and apparatus for executing processor instructions based on a dynamically alterable delay
Instruction execution delay is alterable after the system design has been finalized, thus enabling the system to dynamically account for various conditions that impact instruction execution. In some embodiments, the dynamic delay is determined by an application to be executed by the processing system. In other embodiments, the dynamic delay is determined by analyzing the history of previously executed instructions. In yet other embodiments, the dynamic delay is determined by assessing the processing resources available to a given application. Regardless, the delay may be dynamically altered on a per-instruction, multiple instruction, or application basis. Processor instruction execution may be controlled by determining a first delay value for a first set of one or more instructions and a second delay value for a second set of one or more instructions. Execution of the sets of instructions is delayed based on the corresponding delay value. |
| US08566566B2 |
Vector processing of different instructions selected by each unit from multiple instruction group based on instruction predicate and previous result comparison
There is provided a vector processing apparatus and method allowing for the parallel processing of a plurality of different instructions while maintaining vector processing architecture. The vector processing apparatus includes an instruction memory storing a multiple instruction group including one or more instructions; an instruction fetch unit reading the multiple instruction group from the instruction memory; and a plurality of instruction processing units each receiving the multiple instruction group through the instruction fetch unit, selecting a single instruction from the multiple instruction group according to a previous arithmetic result, and performing a arithmetic operation. |
| US08566564B2 |
Method and system for caching attribute data for matching attributes with physical addresses
A method for caching attribute data for matching attributes with physical addresses. The method includes storing a plurality of attribute entries in a memory, wherein the memory is configured to provide at least one attribute entry when accessed with a physical address, and wherein the attribute entry provided describes characteristics of the physical address. |
| US08566563B2 |
Translation table control
Memory address translation circuitry 14 performs a top down page table walk operation to translate a virtual memory address VA to a physical memory address PA using translation data stored in a hierarchy of translation tables 28, 32, 36, 38, 40, 42. A page size variable S is used to control the memory address translation circuitry 14 to operate with different sizes S of pages of physical memory addresses, pages of virtual memory address and translation tables. These different sizes may be all 4 kBs or all 64 kBs. The system may support multiple virtual machine execution environments. These virtual machine execution environments can independently set their own page size variable as can the page size of an associated hypervisor 62. |
| US08566560B2 |
System and method for configuring storage resources for database storage
A system and method for configuring storage resources for database storage are disclosed. A method may include mapping at least one first tablespace having a first block size to at least one first logical unit. The method may also include mapping the at least one first tablespace and the at least one first logical unit to a first cache having a size equal to the first block size. In addition, the method may include mapping at least one second tablespace having a second block size to at least one second logical unit. The method may further include mapping the at least one second tablespace and the at least one second logical unit to a second cache having a size equal to the second block size. |
| US08566557B2 |
Method and system for storage of data
A method and a system are disclosed for storing initial data from an image detecting device in a camera system initial storage medium and making the data accessible. The initial data is stored consecutively in blocks, where file specific pointers representing the starting address for each stored file and file sequence, and dynamic memory pointers that points out the next writable address, are managed and stored during real time writing of the data. The data is made accessible through a virtual representation of the data in a virtual file system with a format known by an external storage medium controller, the virtual representation being related to the file specific pointers. |
| US08566553B1 |
Techniques for automated evaluation and movement of data between storage tiers
Described are techniques for configuring data storage. A plurality of devices is selected. It is determined, for each of the plurality of devices, whether data for said each device should be located in a first storage tier or another storage tier. The first storage tier is higher performance storage tier than the other storage tier. For each of the plurality of devices that the determining step determines should be located in the first storage tier, data of said each device is automatically located on a physical storage device of the first storage tier. |
| US08566551B2 |
Information apparatus and method for controlling the same
An object is to efficiently set configurations of a storage apparatus. Provided is an information apparatus communicably coupled to a storage apparatus 10, which validates a script executed by the storage apparatus 10 for setting a configuration of the storage apparatus 10, the information apparatus generating configurations of the storage apparatus 10 when after each command described in a script is executed sequentially; and performing consistency validation on the script by determining whether or not the command described in the script is normally executable in a case the command is executed on an assumption that the storage apparatus 10 has the configuration immediately before the execution. |
| US08566548B2 |
Volume selection method and information processing system
In a storage management system in which a storage apparatus is connected via a network to a volume allocation management server having a performance requirement analysis unit, a volume allocation unit, and a volume performance determining unit, the performance requirements of a business application using volume-allocating data and the performance characteristics of a volume serving as a data storage destination are determined, and on the basis of the resulting information, a volume which satisfies the performance requirements is selected as the data storage destination. |
| US08566547B2 |
Using a migration cache to cache tracks during migration
Provided are a method, system, and computer program product for using a migration cache to cache tracks during migration. In response to a migration operation, a determination is made of a first set of tracks in the source storage indicated in an extent list and of a second set of tracks in the extent. The tracks in the source storage in the first set are copied to a migration cache. The tracks in the second set are copied directly from the source storage to the destination storage without buffering in the migration cache. The tracks in the first set are copied from the migration cache to the destination storage. The migration operation is completed in response to copying the first set of tracks from the migration cache to the destination storage and copying the second set of tracks from the source storage to the destination storage. |
| US08566545B2 |
Storage apparatus mounting frame, storage extension apparatus, and method of controlling storage apparatus
By having a storage apparatus attachment portion that secures a storage apparatus; a data read prevention processing unit that makes at least a part of data stored in the storage apparatus unreadable; and an input device that inputs a read prevention instruction for the storage apparatus, and configuring such that the data read prevention processing unit makes the data stored in the storage apparatus unreadable in response to a read prevention instruction received from the input device, data on the storage apparatus is reliably and easily set unreadable, as well as preventing data leakage from a typical storage apparatus with lower cost. |
| US08566541B2 |
Storage system storing electronic modules applied to electronic objects common to several computers, and storage control method for the same
This storage system supplies, to a plurality of computers, a plurality of duplicate volumes (CVOLs) (corresponding to duplicates of a master volume (MVOL) upon which is stored an electronic object (EO) that is common to the plurality of computers). Both the MVOL and the CVOLS are virtual logical volumes that follow sync provisioning. In the plurality of CVOLs, a plurality of physical regions that are allocated to the MVOL (i.e. regions in which the electronic object is stored) (PAs) are allocated. A storage, when writing an electronic module (EM) to which the EO is applied to the first CVOL, copies data within a first PA that is allocated to the virtual region (VA) that is the write destination to a second PA, writes the EM to the second PA, and moreover allocates the second PA to a VA of the write destination, instead of the first PA. And the storage allocates the second PA to a VA within the second CVOL corresponding to the VA of the write destination, instead of the PA that is allocated to that VA. |
| US08566533B1 |
System, method, and computer program product for conditionally sending a request for data to a node based on a determination
In operation, a first request for data is sent to a cache of a first node. Additionally, it is determined whether the first request can be satisfied within the first node, where the determining includes at least one of determining a type of the first request and determining a state of the data in the cache. Furthermore, a second request for the data is conditionally sent to a second node, based on the determination. |
| US08566532B2 |
Management of multipurpose command queues in a multilevel cache hierarchy
An apparatus for controlling access to a pipeline includes a plurality of command queues including a first subset of the plurality of command queues being assigned processes the commands of first command type, a second subset of the plurality of command queues being assigned to process commands of the second command type, and a third subset of the plurality of the command queues not being assigned to either the first subset or the second subset. The apparatus also includes an input controller configured to receive requests having the first command type and the second command type and assign requests having the first command type to command queues in the first subset until all command queues in the first subset are filled and then assign requests having the first command type to command queues in the third subset. |
| US08566529B2 |
Method, system and computer program product for generalized LRU in cache and memory performance analysis and modeling
The exemplary embodiment of the present invention relates to a generalized LRU algorithm is provided that is associated with a specified cache associativity line set value that is determined by a system user. As configured, the LRU algorithm as presented can comprise n-levels for an LRU tree, each specified tree being individually analyzed within the LRU algorithm. Within each LRU tree level comprises the associativity line value can be further broken down into sub-analysis groups of any desired configuration, however, the total sub-analysis group configuration must equal the specified cache associativity line value. |
| US08566527B2 |
System and method for usage analyzer of subscriber access to communications network
A system and a method are described, whereby a data cache enables the realization of an efficient design of a usage analyzer for monitoring subscriber access to a communications network. By exploiting the speed advantages of cache memory, as well as adopting innovative data loading and retrieval choices, significant performance improvements in the time required to access the necessary data records can be realized. |
| US08566526B2 |
Combined transparent/non-transparent cache
In one embodiment, a memory that is delineated into transparent and non-transparent portions. The transparent portion may be controlled by a control unit coupled to the memory, along with a corresponding tag memory. The non-transparent portion may be software controlled by directly accessing the non-transparent portion via an input address. In an embodiment, the memory may include a decoder configured to decode the address and select a location in either the transparent or non-transparent portion. Each request may include a non-transparent attribute identifying the request as either transparent or non-transparent. In an embodiment, the size of the transparent portion may be programmable. Based on the non-transparent attribute indicating transparent, the decoder may selectively mask bits of the address based on the size to ensure that the decoder only selects a location in the transparent portion. |
| US08566524B2 |
Transactional memory system with efficient cache support
A computer program product for use by a transaction program for managing memory access to a shared memory location for transaction data of a first thread, the shared memory location being accessible by the first thread and a second thread. A string of instructions to complete a transaction of the first thread are executed, beginning with one instruction of the string of instructions. It is determined whether the one instruction is part of an active atomic instruction group (AIG) of instructions associated with the transaction of the first thread. A cache structure and a transaction table which together provide for entries in an active mode for the AIG are located if the one instruction is part of an active AIG. The next instruction is executed under a normal execution mode in response to determining that the one instruction is not part of an active AIG. |
| US08566523B2 |
Multi-processor and apparatus and method for managing cache coherence of the same
A cache consistency management device according to example embodiments comprises a ping-pong monitoring unit monitoring a ping-pong migration sequence generated between a plurality of processors; a counting unit counting the number of successive generations of the ping-pong migration sequence in response to the monitoring result; and a request modifying unit modifying a migration request to a request of a non-migratory sharing method on the basis of the counting result. |
| US08566520B1 |
Storage space allocation for logical disk creation
The present disclosure includes apparatus, systems, computer readable storage media and techniques relating to virtualization of data storage space. In one aspect, a method performed by a data processing device includes identifying a subset of physical disks within a node. The identified subset includes at least one of the physical disks having at least one subdisk with free storage space. The node includes processing units and the physical disks arranged to form at least one group. A priority value is assigned to the identified subset of the physical disks. The identified subset of the physical disks is sorted based on the assigned priority value, and subdisks are selected from the sorted subset of the physical disks to form a logical disk. |
| US08566519B2 |
Providing preferred seed data for seeding a data deduplicating storage system
There is disclosed a computer system operable to process a plurality of logical storage unit manifests the manifests comprising respective pluralities of chunk identifiers identifying data chunks in a deduplicated data chunk store The computer system can determine at least one preferred manifest or preferred combination of manifests according to levels of duplication of the chunk identifiers within respective said manifests, and/or within respective combinations of said manifests. The computer system can provide preferred seed data corresponding to data chunks identified by the at least one preferred manifest or preferred combination of manifests. A method and computer readable medium are also disclosed. At least some embodiments facilitate timely and convenient transfer and storage of relevant data chunks to a receiving deduplicated data chunk store of a data storage system. |
| US08566515B2 |
Memory subsystem
Embodiments of the present invention are directed to memory subsystems implemented within, or connected to and accessed by, parallel, pipelined, integrated-circuit implementations of computational engines designed to solve complex computational problems. Additional embodiments of the present invention are directed to memory subsystems implemented within, or connected to and accessed by, a variety of different types of electronic devices. One embodiment of the present invention comprises a memory controller implemented in a first integrated circuit or other electronic system and one or more separate memory devices. Alternative embodiments of the present invention incorporate the memory controller within one or more memory devices that are connected to, and accessed by, an integrated-circuit-implemented computational engine or another electronic device. In alternative embodiments of the present invention, the memory controller and memory are together integrated within a computational engine or another electronic device. Alternative embodiments of the present invention include a multi-access memory that interfaces to a simpler memory controller for connection to, or integration within, a computational engine or other electronic device. |
| US08566514B2 |
Techniques to truncate data files in nonvolatile memory
Various embodiments for performing truncate operations in nonvolatile memory are described. In one embodiment, an apparatus may include a nonvolatile memory to perform one or more truncate operations on a data file written to the nonvolatile memory and a volatile memory to track a truncate operation performed in the nonvolatile memory. Other embodiments are described and claimed. |
| US08566504B2 |
Dynamic metablocks
A nonvolatile block erasable memory array links erase blocks together for programming with high parallelism as a metablock. Erase blocks are operated in banks, with each bank having a dedicated bus and controller. Sub-metablocks of different metablocks, in different banks, are accessed in parallel allowing different metablocks to be updated at the same time. |
| US08566502B2 |
Offloading storage operations to storage hardware using a switch
In a computer system with a disk array that has physical storage devices arranged as logical storage units and is capable of carrying out hardware storage operations on a per logical storage unit basis, a switch is provided to offload storage operations from a file system to storage hardware. The switch translates primitives used for performing storage operations into commands executable by the physical storage devices so that the data moving portion of the storage operations can be offloaded from the file system to the storage devices. |
| US08566498B2 |
Docking station with network based personality profile
A network system and method are disclosed. The network system includes at least one docking station to which a portable electronic device is individually couplable. Each of the at least one docking station is configured to allow the portable electronic device to access a network to receive information corresponding to a personality profile associated with the respective one of the at least one docking station upon the portable electronic device being coupled to the respective one of the at least one docking station. |
| US08566497B2 |
Method and apparatus for enhancing universal serial bus application
A system for enhancing universal serial bus (USB) applications comprises an upstream processor, a downstream processor and a main controller. The upstream processor accepts standard USB signals from a USB host and independently provides responses required by USB specification within the required time frame. The upstream processor also contains storage for descriptors for a device associated with this upstream processor. The main controller obtains the descriptors by commanding the downstream processor, and passes them to the upstream processor. The downstream processor connectable to USB-compliant devices accepts the USB signals from the USB-compliant devices and provides responses required by USB specification within the required time frame. The main controller interconnects the upstream and downstream processors, and provides timing independence between upstream and downstream timing. The main controller also commands the downstream processor to obtain device descriptors independent of the USB host. |
| US08566496B2 |
Data prefetch in SAS expanders
A SAS expander collects data access information associated with a nexus and determines whether a data prefetch is appropriate. The SAS expander identifies potential data blocks utilizing previous data requests of the nexus. The SAS expander issues a data request to the target for the potential data blocks. The SAS expander stores the potential data blocks within a prefetch cache for future utilization within a data read. |
| US08566494B2 |
Traffic class based adaptive interrupt moderation
An apparatus which comprises two or more moderation timers associated with an interrupt vector is presented. In one embodiment, the apparatus comprises two or more interrupt vectors and moderation timers are set with different interrupt rates. An interrupt vector logic unit sends an interrupt vector if there is an interrupt event from the queue associated with a moderation timer and the moderation timer expires. |
| US08566491B2 |
System and method for improving throughput of data transfers using a shared non-deterministic bus
System and method for facilitating data transfer between logic systems and a memory according to various conditions. Embodiments include systems and methods for facilitating and improving throughput of data transfers using a shared non-deterministic bus, a system and method for managing a memory as a circular buffer, and a system and method for facilitating data transfer between a first clock domain and a second clock domain. Embodiments may be implemented individually or in combination. |
| US08566485B2 |
Data transformation during direct memory access
In one embodiment, an apparatus comprises a first interface circuit, a direct memory access (DMA) controller coupled to the first interface circuit, and a host coupled to the DMA controller. The first interface circuit is configured to communicate on an interface according to a protocol. The host comprises at least one address space mapped, at least in part, to a plurality of memory locations in a memory system of the host. The DMA controller is configured to perform DMA transfers between the first interface circuit and the address space, and the DMA controller is further configured to perform DMA transfers between a first plurality of the plurality of memory locations and a second plurality of the plurality of memory locations. |
| US08566482B2 |
Method and system for communicating DisplayPort and single-link DVI/HDMI information for dual-mode devices
A system and method for communicating DVI (digital visual interface) and HDMI (high-definition multimedia interface) information is provided. The system includes a local unit operable to produce a downstream request packet in reaction to received DVI or HDMI information from a video source device and to transmit the request packet to a remote unit via a first simplex channel of a communications link. The remote unit operates to produce an upstream reply packet in reaction to received DVI or HDMI information by the remote unit from a video sink device and to transmit the reply packet to the local unit via a communications link. The system allows greater distances and allows various communications mediums to be used between the source and sink, and can communicate DVI and HDMI information and other information via a variety of different communications links. |
| US08566479B2 |
Method and system to allow logical partitions to access resources
Disclosed are a method of and a system for enabling a program running on a logical partition, of a logically partitioned data processing system, to access directly resources of the data processing system. The method comprising the steps of, said program transforming a first address for a resource of a specific type on the data processing system, to a second address, within an address space allocated to said logical partition; and said program using said second address space to access a resource of said specific type allocated to said logical partition. In this way, the present invention may be used to enable a program running within a partition's address space to access IO devices directly, thus avoiding the overhead of making a hypervisor call. |
| US08566478B2 |
Information collecting system, communication terminal and information collecting method
Information transmission requests are delivered to communication terminals existing in a specific area, to collect information held in the communication terminals, without inducing congestion. In an information collecting device included in an information collecting system, terminal information and capacity information are acquired based on base station identifying information, and information of an information amount of collected information is further acquired based on a collected information type that identifies a type of the collected information. In an information collection controlling unit, transmission timing information, designating the timing at which a capacity of performing communication via a base station is not exceeded, is generated based on the terminal information, the information-amount information and the capacity information, and an information transmission request including the transmission timing information is delivered to a communication terminal. |
| US08566477B2 |
Real-time multi-block lossless recompression
Exemplary methods, computer systems, and computer program products for processing a previously compressed data stream in a computer environment are provided. In one embodiment, the computer environment is configured for separating a previously compressed data stream into an input data block including a header input block having a previously compressed header. Sequences of bits are included with the input data block. Compression scheme information is derived from the previously compressed header. The input data block is accessed and recompressed following the header input block in the previously compressed data stream one at a time using block-image synchronization information. Access to the block-image synchronization information is initialized by the compression scheme information to generate an output data block. The block-image synchronization information is used to provide decompression information to facilitate decompression of the results of the output data block. |
| US08566473B2 |
General input/output architecture, protocol and related methods to implement flow control
An enhanced general input/output communication architecture, protocol and related methods are presented. In one embodiment, a method for an enhanced general input/output communication architecture includes initializing a flow control mechanism within an general input/output (GIO) interface associated with a virtual channel upon initialization of the virtual channel, and tracking receive buffer availability in a remote GIO interface coupled with the GIO interface by the virtual channel by monitoring an indication associated with an amount of content transmitted from the GIO interface to the remote GIO interface. |
| US08566471B1 |
Method of providing network link bonding and management
A method, apparatus and computer program product for providing network link bonding and management is presented. At least one physical link is established between a first endpoint and a second endpoint. A logical link is established at an application server level between the first endpoint and the second endpoint, the logical link including said at least one physical link. At least one physical link is used to provide communications between the first endpoint and the second endpoint. Messages are distributed among the physical links and the received messages are ordered into a single stream for the higher layer application. |
| US08566467B2 |
Data processing system and method
Embodiments of the present invention relate a data processing method comprising executing a first application on a first processor of a multiprocessor system and implementing, on the first processor, a first protocol stack supporting a first communication channel, bearing first communication data, associated with the first application; and executing a second application on a second processor of the multiprocessor system and implementing, on the second processor, a second protocol stack supporting a second communication channel, bearing second communication data, associated with the second application. |
| US08566464B2 |
Network based storage and accounts
Managing information related to an entity. The method includes storing a cache of data particular to an entity. The cache of data is related to the entity and controlled by the entity. The data in the cache of data is organized into a number of distinct subject matters. Access is provided to a portion of the data to a third party. Access is provided based on the third party being a service provider providing services related to the one of the distinct subject matters. Access is provided while restricting access to other portions of the data to the third party. Additional data is received from the third party. The additional data is added from the third party to the cache of data and the additional data is organized into the one of the distinct subject matters such that the additional data is also related to and controlled by the entity. |
| US08566463B2 |
Concurrent web based multi-task support for control management system
To improve efficiency of accessing and managing the central controlled distributed scalable virtual machine (“CCDSVM”) of the present invention, the hundreds and thousands of systems in the CCDSVM can be organized into multiple groups (service pools) with a multi-layered hierarchy. The CCDSVM includes at least a control system to control and organize a management pool that comprises a plurality of middle level control systems, and each middle control system can control a service pool that comprises a plurality of servers (computing devices). In addition, different privileged users are permitted to log into each control system at different levels for further accessing the permitted servers in each pool. Specially, the present invention including a method of web based multi-tasking support to enhance the web based manageability and operations of the multi-layered CCDSVM. |
| US08566462B2 |
Methods of controlling access to network content referenced within structured documents
Methods, apparatuses and systems directed to methods of controlling access to one or more items of network content referenced within a structured document such as an RSS feed. Embodiments of the invention are particularly suited to podcasting, where the access control is based on monetary payment, presentation of coupons or other promotional devices, or other forms of web commerce; or may limit the duration of accessibility of the content, the number of times it can be downloaded, or other characteristics of access. |
| US08566460B1 |
Method and apparatus for initiating temporary configuration allowing remote accessing via a network device
A method and apparatus for establishing a network connection using a temporary Internet Protocol (“IP”) address are disclosed. The process, in one embodiment, is operable to detect link status from a link which is connected to a port of an access device. After identifying a link configuration from a set of predefined link configurations in accordance with the link status, an interface corresponding to the link configuration is enabled. Once a temporary IP address associated with the interface is assigned, the process sends a message indicating that the access device is reachable via the link in accordance with the temporary IP address. |
| US08566456B2 |
System and method for communicating with an electronic exchange in an electronic trading environment
System and methods for a connection proxy server are described. According to an example method described herein, a connection proxy server stores subscription, product tables as well as other downloads that are provided to a client terminal during initialization stage as well as later during a trading session. Upon detecting that a connection between the client terminal and a gateway is lost, the connection proxy maintains a communication session created for the client terminal at the gateway and receives data intended for the client terminal. If the connection is re-established between the client terminal and the gateway during a predetermined period of time, the connection proxy provides the stored data to the client terminal thus avoiding a surge in processing resources at the gateway due to the necessary downloads. |
| US08566452B1 |
Intelligent HTTP based load-balancing, persistence, and application traffic management of SSL VPN tunnels
A system, apparatus, and method are directed to converting from a use of a HTTPS connection to a tunnel connection while maintaining an underlying connection between a client and a server. An HTTPS connection is employed to establish a network connection between a client device and a network device. A gateway is selected to receive a request from the client device. In one embodiment, selecting may comprise using load-balancing, cookie-persistence, or the like. Subsequently, the HTTPS connection is transitioned to another application layer communication protocol connection. Transitioning may comprise converting from a use of a first protocol stack configured to process a HTTP connection to a second protocol stack configured to process a non-HTTP based application protocol connection, and establishing a tunnel between the client device and a server through the selected gateway. |
| US08566450B2 |
Systems and methods for GSLB site persistence
The present invention provides maintains site persistence in a hierarchical Global Server Load Balancing (GSLB) deployment. Via configuration of GSLB services locally and remotely on each of the GSLB appliances and LB appliances at a site, a site appliance identifies and associates requests from the GSLB with the site. Furthermore, the site appliance may receive a GSLB cookie with the client request and confirms the request is from the expected GSLB in the site hierarchy. When the load balancers receives a response from a server, the appliance may include the GSLB cookie with the response back to the client. The appliance may also include an LB cookie to identify the server selected by the LB. When the client sends another request, the request may include the GSLB and LB cookie. |