| Document | Document Title |
|---|---|
| US08628556B2 |
Non-entangling vena cava filter
A method of treating a patient includes providing an implantable vessel filter including a plurality of legs and a center-post, inserting the filter into a delivery assembly, and deploying the filter at a desired location in a patient's body. One or more of the legs may have a hook at a distal end thereof and the center-post includes a grooved distal section to receive the hooks. The filter legs transition from a compressed configuration to an expanded configuration during deployment. |
| US08628555B2 |
Fluid delivery system and related methods of use
An apparatus and method for ejecting fluid from a fluid delivery system. The fluid delivery system has a pneumatic assembly that when triggered injects gas into a hydraulic assembly, which in turn ejects fluid through an external interface. An electronic interface displays various measurements, for example, how much fluid has been ejected and if the hydraulic system is closed the pressure of the system. The pneumatic assembly can also be depressurized such that fluid can reenter the hydraulic assembly through the external interface. |
| US08628552B2 |
Apparatus and method for accessing an intrapericardial space
A medical device is disclosed herein that is configured to engage and penetrate a pericardial sac. The device includes an outer tubular body, an inner tubular body, and a helical tissue engagement member. The outer tubular body includes a proximal end, a distal end and a lumen extending between the ends. The inner tubular body includes a proximal end and a distal end. The inner tubular body is located in the lumen of the outer tubular body. The proximal end of the inner tubular body is operably coupled to the proximal end of the outer tubular body. The distal end of the inner tubular body is extendable out of the distal end of the outer tubular body. The helical tissue engagement member is displaceable from a first position to a second position, the first position being in the lumen of the outer tubular body recessed relative to the distal end of the outer tubular body, and the second position extending out of the distal end of the outer tubular body. The helical tissue engagement member is also rotatable relative to the outer tubular body. |
| US08628546B2 |
Surgical instrument for suturing the skeletal muscle system and surgical technique using same
Surgical suture instrument for the muscular-skeletal system and the surgical technique used by same. A surgical suture system includes an instrument providing for the suture of muscular-skeletal system tissues by the use of blades which go from a withdrawn position to a position for the incision of the tissue to be sutured. The blades carry the suture, which is attached to the tissue by the incision of the blades, in response to a drive force aimed longitudinally from back to front, towards the surgical field. The instrument and the surgical technique allow for single or continuous stitching of suture on all tissue types. Its use in bone suture is particularly surprising, making it possible to join bones, implants, grafts, chondrocyte membranes, flaps, tendons, cartilage, etc. The surgical technique for which the surgical suture instrument is used can be applied in open surgery and in arthroscopy. |
| US08628544B2 |
Knife bar for surgical instrument
A surgical instrument for surgically joining tissue includes a handle assembly, an elongate member extending distally from the handle assembly, an end effector disposed adjacent a distal portion of the elongate member, and an actuation assembly operatively associated with the handle assembly. The actuation mechanism includes a thrust bar disposed at least partially within the elongate member and a distal slide member. The thrust bar has a proximal portion, a distal portion, a first lateral side and a second lateral side and is configured to move between proximal and distal positions with respect to the handle assembly. The distal slide member is positioned adjacent the first lateral side of the thrust bar and is adjacent the distal portion of the thrust bar. The proximal portion of the distal slide member is adapted to slide relative to the thrust bar when thrust bar moves in a curvilinear direction. |
| US08628541B2 |
Methods and apparatus for securing and deploying tissue anchors
Methods and apparatus for securing and deploying tissue anchors are described herein. A tissue manipulation assembly is pivotably coupled to the distal end of a tubular member. A reconfigurable launch tube is also pivotably coupled to the tissue manipulation assembly, which may be advanced through a shape-lockable endoscopic device, a conventional endoscope, or directly by itself into a patient. A second tool can be used in combination with the tissue manipulation assembly to engage tissue and manipulate the tissue in conjunction with the tissue manipulation assembly. A deployment assembly is provided for securing engaged tissue via one or more tissue anchors, the deployment assembly also being configured to disengage the anchors endoluminally or laparoscopically by applying thermal energy through at least one suture cutting element disposed along the deployment assembly. |
| US08628540B2 |
Snare mechanism for surgical retrieval
A snare device for capturing an object or for cutting tissue in the body of a human or animal. The device employs at least one twisted loop of memory shaped material housed in and movable relative to a hollow member such as a catheter. The device and method of employment is particularly well adapted for retrieving objects from internal body cavities and cutting tissue therein. |
| US08628536B2 |
Biologics delivery system
A system for harvesting, preparing, and delivering biological materials or other therapeutic agents is disclosed. The system is adaptable to a variety of biological materials or other therapeutic agents. The system is adaptable for minimally invasive procedures where access may be limited. The system includes provisions for delivering biological materials or other therapeutic agents along a curved path. The system is adaptable to maximize the delivered quantity of biological materials or other therapeutic agents, thus minimizing waste. |
| US08628533B2 |
Bone plate with reduction aids and methods of use thereof
Aspects of the present disclosure include a bone plate and/or a bone plate system. The bone plate includes an elongate body, which body includes a distal portion and a proximal portion. The proximal portion includes at least one projection extending there from, which projection is configured for contacting a bone portion, e.g., a fractured bone portion, so as to aid in the reduction thereof. In some variations, the proximal portion includes a plurality of projections, e.g., reduction aids. Methods of using such a bone plate having reduction aids by itself, or in conjunction with a second bone plate, for the reduction, restoration and treatment of a bone fracture are also provided. |
| US08628527B2 |
Directive window ablation antenna with dielectric loading
An electrosurgical device for directing energy to a target volume of tissue includes a coaxial feedline having an inner conductor, an outer conductor coaxially disposed around the inner conductor, and a dielectric material disposed therebetween. An elongated electrically-conductive member is longitudinally disposed at a distal end of the inner conductor. A balun structure is disposed on the outer conductor. The device also includes an electrically-conductive cylinder coaxially disposed around a distal portion of the balun structure, and a dielectric structure disposed substantially adjacent to a distal end of the electrically-conductive cylinder, wherein the dielectric structure longitudinally extends from the distal end of the electrically-conductive cylinder to a distal end of the electrically-conductive member. |
| US08628524B2 |
Return electrode detection and monitoring system and method thereof
A return electrode detection and monitoring system and method thereof are provided. The system and method of the present disclosure provide for a combined universal recognition feature, that is to identify whether a return or neutral electrode coupled to an electrosurgical generator is a capacitive electrode or a split or non-split (solid) resistive electrode. Furthermore, the system and method will monitor both capacitive and resistive return electrodes when the electrosurgical generator is operating in the 4 Mhz range to notify an operator when the return electrode is not coupled enough which would effect power delivery to the patient and hence effect on the targeted tissue. |
| US08628520B2 |
Catheter with omni-directional optical lesion evaluation
A catheter is adapted to ablate tissue and provide lesion qualitative information on a real time basis, having an ablation tip section with a generally omni-directional light diffusion chamber with one openings to allow light energy in the chamber to radiate the tissue and return to the chamber. The chamber is irrigated at a positive pressure differential to continuously flush the opening with fluid. The light energy returning to the chamber from the tissue conveys a tissue parameter, including without limitation, lesion formation, depth of penetration of lesion, cross-sectional area of lesion, formation of char during ablation, recognition of char during ablation, recognition of char from non-charred tissue, formation of coagulum around the ablation site, differentiation of coagulated from non-coagulated blood, differentiation of ablated from healthy tissue, tissue proximity, and recognition of steam formation in the tissue for prevention of steam pop. |
| US08628519B2 |
Rapid exchange bias laser catheter design
Embodiments of a balloon biasing laser catheter are provided. In some embodiments, the laser catheter may include a distal tip that extends from the distal end of the catheter from a point near the light guide aperture. The distal tip may be disposed at the periphery of the catheter. In some embodiments, a balloon may be disposed between the light guide aperture and the distal tip, such that the a light guide extending from the aperture may be disposed proximate with the distal tip having the balloon in between. A retaining wire may be coupled with the distal tip and slidably coupled with the light guide. The retaining wire may keep the light guide biased relatively parallel with the distal tip and/or the catheter body when the balloon is inflated. The light guide may include a guidewire lumen the extends to the distal end of the distal tip. |
| US08628516B2 |
Closed male luer connector
A fluid flow connector including a housing assembly, having a first end and a second end arranged along a common longitudinal axis, and a resilient fluid flow conduit member having a forward end, disposed alongside the first end of the housing assembly, formed with a selectably closable slit and with at least one side opening. The resilient fluid flow conduit member is positionable in a closed position wherein the slit is closed but the at least one side opening is open and in an open position, allowing the slit to open and leaving the at least one side opening open, whereby when the resilient fluid flow conduit member is in the open position, the selectably closable slit and the at least one side opening each provide a fluid flow pathway between an interior of the resilient fluid flow conduit member and the first end of the housing assembly. |
| US08628515B2 |
Medical connector
A medical connector for use with one or more medical implements. In some embodiments, the connector minimizes or eliminates the retrograde flow of fluid into the connector from one end or port upon the disconnection of a medical implement from the other end or port. In some embodiments, the connector generates a positive flow of fluid out of the connector from one end or port when a medical implement is disconnected from the other end or port. |
| US08628508B2 |
Multidose vial assemblies and adapters therefor
A multidose vial assembly which comprises a multidose vial (10), a withdrawal spike (30), and an adapter (60) that couples the multidose vial and the withdrawal spike together in a safe and secure manner. |
| US08628506B2 |
Multifunctional monitoring device for absorbent articles
Monitoring the status of an absorbent article can be desirable to various users in various situations. A monitoring device for use with an absorbent article is provided. The monitoring device includes a sensing device and a signaling device. The sensing device is configured to sense a physiological indication related to the absorbent article wearer. The functionality of the monitoring device may be updateable, for instance, by utilizing firmware updates, hardware or user interface changes, software installations, etc. Thus, the monitoring device of the present invention may be utilized over an entire lifespan from infants to elderly without the need for costly replacement or installation of an entirely new monitoring system. |
| US08628504B2 |
Method and apparatus for treating meibomian gland dysfunction employing fluid jet
According to the present invention, there is provided a method of treating meibomian gland dysfunction in a mammal wherein an occlusion blocks at least a portion of the flow of naturally occurring secretion out of a gland channel orifice. The invention comprises selecting a device capable of delivering a jet of heated medium. The device is positioned such that when the jet is it is applied to the exterior surface of the eyelid, proximate to the gland channel orifice, a jet of heated medium is applied to the exterior surface of the eyelid proximate to the gland channel orifice at a pressure of from about 2 psi to about 30 psi. Application of the jet of heated medium is maintained for sufficient time to loosen, break up, fracture, soften or liquefy at least a portion of the occlusion such that at least a portion of the occlusion is removed. In an exemplary embodiment, the medium is water heated to a temperature of between about 42° C. and about 46° C. Depending on the particular type and composition of the obstruction, the fluid jet operates to melt or soften the obstruction and to milkingly move the corpus of the softened obstruction up the gland channel from the end opposite the meibomian gland orifice and out of the gland orifice. Repeated application of the heated fluid jet may also be necessary to soften and/or express the obstruction. |
| US08628502B2 |
Dialysis valve and method
A dialysis valve includes a tube attached between an artery and a vein which, when elongated, simultaneously narrows in diameter at least one location. The narrowed portion of the tube decreases the volume and velocity between the arterial and venous side of the patient to prevent damage or intimal hyperplasia on the venous side between dialysis treatments. When the valve is opened for dialysis, an unrestricted blood flow exists between the arterial and venous side, permitting a controlled, open blood flow during dialysis. |
| US08628501B2 |
Syringe sterilization cap
A sterilization cap carried on a needle support end of a syringe. The cap includes a main body having first and second ends, the first end being connectable to the needle support end, as well as being connectable onto the needle support end alone of a primary or IV extension line. A sponge secured within a sponge cavity within the second end is saturated with a sterilizing liquid. A removable cover attached to the second sealingly encloses the sponge until the syringe is used. The second end is sized, when the cover is removed, to fit over a tip of a CLAVE needleless connector extension or IV tubing a distance sufficient to compress the sponge to sterilize the tip with sterilizing liquid expressed from the sponge. |
| US08628499B2 |
Injection device preventing the return of the piston when the safety system is deployed
The present invention relates to an injection device (1) comprising: -a body (3) receiving a product, having a needle (7) and a piston (5) attached to a piston rod (8) movable between a storage position and an end-of-injection position, -a sleeve (6) for protecting the needle (7), movable between an initial position, where the needle (7) is uncovered, and a final position, where the needle (7) is covered, -biasing means (26) for moving said sleeve (6) from its initial position to its final position, -immobilization means (16, 31) for keeping said sleeve (6) in its initial position, characterized in that: -said piston rod (8) comprises a first portion (9) and a second portion (10), said second portion (10) being able to switch between a locked position, in which said second portion (10) is fixed to said first portion (9) and an unlocked position, in which said second portion (10) is movable with respect to said first portion on a predetermined distance along the longitudinal axis of said piston rod (8). |
| US08628497B2 |
Safety catheter
A needle assembly including a needle tip guard and needle is provided. The needle tip guard includes a proximal base defining an opening that is dimensioned for passage of the needle therethrough, first and second clamp members extending from the proximal base and defining an internal cavity, and a finger tab extending from the proximal base. Each of the first and second clamp members define an inner surface including a protrusion extending into the internal cavity. A distal end of each of the clamp members includes a clamp arm, the clamp arms being supported for movement between an open position and a closed position. The finger tab includes a contacting portion for engagement by a user. |
| US08628488B2 |
Compression wrap
A compression wrap for providing pressure to an injured portion of a joint of a limb is provided. The compression wrap includes a pocket portion for receiving compression insert. The compression wrap further includes a strap connected to the pocket portion and adjustably securing the compression wrap to the limb. A buckle loop connected to the opposite side of the pocket portion as the strap adjustably receives the strap to adjust the size of the strap. Further, the strap portion and the pocket portion are configured such that when the compression wrap is attached to the limb of a person having an injury proximate the joint, the pocket portion is positionable to apply a load to the location of the injury while the strap portion is spaced away from the crease of the joint. |
| US08628487B2 |
Heel ulcer prevention and cushioning boot
A cushioning boot for bed-ridden patients. The boot includes a thickly-padded leg engaging portion and foot engaging portion with a front opening for easy insertion of a patient foot and leg. A series of stretchable, adjustable closure panels are removably secured to the boot for positioning and inserted leg in the proper orientation and retaining it in place. The closure panels are provided with guiding in the form of loops secured to the boot. Each closure panel passes through its associated loop for proper positioning. |
| US08628485B2 |
Gait analysis system and methods
Systems and methods for analyzing the gait of an individual are disclosed. The disclosed systems and methods can be configured to acquire data from a first array and a second array of sensors that are configured to be placed in a left and/or right shoe, respectively. The acquired data can be collected or separated into at least two separate gait phases for each array, compared to a baseline condition for each gait phase and categorized into one of at least two uniformity categories for each gait phase. Examples of collected and/or calculated data include pressure values, shear stress values and torque values. The analysis can be focused on both feet of a person, or focused on one foot. A graphical output showing at least one entire gait cycle based on the uniformity categories can then be generated. |
| US08628483B2 |
Oral care implement having a liquid collection system
An oral care implement includes a collection system for oral fluids. Some embodiments of the implement may include an oral care region having a wearable oral member having a thickness that is reduced during use, a reservoir for retaining an oral fluid, a receiver coupled to the oral member for receiving an oral fluid, and a fluid pathway in communication with the receiver to provide the oral fluid to the reservoir. |
| US08628481B2 |
Respiration detecting arrangement
The present application is directed to a detector to detect or generate measuring signals that are indicative of the respiration of a person, wherein said detector can be used advantageously in view of hygiene and stands out due to a simple and robust configuration. According to a first aspect, the detector detects a signal that is indicative of the activity of the respiratory muscles of a person to be examined, the detector comprising a band which, in the application position, is passed around a torso region which widens and narrows when the person to be examined breathes, as well as a structure that is included in the band and loaded in accordance with the narrowing or widening of the torso region. The structure is configured such that it causes a change in the volume of a measuring space device depending on a tensile force. It is thus advantageously possible to detect or measure the forces acting on the band in a non-electric manner and, on the basis of this detection or measurement, draw conclusions relating to the widening or narrowing of the torso. |
| US08628480B2 |
Methods and systems for monitoring respiratory data
This invention provides methods and systems for non-invasively determining the presence (and amount) or absence of dynamic hyperinflation in a subject. The invention is based on a novel combination of respiratory parameters that can be measured in a way that is non-invasive and unobtrusive to the subject. Dynamic hyperinflation is often a significant factor in the quality of life of patients suffering from a variety of obstructive pulmonary diseases, and this invention permits simple, routine tracking and management of dynamic hyperinflation in affected patients. |
| US08628474B2 |
Portable ultrasound imaging system
A portable ultrasound imaging system includes a scan head coupled by a cable to a portable battery-powered data processor and display unit. The scan head enclosure houses an array of ultrasonic transducers and the circuitry associated therewith, including pulse synchronizer circuitry used in the transmit mode for transmission of ultrasonic pulses and beam forming circuitry used in the receive mode to dynamically focus reflected ultrasonic signals returning from the region of interest being imaged. |
| US08628473B2 |
Acoustic transducer for pulse-echo monitoring and control of thermally ablative lesioning in layered and nonlayered tissues, catheter contact monitoring, tissue thickness measurement and pre-pop warning
An ablation catheter with acoustic monitoring comprises an elongated catheter body; a distal member disposed adjacent a distal end and including an ablation element to ablate a biological member at a target region outside the catheter body; and one or more acoustic transducers each configured to direct an acoustic beam toward a respective target ablation region and receive reflection echoes therefrom. The distal member includes a transducer housing in which the acoustic transducers are disposed, the transducer housing including at least one transducer window which is the only portion in the distal member through which the acoustic beam passes, at least the at least one transducer window portion of the distal member being made of a material comprising at least 50% carbon by volume, the transducer window material having an acoustic impedance between that of the acoustic transducers and that of the biological member. |
| US08628470B1 |
Disease management system and method including medication therapy self-management
A method and system for patient medication therapy self-management. The system performs medication therapy self-management in a fully automated manner, using periodic interactive dialogs with a patient to obtain health state measurements from the patient. The system and method utilizes a computer usable medium having computer readable program code embodied therein for representing a description of a pain in a digitized form allowing the patient to directly interact with the program code via the periodic dialogs. The system and method utilizes a therapy alteration permission level (TAPL) limiting the possible self-adjustments available to the patient to change the patient's therapy. Via the interactive dialogs, the patient self-selects aspect words concerning the patient's current pain allowing the program code to adjust the patient's medication therapy within the TAPL. |
| US08628467B2 |
Moisture-detecting shaft for use with an electro-mechanical surgical device
A flexible shaft includes a flexible, elongated outer sheath, at least one drive shaft disposed within the outer sheath and a moisture sensor disposed within the outer sheath configured to detect moisture within the outer sheath. Another flexible shaft includes a flexible, elongated outer sheath, at least one flexible drive shaft disposed within the outer sheath and a coupling connected to a distal end of the outer sheath configured to couple to a surgical attachment. A sleeve includes an elongated shaft configured to receive a flexible shaft therein and a securing arrangement configured to selectively and variably retain the elongated shaft in any one of a number of longitudinal positions along the flexible shaft. A surgical system includes an electro-mechanical driver, an elongated, flexible sheath, at least one drive shaft disposed within the flexible sheath, a surgical attachment coupled to the at least one drive shaft, the electro-mechanical driver configured to drive the surgical attachment, a shape-retaining sleeve, at least a portion of the flexible sleeve being disposed in the shape-retaining sleeve, the shape-retaining sleeve configured to maintain the at least portion of the flexible sheath in a predetermined shape, and an arrangement variably securing the shape-retaining member to the flexible sheath in any one of a number of longitudinal positions along the flexible sheath. |
| US08628466B2 |
Method and means for erection enhancement
A means for achieving enhanced erection includes a mounting attachment (10) to be placed onto the penis, e.g. in the form of a penis ring of a substantially elastic material. On the mounting attachment (10), one or more rows (14) of miniature vibrator motors (8 ABC) is/are provided, each row comprising at least three motors. For sequential pulsating operation of the motors (8 ABC) of the row(s) (14), an electric power supply arrangement (7) and an electronic control circuit (9) are provided. The control circuit (9) and the power supply arrangement (7) may be positioned on the mounting attachment (10). In one embodiment, piezoelectric foil strips (15 abc) are located underneath the vibrator motors (8 ABC) and are operated in a controlled relation to the motor operation for generating mechanical vibrations with a frequency that is higher than the frequency of the vibrator motors. |
| US08628464B2 |
Flattened tubular mesh sling and related methods
The invention generally relates to surgically implantable supportive slings. More specifically, in various embodiments, the invention is directed to multilayer mesh slings formed from a tubular mesh material. |
| US08628462B2 |
Systems and methods for optimization of sleep and post-sleep performance
Systems and methods for optimizing the sleep and post-sleep performance of individuals regardless of their environment and time available for sleep are provided. The systems and methods take into account factors that determine the effects of a sleep episode on dexterity, cognitive functions and the subjective feeling of fatigue after sleeping: duration and sleep architecture of the sleep episode, point on the circadian cycle at which the episode occurred, the amount of sleep debt accumulated prior to the episode and the subject's susceptibility to sleep deprivation. The systems and methods include monitoring of sleep architecture over a longer period of time, measurement of accumulated sleep debt and assessment and/or tailoring of the sleep architecture for each subsequent sleep episode, determining a desired sleep state in which the subject should be in, and generating sensory stimuli for guiding the subject to the desired sleep state. |
| US08628461B2 |
Method and device for the intermittent occlusion of a blood vessel
A device for the intermittent occlusion of a blood vessel, in particular a vein draining the organ system, comprising an occlusion device which is activatable for intermittent occlusion and positionable in the blood vessel, at least one sensor for the continuous or periodical detection of at least one physiological measurement, and a control device to which the at least one physiological measurement is fed and which cooperates with the occlusion device to control the intermittent occlusion of the blood vessel as a function of said measurement. |
| US08628460B2 |
Hard-wired implanted controller system
A circulatory assist system is disclosed, the system including an implantable electrical device having an electric motor, an implantable controller connected to the implantable electrical device, and an implantable power source connected to the controller for supplying power to the controller. The controller is attachable to a first side of a percutaneous connector. A second side of the percutaneous connector, opposite to the first side, allows external connectivity to said controller. |
| US08628457B2 |
Method for folding sheets
A folding machine and a method of folding sheets of paper, board and the like with underlapping, include at least a first folding station with folding units and an imbricated feeder for feeding sheets to the first folding station, over an aligning table, in a first transporting direction. The imbricated feeder has a device for separating the sheets and a suction configuration which can be adjusted in and counter to the first transporting direction and is intended for the underlapping transfer of sheets from a sheet stack of the imbricated feeder to the aligning table. |
| US08628444B2 |
Flow-formed differential case assembly
A differential case assembly includes a differential case and a pinless gear assembly. The differential case has an open end and a side wall with an interior surface. The pinless gear assembly includes a retainer insert and a side gear with a shaft extending outwardly therefrom. The retainer insert is disposed adjacent the interior surface of the side wall, The retainer insert defines at least a portion of an aperture that receives an end of the shaft to align the gear assembly within the differential case. |
| US08628441B2 |
Torque splitting torque converter assembly
A hydrodynamic torque converter assembly includes an internal planetary gear assembly that splits torque between a torque converter and a direct path to the transmission input as well as a damper and a torque converter clutch. The torque converter assembly includes an input shaft that is driven by the engine output shaft and is coupled to both the planetary gear carrier of the planetary gear assembly and the transmission hydraulic pump. The sun gear of the planetary gear assembly is coupled to the torque converter output shaft through a spring damper. The ring gear of the planetary gear assembly is coupled to one side of the torque converter clutch and the pump of the torque converter. The other side of the torque converter clutch is coupled to both the turbine of the torque converter and the spring damper. The stator of the torque converter is grounded. An alternate embodiment replaces the torque converter with a fluid coupling. |
| US08628439B2 |
Cones, configurations, and adjusters for friction and non-friction dependent continuous variable transmissions
Cones or cone assemblies with one or two oppositely positioned torque transmitting devices, such as torque transmitting arcs of constant pitch (formed by torque transmitting members) or teeth. The torque transmitting devices will be used for torque transmission between at least one means for coupling, such as transmission belt or chain, and a cone or cone assembly. The cones or cone assemblies can be used to construct CVT's for which significant circumferential sliding between the torque transmitting surfaces of the torque transmitting devices and the torque transmitting surfaces of the means for coupling engaged to them due to change in pitch diameter can be eliminated, as to reduce wear and frictional energy loses typical in similar devices of prior art and allow the usage of positive engagement devices, such as teeth, in coupling the torque transmitting devices with their means for coupling. CVT's that consist of at least one cone or one cone assembly of this invention that is coupled by a means for coupling to at least one means for conveying rotational energy, such as a pulley, a sprocket, a cone assembly of this invention, or a cone of this invention. Adjuster systems that can increase the performance of the CVT's of this invention and other CVT's that suffer from either or both transition flexing and a limited duration at which the transmission ratio can be changed, so that efficient non-friction dependent CVT's and efficient friction dependent CVT's that do not suffer from transition flexing and/or a limited duration at which the transmission ratio can be changed can be constructed. |
| US08628435B2 |
Golf ball cores based on polyalkenamer and polybutadiene rubber blends
Golf balls containing a core comprising a blend of: a) about 1 to about 49 weight percent of a polybutadiene rubber having a relatively high Mooney viscosity, and b) about 51 to about 99 weight percent of a polyalkenamer rubber having a relatively low Mooney viscosity are provided. Single or multi-layered cores may be prepared. In addition, the golf ball includes a cover that may be single or multi-layered. The cover is preferably made of polyurethanes, polyureas, or blends thereof. The polyalkenamer/polybutadiene rubber composition helps provide the ball with high resiliency along with a soft feel. |
| US08628433B2 |
Golf club and golf club head structures
A golf club head has a body defining a ball striking face. The body further has a first leg extending away from the ball striking face and a second leg extending away from the ball striking face wherein a void is defined between the first leg and the second leg. The body further defines a crown that extends over the void. |
| US08628426B2 |
Illusion generating system
The system provides a tristable environment that effects reorientation of horizontal and vertical surfaces at a human scale. The system allows the engagement and disengagement of the effect via movement of the observer without loss of the intensity of the effect. The system also provides a combined vection/motion induced blindness environment at human scale with interactivity available to non-trained participants. |
| US08628424B1 |
Interactive spectator features for gaming environments
Systems and methods for exchanging virtual rewards for computing resources are provided herein. Exemplary methods may include receiving access to a portion of computing resources of an end user computing system and providing a virtual reward within a gaming environment to an end user in exchange for utilizing an amount of the portion of the computing resources of the end user computing system. |
| US08628420B2 |
Location aware ad-hoc gaming
A method of mobile gaming is disclosed. The method includes configuring a mobile device to communicate in a first communication protocol and a second communication protocol, determining location information for the mobile device, communicating the location information and a gaming request via the first communication protocol to a game server, receiving a gaming request response from the game server via the first communication protocol, initiating a gaming session in response to the gaming request response, wherein the gaming session is conducted via the second communication protocol. |
| US08628417B2 |
Game device with wireless position measurement and methods for use therewith
A game device includes a first transceiver that receives gaming position data from at least one gaming object. A wireless measurement module generates device position data corresponding to the game device. A processor executes a game application that generates display signals for display on a display device, wherein the game application is based on the gaming position data and the device position data. |
| US08628416B2 |
Device embedded in gaming machine handle
Provided in embodiments of the present invention is a gaming device with a player interaction mechanism included in a gaming machine handle. In one embodiment, a gaming device operable by a player includes a gaming cabinet housing a processor to operate gaming sessions on the gaming device and having a display to visually represent the outcome of the gaming session. The gaming device also includes a first player interaction mechanism arranged on the gaming cabinet, a gaming handle attached to the gaming cabinet, and a second player interaction mechanism located on the gaming handle. |
| US08628414B2 |
Enhanced commentary system for 3D computer entertainment
A method and system are directed towards providing interactive commentaries within a video game. The interactive commentaries are configured to increase a value of the video game by enhancing the video game with interactive rich commentaries regarding features and concepts of the video game and/or its construction. The interactive commentaries offer a variety of features that may, in one embodiment, take control of a player's view of the video game, and thereby more effectively communicate various aspects during the commentary. In one embodiment, a player may receive a video game reward for playing the interactive commentary. |
| US08628413B2 |
Virtual gaming peripherals for a gaming machine
A disclosed gaming machine provides a plurality of virtual gaming peripherals that are each used to generate one or more gaming services. To provide a particular gaming service, each virtual gaming peripheral may comprise virtual gaming peripheral software that controls one or more gaming devices. Examples of gaming services provides by virtual gaming peripherals may include but are not limited to a player tracking service, a vending machine purchase, a lottery ticket purchase, an ATM (Automatic Teller Machine) service, a hotel/casino service, a communication service, a registration service, a sports book service, an entertainment service, a prize redemption service and a locator service. A logic device, such as a master gaming controller on the gaming machine, may simultaneously activate a plurality of virtual gaming peripherals. Therefore, a gaming device may be shared by a plurality of active virtual gaming peripherals and additional logic may be provided to resolve conflicts that arise when two or more virtual gaming peripherals desire to control the same gamingdevice at the same time. |
| US08628411B2 |
Generating a supplemental output for a slot machine
A method for generating supplemental slot machine output content has been developed. The method includes providing primary slot machine output content that has been tested by a gaming commission prior to offering the slot machine for public use. Additionally, the method includes providing slot machine output content that has not been tested by the gaming commission when providing the supplemental output content is approved by the gaming commission. This negates the requirement for the gaming commission to test the supplemental slot machine output content. |
| US08628403B2 |
Gaming device having main game activating a bonus event
A game and gaming apparatus include a main game and a bonus game. A player is entitled to participate in the bonus game without an additional wager beyond that required to play the main game. Winning outcomes of the main game determine the indicia used to play the bonus game. In one embodiment upon a winning outcome of the main game, an indicia, such as an image of a winning amount, is transferred to the bonus game. In another embodiment, the bonus event includes categories associated with winning outcomes of the main game, the categories activated based upon wins of the main game. In one embodiment, the main game is a game of video poker. Winning hands are associated with or activate positions of the bonus game. Play of the bonus game comprises selection of at least one of the indicia or positions/categories which have been activated. |
| US08628400B2 |
Progressive wagering game having symbol-triggering award feature
Gaming devices, gaming systems, methods of conducting a wagering game, and computer programs for initiating a wagering game are presented herein. A gaming device is presented that includes a wager input device, a display, and at least one controller. The controller executes the wagering game, which includes first and second progressive awards each associated with a respective symbol-based outcome. Each symbol-based outcome has a respective frequency of occurrence. The controller randomly determines an outcome of the wagering game. The controller initiates a progressive-award-determination sequence in response to displaying the first and/or second symbol-based outcomes. There is a first probability of awarding the first progressive award, and a second probability of awarding the second progressive award. The first initial-award amount is greater than the second initial-award amount, the first frequency of occurrence is lower than the second frequency of occurrence, and the first probability is greater than the second probability. |
| US08628391B2 |
Video game with helper role or obstructer role for second player having separate display
A main player operates a controller while viewing a monitor game image displayed on a monitor. A sub player operates a terminal device while viewing a terminal game image displayed on an LCD of the terminal device. A game image that is substantially identical to the monitor game image viewed by the main player is displayed on the LCD. By touching a touch panel provided on a screen of the LCD of the terminal device, the sub player can generate various events at a position in a game world corresponding to a touched position. |
| US08628387B2 |
Bird debreasting tool and methods
An apparatus for removing a breast from a game bird provides first and second blades pivotally attached to a stabilizer bar projecting outwardly between the first and second blades. The stabilizer bar is generally adapted for insertion into the abdomen of a bird, and the first and second blades can be actuated using one or more handles to create a scissoring effect whereby a region of the abdomen, or the breast, is severed from the bird. Methods of removing a breast from a bird are also disclosed. |
| US08628385B2 |
Bonded abrasive article and method of use
An abrasive tool including a bonded abrasive article including a bond material comprising a metal or metal alloy, abrasive grains contained within the bond material, and a reaction agent dispersed within the bond material, wherein the reaction agent chemically reacting with a surface of the workpiece during abrasion to form a reaction product. |
| US08628380B2 |
Direct motor-drive portable angle grinder
The present invention is an original direct motor-drive portable angle grinder with a disc type motor installed in a position adjacent to the grinding wheel and an outer motor rotating part coaxially and directly driving the grinding wheel. By means of the direct drive, the present invention prevents the emission of noise made by angle type transmission devices. Moreover, an inertial body is installed on the rotating housing that is integrated with the rotating part to form a flywheel or the rotating housing and the inertial body are integrated into a single reinforced structure to enable a flywheel function in order to improve the grinding, polishing and machining or cutting abilities of the grinding wheel. |
| US08628379B1 |
Dust collection bag for manual sander
A dust collection assembly for a manual sander, having a bag with an open upper end and a lower end terminating in an aperture, and a rigid frame supporting the open upper end of the bag. The rigid frame includes a periphery to which the open upper end of the bag is attached, and a pair of opposing engagement portions extending from the periphery towards a center of the open upper end of the bag. The manual sander includes a sanding element and a pole rotatably mounted thereto. The pole extends through the bag's aperture, and each of the engagement portions is removably connected to mounting bolts on the sanding element such that the sanding element is rigidly held at the open upper end of the bag so that the bag collects dust and debris created by the sanding element during use. |
| US08628378B2 |
Method for holding and polishing a substrate
A retainer is used with an apparatus for polishing a substrate. The substrate has upper and lower surfaces and a lateral, substantially circular, perimeter. The apparatus has a polishing pad with an upper polishing surface for contacting and polishing the lower face of the substrate. The retainer has an inward facing retaining face for engaging and retaining the substrate against lateral movement during polishing of the substrate. The retaining face engages a substrate perimeter at more than substantially a single discrete circumferential location along the perimeter. |
| US08628377B2 |
Flexure assembly
A flexure assembly comprising a flexure stack comprising a plurality of individual webs connected together with a force in an x-direction to produce a friction in a z-direction orthogonal to the x-direction between the plurality of webs, the friction holding the plurality of webs in engagement. In some embodiments, the flexure assembly includes a second flexure stack fixedly spaced from the first stack comprising a second plurality of individual webs connected together with a second force in the x-direction to produce a second friction in the z-direction between the second plurality of webs. The flexure assembly may be used, for example, for supporting a workpiece such as a slider row bar in a lapping machine. |
| US08628372B2 |
Shape memory alloy actuator assembly
An actuator assembly including a resilient substrate having one or more shape memory alloys secured to the substrate. The shape memory alloys are configured to move a portion or all of the actuator assembly between an at-rest configuration and an actuated configuration. The shape memory alloys are elastically bendable and can be contracted from an elongated length to a contracted length in response to transmission of an electrical current therethrough. The electrical current is of a magnitude sufficient to heat the shape memory alloys from a first temperature to a second temperature so that a portion of or the entire actuator assembly can move from the at-rest configuration to the actuated configuration. Termination or reduction of the electrical current allows the shape memory alloy to cool and thereby elongate from the contracted length to the elongated length. |
| US08628371B2 |
Toy bank and online method thereof
The present invention relates to a toy bank that includes a toy or toy housing, a money bank, and a computer interface in communication with the money bank. The money bank has a storage compartment; one or more unidirectional slots for receiving coins, dollar bills, or both; a compartment door at the storage compartment; and a processor to calculate an amount of coins, dollar bills, or both. The present invention also pertains to a toy bank that includes a pet carrier and a money bank, wherein the money bank is removably attached to the pet carrier. The present invention further relates to a toy bank that includes a toy and a money bank integrated with the toy. The present invention also includes systems and methods that incorporate the toy bank. |
| US08628368B2 |
Light-emitting device, light emitting system including the same, and fabricating method thereof
Provided are a light-emitting device having improved light dispersion efficiency, a light-emitting system including the same, and fabricating methods of the light-emitting device and the light-emitting system. The light-emitting device includes one or more light-emitting elements arranged on first surface of a substrate, an insulation film formed on the first surface of a substrate so as to cover the one or more light-emitting elements, and a plurality of uneven patterns formed on the insulation film formed on each of the one or more light-emitting elements so as to be spaced apart from each other, wherein the plurality of uneven patterns are all convex patterns or concave patterns and each of the plurality of uneven patterns has a curved cross-sectional shape. |
| US08628364B2 |
Outboard motor
An outboard motor in which exhaust of an engine is emitted into water via an exhaust passage. The outboard motor comprises a throttle valve connected to an air intake port of the engine via an air intake manifold, a control motor for driving the throttle valve to open and close, and a controller for controlling the control motor. The controller controls the control motor such that the throttle valve fully closes when a determination is made that reverse rotation is occurring in the engine. The exhaust passage is communicated with the air intake manifold via a communication passage. A communication valve which opens only when reverse rotation is occurring in the engine is located at a portion where the communication passage and the air intake manifold connect. |
| US08628361B2 |
Press-fit connector having a penetration aperture
A press-fit connector in which the presence or absence of buckling of a press-fit pin can be confirmed by visual observation, when the press-fit pin is inserted by pressure into a through hole of a circuit board. The press-fit connector includes a press-fit section which holds a press-fit pin, and a connector section which can be installed on the press-fit section and which has a connecting pin that can be connected to the press-fit pin when the connector section is installed on the press-fit section. A penetration aperture for confirming buckling of the press-fit pin is provided in the press-fit section. The penetration aperture is formed in a circular shape surrounding the press-fit pin. |
| US08628360B2 |
Multistage capacitive crosstalk compensation arrangement
Methods and systems for providing crosstalk compensation in a jack are disclosed. According to one method, the crosstalk compensation is adapted to compensate for undesired crosstalk generated at a capacitive coupling located at a plug inserted within the jack. The method includes positioning a first capacitive coupling a first time delay away from the capacitive coupling of the plug, the first capacitive coupling having a greater magnitude and an opposite polarity as compared to the capacitive coupling of the plug. The method also includes positioning a second capacitive coupling at a second time delay from the first capacitive coupling, the second time delay corresponding to an average time delay that optimizes near end crosstalk. The second capacitive coupling has generally the same overall magnitude but an opposite polarity as compared to the first capacitive coupling, and includes two capacitive elements spaced at different time delays from the first capacitive coupling. |
| US08628357B2 |
Electrical connector
An electrical connector includes an insulative housing and a number of conductive terminals held in the housing. The insulative housing has a base portion and a tongue portion extending forwardly from the base portion. Each of the conductive terminals includes a contacting portion, and a soldering portion extending outside of the housing. The terminals comprise grounding terminals and differential signal pairs. The soldering portions of each of differential signal pairs is located between two adjacent soldering portions of the grounding terminals. |
| US08628348B2 |
Connector module assemblies, methods, and components for implantable medical electrical devices
A contact component of an implantable medical device connector module assembly includes a threaded bore in fluid communication with a connector bore thereof, and a flanged bore in fluid communication with the threaded bore. A perimeter surface of the flanged bore creates a shutoff with a pin during injection molding to form an insulative body of the assembly, and a perimeter surface of an insulative bore formed around the pin is preferably flush with that of the flanged bore of the contact component. A centerline axis of the flanged bore is preferably aligned with that of the threaded bore, for example, so that the molded insulative bore has a centerline axis aligned with that of the threaded bore of the contact component. |
| US08628345B2 |
Releasably engaging high definition multimedia interface plug
A high definition multimedia interface connector comprising a connector body having an extension configured to be inserted into a high definition multimedia interface receptacle, and at least one projection on an outer surface of the extension to facilitate releasable engagement of the plug with a standard high definition multimedia receptacle. A corresponding method of releasably securing a high definition multimedia interface plug to a standard high definition multimedia interface receptacle is also provided. |
| US08628337B2 |
Attachment mechanism for electronic component
An attachment mechanism for an electronic component includes a circuit board and a fastener. The circuit board includes a first connector connected to a second connector of the electronic component. The fastener includes two operation portions and a connection portion connected between the operation portions. The operation portions clamp the first connector. A hook extends from a top of the connection portion to engage with a first end of the electronic component. |
| US08628336B2 |
Apparatus for testing electronic devices
An apparatus is described for burn-in and/or functional testing of microelectronic circuits of unsingulated wafers. A large number of power, ground, and signal connections can be made to a large number of contacts on a wafer. The apparatus has a cartridge that allows for fanning-in of electric paths. A distribution board has a plurality of interfaces that are strategically positioned to provide a dense configuration. The interfaces are connected through flexible attachments to an array of first connector modules. Each one of the first connector modules can be independently connected to a respective one of a plurality of second connector modules, thereby reducing stresses on a frame of the apparatus. Further features include for example a piston that allows for tight control of forces exerted by terminals onto contacts of a wafer. |
| US08628330B2 |
Safety system for equipment
Apparatus (10) for promoting safe handling of equipment (12) comprises a display (14) for displaying a safety check relating to a prospective user's competency to use the equipment (12). A user manipulatable arrangement (20) enables the prospective user to enter data in response to the check. A controller (16) connected to the arrangement (20) is configured to operate a switch (24) to inhibit switching on or starting of the equipment, should the response data entered not meet with a predetermined criterion. |
| US08628328B2 |
System, method, computer program and data set intended to facilitate the comprehension and/or learning of languages by utilizing modified versions
The invention relates to a system, method, computer program and data set which are intended to facilitate language comprehension and/or learning. For said purpose, samples of a target language are worked on and modified versions of said samples are used. The purpose of the modified versions is to provide clues which will enable the person using the invention to understand the target language samples. The invention greatly facilitates the management of the modified versions. In particular, the invention aids the tutor in the creation of modified versions and, in addition, in the identification of the versions most suited to the person interested in understanding and/or learning the target language. The modified versions are produced using sets of modifications, referred to herein as Relations, which are processed autonomously. |
| US08628321B2 |
Molding of nonuniform object having undercut structure
Various embodiments are disclosed herein that relate to the molding of an item having a non-uniform thickness and an undercut structure. One disclosed embodiment provides an injection molding device for molding a part having a non-uniform thickness and an undercut structure, the injection molding device comprising a pair of opposing end walls, a first mold surface being stationary with respect to the pair of opposing end walls, and a second mold surface being movable toward the first mold surface such that a first end of the second mold surface is movable a larger travel distance toward the first mold surface than a second end during a molding process. Further, the pair of opposing end walls comprises a slider with an undercut mold surface that is movable in a direction transverse to a direction in which the second mold surface is movable toward the first mold surface. |
| US08628320B2 |
Concrete block mold with moveable liner
A mold assembly having a mold cavity formed by liner plates, at least one being moveable, an actuator having an actuator axis, and a force multiplier formed by first and second drive elements, the first drive element positioned off-axis from the actuator axis and in mechanical communication with the moveable liner plate, the second drive element operatively coupled to the first drive element, and the actuator configured to provide a first force having a first magnitude in a first direction along the actuator axis to the second drive element which moves the first drive element and the moveable liner plate in an extending direction, wherein a magnitude of a force applied to the moveable liner plate resulting from compression of dry cast concrete in the mold cavity that is required to move the moveable liner plate in a direction opposite the extending direction is greater than the first magnitude. |
| US08628313B2 |
Scroll fluid machine with a coating layer
A scroll fluid machine that is capable of preventing a power loss and enhancing the degree of hermeticity of compression chambers. A plurality of outer peripheral projections are formed on an outer peripheral surface of a wrap portion of each scroll. An outer peripheral coating layer is formed on an outer peripheral surface of a wrap portion of a fixed scroll, and an inner peripheral coating layer is formed on an inner peripheral surface of the wrap portion. Each of the coating layers comprises: contact portions that make contact with the mating wrap portion; and non-contact portions that do not make contact with the mating wrap portion. In this way, the degree of hermeticity of the compression chambers can be enhanced by the contact portions, and power loss can be prevented by the non-contact portions. |
| US08628310B2 |
Fan system having improved availability and method for its operation
A fan system includes: two circuit breakers, a control module for controlling two circuit breakers, two electric motors to which their operating voltage UB is supplied via the circuit breakers, and at least one temperature sensor on a board on which the circuit breakers are located. The control module evaluates a signal TNTC from the temperature sensor, and sets the pulse duty factors TV1, TV2 of pulsed control voltages at the circuit breakers, while taking into account this signal as well as a requested fan power, in such a way that no power loss PV exceeding a specified value occurs at any circuit breaker. |
| US08628308B2 |
Actuator with grooved piston for a fluid infusion device
An apparatus for delivering a fluid includes a housing, an inlet in the housing for receiving the fluid, and an outlet in the housing for discharging the fluid. A piston channel is provided within the housing through which the fluid flows from the inlet to the outlet. An actuator is positioned within the housing and is moveable between a retracted position and a forward position, the actuator defining a piston chamber for storing fluid received through the inlet when the actuator is in the retracted position and for driving the fluid stored in the piston chamber toward the outlet when the actuator transitions from the retracted position to the forward position. The actuator includes an armature and a piston coupled to the armature and moveable within the piston channel. The piston is provided with a groove in an outer surface for conducting fluid from the inlet to the outlet. |
| US08628307B2 |
Proximity-sensor support, a compressor, a valve plate and a cooler
One describes a support for a proximity sensor to sense the proximity of a piston of a compressor, a compressor proper, a valve plate of a compressor and a cooler provided with these pieces of equipment. One of the objectives of the present invention is achieved by means of a support for a proximity sensor for sensing the proximity of a piston of a compressor comprising a cylinder for the piston, the cylinder being associated to a valve plate, configuring a high-pressure region inside the cylinder and a low-pressure region outside the cylinder, the support comprising a base structure, a first connection end portion and a second connection end portion, the proximity sensor being associated to the high-pressure and the base structure extending as far as the low-pressure region. |
| US08628306B2 |
Helium enclosed compressor
Helium enclosed compressor. A compressor and a motor section with stator having coil ends and a rotor, are housed within an enclosed vessel partitioned into discharge and motor chambers by a frame. The compressor section has a stationary scroll having a spiral wrap standing upright at a disk-like panel and an orbiting scroll having a spiral wrap standing upright at a disk-like panel, made to mesh with each other while their wraps face the inside. The orbiting scroll sucks helium gas from a suction port of an outer peripheral portion of the stationary scroll, and discharges helium gas into the discharge chamber from a discharge port of a central portion of the stationary scroll. An inverter controls a number of rotations of the motor section, wherein a plurality of varnish-treated layers which becomes insulating films is formed on the surface of a coil which constitutes the coil ends. |
| US08628302B2 |
Single or multiple stage blower and nested volute(s) and/or impeller(s) therefor
An impeller comprising: a top shroud; a bottom shroud, a plurality of vanes extending from the top shroud to the bottom shroud, each said vane including a top edge at a radially inner portion of the vane in contact with the top shroud and a bottom edge at a radially outer portion of the vane in contact with the bottom shroud, such that a radially inner portion of the vane at the bottom edge of each vane is not in contact with or adjacent the bottom shroud and a radially outer portion of the vane at the top edge of each vane is not in contact with or adjacent the top shroud. |
| US08628300B2 |
Apparatus and methods for cooling platform regions of turbine rotor blades
A configuration of cooling channels through the interior of a turbine rotor blade having a platform, wherein the rotor blade includes an airfoil cooling channel that includes a cooling channel formed within the airfoil and an outboard airfoil supply channel. The configuration of cooling channels may include: a platform cooling channel that comprises a cooling channel that traverses at least a portion of the platform, the platform cooling channel having an upstream end and a downstream end; an outboard platform supply channel, which comprises a cooling channel that stretches from a second coolant inlet formed in the root to the upstream end of the platform cooling channel; and an inboard platform return channel, which comprises a cooling channel that stretches from the downstream end of the platform cooling channel to a termination point formed in the root. |
| US08628298B1 |
Turbine rotor blade with serpentine cooling
A turbine rotor blade has a number of serpentine flow cooling circuits to provide cooling to forward and aft sections of the airfoil and to upper span and lower span sections of the airfoil in order to provide specific cooling to directed sections of the airfoil. A common cooling air supply channel extends the entire spanwise length of the airfoil and supplies cooling air to each of the serpentine flow cooling circuits. |
| US08628297B2 |
Tip flowpath contour
An apparatus is provided and includes a turbine including a casing and a turbine bucket having a tip proximate to the casing and a trailing edge defined relative to a direction of fluid flow through the turbine and a diffuser, defined between a central surface and a downstream section of the casing, which is fluidly coupled to the turbine and disposed downstream from the trailing edge, a slope of the downstream section of the casing being angled by at least 6 degrees relative to a slope of the tip within about 0.5 turbine bucket chord lengths as measured at the tip from the trailing edge, and the central surface and the downstream section of the casing being at least substantially parallel or divergent from the trailing edge. |
| US08628293B2 |
Gas turbine engine components with cooling hole trenches
An engine component includes a body having an interior surface and an exterior surface; a cooling hole formed in the body and extending from the interior surface to the exterior surface; and a concave trench extending from the cooling hole at the exterior surface of the body in a downstream direction. |
| US08628281B2 |
Exchangeable cutting head and cutting tool having the same
An exchangeable cutting head that is inserted into a mounting hole formed on a tool body, screwed on a mounting screw section provided on a bottom portion of the mounting hole, and is attached removably to the tool body, the exchangeable cutting head includes: a cutting head body including: a cutting portion provided at a front-end section; a mounting portion provided at a rear-end section and inserted into the mounting hole; and an engaging hole having an inner-peripheral face on which a recessed portion is formed, the cutting head body being made of a hard material; and a connection member including: a shaft portion that is inserted into the engaging hole, includes an outer periphery attached firmly to the inner-peripheral face of the engaging hole, and is engaged with the inner-peripheral face; a head screw section screwed with the mounting screw section; and a hole section formed inside of the head screw section and the shaft portion and along a center line of the shaft portion, the connection member being made of a metal material having a degree of hardness lower than a degree of hardness of the hard material and the connection member being connected to the cutting head body. |
| US08628280B2 |
Router
A router includes a motor assembly, at least a first rail and at least a first rolling element pair mounted to the motor assembly, where the first rolling element pair engages the first rail. The router may further include a second rail and a second rolling element pair mounted to the motor assembly, where the second rolling element pair engages the second rail. |
| US08628278B2 |
Drill
A drill having end-face major surfaces, contiguous faces descending from the major cutting edges and flanks contiguous to the major cutting edges. Center cutting edges are formed by end-face taperings. A chisel cutting edge is between the center cutting edges. Shapes of the cutting edges are disclosed. First ones of the flanks are angled to create an outward apex angle so that the major cutting edges and the center cutting edges run at a constant taper angle. |
| US08628277B2 |
Cutting apparatus
A cutting apparatus includes a workpiece supplying member, a positioning mechanism, a transportation robot, and an annular cutting blade. The workpiece supplying member includes a number of slots for receiving a number of plate-shaped workpieces therein. The positioning mechanism includes a number of side surfaces and a number of recesses. The transportation robot is configured for unloading a workpiece from the workpiece supplying member, transporting the workpiece from the workpiece supplying member to the positioning mechanism, and loading the workpiece on the positioning mechanism. The positioning mechanism is rotatable about the central axis such that one of the side faces can be selectively oriented to face the transportation robot so as to load the workpiece transported by the transportation robot in the corresponding recess. The cutting blade is configured for cutting a workpiece loaded on the positioning mechanism. |
| US08628273B2 |
Method and apparatus for forcing a pipeline into or out of a borehole
A pipe thrusting apparatus for inserting and removing a pipe from a borehole, comprising a collar configured to releasably grip the pipe; a support frame having at least one anchor securable to the ground; and a bi-directional driver coupled between the collar and the support frame, the driver configured to drive the collar toward and away from the borehole to insert and remove the pipe from the borehole. |
| US08628264B2 |
Oral care implement
An oral care implement includes a handle, a head mounted to one end of the handle that includes a first face having a plurality of tooth cleaning elements extending therefrom and a second face, a store of dentifrice retained at the head, and a film matrix retained at the head containing at least one rapidly releasable agent. A soft tissue cleaner can be included on the second face. The at least one rapidly releasable agent can be provided to the first and/or second faces during use from the film matrix. In addition, dentifrice can be provided to the first and/or second faces during use from the store of dentifrice. The at least one rapidly releasable agent can include, for example, a flavoring agent, a dentifrice, or a therapeutic agent. The toothbrush can be small in size and lightweight so as to be readily portable for use away from the home. |
| US08628258B2 |
Tripod head
A holder for an optical device for changing the orientation of the optical device, such as for photographic, video or film cameras, having a first component having a first pivot axis for connecting to a tripod and a second component having a second pivot axis for connecting to the optical device, wherein the two pivot axes extend transversely with respect to each other and can each be adjusted in a mutually independent manner, wherein the first pivot axis is arranged in the first component and the second pivot axis is likewise arranged in the first component. |
| US08628255B2 |
Light emitting diode lighting system
A lighting system for generating an illumination product comprises an excitation source, blue/UV LED, operable to generate excitation radiation and a remotely located phosphor, photo luminescent material. Excitation radiation is guided from the excitation source to the phosphor by a waveguiding medium, the waveguiding medium being configured such that the distance the radiation travels from the excitation source to the phosphor layer is at least one centimeter in length. The UV/blue excitation source provides excitation radiation to the phosphor(s), causing the phosphor(s) to photo luminesce, and it may also provide a component of the final illumination product. The configuration of the waveguide allows a greater flexibility in lighting system configurations, such as hanging lighting fixtures, desk lighting fixtures, floor standing lighting fixtures, desk lamps, track lighting, spot lighting, accent lighting, lighting panels, inspection lamps and endoscopes. |
| US08628253B2 |
Optical connector that compensates for longitudinal shifting of optial fiber core relative to a housing of the connector, and a method
An optical connector is provided having a housing with a cavity formed therein through which an optical fiber passes. Within the cavity, a slightly bent, unjacketed portion of the core of the optical fiber is disposed. If conditions are such that pistoning of the core begins to occur, the slightly bent, unjacketed portion of the core straightens, thereby causing the end of the core to remain substantially flush with the end of the ferrule of the connector housing. In this way, the pistoning effect at the end of the fiber is prevented and optical losses associated with the occurrence of the pistoning effect are avoided. |
| US08628252B2 |
Waterproof connector and waterproof device using the same
There is provided a waterproof connector. The waterproof connector comprises a connector member supporting a ferrule to be butted against a target ferrule disposed in a target connector, the connector member being adapted to be locked to an adapter member of the target connector by an action of a lock operation portion provided in the connector member; unlocking means being adapted to operate the lock operation portion to release the locked state; and a housing body allowing the unlocking means to be slidably moved. The waterproof connector is adapted to be released from the connection with the target connector in such a manner that the unlocking means is allowed to be moved away from the connector member, whereby the unlocking means is operable to operate the lock operation portion to release the locked state, and to move the connector member away from the adapter member to release the fitting. |
| US08628249B2 |
Angular contact ball bearing
A sealed, single row angular contact ball bearing which has a seal arranged at both axial ends in a region of the rims. One bearing ring has on both sides one receiving opening for the sealing lip carrier and the associated other bearing ring has on both sides one sealing face for the sealing lip. The rims are coordinated with one another in such a way that receiving openings and sealing faces lie in one plane at the same radial spacing from a bearing axis. It is ensured in this way that the same seal can be used for sealing the angular contact ball bearing of generic configuration on both sides. |
| US08628248B2 |
Centrifugal ring with collecting channel
A seal arrangement with a centrifugal ring for a sealing between a rotatable bearing part and a static bearing part. The centrifugal ring has a first end piece, which forms both an outer circumference of the centrifugal ring and a cutoff edge located on a disk-shaped outer face. The seal arrangement reduces the coefficient of friction without having to accept any loss of sealing effect, but in which the seal arrangement nevertheless remains cost-effective to manufacture. For this purpose, the centrifugal ring has a second end piece. The end pieces together form a first collecting channel in the vicinity of the cutoff edge and the end pieces each form an annular seal gap with a static bearing part. |
| US08628247B2 |
Bearing structure of turbocharger
A turbocharger is provided with a rotor shaft, a bearing housing in which a bearing hole is formed, and a bearing member of the semi-floating type arranged in the bearing hole and supporting the rotor shaft in a rotatable state. The bearing member has a first bearing portion and a second bearing portion spaced at a predetermined interval in the axial direction of the rotor shaft, in its inner periphery. A region between the first bearing portion and the second bearing portion in the inner periphery of the bearing member, and an outer periphery of the rotor shaft constitute an oil passage for supply of lubricant oil to inside surfaces of the first and second bearing portions. Oil grooves to suppress the whirl vibration are formed in each of the inside surfaces of the first and second bearing portions. The oil grooves are closed in part. |
| US08628246B2 |
Groove configuration for a fluid dynamic bearing
A groove configuration for angular stiffness in a fluid dynamic bearing is provided. A primary groove and a secondary groove are formed on a journal bearing or thrust bearing surface. The secondary groove apex induces a heightened pressure response at a localized area to counteract angular displacement. The primary groove extends a greater circumferential distance about the bearing surface as compared to the secondary groove. The secondary groove apex is also situated closer to an axial end of the journal bearing, or closer to an outer diameter of the thrust bearing, as compared to the primary groove apex. |
| US08628242B2 |
Foldable bag with retaining straps
A foldable bag comprising a compartment for holding articles including first and second opposing body panels constructed of a foldable material and connected to each other along a pair of sides and a bottom bridging the pair of sides to define an open mouth formed opposite the bottom. The sides and the bottom of the compartment are foldable to collapse the compartment, and the compartment is maintained in the collapsed configuration in a variety of ways. In one embodiment, fastening straps can be provided proximate the mouth and extend outward beyond the sides to releasably engage fastening members on the first panel proximate the bottom. Alternatively, a reclosable flap member can be coupled to a panel and include a strap defining a retention loop, wherein the compartment is maintained in the collapsed configuration when the sides are disposed within the retention loop. Alternatively, a strap can be coupled to the compartment proximate the bottom to define a retention loop, and a carrying handle can be coupled proximate to the mouth wherein the compartment is maintained in the collapsed configuration when the carrying handle is advanced through the retention loop. |
| US08628240B2 |
Temperature measurement using a diode with saturation current cancellation
Various embodiments provide systems and methods measuring the temperature of a device using a semiconductor temperature sensor, such as a diode. This invention allows the use of an uncalibrated diode to be used as a temperature sensor by applying a sinusoidally varying forcing current to the diode and measuring the rate of change of the voltage across the diode. Embodiments advantageously provide for a rapid, responsive temperature measuring, substantially eliminating the effect of lead resistance associated with the temperature sensor. |
| US08628238B2 |
Insulation test cryostat with lift mechanism
A multi-purpose, cylindrical thermal insulation test apparatus is used for testing insulation materials and systems of materials using a liquid boil-off calorimeter system for absolute measurement of the effective thermal conductivity (k-value) and heat flux of a specimen material at a fixed environmental condition (cold-side temperature, warm-side temperature, vacuum pressure level, and residual gas composition). The apparatus includes an inner vessel for receiving a liquid with a normal boiling point below ambient temperature, such as liquid nitrogen, enclosed within a vacuum chamber. A cold mass assembly, including the upper and lower guard chambers and a middle test vessel, is suspended from a lid of the vacuum canister. Each of the three chambers is filled and vented through a single feedthrough. All fluid and instrumentation feedthroughs are mounted and suspended from a top domed lid to allow easy removal of the cold mass. A lift mechanism allows manipulation of the cold mass assembly and insulation test article. |
| US08628237B1 |
Method for measuring contacting thermal resistance of one-dimensional structures
A method for measuring a contacting thermal resistance of one-dimensional structures is provided. A first one-dimensional structure and A second one-dimensional structure are crossed and in contact with each other to form a suspended junction. A point P of the first one-dimensional structure is heated until the first one-dimensional structure and the second one-dimensional structure reach a thermal equilibrium. A point A and a point B are selected on the first one-dimensional structure and a point C and a point D are selected on the second one-dimensional structure, wherein the point B, the point A, the suspended junction, the point C and the point D are arranged equidistantly with a distance Δx. A temperature difference ΔTj is calculated by the formula ΔTj=ΔTAC−ΔTBA−ΔTCD. The heat flux Qj is calculated by the formula Qj=2kΔTCD/Δx. The contacting thermal resistance Rj is calculated by the formula Rj=ΔTj/Qj. |
| US08628236B2 |
Thermal analysis
Techniques for determining one or more heat transfer characteristic values of a structure, such as an electronic device, are disclosed. A heat flux vector magnitude and a temperature gradient vector magnitude for a portion of the structure are determined, and a product of the heat flux vector magnitude with the temperature gradient vector magnitude is obtained. More particularly, the dot product of the heat flux vector magnitude with the temperature gradient vector magnitude may be obtained to provide a bottleneck heat transfer characteristic value. Alternately or additionally, a cross product (or related operation) of the heat flux vector magnitude with the temperature gradient vector magnitude is obtained to produce a shortcut heat transfer characteristic value. |
| US08628234B2 |
Horological movement comprising a high oscillation frequency regulating device
The horological movement comprises a regulating device having an oscillation frequency (f) and an escapement for maintaining the oscillations of the regulating device. The escapement comprises an escape wheel having (N) teeth. The frequency (f) is at least equal to about 5 Hz, and the ratio between the number (N) of teeth and the frequency (f) is substantially equal to 5. |
| US08628229B1 |
Modular illuminated framing
An improved modular illuminated frame member for framing translucent or transparent display articles. A transparent or translucent display article is framed using one or more modular illuminated frame members. The illuminated frame member contains two or more light emitting diode (LED) lighting modules, which direct light into the edge of alight guide assembly which illuminates the display article. The number of LED lighting modules in the frame member determines the frame member length; frame members with different numbers of LED lighting modules have different lengths. The frame member may be used as a heatsink for the LEDs. Dummy non-illuminated frame members are provided in matching lengths. The frame members may be encased in a further decorative frame. Using a set of modular illuminated frame members and dummy frame members of various lengths, frames for a wide range of display article sizes may be easily assembled. |
| US08628228B2 |
Light assembly and method of use
A light assembly is provided. The light assembly has a housing having a first end segment carrying an activation mechanism, a second end segment, and a light emitting segment connecting the first and second end segments. A light source is provided in communication with an activation device and arranged to illuminate the light emitting segment. An attachment assembly is arranged for attachment of the light assembly to a carrying device. The attachment assembly is formed by a first receptor and a second receptor, the first and second receptors adapted to receive an attachment device. The attachment assembly may also be formed by a first magnet arranged to attract to the carrying device and a second magnet arranged to attract to the carrying device. |
| US08628226B2 |
Vehicle headlamp unit having multiple adjacent projection lenses
A vehicle headlamp unit has a plurality of projection lenses configured to project light from at least one light source. The plurality of projection lenses is configured and arranged such that each of the projection lenses includes an outer peripheral portion that faces and extends along the outer peripheral portion of an adjacent one of the projection lenses. The outer peripheral portion of each of the projection lenses touches or lies close to the outer peripheral portion of the adjacent one of the projection lenses such that light emitting areas of the plurality of projection lenses as a whole are visually recognized as a single light emitting area. |
| US08628221B2 |
Lamp
A lamp comprises a base, at least one light source arranged on the base, a cover positioned on the base and covering the light source, and a structured film arranged adjacent to the light source. The structured film has at least one micro structure configured for guiding part of the light backward emitted from the light source. |
| US08628220B2 |
Light source
The present invention relates to a light emitting diode, LED, light source that may be arranged for retrofitting into a luminaire employing an incandescent light source. The light source comprises a light guide into which light from one or more LEDs in a light unit arranged at one end of the light guide is injected, and a reflector having a reflecting surface arranged at the other end of the light guide and facing towards the light guide capable of reflecting light incident on the reflecting surface. According to the present invention, the reflecting surface can be arranged in a number of exemplary ways such as to enable the light emitted from the light source to have a spatial intensity distribution that is similar to the light intensity distribution of an incandescent light source. |
| US08628218B2 |
Lamp incorporating supporting body for easily mounting to a support
A lamp includes a supporting body and a lamp body. The supporting body is fixed to a support such as a ceiling. The supporting body defines a plurality of apertures each including a hole and a slot. The slot has a width less than a diameter of the hole. The lamp body includes a housing, a heat sink, a light source and a cover. The housing forms a plurality of protrusions each including a pole and a head. The head has a diameter larger than a width of the slot. The protrusions extend through the holes of the apertures and then are rotated into the slots, whereby the heads are located above the slots and engage with the supporting body. Thus, the lamp is suspended from the support. A resilient member is provided between the housing and the supporting body. |
| US08628216B2 |
Lighting including integral communication apparatus
A lighting and communication system for use in a standardized light fixture is provided. The lighting and communication system includes a light source and a communication apparatus. At least one electrical connector configured for physical and electrical connection to the standardized light fixture is included, and the at least one electrical connector is electrically connected to the light source and the communication apparatus. |
| US08628212B2 |
Conductive end caps for LED-based linear lighting apparatus
A conductive end cap for a linear lighting apparatus is disclosed. The first embodiment of the present invention comprises, among other things, an insulating cap for one end of the linear lighting apparatus, the cap including a first orifice extending from the exterior side of the cap to the interior side of the cap and a conducting shaft extending through the first orifice and protruding from the exterior side of the cap, such that the shaft may rotate about its central axis within the first orifice. The conductive end cap also includes a second orifice extending perpendicularly through a portion of the shaft for accepting a conductive line and a static conductive element protruding from the interior side of the cap so as to provide a conductive terminal for a lighting element located within the linear lighting apparatus. |
| US08628211B2 |
Compact solar light assembly
A lighting assembly is provided including a support member configured to engage an object that is to be illuminated. A solar cell is rotatably joined to the support member. A lighting member is powered by the solar cell. The lighting member is rotatably joined to the support member to position a light provided in the lighting member. |
| US08628209B2 |
Light assembly
A light assembly includes a housing containing at least one solid state lighting device. The solid state lighting device electrically communicates with an AC energy source in a known manner. At least one photovoltaic cell is connected to an inner wall of the housing adjacent to the solid state lighting device whereby the photovoltaic cell absorbs radiative energy from the solid state lighting device. At least one battery pack derives energy from the artificial light of the lighting device, by and through the photovoltaic cell. One or more LED lights, or an LED array, are contained within the housing, and electronically communicate with the battery pack. An actuation sensor activates a switching means to energize the LED light(s) with DC power from the battery pack. |
| US08628205B2 |
Backlight unit, electro-optical device, and electronic apparatus
A backlight unit includes: an arrangement surface on which a plurality of light sources are arranged, and a plurality of reflection surfaces erected from a plurality of edges of the arrangement surface. The light emitted from the light sources and the light reflected from the reflection surfaces irradiate to an irradiation area surrounded by the reflection surfaces which are each inclined at an inclination angle smaller than 90 degrees with respect to the arrangement surface. At least one reflection surface includes a large inclination area inclined at a large inclination angle and a small inclination area inclined at a small inclination angle. The light source arranged close to the large inclination area is disposed closer to the outside frame of the irradiation area than the other light sources arranged close to the small inclination area in plan view from the irradiation area. |
| US08628201B2 |
Flash device structure
A flash device structure comprises a front window mechanism and a fixing seat. The front window mechanism has a base, a luminous module and a placement element, wherein the luminous module is set up on the placement element to be located inside the base and maintain the luminous module electrically connected. The fixing seat includes a trigger, wherein the trigger electrically connects with the luminous module when the fixing seat is connected into the front window mechanism. |
| US08628196B2 |
Display device and display method
A display device and its display method are provided. The display method includes: first, inputting image message, then generating laser beams for forming an image according to the input image message to display an image. The image message includes angular message of each image pixels. |
| US08628192B2 |
Inkjet recording apparatus
An inkjet recording apparatus includes: an ink ejection head having ink ejection openings; a conveyance mechanism which is disposed below the ink ejection head and conveys a recording medium facing the ink ejection openings; a recording medium feeder which is disposed below the conveyance mechanism, is capable of stocking therein a recording medium, and feeds a recording medium to the conveyance mechanism; a refeeder which is partially disposed below the recording medium feeder and which refeeds, to the conveyance mechanism, a recording medium having conveyed by the conveyance mechanism; and an ink reservoir which is disposed below the refeeder and reserves therein ink to be fed to the ink ejection head. |
| US08628189B2 |
Inkjet recording apparatus
An inkjet recording apparatus includes a conveying unit configured to convey a recording medium, a recording head configured to eject ink onto the recording medium conveyed by the conveying unit to perform recording, a platen configured to support the recording medium at a position facing the recording head, a heating unit configured to heat the recording medium on the downstream side of the platen in the conveying direction, and a plurality of protrusions that are disposed on the downstream side of the platen, wherein the plurality of protrusions are configured to contact the non-recording surface of the recording medium, and wherein the plurality of protrusions are arranged in the width direction of the recording medium. On the downstream side of the platen, the plurality of protrusions are configured to give a corrugated shape in the width direction to the recording medium expanded by being heated by the heating unit. |
| US08628187B2 |
Methods of forming images on substrates with ink partial-curing and contact leveling and apparatuses useful in forming images on substrates
Methods of forming images on substrates in printing and apparatuses for forming images on substrates in printing are provided. An exemplary embodiment of the methods of forming images on substrates in printing includes applying ink onto a surface of a substrate; irradiating the ink on the surface of the substrate with first radiation to partially-cure the ink; applying pressure to the substrate and partially-cured ink at a nip with a first surface of a first member and a second surface of a second member to level the ink on the surface of the substrate; and irradiating the as-leveled ink on the surface of the substrate with second radiation to substantially fully cure the ink. |
| US08628179B2 |
Liquid container and manufacturing method therefor
A liquid container detachably mountable to a mounting portion of an ink jet recording apparatus, the liquid container including a casing defining a liquid containing chamber, an electrical contact, a light emitter, a display portion for directing emitted light to an outside of the liquid container, and an information storing portion for storing information relating to the liquid container. First and second engaging portions are engageable with respective first and second locking portions of the mounting portion, and are disposed at opposite first and second sides of the casing. A latch lever displaceably supports the second engaging portion away from the second side. A supply port is provided on a third side of the casing between the first and second sides, the electrical contact is disposed at a corner between the second and third sides, and the display portion is disposed adjacent an upper portion of the second side. |
| US08628178B2 |
Liquid droplet discharge device
The liquid droplet discharge device according to this invention has a storage portion which stores liquid, a first supply pipe which is connected to the storage portion and to which the liquid is supplied from the storage portion, a container which is connected to the first supply pipe and to which the liquid is supplied from the first supply pipe, a head which discharges the liquid supplied from the container, and a stirring member which stirs the liquid in the container, in which the capacity of the container is equal to or larger than the capacity of the first supply pipe. |
| US08628174B2 |
Piezoelectric element, method of manufacturing the same, and ink jet head
A piezoelectric element 10 includes a supporting body 12, a lower electrode 16 that is formed over the supporting body, a piezoelectric layer 20 that is formed over the lower electrode, and an upper electrode 24 that is formed over the piezoelectric layer so as to oppose the lower electrode via the piezoelectric layer. A step portion 20A is formed at a peripheral portion of the piezoelectric layer at a side of the lower electrode such that a surface of the piezoelectric layer at the side of the lower electrode is larger than a surface of the piezoelectric layer at a side of the upper electrode. |
| US08628172B2 |
Liquid ejecting head and image forming apparatus
Disclosed is a liquid ejecting head, including two nozzle sequences, each nozzle sequence including nozzles for ejecting a liquid drop, separate liquid chambers communicating with the nozzles, and two common liquid chambers for supplying a liquid to the separate liquid chambers and correspond to the two nozzle sequences, each common liquid chamber including a supply port for supplying a liquid thereto, an aperture, a cross-section thereof in a second direction orthogonal to a first direction of arrangement of the plural nozzles decreasing toward an end portion thereof in the first direction, wherein the supply port and aperture of one of the two common liquid chambers are provided at one end portion and the other end portion in the first direction, respectively, and the supply port and aperture of another one are provided at the other end portion and the one end portion in the first direction, respectively. |
| US08628170B2 |
Recording apparatus
A recording apparatus, including: a recording head; a conveying member for conveying a recording medium in a conveyance direction; a wiper whose distal end is to come into contact with and separate away from the surface; a wiper driving mechanism for driving the wiper to conduct a wiping operation in which the distal end is brought into contact with the surface and the wiper is moved relative to the surface in an intersecting direction that intersects the conveyance direction for wiping the surface; a retainer for giving, to the conveying member, a retaining force for preventing a movement of the conveying member in the intersecting direction; and a controller for controlling the retainer to give the retaining force to the conveying member and for controlling the driving mechanism to conduct the wiping operation, in a state in which the movement of the conveying member in the conveyance direction is halted. |
| US08628167B2 |
Printing device
There is provided a printing device configured to eject a dispersed body containing a solid particle and a liquid. The printing device includes a film and an acoustic head. The film has a first major surface and a second major surface on an opposite side of the first major surface. The first major surface is provided with a first recess accommodating the liquid and a second recess provided on a bottom face of the first recess and accommodating the solid particle. The acoustic head focuses an acoustic wave from a side of the second major surface toward the first recess and the second recess. Thus, even in the case of discharging a dispersed body containing solid particles, it is possible to uniformize the amount of solid particles contained in ejected droplets and it is possible to uniformly make a print. |
| US08628161B2 |
Image forming apparatus, image forming method, recording medium conveyance apparatus and recording medium conveyance method
An image forming apparatus includes: a treatment liquid deposition device which deposits a treatment liquid onto a recording medium; an ink ejection device which ejects droplets of ink onto the recording medium; a conveyance device including: a conveyance body having curvature by which the recording medium is carried and conveyed, a holding device which holds a leading end of the recording medium, suction holes for suctioning the recording medium with negative pressure, and a suctioning device which performs suctioning via the suction holes; a heating device which heats the conveyance body and the recording medium from an opposite side of the recording medium to the conveyance body; and a non-contact-type recording medium restricting device which is provided on an upstream side of the heating device so as to press in a non-contact fashion a trailing end of the recording medium from the opposite side to the conveyance body. |
| US08628156B2 |
Computer case
A computer case includes a housing, a first sub housing, and a second sub housing. The housing includes a bottom wall, a sidewall and a fixing wall extending perpendicularly from the bottom wall, all of which cooperate to form a receiving space. The first sub housing is configured for receiving a redundant power supply. The second sub housing is configured for receiving a single power supply. Each of the first sub housing and the second sub housing is capable of being detachably received in the receiving space and secured to the housing. |
| US08628150B2 |
Trading system and methods
The present invention is directed to a system and method that facilitates the more fully informed and efficient trading of items of value, including securities. According to the present invention, certain embodiments permit a customer to determine the merits of and to execute a trade from a single screen. One embodiment of the present invention provides a single option chain trading screen enabling a customer to view a matrix of all available options for a given security, including the various strike prices, expiration dates, and whether they are calls or puts. Another embodiment provides a customer with a single option chain trading screen allowing a customer to “hover” at or near various icons to obtain supplemental information without leaving the trading screen, and use a triple-action selection component to ultimately execute a trade. |
| US08628145B2 |
Vehicle seat buckle
A seat buckle apparatus for use in a vehicle seat assembly having a seat back, a seat base, and a base portion, the seat buckle apparatus comprising a bracket member having a first end and a second end, the bracket member for coupling to the vehicle seat; a first belt buckle portion for being movably supported to the vehicle seat and having an upper end, a lower end, and an engagement member for engaging the bracket member; and wherein the bracket member will prevent the upper end of the belt buckle from contacting the seat back when the seat back is folded down on the seat base. |
| US08628135B2 |
Automotive vehicle seat system
A portion of a riser of a removable vehicle seat has a layered structure. The layered structure provides abrasion resistance and noise isolation. |
| US08628130B2 |
Workpiece transfer apparatus for press machine and crossbar unit
Provided is a workpiece transfer apparatus for a press machine including: a workpiece retaining device which is supported by a crossbar extending to be approximately orthogonal to a workpiece transfer direction, and is capable of retaining and releasing a workpiece; a guiding device which supports and guides the workpiece retaining device so that the workpiece retaining device is slidable along a longitudinal direction of the crossbar; a driving device which drives the workpiece retaining device supported and guided by the guiding device so that the workpiece retaining device is moved along the longitudinal direction of the crossbar; and a brake device which acts in a path different from a path of the driving device, the brake device being capable of fixing and releasing a position of the workpiece retaining device with respect to the longitudinal direction of the crossbar. |
| US08628124B2 |
Vehicle door lock
A rotary latch lock for a vehicle door has a lock case forming a cut-out recess for a lock pin; a first rotatably mounted rotary latch engageable with the lock pin; a first rotary latch spring for imposing a force on the first rotary latch; a rotatably mounted actuating lever engaging in the lock case; a first locking pawl pivoting about a first pivot axis; and a guide device for locating, centering and guiding the vehicle door during opening and closing of the vehicle door. The first rotary latch, the first latch spring and the first locking pawl are arranged within the lock case. The first locking pawl engages the first rotary latch, causing the first rotary latch to be maintained in a locked position engaging the lock pin. The actuating lever actuates the first locking pawl, causing it to release the first rotary latch from its locked position. |
| US08628122B2 |
Pipe compression joint
A pipe compression joint assembly (10) comprises a male pipe end (20) having an outwardly-extending annular rib (34), a female pipe end (40) adapted for slidable insertion of the male pipe end (20) therein, a first clamp ring (54) adapted for slidable coupling with the male pipe end (20) and bearing against the annular rib (34), and a second clamp ring (52) fixedly attached to the female pipe end (40). The first clamp ring (54) can be controllably urged toward the second clamp ring (52) after the male pipe end (20) has been inserted into the female pipe end (40) so that the female pipe end (40) deformably engages the annular rib (34) to effect a sealed joint without the use of a gasket. |
| US08628121B1 |
System for use in a wellbore
A system for use in a wellbore using a tubing string formed from a plurality of connected tubulars. The tubulars are connected by a tubular threaded seal connector. The tubular threaded seal connector includes a coupling body. A first seal engagement portion is formed on the coupling body adjacent to a first shoulder formed on a portion of the J-area, and second seal engagement portion is formed on the coupling body adjacent a second shoulder formed on another portion of the J-area. |
| US08628119B2 |
Tube connector
A tube connector that allows for a secure connection between a plug and a socket is provided. An accommodation space is provided such that, when the plug is inserted into an insertion hole of the socket while a sleeve is lifted upward to a base-end position, if a ball rolls on an outer periphery of the plug so as to come into abutment with a projection, the accommodation space entirely accommodates the ball at a side adjacent to the socket relative to the outer periphery of the plug. |
| US08628109B2 |
User interface for a power folding stroller
A user interface for a power folding stroller includes: a rotational mechanical joint positioned on the handlebars of the stroller. The rotational mechanical joint is coupled to electrical sensors that must be activated by the user rotating a ring combined with a second step of pressing a button to activate the folding or unfolding process. Once the ring has been rotated the required distance and returned to a home position, an indication, such as an LED light, may be provided to the user that the second action of pushing the button can be undertaken. |
| US08628103B2 |
Vehicle handlebar support structure
A handlebar support structure for sandwiching a steering handlebar (12) between a lower holder (25) and an upper holder (28) includes an instrument mounting area (30) for supporting an instrument panel unit (14) fitted removably thereto and a shield mounting area (32) for supporting a windshield (16) fitted removably thereto. The instrument mounting area (30) and the shield mounting area (32) are formed integrally with each other. The instrument mounting area (30) and the shield mounting area (32) altogether represent a forwardly pursed shape along a direction conforming to a forwardly tilted direction (D). |
| US08628102B2 |
Extended crank system
An extended crank system for a bicycle or similar crank driven system has frame with a bottom bracket and a pair of cranks operatively connected to opposite ends of the bottom bracket. A chain ring is operatively connected to one of the cranks. A crank hub is rotatably connected to each of the cranks and extends away from and is substantially parallel to the bottom bracket. A pair of crank extensions is connected to the crank hub, and a pair of crank extension hubs is connected to the pair of crank extensions. Additionally, a pair of crank followers is pivotably connected to opposite ends of the crank extension hubs at respective first ends of the crank followers, as well as pivotably connected to opposite ends of a top bracket mounted to the frame above the chain ring and behind the seat post, at respective second ends of the crank followers. |
| US08628100B2 |
Stabilizing device for steered trailing axles of vehicles
A stabilizing device for axles of vehicles, such as motor vehicles, trailers, semi-trailers, or the like, including a hollow cylinder unit, which comprises a hollow cylinder containing a fluid therein, a piston unit with a piston which is arranged in the hollow cylinder and divides the hollow cylinder into at least two chambers, wherein the piston unit can slide relative to the hollow cylinder unit in that said piston unit can be moved from an original position to a deflected position, a pre-tensioning device which tensions the piston unit in the direction of the original position, and a control or regulating device which controls or regulates the fluid flow into/out of the chambers. |
| US08628098B2 |
Fork assembly for agricultural applicator
A front fork assembly for use with a three-wheel agricultural floater has a yoke having a first yoke portion and a second yoke portion extending downwardly from generally opposite ends of an upper yoke portion. A first plurality of wheel mounting points is formed on the first yoke portion and a second plurality of wheel mounting points is formed on the second yoke portion. The front fork assembly further includes a first wheel mounting arrangement formed from selected mounting points of the first plurality and the second plurality of mounting points. A second wheel mounting arrangement, different from the first wheel mounting arrangement, is formed from selected mounting points of the first plurality and the second plurality of mounting points. In this regard, the front fork assembly provides more than one mounting position for a front floatation tire. |
| US08628097B1 |
Transport system
A transport system for transporting an item is provided. The transport system comprises a first plate and a second plate with each having a first side and a second side. A first side wall and a second side wall mounted between the first plate and the second plate with a sleeve opening created by the first plate, the second plate, the first side wall, and the second side wall. A plurality of wheels is mounted to the second plate. A strap is positionable around the item and within the sleeve opening with a tensioning device movable within the sleeve opening for releasably securing the strap. Upon positioning the item on the first side of the first plate, the strap releasably secures the item to the transport system. |
| US08628093B2 |
Grommet
A waterproof sealing lip section is pressed onto a vehicle body panel, thereby enhancing a high waterproof function even if projecting amounts in height of the burrs are random. A conical waterproof flange projects from an outer peripheral surface of a body side cylinder for passing the wire harness so that the waterproof flange is inclined on the outer peripheral surface. An annular bent end extends from the conical waterproof flange. First and second annular sealing lips project from an inner surface of the bent end. The first and second sealing lips of the waterproof flange are pressed onto the vehicle body panel. |
| US08628092B2 |
Method and apparatus for packing rings
A seal assembly for a turbomachine is provided. The turbomachine includes a stationary housing and a rotor rotatable about an axis. The seal assembly includes a plurality of arcuate packing ring segments disposed intermediate to the rotor and the stationary housing, and a plurality of inter-segment gaps disposed between the plurality of arcuate packing ring segments. The plurality of inter-segment gaps are inclined at a first angle from a radial axis of the rotor and inclined in a direction of motion of the plurality of arcuate packing ring segments. The seal assembly also includes a biasing member disposed intermediate to the stationary housing and the plurality of arcuate packing ring segments and coupled to both. |
| US08628089B2 |
Jigsaw puzzle having one or more puzzle pieces that can be bent
The disclosure relates to a jigsaw puzzle having at least one puzzle piece that can be bent along at least one predefined bending line, and that has an upper side and a lower side and a puzzle piece thickness extending between the upper side and the lower side which is reduced from an inner side of a bend along each bending line. In order to neutralise the resilient restoring force that acts in the bent state, on each side of each bending line there is a fixing device which releasably fixes a desired bending angle, each fixing device having at least one recess into which a corresponding protrusion engages in a clamping and/or latching manner when the puzzle piece is bent. |
| US08628087B2 |
Personalized mosaic puzzle set
A mosaic puzzle set has a predetermined number of pieces (45) with unique, directionally visible, identifiers and different brightness characteristics, three for grey scale and five for color, comprising average brightness(es), and direction and magnitude of brightness gradients, enabling assembly to copy any user selected target picture (30) by following a dedicated table/chart (33). An internet server (1) storing piece characteristics and accessible for target picture upload and chart download by an access code in the purchased set, divides (S11) the target picture (30) into a same number of data areas (311) as pieces, analyzes their brightness characteristics and assembles the chart (33) by provisionally assigning pieces to respective target areas (311) and exchanging them for each other when sums of respective mismatch values between pieces and respective target areas are thereby reduced (S12-S14). Alternatively, pieces are divisions of an iconic source picture or only screen images. Pieces in a humped brightness histogram, population distribution provide greater detail. A grid-form tray supports and aligns pieces during assembly. Internet (2) billing is possible. |
| US08628086B2 |
Shuffling devices including one or more sensors for detecting operational parameters and related methods
A shuffling device for playing cards and method of shuffling cards is provided where a first group of cards is moved within the device to form a randomized second group of cards. The device comprises moving parts that assist in the movement of cards within the shuffling device; a processor in informational connection with the shuffling device; a sensor that detects at least one of speed, distance and force of at least one moving part and provides a signal to the processor regarding detection of at least one of speed, distance and force; and the processor containing a program that interprets the signal to detect significant variations in at least one of speed, distance and force of the moving part. |
| US08628078B2 |
Bill storage and bill handling apparatus
A bill storage comprises: a plurality of bill receipt portions provided therein; a bill inlet-outlet, which is provided on an upper surface of the bill storage and through which bills are taken out or received from outside; and a taking-out and accumulating mechanism part provided on each of the receipt portions to perform actions, in which bills are taken out and in which bills are accumulated, wherein at least a first bill receipt portion and a second bill receipt portion are arranged in a state of being stacked in this order from a side of the bill inlet-outlet, the bill inlet-outlet is provided on a predetermined side, and the taking-out and accumulating mechanism part provided on the first bill receipt portion is arranged on another side opposed to the predetermined side. |
| US08628077B2 |
Paper feeding device and image forming apparatus
ADF includes a pickup roller, an arm, a regulatory member, a drive motor and a control section. The pickup roller is supported at shaft thereof by the arm swung between a lowered position and a raised position. The drive motor supplies a driving force for the swing to the arm. The regulatory member constrains the arm from moving upward across the raised position. The control section sets a setting-speed of the drive motor to a first speed by which much importance is attached to the reduction of driving noise of the drive motor when a first driving factor causing the arm to move from the neighborhood of the raised position occurs, and sets the setting-speed to a second speed by which much importance is attached to the reduction of contact noise with the regulatory member when a second driving factor causing the arm to move from the lowered position occurs. |
| US08628076B2 |
Sheet feeding device and image forming apparatus
A sheet feeding device, capable of reliably feeding sheets that have a curl, includes a sheet surface detection mechanism configured to detect an upper surface of a topmost sheet of sheets supported on a tray. The sheet surface detection mechanism includes a sensor unit arranged on a upstream side of a suction and conveyance mechanism in a sheet conveyance direction, a sensor lever configured to turn the sensor unit ON/OFF, and a detection unit having one end connected to the sensor lever and another end that extends toward a downstream side in the sheet conveyance direction. The detection unit includes, on a downstream side in the sheet conveyance direction, a protruding member that protrudes in a downward direction and that is capable of contacting the topmost sheet supported on the tray. |
| US08628074B2 |
Sheet feeding device and image forming apparatus incorporating same
A sheet feeding device that can be incorporated in an image forming apparatus includes a sheet feeder including a belt unit including an attraction belt facing a sheet stack and first and second tension rollers to keep the attraction belt taut, and a side holder to rotatably support the belt unit about the first tension roller that serves as a pivot of the sheet feeder being disposed upstream from the second tension roller in the sheet conveyance direction, a contact and separation drive unit to swing the sheet feeder to make the attraction belt contact with and separate from the sheet stack, and a swing range adjuster to adjust a range of swing of the belt unit with respect to the side holder between contact and separation of the attraction belt with respect to the sheet stack, according to a predetermined condition. |
| US08628071B2 |
Device for finish-machining of optically effective surfaces of workpieces, in particular spectacle lenses
A device (10) for finish-machining of optically effective surfaces of workpieces, in particular spectacle lenses (L, L′), is disclosed, comprising at least one workpiece spindle (30, 30′), to which a workpiece can be clamped, at least one tool spindle (28, 28′), which is movable relative to the workpiece spindle and at which a tool (46) for machining the workpiece can be mounted, and a loading system (22) for bringing a workpiece to and taking it away from the workpiece spindle and bringing a tool to and taking it away from the tool spindle. The loading system comprises a loading head (82), which is separate from workpiece spindle and tool spindle, with at least one loading section (102, 102′) equipped with at least one mount (106, 106′) for a workpiece and at least one mount (104, 104′) for a tool, so that both the tool and the workpiece can be loaded in a time-saving single loading process. |
| US08628068B2 |
Retractable device for holding containers, and a container-processor installation fitted with such devices
A device for holding a bottom portion of a container in a container-processor installation, the device comprising a support core provided with a stationary abutment for a lateral surface of the bottom portion of a container, and with a shoe mounted to pivot about a substantially horizontal axis between a holding position in which the shoe extends in the vicinity of the abutment to co-operate with the bottom portion of the container, and a disengaged position in which the shoe is retracted to allow the bottom portion of a container to be inserted in the device and to be extracted from the device along a direction that is substantially coplanar with a direction in which the bottom portion of the container bears against the abutment. An installation including such a device. |
| US08628066B2 |
Cooling tower and method of constructing same
A cooling tower including an enclosure, a body of fill material supported inside the enclosure, a liquid distribution system supported above the fill material having a liquid distribution header, and a fan assembly mounted directly to the header for drawing air upward through the fill material, and a drainage collection system located below the fill material. The liquid distribution system includes a liquid distribution header comprising at least one feeder conduit encased in a monolithic casting of concrete. The liquid distribution system distributes a liquid over the fill material in such a way that the liquid gravitates downward through the fill material. The header traverses the enclosure and is supported by the enclosure. The fan assembly draws air upwards through the fill material. The drainage collection system collects the liquid that gravitates through the fill material. |
| US08628057B2 |
Locking mechanism for valve device
Disclosed herein is a locking mechanism for a valve device having a valve body for retaining the valve body at a predetermined opened position, including: a disk having a rotational shaft rotatable together with a valve body driving shaft and having a cutout groove formed on an outer circumferential face thereof; a ball disposed in the cutout groove; a body member having an axial direction restriction face and an inner circumferential face; a holder member having an engaging face which has a diameter gradually decreasing toward the ball and is engageable with the ball; and a spring member biasing the holder member toward the ball, wherein said ball is clamped by and among the engaging face which is acted upon by the biasing force of said spring member, the axial direction restriction face and the inner circumferential face so that a rotational direction position of the rotational shaft is retained. |
| US08628055B2 |
Bi-direction rapid action electrostatically actuated microvalve
A bi-directional electrostatic microvalve includes a membrane electrode that is controlled by application of voltage to fixed electrodes disposed on either side of the membrane electrode. Dielectric insulating layers separate the electrodes. One of the fixed electrodes defines a microcavity. Microfluidic channels formed into the electrodes provide fluid to the microcavity. A central pad defined in the microcavity places a portion of the second electrode close to the membrane electrode to provide a quick actuation while the microcavity reduces film squeezing pressure of the membrane electrode. In preferred embodiment microvalves, low surface energy and low surface charge trapping coatings, such as fluorocarbon films made from cross-linked carbon di-fluoride monomers or surface monolayers made from fluorocarbon terminated silanol compounds coatings coat the electrode low bulk charge trapping dielectric layers limit charge trapping and other problems and increase device lifetime operation. |
| US08628051B2 |
Adustable display mounting bracket assembly
An adjustable display mounting bracket assembly includes a mounting bracket, a linkage unit, and a fixing plate. The mounting bracket includes a main body, at least one first connecting member, at least one second connecting member, and a support body. The first and second connecting members are pivotally connected to the main body and the support body. The second connecting member can slide relative to the main body for adjusting the mounting bracket. The linkage unit is pivotally connected to the mounting bracket on one end and the fixing plate on opposite end. The linkage unit allows the distance between the mounting bracket and the fixing plate to be adjustable. |
| US08628050B2 |
Shelf bracket for a television wall mount
A shelf bracket for a wall mount includes a connecting member including a main body secured to the wall mount and a support member coupled to the connecting member, the support member including a generally “L” shaped main body to support a shelf, wherein at least one of the connecting member and the support member has a generally “U” shape cross section with an open side. |
| US08628046B2 |
Control system
The invention relates to a control system and to a method of operating such a control system, particularly to a control system for pilot command inputs for a helicopter, with a mechanical input signal (2), at least one electric position sensor (21, 21′) for said input signal (2), at least one electric power supply (25, 25′) and at least one controllable, electromechanical actuator (27, 27′) fed by the at least one electric power supply (25, 25′) and controlled by the at least one electric position sensor (21, 21′). The mechanical input signal (2) is applied mechanically to the at least one controllable electromechanical actuator (27, 27′). |
| US08628043B2 |
Parachute safety device
The safety device comprises a first bridle connecting a pilot chute of the reserve parachute to a deployment bag, a second bridle connecting the main parachute to the first bridle, a pin fastened to this first bridle and passed in a releasable manner in a loop formed on a locking bridle fastened to the locking pin and passed through a loop fastened to the second bridle and two eyelets formed through the first bridle. |
| US08628041B2 |
Method for realization of an aircraft structure and resulting structure
An aircraft structure includes a skin (28) that is reinforced in two directions: by a first family of stiffeners called stringers (30) that are arranged in the longitudinal direction of the aircraft, and by a second family of stiffeners called frames (32) that are arranged in planes that are perpendicular to the longitudinal direction and that ensure the taking up of orbital forces, characterized in that at least one frame (32) has a hollow cross-section that is delimited by a closed profile, produced for a given cross-section in a single piece, of which one portion is in contact with the skin. |
| US08628040B2 |
Aircraft configuration
An aircraft configuration that may reduce the level of roaring jet exhaust noise, infrared radiation, sonic boom, or combination thereof directed towards the ground from an aircraft in flight. The aircraft's nacelles are mounted to the aircraft higher than the wings, with substantially vertical stabilizers outboard of the outermost engine. Noise shifting means are provided such as, for each nacelle, primary chevrons at the core nozzle, secondary chevrons at the fan nozzle, a partial bypass mixer, a long duct full flow mixer, or a combination thereof to provide a shift in spectrum distribution of jet exhaust noise from lower to higher frequency. Variable geometry chevrons may be used with increased immersion to provide such a shift just during noise-restricted portions of an aircraft flight profile. The aircraft aerodynamic structural surfaces serve as noise shielding barriers that more effectively block or redirect the frequency shifted noise up and away from communities. |
| US08628037B2 |
Self-compensating filament tension control device with friction braking
A self-compensating tension control device for regulating the withdrawal of filamentary material from a spool includes a fixed support that maintains a cam surface and a spindle assembly rotatably carrying the spool. A tension force applied to the filamentary material, in opposition to a biasing force, moves the spindle assembly linearly in relation to the fixed support. A braking mechanism includes a brake drum rotatable with the spindle assembly, a brake shoe adapted to engage the brake drum and a rocker arm that engages the cam surface. When the tension force applied to the filamentary material is reduced and unable to overcome the biasing force, the cam roller engages the cam surface and causes the brake shoe to generate a braking force on the brake drum. Withdrawal of the filamentary material at a regular rate occurs when the biasing force is balanced with the tension force. |
| US08628036B2 |
Tub grinder
A tub grinder has a rotor with hammers that pass between adjacent slug bars. The slug bars have a riser bar portion disposed on the top of the slug bars, the riser bar portions extending vertically higher on one end of each respective slug bar than on the other end of each respective slug bar so that the hammers extend farther beyond the top of the riser bar and slug bar when they pass by first end than when they pass by the second end of the riser bar. |
| US08628035B2 |
Blade set for jaws used in rail breaking demolition equipment
A blade set associated with jaws for demolition equipment used to break railroad rails includes a bottom blade associated with a bottom jaw and a top blade associated with a top jaw, wherein the bottom jaw and the top jaw are rotatable relative to one another. The bottom blade includes two spaced-apart support rails separated by a cavity, while the top blade includes a single raised knife rail positioned and central to the cavity and rotatable toward the cavity. The top blade additionally may be marked with indicia, such as red paint, such that the machine operator may properly orient the top blade during a cutting operation to maximize safety. Additionally, the recesses may also be aligned and sized to engage the head and the foot of a rail such that tension and/or a bending moment is introduced between the head and foot of the rail. |
| US08628034B2 |
Belt tensioning apparatus
A belt tensioning system configured to more effectively maintain the proper tension in a belt that can be engaged and disengaged. Proper tension in the belt is maintained even if the belt stretches or contracts by including a spring biased member between a tension wheel and a pivot frame. The spring member is preloaded such that when the belt stretches the tension wheel is biased against the belt by the force of the spring. Also, by selectively engaging the tension system one can avoid overloading the engine without the need to incorporate a clutch. |
| US08628031B2 |
Method and apparatus for controlling needle seat load in very high pressure diesel injectors
Method and apparatus for controlling needle seat load in very high pressure diesel injectors. In accordance with the method, a needle control piston responsive to hydraulic forces for controllably forcing the injector needle against the needle seat is provided, as is a stop for the needle control piston to limit the needle control piston movement toward the needle seat. This provides a stop for the needle control piston, so that the compressive deflection between the needle control piston and the needle seat limits the force of the injector needle on the needle seat against increasing hydraulic forces on the needle control piston once the needle control piston reaches the needle control piston seat. |
| US08628029B2 |
Paint sprayer
A sprayer for spraying a fluid can include a sprayer body, a trigger assembly, a flow adjustment mechanism and a fluid reservoir. The sprayer body can include a handle portion and a nozzle portion, the nozzle portion defining a fluid outlet and including a fluid conduit in communication with the fluid outlet. The trigger assembly can be coupled to the nozzle portion and be configured to open the fluid outlet. The flow adjustment mechanism can be coupled to the trigger assembly and be configured to adjust a flow rate of the sprayer. The fluid reservoir can be coupled to the sprayer body and be in communication with the fluid outlet and fluid conduit. The fluid reservoir can include a cap and first and second necks, the first neck being coupled to the sprayer body and the cap being removably coupled to the second neck. |
| US08628028B2 |
Method of injecting solution into a misting line
A method and system of providing a mist in a grocery display that injects biocidal solution into a misting line of water during a phase of the misting cycle. |
| US08628022B1 |
Systems and methods for sensor mechanisms for magnetic cards and devices
A card exhibiting multiple linear arrays of sensors are provided to detect a presence and movement of an external object (e.g., a read-head of a magnetic stripe reader). Each sensor of each array of sensors may be independently connected to a dual port of a processor so that the processor may determine a direction in which the card is swiped through a magnetic stripe reader. A portion of sensors of each array of sensors may be shared by a portion of inputs and/or outputs of a single port of a processor. Sensors may be cross-coupled to a single processor port so that forward and reverse directions of a card swipe may nevertheless be detected by a single-port processor of a card. |
| US08628017B2 |
Card with illuminated codes for use in secure transactions
A card for use in secure transactions includes a card body having a first major surface and a second major surface, the first major surface having a combination of a plurality of symbols disposed thereon. The card body has a plurality of LEDs disposed in connection with the plurality of preprinted symbols, individual ones of LEDs being disposed to identify respective individual ones of the plurality of symbols when illuminated. An LED controller is coupled to the plurality of LEDs and operable upon actuation to selectively illuminate individual ones of the plurality of LEDs to identify a sub-combination of the plurality of symbols, thereby providing an illuminated one-time code for use in a secure transaction. |
| US08628016B2 |
Terminal operative for storing frame of image data
There is set forth herein an imaging terminal having a picture taking mode of operation. In the picture taking mode of operation the terminal can capture a frame of image data into a buffer memory prior to activation of a trigger signal. The terminal can be operative so that responsively to activation of a trigger signal, the terminal transmits one or more frames of the buffer memory to a storage memory. The terminal can further be operative so that responsively to activation of a trigger signal an operator is presented with indicators of frames captured both prior to and subsequent to the activation of the trigger signal. The terminal can be operative so that an operator can select for archiving one or more frame. The one or more frame can comprise one or more frame captured prior to activation of a trigger signal and one or more frame captured subsequent to activation of a trigger signal. |
| US08628015B2 |
Indicia reading terminal including frame quality evaluation processing
There is described an indicia reading terminal that can be operative to capture a succession of frames of image data and that can be operative so that a certain frame of the succession of frames is subject to quality evaluation processing where a result of the quality evaluation processing is responsive to one or more of an incidence and sharpness of edge representations of the frame of image data. |
| US08628012B1 |
System and method for a baseband nearfield magentic stripe data transmitter
The present invention describes a system and a method for a baseband near-field magnetic stripe data transmitter (MST) device that transmits payment card data from a smart-phone, or other electronic device, into a Point of Sale (POS) transaction terminal. The MST device includes a driver and an inductor. The MST receives magnetic stripe data comprising payment card data, processes the received magnetic stripe data and emits high energy magnetic pulses comprising the processed magnetic stripe data that are then received remotely by the magnetic stripe reader of the POS. |
| US08628011B2 |
Card personalization device for producing a portable USB object, associated card, method for detecting the type of card, and use of the cards in a mass mailing method
A card personalization device for producing a portable USB object having a device that is capable of recognizing cards that are operating according to the ISO standard and cards operating according to the USB standard. The recognition device being coupled to a device for switching the power supply terminals on the contact pads corresponding to the USB or ISO power supply contacts of the card in accordance with the type of the detected card. |
| US08628010B2 |
Automatic remote acquisition system for determining the configuration of an installation
There is described an automatic remote acquisition system for determining the configuration of an installation having a number of devices, which are divided into standard devices grouped by cabinets, and into non-standard devices, and are each defined by a respective number of elementary units. The remote acquisition system has a number of passive transponders, each associated with a respective elementary unit to memorize respective identification data of the elementary unit; a number of active transponders, each associated with a respective non-standard device to memorize at least the identification data of the respective number of elementary units; and, for the passive transponders, a number of control units, each mounted in a respective cabinet to acquire the identification data, memorized in the respective passive transponders, of the elementary units of the standard devices in the cabinet. |
| US08628007B2 |
Banking machine controlled responsive to data read from data bearing records
A banking system comprises automated banking machines which include a card reader, check imaging device, and cash dispenser. Each system machine can cash a code-correlated check in exchange for receiving both the check and the code assigned to the check, without requiring any user identifying input through the machine's user input devices as a condition for cashing the check. The system allows a potential recipient of a personal check to call in a given code to a system computer, which can verify whether the check is backed by funds reserved for the check amount and whether the check can be anonymously cashed. From the call the system computer can obtain the mobile phone's GPS location to determine the system machine nearest to the phone. When informing the phone user that a check is as good as cash, the system computer can also provide directions to that nearest system machine. |
| US08628003B2 |
Product dispensing container, system and method with priming area
A product dispensing container including a plurality of walls that define an internal volume, at least one of the walls including an access door panel, a priming area and a severance line, and a plurality of products received in the internal volume, wherein the priming area is displaceable relative to the wall to form a free edge, and wherein the access door panel is at least partially defined by the free edge and the severance line when the priming area is displaced relative to the wall. |
| US08627995B2 |
Electrically self-powered surgical instrument with cryptographic identification of interchangeable part
A surgical instrument includes a surgical end effector having a receiving portion for removably receiving therein an interchangeable part. The receiving portion has a communication connection. A handle connected to the end effector actuates the end effector. The handle has a controller electrically connected to the communication connection for authenticating the interchangeable part when placed at the end effector. An interchangeable part is removably connected to the receiving portion and has an encryption device electrically removably connected to the communication connection when placed at the receiving portion. The encryption device authenticates the interchangeable part when queried by the electric controller. |
| US08627994B2 |
Surgical stapling apparatus
A surgical stapling apparatus is provided and includes a housing having an actuator; an elongated member extending from the housing; an end effector disposed on an end of the elongated member, the end effector having a first jaw and a second jaw, the first jaw having a staple cartridge and the second jaw having a plurality of staple forming recesses; the staple cartridge having at least a first segment and a second segment, the first segment and the second segment each having a tissue contacting surface and staple receiving slots defined in the tissue contacting surface, the first segment and the second segment being biased toward the second jaw and movable; a biasing members for each of the first segment and the second segment; and a pressure sensor for each of the first segment and the second segment. |
| US08627993B2 |
Active braking electrical surgical instrument and method for braking such an instrument
An electrically powered surgical instrument includes a surgical end effector having a surgical procedure effecting actuation assembly. A handle is coupled with the end effector. An electric motor is disposed within a shell of the handle and has power terminals and a drive train actuating the assembly when the motor is supplied with power. A break-before-make power supply switch at the handle selectively controls supply of power to the motor. A post-termination braking circuit electrically short-circuits the power terminals when the switch does not supply power to the motor. A method for post-termination braking of an electrical motor utilizes the permanent magnetic field of the motor to counteract an inertia-induced over-stroke characteristic of the motor, drive train, and/or actuation assembly after powered operation by short-circuiting the still-spinning motor to create an electrically generated magnetic field in opposition to the permanent magnetic field upon ceasing supply of power to the motor. |
| US08627991B2 |
Fastening tool with blind guide work contact tip
A blind guide work contact tip for mounting to a drive probe of a fastening tool is shaped in a manner which allows for an angled nail placement, such as 45 degree into a workpiece. The blind guide work contact is a one-piece attachment which is fitted around the existing drive probe and includes a body and two wings which extend therefrom forming a channel through which a fastener passes into the workpiece. The body has a work surface with a peak and sloped slides adjacent each side of the peak at approximately 45 degrees. The sloped surfaces allows the blind guide work contact tip to better access corners and angled spaces than previous work contact tips. The work contact tip also has a flat portion at the peak of the work surface so as to not inhibit face nailing. |
| US08627989B2 |
Support rail for a vehicle article carrier having blow molded decorative rail structure
A vehicle article carrier adapted to carry articles above an outer body surface of a vehicle. A pair of support rails are used, each formed from a non-metallic material, and each further including a bottom wall having at least one cutout potion at an intermediate point along its length. At least one cross bar may be supported from the support rails. At least one bracket may be associated with each support rail. The bracket is dimensioned to fit within the cutout portion in its support rail. The cross bar may be secured directly to the brackets such that ends of the cross bar are fully supported only by the brackets and the outer body surface of the vehicle. Thus, the support rails experience substantially no load from the brackets and the cross bar attached to the brackets. |
| US08627987B2 |
Container with elevating inner wall
A container, for example for a food product or the like, provides an elevating lower inner surface that may sealably support a contained food product to raise the upper surface of the food product as it is consumed. Importantly, the container avoids an extension of the elevating mechanism into the product itself, reducing problems of contamination and leakage. |
| US08627983B2 |
Russian roulette beverage dispenser
A beverage dispenser in the general shape or form of a gun and a method of using the same in a game of chance similar to Russian Roulette to dispense a beverage. The beverage dispensing includes a frame with a front muzzle end, a rear frame, a grip defining a reservoir, a trigger mechanism and a rotatable cylinder received in the frame. The cylinder includes a rear surface with at least one inset portion capable of receiving an end of the trigger mechanism when the trigger is actuated. |
| US08627982B2 |
Thermal protector sleeve for hot drink cup
A thermal protection sleeve for use in combination with hot drink cups comprising a flat embossed sleeve or band of compressed paper embossed with straight-sided geometric figures over much of the surface thereof. However, overlapping end surface areas are not embossed but are glued together with a suitable biodegradable adhesive. In addition, an unembossed logo blank is provided substantially in the center of the band. |
| US08627979B2 |
Can end
A can end (10) having an end panel (12), an openable non-removable panel (15) defined by a score line (14) in the end panel (12) and a non-removable tab (13) attached to the end for acting on the openable panel (15) to cause it to pivot out of the plane of the end panel (12) to provide an opening, the opening being generally oblate with its minor axis passing through the tab characterized in that the ratio of the dimension of the opening on its major axis to the dimension of the opening on its minor axis is greater than 1.7 and the opening area is greater than 350 mm2. |
| US08627974B2 |
Waste collection and disposal device
A system for the sanitary collection and disposal of pet waste is disclosed. The system comprises adjacent male and female receptacles connected by a pull string. The male receptacle contains an open bottom for the purpose of being deployed over targeted waste, while the female receptacle contains an opening most adjacent to the male receptacle in order to allow for their joining. The user secures the female receptacle and applies a tension to the pull string, allowing the smaller dimensioned male envelope to be pulled into the female receptacle interior, thereby capturing the waste within the assembly utilizing the tapered bottom edge of the female receptacle as a scooping mechanism. This process can be accomplished from the standing position while supporting the female receptacle with one foot and utilizing one arm to drawn in the male receptacle, providing flexibility for users and eliminates contact concerns with the waste product. |
| US08627973B2 |
Container comprising a collapsible sidewall
The present invention relates to a container comprising foldable sidewalls which has a hinge connection which almost entirely prevents the base from slumping relative to the sidewall even under load, The container may be produced in a particularly simple and inexpensive manner, since due to the specific hinge connection, the base may be produced, in an injection-molding process, without any slide in the tool, and since a simple tool arrangement is thus enabled. |
| US08627971B2 |
Access shield for shipping container
The present invention is for an access shield for a shipping container, which container has a pair of doors and a plurality of supporting feet. An access shield for the shipping container is placed under the door end of the shipping container and is contained by the shipping container's weight with a pair of locking arms positioned behind the shipping container's feet to block access into a shipping container. |
| US08627968B2 |
Screw cap for containers for liquids
A screw cap (10) for containers for liquids, comprising a first capsule (11), which is internally provided with a thread (12) and is to be screwed onto a corresponding complementary thread (13) of a neck of a bottle (14), and a second capsule (15), which surrounds said first capsule (11) and is designed to rise axially away from the first capsule (11) upon first unscrewing, by means of spacing means that act at the first rotation of the second capsule (15) with respect to the first capsule (11), means being provided for the irreversible locking of said second capsule (15) in the raised configuration relative to said first capsule (11). |
| US08627967B2 |
Drinking container with a closure device having a reservoir chamber therein
A drinking container has an interior space (5) for receiving a drinking liquid (14) and a container opening (4) preferably arranged on the top side of the container, into which a closure device (3) with a receiving chamber (9) is provided. The content of the receiving chamber can be selectively released into the interior space (5). The closure device (3) has an externally threaded upper part (6) and a bottom part (7) as well as connection elements (8) disposed therebetween. The receiving chamber (9) is formed between the upper part and the lower part, and has an introduction opening (22) leading to the interior space. Thus, the content of the receiving chamber (9) is releasable into the interior space by a turning-in process of the closure device. The drinking container is suitable for preparing an unstable mixed drink of creatine powder (13) and an aqueous drinking solution (14). |
| US08627961B2 |
Eddy current separator
An eddy current separator (“ECS”) separates electroconductive and non-electroconductive materials. The materials can include “fines” having diameters less than about 10 millimeters. The ECS includes first and second hubs coupled to opposite ends of a magnet support tube. Magnets are coupled to the magnet support tube, substantially between the hubs. A motor coupled to one or both of the hubs rotates the magnet support tube and magnets to generate an eddy current in electroconductive material conveyed proximate the separator. The material in which the eddy current is created is repelled and projected away from the ECS along a predictable trajectory. An eddy current is not generated in nonconductive material conveyed proximate the separator. Therefore, that material is not projected away. A jacket tube may house the magnets and contain centrifugal forces of the magnets during rotation thereof That tube may comprise a Ti60 titanium alloy or other material. |
| US08627960B2 |
Apparatus and method for separating materials using air
Separating a mixture comprising at least two solid materials comprises transporting the mixture into a plenum, introducing air into the plenum, removing a heavier fraction of the solid materials from the plenum, removing air having a lighter fraction of the solid materials entrained therein from the plenum, removing the lighter fraction of the solid materials from the air that is removed from the plenum, filtering the remaining air, and re-circulating the air back to the plenum. Valves at the locations where material is introduced to and removed from the system can prevent air flow therethrough while allowing the materials to pass. The air can be introduced into the plenum at an angle with respect to the pathway in which the heavier fraction of the materials falls through the plenum, thereby avoiding damage to a screen that diffuses the air being introduced into the plenum. |
| US08627959B2 |
Substrate storage container
A separate supporting body for supporting semiconductor wafers of φ450 mm is attached to the inner surface of either side wall of a container body. Each supporting body is formed of a front supporting piece that is projected laterally from a frame and horizontally retains the wafer on, at least, the side part in the front peripheral edge; and a rear supporting piece that is projected laterally from frame and horizontally retains the wafer on, at least, the side part in the rear peripheral edge. Front supporting piece is formed of a projected part that extends from the front of frame toward the front peripheral edge of the semiconductor wafer and a curved part that extends rearwards from projected part along the peripheral edge of the semiconductor wafer. |
| US08627956B2 |
Screwstrip with drive slots having angled sidewalls
A screwstrip is disclosed including angled slots which allow a driver of an automated screwdriver to advance the screwstrip. The slots include a leading edge, which may be perpendicular to the line of travel of the screwstrip, and a trailing edge provided at an oblique angle with respect to the line of travel of the screwstrip. A slot including an angled sidewall is more forgiving and prevents misalignment of the driver with the slots. |
| US08627954B2 |
Strip for the formation of handles or labels for fruit and vegetable produce bags
A strip for the formation of handles or labels for fruit and vegetable product bags, such as mesh bags, the strip having a linear succession of handles, or labels where appropriate, joined without interruption to the immediately preceding and to the immediately following one, a central portion and two opposite ends being distinguished in each of them, which together with those of the immediately preceding and immediately following handles or labels determine respective joining areas, each handle or label provided in the transition area between each end and its corresponding central portion with at least one recess or depression at its edges, the inner contour of which is made up of a curved or mixed curve line devoid of angles and without inflexion points. |
| US08627949B2 |
Transmission mechanism and surface mount device using the same
A transmission mechanism includes a feeder, a belt furling module, a tension maintaining module, and a carrier belt. The tension maintaining module and the belt furling module are positioned on the feeder, and the carrier belt runs along the feeder, the tension maintaining module, and the belt furling module in that order. The tension maintaining module includes a base, a pivot shaft slidably positioned on the base, and an elastic member sleeved on the pivot shaft. When the carrier belt relaxes, the elastic member releases its compression force to drive the pivot shaft to move away relative to the base, thereby maintaining the tension force of the carrier belt. The disclosure also provides a surface mount device using the transmission mechanism, which reduces the likelihood of the carrier belt breaking or jamming, thereby promoting improved precision and yield rate of the surface mounted equipment. |
| US08627947B2 |
Feed auger lift assembly for an agricultural conveyor
An agricultural conveyor assembly of the type including a main conveyor, a feed auger assembly, and a main auger boot pivotally supporting the outlet end of the feed auger assembly on the inlet end of the main conveyor for swinging movement further includes a feed auger lift assembly. The feed auger lift assembly includes a bearing surface supported about an inlet opening of the main auger boot and one or more extendable lift members extending between a first end pivotally coupled to the feed auger assembly and a second end supported on the bearing surface for rotational movement about a feed auger swing axis together with the feed auger assembly. |
| US08627936B2 |
Electromagnetic differential speed control system for a fluid coupling device
A speed monitoring system (6) for a fluid-coupling device (10) includes a hub (44) and a ring magnet (220). The hub (44) rotates at a first speed that is proportional to an input clutch speed of a fluidically engageable input member. The ring magnet (220) rotates at a second speed that is proportional to an output clutch speed of a fluidically engageable output member. A magnetic sensor (232) generates a differential speed signal of the ring magnet (220) relative to the first speed. A controller (54) generates an actual speed signal indicative of the second speed in response to said differential speed signal. |
| US08627934B2 |
Fluid transmission device
A fluid transmission device includes a pre-damper (10) that transmits driving force received from a crankshaft (100) to a front cover (20) via first damper springs (14), a mechanism (30) that transmits the driving force transmitted to a pump (31) to a turbine (32) via hydraulic fluid, a piston member (40) that is disposed between the front cover (20) and the mechanism (30) and delivers the driving force to an output shaft (200), a dynamic damper (60) that connects the piston member (40) and the turbine (32) via second damper springs (63), a lock-up clutch (50) that enables the front cover (20) and the piston member (40) to engage with each other, a turbine clutch (70) that enables the turbine (32) and the piston member (40) to engage with each other, and a control device (80) that controls the lock-up clutch (50) and the turbine clutch (70). |
| US08627931B2 |
Torsional vibration damper
A torsional vibration damper comprises a housing with a fluid-tight ring-shaped chamber and a vibration ring, which is rotatably supported in the ring-shaped chamber of the housing. Between the vibration ring and the housing, a gap-shaped oil receiving space is formed, which is filled with a viscous damping fluid The oil receiving space has an oil outflow and an oil inflow. The oil drain communicates with a section of the oil receiving space located radially further outside than the oil inflow. The replacement of the damping fluid present in the oil receiving space is thus controlled. This makes it possible to refresh the damping fluid over an operation interval, so that the defined damping properties are maintained during the entire operation period. This helps to increase the life of a torsional rotary damper that is autonomous with reference to the oil supply, or to lengthen maintenance intervals. |
| US08627928B2 |
Fluid displacing transmission filler
The present invention provides a fluid displacing transmission filler having a blow molded, foam filled body. The body or shell of the filler is blow molded in a mold which shapes it to conform to internal surfaces and other features, such as gears and shafts, of a transmission. Then, the blow molded filler body is filled with closed cell foam. The resulting transmission filler is lightweight, achieves a maximum volume for an available space within a transmission and is essentially impervious to failure and filling with fluid because the closed cell foam does not significantly absorb transmission fluid. |
| US08627925B2 |
Foldable work platform
The present invention generally relates to work platforms, and, more particularly, to a work platform for use with a lift truck to elevate personnel safely and conveniently. |
| US08627924B2 |
Article handling machine equipped with a foldable catwalk
Article handling machine (1) comprising a frame (2) for receiving article handling elements, a roof (3) covering said frame (2), and, on one lateral side (6) of the machine (1), a catwalk (5) pivotally mounted on the frame (2) between an extended position in which it protrudes in a direction substantially perpendicular to the lateral side (6), with an inner edge facing the machine lateral side (6), and a folded position in which it stretches out in a direction substantially parallel to the lateral side (6). |
| US08627916B2 |
Saddle riding type vehicle
A saddle riding vehicle having an accelerator operator includes an accelerator operation amount detecting unit connected to a second end portion of an accelerator cable having a first end portion connected to the accelerator operator, the accelerator operation amount detecting unit is disposed at a location less susceptible to the effect from an external force and steering of the steering handlebar with a space to permit removal of screws and other parts that may be dropped during the assembly process. An accelerator operation amount detecting unit includes a rotatable member connected to an accelerator cable so as to be rotated according to displacement of the accelerator cable and a cover plate extending in a longitudinal direction to cover the rotatable member from an upward direction. The accelerator operation amount detecting unit is disposed near a head pipe. |
| US08627913B1 |
System and method to reduce the aerodynamic force on a vehicle
Disclosed is a vehicle including a tractor having a lower tractor duct that receives air from the front of the tractor and channels the air through a center area of the tractor and down between a set of rear wheels, a trailer having a lower trailer duct positioned below a cargo space that channels the air in the lower trailer duct between each set of trailer rear wheels and a lower articulation duct positioned near the set of tractor rear wheels that receives air from the lower tractor duct and communicates air to the lower trailer duct. An upper duct channels air through ductwork at the top of the trailer and tractor. A rear trailer louver system enables air in each duct to be channeled and pulled out of each respective duct, reducing drag and eddy currents using the vacuum at the rear of the trailer. |
| US08627908B2 |
Semi-autonomous vehicle providing an auxiliary power supply
A semi-autonomous vehicle couplable to a parent vehicle is described, and includes a chassis supported on first and second axles coupled to a plurality of wheels, a propulsion system configured to transfer torque to one of the wheels, a steering system configured to control direction of travel of the semi-autonomous vehicle, a braking system configured to apply braking force to the wheels, a high-voltage electrical energy storage system, an extra-vehicle communications system, and an extra-vehicle sensory system. A control system operatively couples to the propulsion system, the steering system, and the braking system. A coupling device is configured to electrically couple the semi-autonomous vehicle to the parent vehicle, the coupling device consisting essentially of a high-voltage DC electrical power bus electrically coupled to the high-voltage electrical energy storage system. |
| US08627906B2 |
Connection system for charging an electric vehicle
The invention relates to an electrical connection system for a motor vehicle with electric drive so as to make it possible to electrically connect means of electrical energy storage of the vehicle to an electrical source with a view to their charging, characterized in that it comprises: at least one electrically conducting bar extending in such a way as to be accessible from beneath the vehicle between front and rear regions thereof, each electrically conducting bar comprising an electrically conducting active surface connected electrically to the means of electrical energy storage of the vehicle, the active surface being intended to come into contact with complementary means of the electrical source, protection means for protecting the active surface of the electrically conducting bar, the bar and the protection means being able to move relative to one another between a so-called charging position where the active surface of the bar is disengaged from the protection means and a so-called off-charge position where the active surface of the bar is covered by the protection means. |
| US08627892B2 |
Plunger for performing artificial lift of well fluids
A plunger for removing fluid from a gas producing well has a fluid path through the plunger body, a narrow passageway within the fluid path, and a central orifice at an end of the passageway. The plunger may have a lip within the fluid path spaced above the central orifice. The lip can interact with gas and fluid exiting the central orifice when the plunger is rising within the gas producing well. The lip may be provided by an internal fishing neck. The plunger may have a bypass valve to allow the plunger to fall while the well is flowing, and may have a central constriction to regulate the rate of falling. |
| US08627886B2 |
Systems and methods for low emission hydrocarbon recovery
Systems and methods are provided for low emission (in-situ) heavy oil production, using a compound heat medium, comprising products of combustion of a fuel mixture with an oxidant and a moderator, mixed with steam generated from direct contact of hot combustion products with water, under pressure. The compound heat medium, comprising mainly CO2 and steam, is injected at pressure into a hydrocarbon reservoir, where steam condenses out of the compound heat medium releasing heat to the reservoir. The condensate is produced with the hydrocarbon as a hydrocarbon/water mixture or emulsion. Non-condensable gases, primarily CO2, from the compound heat medium may remains in the reservoir through void replacement, leakage to adjacent geological strata. Beneficially, any CO2 produced is recovered at pressure, for use in other processes, or for disposal by sequestration. Produced water is recovered and recycled as a moderator and steam generating medium. |
| US08627884B2 |
Setting tool for expandable liner hanger and associated methods
A setting tool for an expandable liner hanger. A method includes the steps of: releasably securing the setting tool to the hanger, the setting tool including an expansion cone for displacing through the hanger; and conveying the setting tool and hanger into the well on a generally tubular work string while no portion of the hanger extends longitudinally between the expansion cone and the work string. A setting tool includes an expansion cone, which is displaceable through the liner hanger to expand the hanger; at least one piston positioned on one side of the expansion cone; and an anchoring device for releasably securing the setting tool to the liner hanger, the anchoring device being positioned on an opposite side of the expansion cone. The expansion cone is pressure balanced between its two sides when the expansion cone is displaced through the liner hanger. |
| US08627881B2 |
Heat exchanger fin including louvers
A heat exchanger includes a first header, a second header and heat exchange tubes that extend between the first header and the second header. A fin is located between two adjacent heat exchange tubes, and the fin includes fin plates each having louvers. Each of the louvers includes a first louver section, a second louver section and a third louver section between the first louver section and the second louver section. The third louver section includes a drain portion that extends downwardly relative to the first louver section and the second louver section. |
| US08627874B2 |
Mould for metal casting and method using same
A mold for casting metal which allows solid impurities to be removed from the molten metal. The mold (50) has a cavity therein, said cavity having a casting portion and contiguous therewith a running system upstream of the casting portion, said running system comprising an upstream inlet portion (58), a downstream outlet portion (60) and a swirl chamber (54) disposed between the inlet and outlet portions (58, 60), wherein a filter (62) is provided at an interface between the swirl chamber (54) and the outlet portion (60). The application also relates to a method for preparing the mold, a pattern for preparing the mold, a housing for use in the mold and a method for casting employing the mold. |
| US08627870B2 |
Apparatus and method for labeling containers with different types of labels
An apparatus (200) and a method for labeling containers (100) with different types of label is disclosed. To each of at least two labeling machines (1, 2) there corresponds an infeed star wheel (61, 62) and a discharge star wheel (81, 82). A container path (7) is formed, along which the containers (100) to be labeled are fed to the at least two labeling machines (1, 2) in a controlled manner. At least one type of label is processed with each of the at least two labeling machines (1, 2), wherein the types of label processed with the at least two labeling machines (1, 2) are different. |
| US08627868B2 |
Apparatus and method for making pre-shaped insulating sheets intended to be inserted into stator or rotor slots
Apparatus (30) for making pre-shaped insulating sheets (10) for use in a stator or in a rotor comprising shaping elements (40-44) such to produce, starting from a continuous strip (15) made of electrically insulating material having a flat or substantially flat cross section, a strip portion having a cross section comprising a central septum (20) and two lateral portions (21-23, 21′-23′) joined to a respective end portion of the central septum (20), each of the lateral portions comprising a first section (21,21′) joined to the central septum (20), a second section (22,22′) joined and perpendicular, or essentially perpendicular, to the first section (21,21′), a third section (23, 23′) joined to the second section (22,22′) and inclined with respect to the latter towards the central septum (20). The apparatus (30) further comprises a pair of opposite rollers (46,47) having a transverse shaping profile comprising a projecting appendage (56, 57) suitable to be interfaced having a respective portion of the strip (15) facing the central septum (20) and operatively interposable between the central septum (20) and the third inclined section (23,23′). |
| US08627866B2 |
Tire and wheel rim assembly
A tire and wheel rim assembly comprising a wheel rim having flange portions and ledge portions, wherein each ledge portion has at least one circumferentially continuous groove with a circumferentially continuous surface. The assembly further includes a tire having bead regions comprising a ledge portion having a toe, a heel, and at least one circumferentially continuous rib with a peak, wherein the at least one circumferentially continuous rib of the tire extends radially into the at least one circumferentially continuous groove of the wheel rim. |
| US08627865B2 |
Device for preventing slipping of vehicle
A device for preventing slipping of a vehicle which includes spikes which are inserted between tires of a double wheel, a connection member which couples the spikes to each other, and a fastener which is provided on opposite ends of the connection member. The fastener includes a catch which is connected to a first end of the connection member, and a clamp which is connected to a second end of the connection member, and to which the catch is locked. When the catch is locked to the clamp to attach the device to the tires, the catch is disposed inside the connection member in a space between the tires, thus preventing the catch from coming into contact with a road surface when the vehicle travels. |
| US08627863B2 |
Tire having air chambers in rib-shaped land portion
A pneumatic tire (10) provided in a rib-like land section (110) thereof with: an air chamber (130A) in which recessed portions (131) are repeated in the circumferential direction of the tire at predetermined pitches; and constriction groove (121) which communicate with the recessed portions (131). A height (H) changes in the circumferential direction of the tire. A bottom surface (132) has substantially the same height as the ground contact surface at a position which is the highest point of the bottom surface (132) which is maximally raised toward the ground contact surface. The volume of the space formed between each constriction groove section (121) and the road surface is less than the volume of the space formed between each recessed portion (131) and the road surface. One end (121a) of each constriction groove section (121) communicates with the corresponding recessed portion (131), and the other end (121b) of the constriction groove section (121) communicates with a circumferential groove (11). The configuration causes the depth of the air chamber section (130A) from the ground contact surface to change in the circumferential direction of the tire, and as a result, even if a stone or the like is caught by the air chamber section (130A), the stone or the like tends to easily come out of the air chamber section (130A) by being moved in the circumferential direction of the tire as the pneumatic tire (10) rolls. |
| US08627861B2 |
Dispenser and apparatus and method for filling a dispenser
A dispenser for holding multiple doses of fluids or other substances, and for dispensing the substances, has a vial, a flexible bladder received within the vial, and a variable volume storage chamber formed between the bladder and vial. A filling valve is coupled in fluid communication with the storage chamber and defines (1) a normally closed, fluid-tight position hermetically sealing the storage chamber from the ambient atmosphere, and (2) an open position allowing the passage of fluid through the valve both to evacuate the storage chamber and to introduce fluid through the valve to fill the storage chamber. A pump is coupled in fluid communication with the storage chamber for pumping fluids out of the storage chamber. A dispensing valve is coupled in fluid communication with the pump and defines (1) a normally closed, fluid-tight position preventing the passage of fluid out of the dispenser, and (2) an open position for dispensing pumped fluid therethrough. The sealed, empty dispenser is sterilized, such as by applying gamma radiation thereto. Then, the sterilized, sealed, empty dispenser is filled with fluid by engaging the filling valve with an evacuating/dispensing member to evacuate the storage chamber, and by introducing fluid from the filling member through the open filling valve and into the storage chamber. The filling member is withdrawn from the valve, and a spring moves the valve to a closed position to hermetically seal the fluid within the dispenser. |
| US08627854B2 |
Pressure cast concrete or mortar lined steel pipes and methods of making the same
Pressure cast lined steel pipes comprise an annular concrete or mortar liner along an inside diameter, and a metal shell surrounding the liner, wherein the liner is in direct contact with the metal shell. The wall thickness of the liner can be from 10 to 50 times the thickness of the metal shell. The pipe may be coated with a dielectric material. A mold assembly used to form the pipe includes an annular concrete or mortar composition chamber formed between the metal shell and an inner mold member. Pressurized water is used in the mold assembly to pressurize the concrete or mortar composition and exert a desired pressure force onto the metal shell while the composition cures in the mold. Once a desired degree of cure is achieved, the pressure is removed causing the metal shell to exert a desired compression force onto the cured liner. |
| US08627853B1 |
Insulating material for automotive exhaust line tubing and manifolds
An insulated double-walled pipe including an inner pipe, an outer pipe surrounding the inner pipe to provide a substantially uniform annular gap between the inner and outer pipes, and optionally an annular flange connected to at least one end of the inner and outer pipe, wherein the annular gap is substantially filled with an insulating paste comprising a fiber component, an inorganic binder component, and optionally a vermiculite component, a filler component, and an organic binder component. A method for preparing the insulated double-walled pipe includes providing a double-walled pipe having an annular space between the walls; introducing an insulating paste material into the annular space; freezing the insulating paste material in the pipe; bending the pipe; and thawing and gelling the paste material. |
| US08627851B2 |
Rebuildable micro-fluidic valve assembly
A multi-position valve assembly including a valve housing, a stator element and a rotor element rotatably mounted about a rotational axis. The valve assembly further includes a pressure adjustment assembly movable between a release position and a stop position, hard stopped relative to the valve housing. The pressure adjustment assembly includes a pressure adjuster device configured to movably cooperate between the rotor element and the valve housing to adjustably generate an axial compression pressure at the rotor-stator interface at a calibrated operating pressure, PC. When the pressure adjustment assembly is oriented in the release position, the axial compression pressure is substantially removed from the rotor-stator interface. In contrast, when the pressure adjustment assembly is oriented in the stop position, the axial compression pressure is substantially reproduced at the calibrated operating pressure, PC. |
| US08627843B2 |
Gate valve assembly for installation in pressurized pipes
A gate valve is disclosed that may be installed in a pressurized pipe or conduit. The gate valve includes a cylindrical gate housing that has a slot through which a rectangular gate slides between an open and closed position. The gate and gate housing provide seals between the gate valve and the housing section that houses the gate housing when the gate valve is in either an open or a closed position. The bottom seal that engages the pressurized pipe may be equipped with stiffening shields for a higher pressure rating. The operating torque to raise and lower the seal assembly has been substantially reduced by the design of the sliding gate within the gate housing. |
| US08627840B2 |
Pipes for transporting water containing chloramine
This invention is related to the preparation of polyethylene pipe resins suitable for transporting hot and cold water containing chloramine. |
| US08627836B2 |
Method and system for removal of contaminates from phaseshift photomasks
A system and method to clean the pellicle frame and adhesive ring of a photomask reticle are described. One embodiment includes a cover that isolates the photomasks from the pellicle frame. The reticle is secured between a spin chuck and the cover so that the photomasks are isolated and protected from solvents used in a cleaning process. With the reticle secured to the spin chuck, the spin chuck is rotated under a pressurized spray of solvent. The solvent, which is caustic to the photomasks, removes the contaminants from the adhesive ring. After the exposed areas are cleaned, the cover is removed and foreign material from photomasks are removed using less invasive solvents and methods. |
| US08627833B2 |
Apparatus and method for cleaning welding torches
The invention relates to a cleaning apparatus (1) for cleaning welding torches (5), comprising at least two coils (4, 11) and an opening (3) in order to introduce the welding torch (5) for the electromagnetic cleaning thereof, a supply device (7) connected to the coils (4, 11), and optionally an apparatus for applying a cleaning fluid to the tip of the welding torch (5), wherein preferably all components are disposed in a common housing (2) and regulated by a controller (8), and to a corresponding method for cleaning welding torches (5). In order to increase the cleaning quality and the cleaning range, according to the invention the coils (4, 11) can be supplied independently of each other with electrical energy by the supply device (7) for the purpose of cleaning the welding torch (5), and a cooling apparatus (14) is provided for cooling the coils (4, 11). |
| US08627831B2 |
Cosmetic applicator assembly
A cosmetic applicator assembly is shown. The cosmetic applicator assembly includes an applicator head comprising an applicator front portion having at least a first surface, a second surface, and a multiplicity of apertures extending between the first surface and the second surface, at least one applicator component protruding from the at one least aperture and attachable to the applicator front portion, and an applicator back portion fixed to the applicator front portion so as to cover the second surface of the applicator front portion. |
| US08627830B1 |
Haircut aid and method of use
A haircut aid is described. The haircut aid has a base section that protrudes away from a tine section providing a guide for the blade of a set of clippers, facilitates an even haircut, and protects the ears of the haircut subject from cuts. A method for cutting hair is also described where a set of clippers is run along the guide from by the base section and tine section of a haircut aid. |
| US08627822B2 |
Semi-vertical positioning method and apparatus used in conjunction with a charged particle cancer therapy system
The invention comprises a semi-vertical patient positioning, alignment, and/or control method and apparatus used in conjunction with charged particle or proton beam radiation therapy of cancerous tumors. Patient positioning constraints are used to maintain the patient in a treatment position, including one or more of: a seat support, a back support, a head support, an arm support, a knee support, and a foot support. One or more of the positioning constraints are movable and/or under computer control for rapid positioning and/or immobilization of the patient. The system optionally uses an X-ray beam that lies in substantially the same path as a proton beam path of a particle beam cancer therapy system. The generated image is usable for: fine tuning body alignment relative to the proton beam path, to control the proton beam path to accurately and precisely target the tumor, and/or in system verification and validation. |
| US08627819B2 |
Portable ventilator system
A portable ventilator uses a Roots-type blower as a compressor to reduce both the size and power consumption of the ventilator. Various functional aspects of the ventilator are delegated to multiple subassemblies having dedicated controllers and software that interact with a ventilator processor to provide user interface functions, exhalation control and flow control servos, and monitoring of patient status. The ventilator overcomes noise problems through the use of noise reducing pressure compensating orifices on the Roots blower housing and multiple baffling chambers. The ventilator is configured with a highly portable form factor, and may be used as a stand-alone device or as a docked device having a docking cradle with enhanced interface and monitoring capabilities. |
| US08627818B2 |
Sealed capsule including an integrated puncturing mechanism
A sealed self-piercing capsule for storing and delivering a substance, such as a medicine, comprises one or more barrier layers forming a sealed chamber for containing the substance. An internal puncturing mechanism is disposed within the capsule chamber for puncturing a barrier layer to release the substance from the chamber. The internal puncturing mechanism may comprise a sharpened edge located on a movable tube, which moves relative to a barrier layer forming the sealed chamber to puncture the barrier layer. |
| US08627817B2 |
Anesthesia device and process for operating an anesthesia device
An anesthesia device and a process are provided with which a breathing gas, which is present in a breathing circuit and which is especially enriched with an anesthetic, can be removed rapidly and in a cost-effective manner. The breathing circuit comprises an inspiratory breathing gas duct and an expiratory breathing gas duct, for receiving an expired breathing gas, a Y-piece, which is designed as a Y-piece that can be closed, for connecting the inspiratory and expiratory breathing gas ducts with a patient. At least one breathing gas supply system introduces breathing gas into the breathing circuit. A breathing gas outlet duct is provided with a breathing gas outlet valve. A breathing gas reservoir intermediately stores breathing gas. A PEEP valve is arranged upstream of the breathing gas reservoir in the direction of flow of the breathing gas. A breathing gas delivery is arranged downstream of the breathing gas reservoir in the direction of flow of the breathing gas. An air inlet introduces ambient air into the breathing circuit. The air inlet is arranged between the PEEP valve and the breathing gas delivery. A control is provided at least for controlling the ambient air entering through the air inlet, the breathing gas delivery, the PEEP valve and the breathing gas outlet valve for removing breathing gases from the breathing circuit. |
| US08627806B2 |
Valve body assembly
The invention concerns an assembly of a valve body (A) and a seal (11). The valve body (A) includes a gas flow passage (4) and a valve shutter (6) mobile between an open position and a closed position obstructing the movement of the gases in the passage (4). The passage (4) being intended to be connected to a pipe (B) to enable gas to flow between them, the seal (11) being intended to be mounted between the passage (4) and the pipe (B) to provide a gas seal between them. The assembly is characterized in that the seal (11) forms a seat for the valve shutter (6) in the closed position. The seal provides, on the one hand, a seal between the passage and the pipe whether the valve shutter is in the open or the closed position and, on the other hand, a seal for the valve shutter in the closed position. |
| US08627804B2 |
Transient control strategy in spark-assisted HCCI combustion mode
A method for controlling a multi-cylinder direct-injection internal combustion engine includes establishing an external exhaust gas recirculation valve from a present position to a target position to achieve a target exhaust gas recirculation, and synchronizing combustion initiation timing with actual exhaust gas recirculation as actual exhaust gas recirculation changes from a first exhaust gas recirculation value corresponding to the present position of the external exhaust gas recirculation valve to a second exhaust gas recirculation value corresponding to the target position of the external exhaust gas recirculation valve. |
| US08627803B2 |
Variable displacement engine assembly including partial boost arrangement
An engine assembly may include an engine structure, a first intake valve, a first valve lift mechanism, a second intake valve, a second valve lift mechanism, and a boost mechanism. The first intake valve may be located in a first intake port and the first valve lift mechanism may be engaged with the first intake valve. The second intake valve may be located in a second intake port and the second valve lift mechanism may be engaged with the second intake valve and operable in first and second modes. The second intake valve may be displaced to an open position during the first mode and may be maintained in a closed position during the second mode. The boost mechanism may be in communication with an air source and the first intake port and isolated from the second intake port. |
| US08627802B2 |
Evaporated fuel treatment apparatus and method of detecting failure in control valve
An evaporated fuel treatment apparatus including a canister for adsorbing an evaporated fuel in a fuel tank, a control valve at a vapor path communicating with a fuel tank and a canister, has a dead-zone range where a flow of the evaporated fuel is blocked even if an opening angle of the control valve is increased in an open direction from zero opening angle, and allows the evaporated fuel to flow through over the dead-zone range. The control unit increases the opening angle from substantially zero to a predetermined angle in the dead-zone range and stands by prior to the opening control, and increases the opening angle from the predetermined angle upon the opening control. An output value by control unit set in the dead-zone range is compared with a detected value to detect a failure of the control valve. |
| US08627800B2 |
Method and system for pre-ignition control
Methods and systems are provided for identifying and differentiating knock and pre-ignition using a plurality of knock sensors distributed along an engine block. By dynamically adjusting cylinder-specific assignment of the knock sensors for knock detection and pre-ignition detection based on operating conditions of each cylinder, knock and pre-ignition is more reliably identified and distinguished. |
| US08627794B2 |
Fluid brake device and variable valve timing apparatus
A fluid brake device has a case defining a fluid chamber. Magneto-rheological fluid is contained in the fluid chamber. A brake member is rotatably supported on the case and receives a braking torque according to the viscosity of the magneto-rheological fluid. The device has a movable member driven by a thermo-sensitive wax so that a volume of the fluid chamber is increased as the temperature in the fluid chamber is increased. The movable member is driven to maintain a pressure in the fluid chamber within an allowable range when the temperature in the fluid chamber is changed. |
| US08627791B2 |
Primary and auxiliary rocker arm assembly for engine valve actuation
Systems and methods for actuating engine valves are disclosed. The systems may include primary and auxiliary rocker arms disposed adjacent to each other on a rocker arm shaft. The primary rocker arm may actuate engine valves for primary valve actuation motions, such as main exhaust events, in response to an input from a first valve train element, such as a cam. The auxiliary rocker arm may receive one or more auxiliary valve actuation motions, such as for engine braking, exhaust gas recirculation, and/or brake gas recirculation events, from a second valve train element to actuate one of the engine valves. Master and slave pistons may be provided in the primary rocker arm. The master piston may be actuated by the auxiliary rocker arm. |
| US08627789B2 |
Control apparatus for a cylinder direct-injection internal combustion engine
A control apparatus is provided for a four stroke cylinder direct-injection internal combustion engine having a cylinder and a piston disposed within the cylinder. The control apparatus includes a variable compression ratio mechanism for variably controlling the engine compression ratio by changing the top dead center position of the piston and a fuel injection device for injecting fuel directly into the cylinder. When the actual compression ratio of the engine is higher than a target compression ratio, the variable compression ratio mechanism reduces the compression ratio, and in accordance with the reduction in the compression ratio, the fuel injecting device injects an intake fuel injection amount in the intake stroke and a compression fuel injection amount in the compression stroke, and the timing for starting the fuel injection in the compression stroke is retarded. |
| US08627784B2 |
Safety pressure sensor for a milking platform
In certain embodiments, a system includes a milking parlor entrance lane with an entrance positioned adjacent to a cattle holding pen and an exit positioned adjacent to one or more stalls of a rotary milking platform. The system also includes an exit lane positioned on a side of the entrance lane opposite a forward direction of rotation of the rotary milking platform, the milking parlor exit lane positioned adjacent to one or more stalls of a rotary milking platform such that dairy cows may enter the exit lane from the one or more stalls of the rotary milking platform after being milked. The system also includes a pressure sensor positioned adjacent to the exit lane, the pressure sensor operable to generate a trigger in response to detecting a triggering pressure on the pressure sensor. The pressure sensor is additionally operable to communicate the generated trigger to initiate the stopping of the rotary milking platform. |
| US08627781B2 |
Coating die and coating apparatus comprising the same
Disclosed is a coating die which can recover a coating solution to be wasted in a good manner, while suppressing adhesion of foreign matter onto an object to be coated. A coating apparatus comprising the coating die is also disclosed. Specifically disclosed is a coating die (30) for coating a web (2) with a paste (3), which comprises a main body (31) having a discharge opening (31e) for discharging the paste (3) upwardly, a recovery pan (32c) for recovering the paste (3) flowing out from the discharge opening (31e), and flow passage (grooves (32a, 32a) and shoots (32b, 32b)) which are integrally formed with the main body (31) for the purpose of guiding the paste (3) from the discharge opening (31e) to the recovery pan (32c). |
| US08627779B2 |
Jack plate for an outboard motor
A jack plate for vertically raising and lowering an outboard motor mounted on a boat. The jack plate comprises a motor lift and a jack plate mounting assembly. The jack plate mounting assembly has a transom plate and a pair of spacing brackets with jack plate rails. The motor lift has a pair of bearings that are interlocked to a lift plate. The motor lift is slidably situated within the jack plate rails. Complementary geometries of the outer side edges of the lift plate and inner edges of channels in the bearings, as well as the spacing between the jack plate rails, provide a pressure fit that secures the lift plate between the bearings once the bearings are inserted into the jack plate rails. |
| US08627777B2 |
Liquid-resistant connectors and covers for equipment using the same
A water-resistant connector for use with fabric and sheet-like material comprises two plates stitched to each other on either side of and through the fabric or sheet-like material with at least one gasket made of an elastomeric material such as neoprene being placed between one of the plates and the fabric or sheet-like material. The gasket is stitched through and compressed between the plates so as to press against the stitching for water resistance. A suitable elastomeric material is a sheet of elastomeric compound adhered to either side of a reinforcing scrim. |
| US08627774B2 |
Ground lock
A ground lock is formed of a main shaft having a first latching structure near its upper end and a ground fastener at its lower end. A mating member provides a cooperative latching structure and slides on the main shaft between raised and lowered positions. In one of the raised or lowered positions, the two latching structures are latchable, allowing the mating member to drive the main shaft to engage or disengage the ground fastener. In the other of the raised or lowered positions, the second latching structure is non-latchable with the first latching structure such that the main shaft is disabled from driving the ground fastener. |
| US08627771B1 |
Selectable fragment size fragmentation warhead
A fragmenting warhead is provided having an outer cylindrically shaped hollow steel shell which can be selectively detonated into different fragment types and sizes. The warhead has a plastic liner within said shell, and a core of explosive. There are a number of insulated wire grids of high electrical resistance which will heat when an electrical current is provided thereto located in intimate thermal contact with the explosive, each grid corresponding to a fragment type and size for selection by providing electrical current to that selected grid. Heat flux is caused when an electrical current runs through a particular grid and this selectively melts explosive in the near vicinity of such grid, then a detonation of the explosive core will result in a fragmentation type and pattern corresponding to that grid type and pattern. An ignition propellant train may also be selectively associated with wires on the grids to further selectively detonate the explosive. The plastic liner serves not only as electrical insulation, but also increases grid structural integrity, ease of manufacturing, thermal insulation, and IM qualities of the warhead. |
| US08627766B2 |
Square baler
The square baler comprises a pick-up a pre-compression chamber, a baling chamber, a loading mechanism for transferring each slice of crop from the pre-compression chamber into the baling chamber and a plunger. The baler further can include at least one non-contact sensor that is provided in at least one of the walls of the pre-compression chamber and/or of the input zone of the baling chamber to produce an output signal indicative of the density of the crop. |
| US08627762B2 |
Frying system and method
A system and method for frying one or more food items. The system comprises a frying tank (2) having an open state in which the one or more food items may be introduced into the tank (2) and a closed state in which the interior chamber is hermetically sealed. A cooking oil delivery system (6) delivers cooking oil to the tank (2) so as to completely fill the tank with cooking oil. The method of the invention comprises Inserting one or more food items into the frying tank (2) and delivering cooking oil to the tank so as to completely fill the tank, and then frying the food items |
| US08627761B2 |
Coffee machine for coffee capsules with selective manual or automatic capsule engagement
A machine (1) operating with capsules for the preparation of coffee and other hot beverages is designed to be equipped selectively with a first motorized actuator module (44), which comprises a support (43) and a first electro-mechanical locking assembly (22) mounted on the support (43) so as to form a preassembled interchangeable module, and with a second manually operated actuator module (70), which comprises a second mechanical locking assembly (72) able to be releasably connected to a lever (5) which can be operated by a user so as to be manually actuated by means of the lever (5). |
| US08627757B2 |
System for providing protection against an explosive threat
A system for use in a construction including a compartment to be protected from an explosive threat incoming from an expected threat direction. The construction comprises a surface disposed in front of the compartment and having at least a section thereof expected to be impacted by the explosive threat, and a component disposed between the surface and the compartment. The system comprises two cables, and an elongated element having two end portions and a bendable portion and being configured for mounting in the construction so that at least a part of the bendable portion is disposed between the section and the compartment and flexible towards the compartment to be protected, upon application thereto of a force caused by the explosive threat. Each cable is connectable at one end thereof to the component, and at the other end thereof is connected to one of the ends of the elongated element. |
| US08627755B1 |
Muzzle brake
A muzzle brake/compensator for attachment to the barrel of a firearm incorporates an expansion chamber for receiving expanding gases following a projectile exiting from the barrel of the firearm. The expanding gases in the expansion chamber are directed to strategically positioned ports in the periphery of the muzzle brake which directs the escaping expanding gases radially outwardly from the centerline of the firearm bore and inclined toward the firearm/shooter. The expansion chamber is provided with a baffle surface extending from the interior surface of a bore extension or wiper section to the port entrances of the respective ports. The angle of the baffle surface with respect to the bore centerline is limited to a range within which significant reduction in recoil force is achieved. |
| US08627754B2 |
Sheet processing apparatus
There is provided a sheet processing apparatus capable of preventing the roll sheet cut by the cutting device from falling over to the sheet processing apparatus and improving the conveyance capability of the roll sheet when the long size roll sheet is made. Long size roll sheet is fixed at three spots, wherein the three spots are the top edge portion of the roll sheet receiving portion, the top edge portion on the downstream side of the regulatory member, and the bottom edge portion of the projecting portion. The bottom edge portion of the projecting portion is constructed to be always located inside a circular arc which starts from a center O with a maximum radius R of the roll sheet, wherein the circular arc passes the top edge portion of the roll sheet receiving portion and the top edge portion on the downstream side of the regulatory member. |
| US08627747B2 |
Device for treating blades to improve their cutting properties
A treatment device for improving the cutting properties of the blade of a non-electric shaving razor. The device has a treatment surface for interacting with the cutting edge of the razor blade, as the blade is put into sliding contact with the treatment surface. The treatment surface has a plurality of resilient honing projections that are compressed as the blade is moved in sliding contact with the surface. |
| US08627746B2 |
Transmission, particularly compressor wheel gear and methods to improve the starting behavior of such
A transmission installed between a drive machine and a unit to be driven, the transmission being fitted with a drive shaft and a driven shaft, wherein the drive shaft is in driving connection with the driven shaft for speed/torque conversion, and wherein the driven shaft is supported in the transmission using at least one primary axial bearing. The transmission including a starting unit absorbing axial loads of the driven shaft, wherein the starting unit comprises a secondary axial bearing, and wherein the starting unit is formed in such a way that when the unit is actuated, the axial loads of the driven shaft are substantially completely absorbed by the secondary axial bearing. |
| US08627745B2 |
Motor with speed reduction mechanism
A worm wheel housing portion 19 of a gear case 16 has a bottomed cylindrical shape having a bottom wall portion 19a and a cylindrical wall portion 19b, and a bottom cover 35 is assembled at an opening portion of the worm wheel housing portion 19 so as to seal the opening portion. Among a plurality of latching structures for assembling them, as a latching structure other than those on a worm housing portion 17 side, a groove 44 is formed to a latching claw 38b extending along the cylindrical wall portion 19b from an outer circumferential portion of the bottom cover 35, and a projecting piece 47 engaged with the groove 44 is provided on an outer wall surface of the cylindrical wall portion 19. Wall portions 53 and 54 covering side surfaces a and tip face of the latching claw 38b are provided on the outer wall surface of the cylindrical wall portion 19b, so that breakage of the latching claw 38b or release of the engagement of the latching claw 38 to be caused, for example, when an object hits the latching claw 38b can be prevented. |
| US08627743B2 |
Pedal apparatus for vehicle and manufacturing method thereof
A distal end portion of a pedal rod is press-fitted into a press-fitting hole, which is formed in a rotatable member. An intermediate portion of the pedal rod extends from and is bent relative to the distal end portion. The intermediate portion is received in a guide groove, which is formed in the rotatable member. An elongated portion of the pedal rod extends from the intermediate portion in a direction opposite from the distal end portion. A pad is provided to an end part of the elongated portion, which is opposite from the intermediate portion, and is adapted to receive a pedal force from a driver of a vehicle. The rotatable member includes a receiving hole that is adapted to receive a jig therethrough to enable the jig to contact the intermediate portion at time of press-fitting the distal end portion into the press-fitting hole. |
| US08627742B2 |
Steering column assembly with shearable jacket connector
A steering column assembly includes a first jacket defining a first bore and a second jacket defining a second bore aligned with the first bore prior to collapse of the first jacket and the second jacket. A jacket connector extends through the bores to interconnect the first jacket and the second jacket. The jacket connector includes a pre-determined shear resistance, above which the jacket connector is sheared to permit telescopic movement between the first jacket and the second jacket. Accordingly, in response to an axial load greater than the pre-determined shear resistance of the jacket connector being applied to one of the first jacket and the second jacket, the jacket connector shears, permitting the telescopic movement. The jacket connector includes a pin defining a pin bore. The pin bore defines a cross sectional area, with the pre-determined shear resistance depending upon the cross sectional area of the pin bore. |
| US08627732B2 |
Device for characterizing a size distribution of electrically-charged airborne particles in an air flow
The invention relates to a device that can reliably characterize a size distribution of electrically-charged airborne particles in an air flow under both stationary conditions and transient conditions. The device comprises a particle charging unit, a first particle precipitation unit located downstream of the particle charging unit, a second particle precipitation unit located downstream of the first particle precipitation unit, and a data evaluation unit. The first particle precipitation unit is arranged to partially reduce the concentration of electrically-charged airborne particles having a size larger than a first particle size limit, and to generate a first output signal corresponding to the precipitation of electrically-charged airborne particles inside the first particle precipitation unit. The second particle precipitation unit is arranged to precipitate substantially all entering electrically-charged airborne particles, and to generate a second output signal corresponding to the precipitation of electrically-charged airborne particles inside the second particle precipitation unit. The data evaluation unit is arranged to calculate, based on the output signals of the particle precipitation units, a particle number concentration and an average diameter of airborne particles larger than the lower particle size limit. The device enables the simultaneous generation and recording of output signals, and consequently an immediate determination of the particle number concentration and the average particle diameter at any instant. |
| US08627728B2 |
System for determining the flow rate in a fluid with liquid additives using reciprocating positive-displacement flow meter
System for determining the flow rate of a fluid and for controlling flow rates. The system provides high resolution with infinite turndown, providing a flow meter which may be used in low flow situations and with fluid additives. The flow rate of an additive fluid is determined in real time with high resolution by providing a novel reciprocating positive-displacement flow meter using magnetically coupled components and a transducer to identify the flow rate of the fluid. A system and method may be incorporated into a flow control system for monitoring the flow rate of a fluid which may be included with an additive delivery system for use with the flowing supply of an additive to be introduced into a flow of untreated fluid in relatively minute quantities. |
| US08627725B2 |
Capacitance type vibration sensor
A capacitance type vibration sensor has a substrate including a hollow portion, a vibration electrode plate, which is arranged facing the hollow portion at an upper surface side of the substrate and which vibrates by sound pressure, and a fixed electrode plate which is arranged facing the vibration electrode plate and which is opened with a plurality of acoustic perforations passing therethrough in a thickness direction. The capacitance type vibration sensor has an air path, which communicates a space between the vibration electrode plate and the fixed electrode plate to the hollow portion, between an upper surface of the substrate and a lower surface of the vibration electrode plate in at least one part of a periphery of the hollow portion. The capacitance type vibration sensor also has an air escape portion, which is a perforation or a groove formed in the substrate. |
| US08627724B2 |
Non-intrusive sensor for in-situ measurement of recession rate of ablative and eroding materials
A non-intrusive sensor for in-situ measurement of recession rate of heat shield ablatives. An ultrasonic wave source is carried in the housing. A microphone is also carried in the housing, for collecting the reflected ultrasonic waves from an interface surface of the ablative material. A time phasing control circuit is also included for time-phasing the ultrasonic wave source so that the waves reflected from the interface surface of the ablative material focus on the microphone, to maximize the acoustic pressure detected by the microphone and to mitigate acoustic velocity variation effects through the material through a de-coupling process that involves a software algorithm. A software circuit for computing the location off of which the ultrasonic waves scattered to focus back at the microphone is also included, so that the recession rate of the heat shield ablative may be monitored in real-time through the scan-focus approach. |
| US08627720B2 |
Acceleration sensor
A semiconductor device includes a semiconductor substrate and a semiconductor mass element configured to move in response to an applied acceleration. The mass element is defined by trenches etched into the semiconductor substrate and a cavity below the mass element. The semiconductor device includes a sensing element configured to sense movement of the mass element. |
| US08627718B2 |
Sensor arrangement for determining a tank fill level, and method for producing it
The invention relates to a sensor arrangement for determining a tank fill level of a liquid, especially a reducing agent for removing nitrogen from the exhaust gases of an internal combustion engine, which liquid is contained in a tank, at least two electrically conductive measuring electrodes being at least partially embedded in a carrier that is produced of an electrically non-conductive material. The sensor arrangement includes a temperature sensor, especially a resistor with negative temperature coefficient being used as a temperature sensor, which is integrated into the carrier. |
| US08627714B2 |
Method for preventing the rupture of a compressor wheel and/or turbine wheel of an exhaust-gas turbocharger
A method for preventing the rupture of a compressor wheel and/or turbine wheel of an exhaust-gas turbocharger of a motor vehicle includes establishing loading limit values (n(G)) for the compressor wheel and/or the turbine wheel in bench tests. The method further includes determining loading variables (n) for the compressor wheel and/or turbine wheel during the operation of the exhaust-gas turbocharger in the motor vehicle. In addition, the method includes processing the determined loading variables (n) in order to establish a loading characteristic value (n(i)) which represents real exhaust-gas turbocharger operation. Further, the method includes comparing the loading limit value (n(G)) with the loading characteristic value (n(i)). The method also includes outputting a warning (W) if the comparison of the loading limit value (n(G)) with the loading characteristic value (n(i)) yields an exceedance of a predefinable safety margin. |
| US08627713B2 |
Method for predetermining the fatigue life of polymer composition
The invention relates to a method for evaluating the fatigue life of a polymer composition, including the following steps: i) providing a polymer composition; ii) manufacturing a plurality of axisymmetric test tubes cut from said composition; iii) subjecting said test tubes to a uniaxial traction fatigue test including a plurality of loading and unloading cycles for the test tube, the geometry of the test tube making it possible to subject the material to triaxial stresses, in the area of the test tube cut, simulating the stress conditions for the pressure sheath of a flexible pipe, particularly for off-shore use; and iv) predetermining the number of cycles until the rupture of said polymer composition. The invention is related to the use of said polymer composition selected through the predetermining method for manufacturing pipes or conduits to convey a pressurized and/or corrosive fluid. |
| US08627709B2 |
Porous medium sensor
A porous medium sensor apparatus includes a sensing portion at least partially insertable in the porous medium. The sensing portion has a housing with a gas exchange aperture defined therein and a water-repellant membrane mounted in the gas exchange aperture, the water-repellant membrane preventing water communication through the gas exchange aperture. The sensing portion also has a parameter sensor mounted in the housing for measuring a parameter of the porous medium in which the sensing portion is inserted. |
| US08627708B2 |
Fatigue testing system for prosthetic devices
A fatigue testing system provides simultaneous cycle testing for a plurality of prosthetic devices under simulated physiological loading conditions. A plurality of sample holders containing test samples of prosthetic devices is positioned between a distribution chamber and a return fluid chamber to form an integrated test chamber. A reciprocating linear drive motor operates a rolling bellows diaphragm to cyclically pressurize fluid within the test chamber and drive the pressurized fluid through the prosthetic devices being tested. The test chamber defines a return flow conduit in fluid communication with each of the sample holders, the return fluid chamber, and the distribution chamber. Compliance chambers and throttle valves associated with each of the sample holders regulate the pressure gradient and back pressure across the prosthetic devices being tested. |
| US08627707B2 |
Method for the development and quality control of flow-optimized shaped charges
An improved test setup facility, referred to as a “Quick Development Cell” (QDC), which allows for rapid turnaround testing with valuable feedback to a design engineer. Because the QDC allows for quick and efficient testing at a sufficient frequency, QDC tests are compatible with production quality control. In addition to fostering improvement of the API's Section 2 type tests using stressed natural rock for benchmark experiments, the QDC tests allow for progress to be made towards the development of a flow-optimized shape charge and superior well performance. |
| US08627706B2 |
Gas-measuring probe for determining the physical characteristic of a measuring gas
A gas-measuring probe for determining a physical characteristic of a measuring gas, in particular the concentration of a gas component or the temperature or pressure of the measuring gas, which includes a sensor element accommodated in a housing, at least one connection cable for the sensor element having an electrical conductor, which is enclosed by an insulation sheath and contacts the sensor element, and a cable channel sealing the housing end, which has at least one axial cable feedthrough through which the connection cable is guided out of the housing. To achieve long-lasting sealing at the cable-exit end of the housing even at higher temperatures, the insulation sheath of the connection cable is at least regionally welded to the cable wall of the cable feedthrough. To this end, a tube made of a material that fuses with the insulation sheath and the cable channel when heated is slipped over the cable section of the connection cable lying inside the cable channel. |
| US08627698B2 |
Deformation of thin walled bodies
A thin walled body is deformed in a process in which the body is gripped securely in a holding station and, while gripped in the holding station, tooling engages to deform the peripheral wall of the body at a predetermined wall zone. The tooling is provided at a tooling station which is adjacent the holding station during deformation. The predetermined wall zone is co-aligned with the tooling by rotation of the body about an axis prior to securing at the holding station. |
| US08627690B2 |
Washing machine
A washing machine capable of reducing the manufacturing cost of a circulation device installed to circulate water and capable of preventing water from being scattered when spraying circulating water into a spin basket is described. A tub cover of the washing machine includes a guide part provided with a connector, which is integrated with the tub cover, connected with a circulation passage, and inclined upward toward the tub cover, and an inclined surface inclined toward the spin basket at an inner edge of the tub cover, thereby reducing the manufacturing of the circulation device and preventing water from being scattered. The washing machine includes a circulation drain port formed at a side surface of a tub and a filtering duct connected with the circulation drain port, thereby reducing the manufacturing cost of the circulation device. |
| US08627688B2 |
Unbalance control system for vertical-rotation-axis washing machines
There is described a control system (15) for controlling unbalance of the wash assembly (5) in a vertical-rotation-axis washing machine (1), wherein a wash assembly (5) is housed inside a casing (2), and has a wash drum (8) rotating about an axis of rotation (R) substantially parallel to a vertical reference axis (V), and an electric drive unit (12) for rotating the wash drum (8) about the relative axis of rotation (R); said control system has first computing blocks (19, 20, 21) for determining a number of operating quantities (Cm(t), J, alpha (t)) associated with rotation of the wash drum (8), and for determining, as a function of the quantities, the time pattern of the amplitude (h(t)) of vertical oscillation of the centre of mass (B) of the wash assembly (5) in a first direction substantially parallel to the vertical reference axis (V); and a second computing block (23) for determining the maximum amplitude (H) of vertical oscillation of the wash assembly (5) within a given time interval (T); the second computing block (23) also determines whether the maximum amplitude (H) of vertical oscillation satisfies a predetermined relationship with a predetermined threshold (SA), and determines a critical unbalanced condition of the wash assembly (5) when the predetermined relationship is satisfied. |
| US08627686B2 |
Automatic strand take-up installation
The automatic strand take-up installation comprises at least one gripping member (12) for taking hold of at least one strand coming from a bushing (2), the gripping member being guided by a single conveying loop (1) to the vicinity of a chopper (7). One system for maneuvering the gripping member allows the gripping member (12) to be opened and closed in such a way as to release said strand at the chopper (7). |
| US08627685B2 |
Method for melting at least one powdered mineral material
A process for melting at least one mineral material in powder form includes using at least one laser beam (12) for supplying the energy necessary to the melting, and gradually supplying mineral powder to a zone (10) that is impacted by the laser beam(s) so as to obtain the largest surface possible for interaction between the material and the laser beam(s). |
| US08627681B2 |
Nitrogen removal with iso-pressure open refrigeration natural gas liquids recovery
A process for recovery of natural gas liquids is disclosed, the process including: fractionating a gas stream comprising nitrogen, methane, ethane, and propane and other C3+ hydrocarbons into at least two fractions including a light fraction comprising nitrogen, methane, ethane, and propane, and a heavy fraction comprising propane and other C3+ hydrocarbons; separating the light fraction into at least two fractions including a nitrogen-enriched fraction and a nitrogen-depleted fraction in a first separator; separating the nitrogen-depleted fraction into a propane-enriched fraction and a propane-depleted fraction in a second separator; feeding at least a portion of the propane-enriched fraction to the fractionating as a reflux; recycling at least a portion of the propane-depleted fraction to the first separator. In some embodiments, the nitrogen-enriched fraction may be separated in a nitrogen removal unit to produce a nitrogen-depleted natural gas stream and a nitrogen-enriched natural gas stream. |
| US08627667B2 |
Gas turbine engine duct having a coupled fluid volume
A fluid tank structure is disclosed that is integrated within a bypass duct of a turbofan gas turbine engine. The fluid tank structure includes a hollow interior that is closed off when the fluid tank structure is coupled with an inner wall of the bypass duct. The inner wall forms one wall of a fluid tank volume enclosed by the fluid tank structure. |
| US08627664B2 |
Method and system for operating a solar steam system
Methods, apparatus and systems for operating a solar steam system in response to a detected or predicted reduced or impending reduced insolation event are disclosed herein. Examples of transient reduced insolation events include but are not limited to cloud-induced reduction in insolation, dust-induced reduction in insolation, and insolation events caused by solar eclipses. In some embodiments, in response to the detecting or predicting, steam flow is regulated within the solar steam system to reduce a flow rate into a steam turbine. Alternatively or additionally, one or more heliostats may be responsively redirected onto a steam superheater or steam re-heater. |
| US08627662B2 |
Exhaust gas recirculation heat recovery system and method
A system for recovering heat from recirculating exhaust gases is provided. The system includes a first exhaust manifold in fluid communication with multiple combustion chambers of an engine. The system also includes a turbocharger having a turbine stage and a compressor stage, wherein the turbine stage comprises an inlet port in fluid communication with the first exhaust manifold and the compressor stage includes an inlet port for air intake and an outlet port for compressed air. The system includes an exhaust gas recirculation cooler having a first flow path and a second flow path, wherein the first flow path is configured to receive a portion of exhaust gas from the first exhaust manifold flowing through an exhaust gas recirculation loop. The second flow path includes an inlet for receiving a compressed air for drawing heat from the exhaust gas flowing through the first flow path. |
| US08627661B2 |
Turbocharger exhaust arrangement
The present concepts relate to turbocharger exhaust arrangements. One example involves a system that includes an internal combustion engine configured with a turbocharger. The system also includes an exhaust arrangement comprising a post-turbocharger (PT) exhaust pipe connected to the turbocharger and positioned proximate to the internal combustion engine, the PT exhaust pipe extending away from the turbocharger along the internal combustion engine. The PT exhaust pipe includes a first portion extending above at least one part of a set of header exhaust pipes connecting the internal combustion engine with the turbocharger. The PT exhaust pipe also includes one or more additional connected and contiguous portions extending below at least one other part of the set of header exhaust pipes. |
| US08627653B2 |
Exhaust purification apparatus
An exhaust purification apparatus which comprises: a first processing unit for removing particulate matter; a second processing unit for reducing nitrogen oxide; a communication pipe for guiding exhaust from an exhaust outlet of the first processing unit to an exhaust inlet of the second processing unit; and a reducing agent supply unit on the communication pipe. The first and second processing units are arranged in parallel such that the exhaust outlet and the exhaust inlet are on the sides facing each other. The communication pipe is arranged between the first and second processing units where the processing units are closest to each other such that the upstream part of the communication pipe extends from the exhaust outlet along the outer circumferential surface of the first processing unit and the downstream part of the communication pipe extends along the outer circumferential surface of the second processing unit to the exhaust inlet. |
| US08627652B2 |
Control method of exhaust gas purification system and exhaust gas purification system
In forced regeneration control of an exhaust gas purification device a number of data for injection control, such as a number of meshes of a data map and a number of data maps for multi injection control, is decreased while occurrence of torque shock, which is a rapid fluctuation of a generated torque, is avoided. In this forced regeneration control, when an operation state of an internal combustion engine is a high-load operation state, the normal injection control by stopping the multi injection is carried out and, according to a rotation speed and a load of the internal combustion engine, a region for control is divided into a multi-injection control region, a transition region, and a normal injection control region. In the transition region, data for injection control obtained by interpolation of data for injection control on the multi-injection control region side and data for injection control on the normal injection control region side is used. |
| US08627650B2 |
Exhaust gas purification device and exhaust gas purification method
An exhaust gas purification device has: a bypass passage (20) disposed in an exhaust passage (15) of an internal combustion engine (10); an adsorbent (21) which is disposed in the bypass passage (20), and adsorbs unburned components in exhaust gas at a low temperature and desorbs the adsorbed unburned components at a high temperature; and an exhaust gas purification catalyst (22) which is disposed in the exhaust passage (15) at a downstream side of a portion where the bypass passage (20) merges, and purifies unburned components in exhaust gas; and a desorption amount adjustment (19) unit that adjusts the desorption amount of unburned components adsorbed by the adsorbent (21) based on an integrated fuel cut air amount (fgs), which is an integrated value of air amount taken into a combustion chamber of the internal combustion engine (10) during execution of fuel cut. |
| US08627645B2 |
Emission control with a particulate matter sensor
A method for controlling a particulate matter sensor heater is provided. The method includes operating the heater to burn-off soot accumulated on the sensor; and adjusting the heater level based on sensor output generated during the heater operation. In this way, improved heater control can be achieved using the sensor output already available. |
| US08627642B2 |
Clippings collecting-discharging device
A clippings collecting-discharging device includes: a bucket on a lawn mowing unit divided into a main body part including a clippings flow inlet and a movable part connected to an upper end of the main body part, and can be operated between a closed position where the main body part and the movable part abut against each other and an open position where the movable part is rotated upward and separated from the main body part; a discharge plate in the bucket positioned near the inlet in a lying posture when the bucket is closed; and a discharge mechanism where the discharge plate stands up toward an opening between the main body part and the movable part while interlocking with the operation of the bucket, which position is changed to the open position. |
| US08627641B2 |
Saddle
A dynamically rigged load distributing system for an equestrian saddle including several load-bearing sections positioned upon flexible inner side panels to be incorporated in the saddle. Several line guides are fixed respectively to the sections. One or more load distribution lines pass through the guides, and loop around free-running pulleys of the stirrup hanger system. A new stirrup hanger bat includes cliverter pulleys and cooperates with a pulley block to transfer loads through the load-distribution lines to the load-bearing sections around the saddle. A girthing system for the saddle includes webbing attached to the sections so as to depend therefrom and receive ends of girth straps whereby load is transferred to the sections on each side of the saddle. |
| US08627635B1 |
Grid panel
A grid panel includes a generally elongated, rectangular main panel section having a plurality of main panel section corners: a pair of generally elongated, rectangular end panel sections extending from the main panel section beyond the main panel section corners, each of the end panel sections having a plurality of end panel section corners; a plurality of grid notches between the main panel section corners and the end panel section corners, respectively; and a plurality of grid openings in the main panel section and each of the end panel sections. |
| US08627634B2 |
Casement for a glass window or leaf for a glass door, window or door frame and window system
The present invention relates to a casement (1) for a glass window or a glass door, a frame and a window system containing a casement and a frame. The casement comprises an insulation material layer arrangement which is located between two wooden profile-members (3, 4). The insulation material layer arrangement has at least a first insulation layer (5) which is constructed for a high level of strength, and at least a second insulation layer (6) which is constructed for a high level of thermal insulation. Between the two wooden profile-members (3, 4), a lateral insulation layer (8) which is constructed for a high level of thermal insulation is arranged substantially perpendicularly relative to the extension direction of the insulation material layer arrangement. |
| US08627629B2 |
Assembly and method for a concrete wall
An assembly for constructing a concrete wall includes a first plurality of form panels defining a first wall plane, a second plurality of form panels defining a second wall plane and a first plurality of foam sheets. The first and second plurality of form panels are constructed of frames and webs. The webs are constructed of a web material. The first plurality of foam sheets define a first concrete interface plane. The first concrete interface plane is generally parallel to the first and second wall planes. The first plurality of foam sheets is secured to the first plurality of form panels by a screw. The first plurality of form panels, second plurality of form panels and first plurality of foam sheets are secured by a plurality of ties. The first concrete interface plane and the second wall plane define a wall cavity. |
| US08627626B2 |
Transferring loads across joints in concrete slabs
Novel dowel structures and related methods are provided. In one embodiment, a unitary dowel structure is formed from a plurality of laminates. In certain embodiments, a first dowel laminate may be placed substantially above or below one or more other dowel laminates. At least one laminate may include a first material that is substantially devoid in another laminate. Upon being in communication, the laminates may form a unitary dowel structure having a first end and a second end that are configured to flex in a vertical direction without breaking to transfer stress loads from a concrete slab in communication with the first end of the unitary dowel structure and a concrete slab in communication with the second end of the unitary dowel structure. |
| US08627625B2 |
Masonry wall panel for retaining bricks
The present invention concerns a masonry wall panel assembly comprising a panel and a plurality of bricks. The panel is provided with a plurality of horizontally extending contiguous channels bounded by upper and lower protruding ribs, for fitting a row of bricks. Each channel is also fitted with a plurality of compressible retaining tabs positioned along the upper rib of each channel for retaining bricks inserted therein. The bricks are provided with at least one cavity and at least one compression area so that when a brick is inserted into a channel of the panel, the brick is positioned between the ribs such that the cavity of the brick faces one or more of the tabs located on the channel so that the tabs protrude into the cavity of the brick while at the same time compressing the compression area, thereby retaining the brick within the channel. |
| US08627620B2 |
Modular construction system
The present invention provides a novel modular building system exhibiting superior strength to withstand seismic activity. |
| US08627617B2 |
Photovoltaic module mounting assembly
A mounting assembly (70c) for installing solar cell or photovoltaic modules (58) on a building surface (34) is disclosed. The mounting assembly (70c) includes a mounting device (74), a stud (114) that may be threaded to the mounting device (74), a clamping member (142) that may be positioned on the stud (114), and a nut (128) that may be threaded onto the stud (114) to secure the clamping member (142) to the mounting device (74). A mounting plate (110′) is disposed somewhere between the clamping member (142) and the mounting device (74). This mounting plate (110′) includes a raised structure or dome (174) on its upper surface (170) for positionally registering modules (58) thereto, a plurality of grounding projections (172) on this same upper surface (170), and a plurality of wiring tabs or clips (178) on its lower surface (176). |
| US08627616B2 |
Pre-fabricated ribbed panel to be installed either in a horizontal, vertical or inclined condition
A prefabricated ribbed panel for installation either in a horizontal, vertical or inclined condition, characterized in that said panel comprises a caisson block (1) made of an inert insulating material, defining a plurality of recesses (2) for housing therein a longitudinal reinforcement structure (10) which can be embedded in a first concrete casting (11) made at a concrete casting shop; a first finishing slab floor (13) with an electrowelded network (15) at panel joining regions being moreover provided. |
| US08627610B1 |
Privacy enclosure
A privacy enhancer is composed of a first strip preferably rigid and a flexible strip. The first strip has a connector located on one edge. An adhesive is provided along the length of the side for attachment to a first or second pilaster of an enclosure. The enhancer includes a second strip preferably a flexible plastic strip preferably nontransparent having a connector located on an edge of the flexible plastic strip. The two connectors are coupled together. The first strip is then attached to the pilaster by contacting the adhesive side of the strip to the pilaster on the side of the pilaster opposite to the direction of movement of the door. The flexible plastic strip closes off the space between the door and the pilaster when the door is closed. |
| US08627609B2 |
Mounting devices for securing light fixtures to landscape walls
A mounting system for securing a light fixture to a wall includes a mounting device having a flat plate with a leading edge, a trailing edge, and top and bottom planar surfaces extending between the leading and trailing edges. An elongated slot is formed in the flat plate and extends along the leading edge of the flat plate. The mounting device has a storage compartment underlying the flat plate for defining an enclosed area extending between the leading and trailing edges of the flat plate. The mounting system includes a conduit adapter coupled with the storage compartment. The conduit adapter has at least opening aligned with the rear opening of the storage compartment for providing access to the enclosed area of the storage compartment. A conduit, adapted to receive electrical wiring, is coupled with the at least one opening. Electrical wiring is passed through the conduit. |
| US08627606B2 |
Combined sealing system for garage door
A combined sealing system comprises a frame, a panel, a first sealing system, a second sealing system, and a third sealing system. The panel is within and movable, relative to the frame, between at least an open position and a completely closed position, and the panel includes a plurality of subpanels hinged relative to one another. The first sealing system is configured to engage a sill rail of the panel with a sill of the frame. The second sealing system is configured to engage a stile rail of the panel with a jamb of the frame. The third sealing system is configured to engage a meeting rail of the first panel with a header of the frame. In the closed position, the first and second sealing systems movable between a locked configuration and an unlocked configuration. |
| US08627598B1 |
Sprouted seed grain growing and harvesting apparatus and method
An apparatus for growing and harvesting a tangled mass composed of sprouted seed grain includes a plurality of overlying immobile, substantially planar surfaces having a length. Each surface is configured to receive a layer of seed grain that is permitted to grow for a predetermined period of time on each surface, the layer of seed grain becoming a continuous tangled mass of sprouted seed grain. An extraction device removes the mass from each surface. A cleaning device removes debris from each surface prior to each surface receiving a subsequent layer of seed grain. |
| US08627597B2 |
Green wall system
The system is based on placing on the façade a suitably anchored metal structure to which is fixed a plastic panel supporting geomesh layers that constitute support for the plants. At the top of these geomesh layers drip irrigation nozzles are arranged, supplied by a water recirculation pipe, and excess water is collected in a channel, which is then filtered, analysed, supplemented with fertilizer and acids, all under computer control. There is also the option to empty the recirculation circuit and add new water treated by reverse osmosis from a tank. |
| US08627587B2 |
Double wide pole bracket and banner system
A double wide pole bracket and banner system is used to apply banners to poles. The double wide pole bracket system uses slotted, typically steel channel brackets that are affixed to the pole using long, slotted hose clamps with Neoprene pads to protect the pole and prevent slipping. The banner itself can be designed to attach to the brackets with zip ties with a reinforced cutout in the center of the top and bottom hem that permits mounting without infringing on the view of the banner's content. The double wide pole bracket and banner system permits a significantly wider, stronger and more taut pole bracket and banner solution as compared to conventional solutions. The banners can be, for example, as wide as five feet of continuous banner, making the message visible and understandable. |
| US08627579B2 |
Heat gun air flow-extenders
Apparatus and methodology for applying heated-air flow to wet or damp copper cable and specifically to individual mutually-insulated copper conductors within that cable including their respective paper sheath coverings. This cable can be used in telecommunications applications. Disclosed embodiments permit drying of difficult to reach wet/damp areas within a cable and between and amongst layers of wet/damp cable. A heat gun muzzle-insert attaches, at one end, to a heat gun barrel's muzzle end to extend hot air flow from the gun through the insert and through a plurality of tubes attached to its other end, This allows air flow to be pin-pointed at wet/damp areas otherwise not reachable without the tubes. The muzzle-insert attaches via threaded connection and is made from the same material as the gun to have the same thermal expansion characteristic. The hot air flow extender mechanisms can be modularized, each ha mg differently-sized pluralities of tubes. |
| US08627578B1 |
Hooded dryer accessory system
A hooded dryer accessory system having a panel with a first end and a second end, the panel is generally flexible, the panel is arc shaped wherein a top edge has an arc length greater than that of a bottom edge, a first half connecting means on the first end of the panel and a second half connecting means on the second end of the panel, wherein the first half connecting means temporarily engages the second half connecting means, and a padding component on a back surface of the panel along all or a portion of the bottom edge. |
| US08627577B2 |
Apparatus of checking dimensions of memory card
An apparatus of checking dimensions of an object includes a checking platform. The checking platform has a checking slot extending from one side and arriving at another side thereof. The checking slot is defined by a first side wall, a second side wall and a bottom wall, wherein the first side wall has a front section connecting to a rear section. The second side wall has a middle section connecting to a front section and a rear section, wherein the distance between the front section of the first side wall and the front section of the second side wall is greater than that between the rear section of the first side wall and the rear section of the second side wall, and is smaller than that from a connecting location to the middle section of the second side wall. |
| US08627575B2 |
Hook pose detecting equipment and crane
A hook pose detecting equipment and a crane with the hook pose detecting equipment, in which the hook pose detecting equipment comprises an angle measuring apparatus for obtaining the angle between an axis in a second coordinate system and the corresponding axis in a first coordinate system, an acceleration measuring meter for obtaining the acceleration of the hook in a predetermined direction, a processor for building the first coordinate system and the second coordinate system, and an output equipment. The first coordinate system is relatively fixed with a predetermined location, and the second coordinate system is relatively fixed with the hook. The processor obtains the pose parameters of the hook in the first coordinate system according to the angle obtained by the angle measuring apparatus and the acceleration obtained by the acceleration measuring meter. The operator is able to take appropriate hook-stabilizing measures according to the pose parameters, and thus the efficiency of lifting work is increased. |
| US08627571B2 |
Compact knife holder
A compact wall-mounted knife holder is formed from a stack of several plates separated by rows of narrow strips of material serving as spacers. The spaces between successive strips form channels for the knife blades. The rows of channels in adjacent pairs of plates crisscross in a lattice pattern but do not interfere with each other since the plates are stacked and each row occupies its own plane. At the same time, knives in all the rows utilize the same space on a wall surface, which makes the knife holder compact. The holder is attached to a wall so that the channels from both sides are at an angle that ensures that the force of gravity holds the knives in the channels. The front plate of the holder can be made from a decorative material and adorned with beatifying design. |
| US08627569B2 |
Radial joint and process for manufacturing such a radial joint for a motor vehicle
A radial joint with a metallic housing (1), through the opening (2) on one side of which a ball pivot (3) can be inserted into an interior space (4) of the housing (1). The housing (1) has, in the area of its opening (2), a section (7), which is prepared by machining and which is deformed by a cold forming process. A process for manufacturing a radial joint includes: manufacturing the housing blank, machining of section (7) close to the opening (2) of housing (1), inserting the joint ball (5) of ball pivot (3) into the interior space (4) of housing (1), cold forming of the opening-side edge section of housing (1) until a metallic overlap (13) is attained between the joint ball (5) and housing (1). |
| US08627568B2 |
Manufacture of a filter screen
A method of manufacturing a filtering screen includes: attaching handle members (3) to edges of at least one wire cloth (1); providing a jig comprising tensioning means (23); placing the at least one wire cloth (1) in the jig and engaging the handle members (3) with handle member engagement portions (15) of the tensioning means (23). The tensioning means (23) are operated to drive the handle members (3) outwardly to tension the wire cloth (1) in orthogonal directions. The method also includes pressing the tensioned wire cloth (1) against a screen frame (6); bonding the wire cloth (1) to the screen frame (6); and trimming the wire cloth. |
| US08627567B2 |
Manufacturing method of liquid-cooled jacket
Provided is a method of producing a liquid-cooled jacket wherein deformation of a seal body can be minimized. A method of producing a liquid-cooled jacket constituted by fixing a seal body which seals the opening of a recess, by friction stir welding, to a jacket body having a partially opening recess through which heat transport fluid for transporting heat generated by a heat generating body to the outside flows, wherein the seal body is mounted on a supporting surface which is formed at the peripheral edge of the opening of the recess in the jacket body and consists of the bottom surface of a step lower than the surface of the jacket body, the side surface of the step of the jacket body and the outer circumferential surface of the seal body are butted each other, a plasticized region is formed by making one round of a rotary tool which is equipped with a stir pin having a length greater than the thickness of the seal body round along the butting portion of the side surface of the step of the jacket body and the outer circumferential surface of the seal body, and then the seal body is welded to the jacket body. |
| US08627561B2 |
Lamp socket assembly tool
A lamp socket assembly tool includes an engaging end configured to engage a lamp socket inserted in an opening of a lamp housing, which may be a vehicle lamp housing. The tool includes a driving end operatively connected to the engaging end and configured to receive and transmit an axial and rotating force to the engaging end to assemble or disassembly a socket engaged by the tool relative to the housing. The tool includes a passage for receiving a connector portion of the socket such that the tool is not in contact with a connector interface. The passage may define an aperture through which a connector wire attached to the socket may exit or move freely during rotation of the socket by the tool. The engaging interface may substantially conform to a socket interface defined by a standardized filament lamp, such as an ECE H9 or H11 socket. |
| US08627560B2 |
Methods of making a cell stack for an electrical purification apparatus
An electrical purification apparatus and methods of making same are disclosed. The electrical purification apparatus may provide for increases in operation efficiencies, for example, with respect to current efficiencies and membrane utilization. The methods comprise preparing a cell stack for the electrical purification apparatus to provide a first fluid flow path or compartment and a second fluid flow path and compartment that is in a direction different from the first flow path. |
| US08627558B2 |
Production line and method for operating such
A production line for manipulating objects is provided. The production line has working stations for performing consecutive working steps on the objects by a stationary operator. At least one working station is arranged to be operated by a stationary operator that is a human and at least one working station is operated by a stationary operator that is a robot. The at least one working station being arranged for a stationary operator that is a human and the at least one working station being operated by a stationary operator that is a robot are arranged such that transfer of objects from one working station to the other working station is performed by one or both of the stationary operators. The robot has at least two arms. A method for operating a production line applying a corresponding concept is also provided. |
| US08627556B2 |
High Q and low stress capacitor electrode array
An embodiment of the present invention provides a method, comprising breaking an electrode into subsections with signal bus lines connecting said subsections and a solid electrode to improve Q. |
| US08627551B2 |
Segment positioning belt
A segment positioning belt having a flexible belt body having a positioning end and an extension. A plurality of segment positioning portions are positioned in spaced relation to each other along the extension. A metal core is integrally formed into the belt body. The metal core extends within the positioning end and the extension of the belt body. The belt body has an elongated strip shape. The belt body is formed of a rubber or polymeric material. |
| US08627550B1 |
Detachable handle set for barbecue grill
A handle set is used for detachable connection to a grill. The handle set includes a handle and a holding element. The handle includes an arched connecting element, two levers extending from the arched connecting element, and two hooks each extending from a respective one of the levers. The hooks are engaged with a crossbar of the grill in a releasable manner while the levers are in contact with another crossbar of the grill in a releasable manner. The holding element includes a rectilinear connecting element secured to the levers and two hooks extending from the rectilinear connecting element. The hooks can be engaged with another crossbar of the grill in a releasable manner. |
| US08627549B2 |
Grip application device for applying a grip to a handle
Methods of improving a handle grip are disclosed that provide a simple, economical, way to improve a grip on a handle. An improved grip can be placed on a handle by first providing a grip for placement on the handle. The grip can include an outer grip formed of an elastic material in a radially extended state, the outer grip configured to provide a secure and comfortable hold on the handle for a user, and an inner tube holding the elastic material in the extended state. The inner tube can be removable to allow the outer grip to constrict radially. The grip can then be placed over the handle, and the inner tube removed, allowing the outer grip to constrict radially to conform in fixed attachment to the handle. |
| US08627545B2 |
Vacuum cleaner with enhanced maneuverability
An upright vacuum cleaner has a body including a nozzle assembly and a handle assembly. A suction generator and dirt collection vessel are carried on the body. A dual pivot connector connects the handle assembly with the nozzle assembly. The connector provides a first pivotal connection between the connector and the nozzle assembly and a second pivotal connection between the connector and the handle assembly. In addition a tilt handle assembly is connected to the body by a third pivotal connection. |
| US08627537B2 |
Hairbrush, methods of use, and methods of manufacturing the same
Embodiments of the present invention relate to a hairbrush for detangling human or animal hair. In some embodiments, the hairbrush includes a field of bristles where bristle height is substantially random and substantially independent of position on the hairbrush. In some embodiments, within the bristle field, the bristle width and/or the bristle material may vary between bristles—for example, substantially randomly with respect to position and/or in a manner that is correlated with bristle height. |
| US08627536B1 |
Scratch-off ticket ink removal device
A latex ink removal device to aid a user in scratching off instant lottery tickets is herein disclosed, comprising a stylus made of aluminum or a similar durable material that will stand up to tough use as well as allow it to be carried in a pocket or purse. A first end of the device is of a flattened yet curved profile similar to that of a fingernail or edge of a coin. It is used to remove the scratch-off material off of instant lottery tickets. A second end of the device is provided with a replaceable rubber-based eraser that is used to rub off the lighter covering material on some other types of instant lottery tickets such as “Bingo” and “Cashword”. Since this eraser material will wear down with use, it is sold as a replaceable part that can simply screw on and off using a threaded connector. |
| US08627535B2 |
Five brush rollover with overhead support
A gantryless brush-type rollover car washer has an overhead support system for a longitudinally movable carriage. Four side brushes are pivotally mounted to the carriage and arranged in front and rear pairs, each of which can converge and diverge to cover all surfaces of a vehicle in a car washing location. A counterweighted pivotal top brush is also provided and mounted on the carriage. Opposite depending wheel washers are also provided. The pivot points for all five of the brushes are above the eye level of persons in a passenger vehicle being washed. |
| US08627534B2 |
Cleaning feature for electric charging connector
A contamination cleaner for a socket of a charging connector used with a charging station for an electric vehicle wherein the charging connector mates to a charging coupler of the electric vehicle during charging includes a housing mechanically configured generally similarly to the charging coupler enabling the housing to mechanically mate to the charging connector; and a cleaning contact, coupled to the housing and complementary to the socket, for engaging the socket and removing surface contaminants from the socket whenever the housing mechanically mates to the charging connector. |
| US08627531B2 |
Vacuum cleaner and device having ion generator
When the electrically driven fan (14) of a vacuum cleaner is driven, air containing dust is drawn into the cleaner main body (1) through a hose (7) connected to a hose socket (8) and is exhausted into the outside of the cleaner main body (1) through an exhaust port (1b) via first and second suction passageways (10, 13). Disposed outside the first suction passageway (10) is an ion generator (23), it being arranged that plus and minus ions generated in the ion generator (23) are fed to the air stream flowing in the first suction passageway (10). Since the plus and minus ions kill floating germs in the air stream, the exhaust can be purified. |
| US08627528B2 |
Footwear customization kit
A stand, for a footwear customization kit including an article of footwear having a customizable portion that can be deformed when heated, includes first and second members that can be assembled to hold the article of footwear in a steam environment by engaging an outer periphery of a vessel. The first member includes a first center projection, a first lower central surface, a pair of first shoulders, first and second arms disposed above the first lower central surface, and engaging slots formed in the first lower central surface. The second member includes a second center projection, a second lower central surface, a pair of second shoulders, third and fourth arms disposed above the second lower central surface, and receiving slots formed in upper surfaces of the second shoulders. The first and second members are attached by interlocking engagement of the engaging slots and the receiving slots. |
| US08627526B2 |
Method for determining a characteristic of a consumable
The embodiments of the invention relate to a method for determining at least one characteristic of a physical resource for use in a physical resource consuming apparatus. |
| US08627523B2 |
Portable variable-position headboard apparatus
A portable variable-position headboard for a bed or the like is provided. The apparatus includes a bottom frame member having a first end and a second end, the second end including a hinge; a back support frame member having a first end and a second end, the first end having a complementary hinge for coupling the back support frame member to the hinge of the bottom frame member, the back support frame member being movable from a first, closed position to a second, open position relative to the bottom frame member; and a back board configured for supporting a back of a user, the back board being pivotably coupled to the second end of the back support frame member. In the open position, the bottom frame member can be horizontally disposed between a mattress and a support structure, e.g., a bed frame, to create a vertical headboard. |
| US08627522B2 |
Support device for persons, for example a hospital bed, provided with a hydraulic system
A support device for persons, such as a bed, treatment or operating table, chair, comprises: —a frame; —a first and a second movable member, which movable members can be adjusted independently of one another and which are designed to support the person or one or more parts of the person in various positions, and —a hydraulic system for adjusting the movable members, the hydraulic system comprising: —a reservoir for hydraulic liquid; —a first and a second hydraulic actuator associated with the first and second movable member, respectively, which hydraulic actuators can each be moved in two directions; —a hydraulic pump; —a pump activating member which is operatively connected to the pump in order for an operator to activate the pump; —a valve assembly which is provided in the hydraulic circuit between the pump and the respective actuators, and —a valve assembly operating member which can be mechanically operated by an operator and is mechanically connected to the valve assembly for selecting and providing a connection between one of the actuators and the pump in order to be able to selectively move a movable member by supplying pressurized hydraulic liquid to the associated actuator upon activation of the pump. |
| US08627521B2 |
Bed sheet attachment system and methods
The present invention provides a bed sheet attachment system that allows a user to quickly and easily change bed sheets. In one embodiment, the fitted sheet of a bed comprises an upper surface and at least one attachment member disposed on the upper surface. A quick-change sheet having upper and lower surfaces also is provided, wherein at least one attachment member is disposed on the lower surface of the quick-change sheet. In use, the attachment member of the quick-change sheet is configured to releasably mate with the attachment member of the fitted sheet, thereby facilitating the changing of the quick-change sheet. Further, at least one pocket member may be releasably coupled to the fitted sheet, to thereby providing one or more storage locations in close proximity to the bed. |
| US08627520B1 |
Portable infant bed
An infant bed construction includes an outer fabric cover having longitudinally opposed rounded end portions joined by a generally rectangular medial portion. The cover includes an oval bottom assembly and a continuous sidewall extending upwardly from the perimeter of the bottom assembly. A pair of end frames are removably secured in the end portions of the bed. Each end frame includes an upstanding sidewall having a generally semi-cylindrical shape, with a base panel spanning the lower edges of the sidewall in contiguous fashion. A center frame panel is interposed between the two base panels in the bottom assembly. The fabric cover has end pockets to secure the end frame. The sidewalls of the medial portion of the bed include a layer of breathable structural material that is form-retaining yet bendable. The bed folds for transport by bringing together the two end portions, in clamshell fashion. |
| US08627515B1 |
Multifaceted lightweight collapsible hat
A high fashion, crushable, lightweight, collapsible hat using a method of construction that produces a blockable, washable, stylish, comfortable, pliable, breathable hat, that maintains its original shape or can be easily restored to its original shape. The hat employs an open-cell foam material and a plurality of woven materials in a lamination, all materials being breathable and lightweight and as well as a method of construction that is versatile and usable for countless variations is style. The lamination is blockable even when fabrics that are not traditionally blockable are used. A stitching pattern of topstitching forms a plurality of sacs that maintain the original shape of the hat after blocking by creating an air bubble matrix structure that refills after crushing. Optional trim elements are constructed from the lamination using the stitching pattern to create a wide variety of high fashion hats styles with flat or peaked crowns. |
| US08627512B2 |
Impact distributing mechanism
An article is provided that includes a core with a plurality of plates. A first one of the plurality of plates is hingedly attached, at one or more edges of the first plate, to one or more substantially adjacent other plates in the plurality of plates. Each hinge that hingedly attaches an edge of the first plate to another plate joins less than the entire respective hingedly attached edge to a corresponding one of the one or more substantially adjacent other plates and is integrally connected to the first plate. |
| US08631509B2 |
Content transmitting method, content transmitting apparatus, and content receiving apparatus
In a content transmitting method in a content transmitting apparatus, wherein the content transmitting apparatus adds copy control information for indicating to execute a recoding control with either one of “copy can be made only one (1) generation” or “number of times of copying is limited”, on number-limited copy target content, when distributing the number-limited copy target content, which can be copied within a region of limited number of pieces. |
| US08631504B2 |
Document security within a business enterprise
A computer-based method for defining an enterprise organization providing electronic document security. Enterprise elements of management groups are defined to correspond with an area of accountability, each group having one of several types, including “line of business”, “key results area”, and “senior management”. Each group has several subgroups, including “group head”, “administrative assistant” and “direct report”. Employees are assigned to one or more management group and subgroup, and management groups are related to each other to represent the organization hierarchy. Groups may be related as “reports to”, “services”, or other defined relationships. Documents are defined having document content and properties. The properties include owning and related management groups. Access to the document is declared so that employees have a level of access based on membership of one or more groups. |
| US08631492B2 |
Dynamic management of resource utilization by an antivirus application
System and method for dynamically managing utilization of computing capacity by an antivirus application having distinct security modules configurable by adjustment of operational parameters. An identification of the computing resources required by each of the security modules to perform certain corresponding security-related functionality is obtained. A current state of authorization granted to the antivirus application to access each of the plurality of computing resources is determined. The operational parameters are adjusted for the at least one of the security modules in response to a determination that the current state of authorization is insufficient for the antivirus application to access certain ones of the computing resources required by the at least one of the security modules to perform its corresponding functionality. The operational parameters are adjusted to disable the corresponding functionality and to thereby de-allocate a portion of the computing capacity needed to execute that corresponding functionality. |
| US08631491B2 |
Replay attack protection with small state for use in secure group communication
A replay detection technique with “small state” (e.g., with relatively few bits of state information). A sending node generates a random number ri, retrieves a code sequence (h*i−1), in one example, comprising the last 5 bits of a hash value (hi−1) of a previous packet i−1, generates a hash value hi based on the random number ri and the code sequence (h*i−1), and formulates a packet with index i including hi, ri and datai for delivery to a receiving node. The receiving node retrieves ri and hi from packet i; retrieves a code sequence (h*j) associated with a previous packet j, in one embodiment, comprising the last 5 bits of a hash value (hj) of a previous packet j, generates a hash value (hj+1) based on the random number ri and the code sequence (h*j); and declares a replay attack if hi does not equal hj+1. |
| US08631488B2 |
Systems and methods for providing security services during power management mode
Systems and methods for providing security services during a power management mode are disclosed. In some embodiments, a method comprises detecting a wake event, providing a wake signal in response to the wake event to wake a mobile device from a power management mode, and managing security services of the mobile device. Managing security services may comprise scanning a hard drive of the mobile devices for viruses and/or other malware. Managing security services may also comprise updating security applications or scanning the mobile device for unauthorized data. |
| US08631487B2 |
Simple algebraic and multi-layer passwords
A method of authenticating a user of a computing device is proposed, together with computing device on which the method is implemented. In the method a modified base image is overlaid with a modified overlay image on a display. The modified overlay image comprises a plurality of numbers. At least one of the modified base image and modified overlay image is moved by the user. Positive authentication is indicated in response to the base image reference point on the modified base image being aligned, in sequence, with two or more numbers from the overlay image that equal a pre-selected algebraic result when one or more algebraic operator is apply to the numbers. |
| US08631485B2 |
Identification of malicious activities through non-logged-in host usage
A method for identifying malware activities, implemented within a computer infrastructure, includes receiving a data communication via a data channel and determining a user is not interactively logged in to a host. Additionally, the method includes identifying the data communication as a potential malware communication in response to the determining the user is not interactively logged in to the host. |
| US08631476B2 |
Data processing system including explicit and generic grants of action authorization
A method of determining whether to authorize a user of a computer system to perform an action in the computer system is described. Besides the explicit authorization grants, a new, more secure semantics is defined where only unassigned users or actions are granted generically. For example, if an access control list for an action is not empty, a user may be authorized to perform the action only if the user is a member of the access control list for the action. If the access control list for the action is empty, the user may be authorized to perform the action only if the user is not a member of any access control list of a group of access control lists. |
| US08631473B2 |
Social content monitoring platform apparatuses and systems
The SOCIAL CONTENT MONITORING PLATFORM APPARATUSES AND SYSTEMS (“Social-Watch”) transforms social media contents via Social-Watch components, into ad effects data. A system is disclosed, comprising: a memory; a processor disposed in communication with said memory, and configured to issue a plurality of processing instructions stored in the memory, wherein the processor issues instructions for: identifying a request to access user social media content; obtaining user authorization credentials to access user social media content; sending an access request with the obtained user authorization credentials to a social media platform; receiving social media content data from the social media platform; determining a type of the received media content data; tagging the received media content data based on the type according to a progressive taxonomy mechanism; receive a social media analytics request for an item; querying the tagged media content data based on key terms related to the item; and determining impression heuristics for the item based on query results. |
| US08631470B2 |
System and method for policy based control of NAS storage devices
A system and method for providing policy-based data management and control on a NAS device deployed on a network and having event enabling framework software. When a user makes a request to store, read, or manipulate data on the NAS device, the NAS device provides an indication of this request to a management tool running on a remote system through the event enabling framework software. The management tool reviews the request in light of its previously established policy-based data storage management configuration and subsequently informs the NAS device, via the event enabling framework software, to either accept or not accept the user's request to store, read or modify data on the NAS device. |
| US08631467B2 |
Contextual visual challenge image for user verification
A method and a system generate a contextual visual challenge image to be presented to a user thereby to verify that the user is human. For example, an image module generates a visual challenge to be presented to a user as part of a challenge-response to verify that the user is human. A contextual background module identifies a contextual background that is contextual to a specific environment and a combiner image module combines the visual challenge and the contextual background into an image which is to be presented to the user in the specific environment, the contextual background associating the visual challenge with the specific environment. |
| US08631465B2 |
Terminal of an environment management station and a service user provided a service, method for processing an evaluation value of a terminal, a service request and a service providing
A terminal of an environment management station that calculates an evaluation value of a user terminal security, the evaluation value being used to determine whether to provide a service from a service provider to the user terminal, the terminal of the environment management station set in a third-party organization and stores environment information about to identify software or hardware that can be incorporated in the user terminal or hardware that can be connected to the user terminal, and the evaluation value of the user terminal in association with each other; a receiving unit that receives the environment information of the user terminal; an evaluation value calculating unit that calculates the evaluation value of the user terminal based on the evaluation value; and a transmitting unit that transmits the evaluation value to the terminal of the service provider. |
| US08631463B2 |
Tailored system management interface
Processes and techniques for tailoring operations management in a system are described. The processes and techniques allow a user to customize operations management based on the user's function within a system and the particular tasks that the user wishes to accomplish. Simplified user interfaces can be created by scoping the interfaces based on user profiles, preferences and system components. |
| US08631460B2 |
Systems and methods for implementing transparent encryption
A method of providing transparent encryption for a web resource includes a key manager receiving an encryption key policy; receiving user identifiers and resource locators; defining an access control list based the user identifiers; generating an encryption key and a key identifier for a first resource locator; and establishing a secure communication channel between first and second watchdog modules. The method also includes the watchdog sending encryption information using the secure communication channel. The method also includes a transparent encryption module storing the encryption key and the access control list in protected memory; receiving an input comprising a request to access the first resource stored in the web resource; determining that the user identifier is included in the access control list; encrypting data using the encryption key; and decrypting data using the encryption key. |
| US08631459B2 |
Policy and compliance management for user provisioning systems
A user provisioning system is extended to enable account reconciliation to occur in conjunction with a provisioning request. In response to a user provisioning request, a determination is made whether the user provisioning request is to be extended by including a reconciliation request. If so, the reconciliation request is piggy-backed on top of the provisioning request. This approach enables the reconciliation operation to be scoped to just the particular user account that is the subject to the provisioning operation, and it enables reconciliation to be carried out much more frequently as compared to the periodic, batch-oriented approach of prior techniques. |
| US08631458B1 |
Method and apparatus for elastic (re)allocation of enterprise workloads on clouds while minimizing compliance costs
A method and apparatus for elastic (re)allocation of enterprise workloads on clouds identifies a set of requirements for a workload. The workload includes one or more application running on a set of virtual machines. The requirements are defined by a set of compliance standards. The method and apparatus compares the set of requirements with a set of controls installed for various virtual infrastructure elements in at least one cloud. The method and apparatus selects virtual infrastructure elements satisfying a minimum cost criterion for placement of the set of virtual machines for the workload. The virtual infrastructure elements can include one or more hosts, one or more network devices, and/or one or more storage devices. The method and apparatus deploy the set of virtual machines for the workload on the selected virtual infrastructure elements. |
| US08631454B2 |
Method and apparatus for constrained distribution of television program material
A method of distributing video program material, includes receiving a first multi-program transport stream (MPTS) containing multiple video services and distribution constraint data specifying at least one of the video services, and creating a second transport stream that contains at least the specified video service and complies with at least one constraint specified in the distribution constraint. |
| US08631452B2 |
Channel switching processing method, system, and related devices
A channel switching processing method, system, and related devices are provided. The method includes: receiving, by a switching server, a channel switching request sent by a receiving end; and when the switching server determines that current switching resource information does not meet a switching condition according to the channel switching request, performing, by the switching server, an exception handling procedure, and sending channel switching instruction information to the receiving end, in which the channel switching instruction information is configured to instruct the receiving end to perform a channel switching operation corresponding to the channel switching instruction information. A channel switching processing system and related devices are also provided. Therefore, the channel switching efficiency may be effectively improved. |
| US08631447B2 |
Digital television signal, digital television receiver, and method of processing digital television signal
A digital television (DTV) signal for use in a DTV receiver includes an extended text table (ETT) which includes a header and a message body. The header includes a table identification extension field which serves to establish uniqueness of the ETT, and the message includes an extended text message (ETM). If the ETT is an event ETT, the table ID extension field includes an event identification which specifies an identification number of an event associated with the ETT. On the other hand, if the ETT is a channel ETT, the table identification extension field includes a source identification which specifies a programming source of a virtual channel associated with the ETT. A section-filtering unit included in the DTV receiver is able to use table identification extension fields of a plurality of ETTs for section-filtering a pertinent event or channel ETT from the ETTs. |
| US08631446B2 |
Digital television signal, digital television receiver, and method of processing digital television signal
A digital television (DTV) signal for use in a DTV receiver includes an extended text table (ETT) which includes a header and a message body. The header includes a table identification extension field which serves to establish uniqueness of the ETT, and the message includes an extended text message (ETM). If the ETT is an event ETT, the table ID extension field includes an event identification which specifies an identification number of an event associated with the ETT. On the other hand, if the ETT is a channel ETT, the table identification extension field includes a source identification which specifies a programming source of a virtual channel associated with the ETT. A section-filtering unit included in the DTV receiver is able to use table identification extension fields of a plurality of ETTs for section-filtering a pertinent event or channel ETT from the ETTs. |
| US08631444B2 |
Digital television signal, digital television receiver, and method of processing digital television signal
A digital television (DTV) signal for use in a DTV receiver includes an extended text table (ETT) which includes a header and a message body. The header includes a table identification extension field which serves to establish uniqueness of the ETT, and the message includes an extended text message (ETM). If the ETT is an event ETT, the table ID extension field includes an event identification which specifies an identification number of an event associated with the ETT. On the other hand, if the ETT is a channel ETT, the table identification extension field includes a source identification which specifies a programming source of a virtual channel associated with the ETT. A section-filtering unit included in the DTV receiver is able to use table identification extension fields of a plurality of ETTs for section-filtering a pertinent event or channel ETT from the ETTs. |
| US08631442B2 |
Digital television signal, digital television receiver, and method of processing digital television signal
A digital television (DTV) signal for use in a DTV receiver includes an extended text table (ETT) which includes a header and a message body. The header includes a table identification extension field which serves to establish uniqueness of the ETT, and the message includes an extended text message (ETM). If the ETT is an event ETT, the table ID extension field includes an event identification which specifies an identification number of an event associated with the ETT. On the other hand, if the ETT is a channel ETT, the table identification extension field includes a source identification which specifies a programming source of a virtual channel associated with the ETT. A section-filtering unit included in the DTV receiver is able to use table identification extension fields of a plurality of ETTs for section-filtering a pertinent event or channel ETT from the ETTs. |
| US08631440B2 |
Program guide user interface
A computer-implemented method includes receiving a search request related to media programming and generating a search. The result has a list of one or more collections of episodes responsive to the search request, and a schedule grid displaying a plurality of episodes on a plurality of different channels for a time period, including at least one program responsive to the search request. |
| US08631434B2 |
Method and apparatus for transmitting and downloading setup information
Multiple channel maps are embedded in a television transmission and the appropriate channel corresponding to the particular television service used by the viewer is downloaded for use with the television receiver. Each channel map is accompanied by a channel map identifier which identifies the source of the television transmission and a geographic identifier. The source of a television transmission is automatically detected by monitoring the radio-frequency spectrum allocations of telecast stations. The geographic area identifier is determined by comparison with a user inputted geographic area identifier. The channel map having a channel map identifier corresponding to the detected television transmission source and the user inputted geographic area identifier is downloaded and stored for future use. |
| US08631428B2 |
System and method for displaying media usage
A system for executing a method is disclosed for monitoring video data, the method including but not limited to monitoring end user activity data for media usage for a plurality of end user client devices associated with a designated group of end users in an internet protocol television (IPTV) system; receiving from a first one of the end user client devices, avatar data indicating at least one search criterion within the end user activity data; searching the end user activity data based on the at least one search criterion; and sending to the first one of the end user client devices, search result data from the search based on the at least one search criterion. |
| US08631427B2 |
Audience detection
A technique is disclosed for identifying members of an audience tuned to a program broadcast by a programming signal source, comprising the steps of storing personal identification signals in a plurality of portable devices to be carried by members of the audience; periodically transmitting said identification signals from the portable devices; providing a stationary detector to detect the identification signals if they exceed a selectable response of said detector; and setting the selectable response of said detector to a level such that the identification signals are detected only if the respective portable devices are located relative to the detector in positions where persons can perceive performance of the broadcast program. |
| US08631426B2 |
Pickup damper and disk drive including the same
A pickup damper is provided. The pickup damper is configured to be installed adjacent to a plurality of guide shafts installed on opposite sides of an opening of a base chassis, configured to collide with a pickup and relieve shock via at least three steps in response to an external shock being applied, and configured to prevent the pickup from colliding with the guide shafts to protect the pickup. |
| US08631424B2 |
Method and system of mapping at least one web service to at least one OSGi service and exposing at least one local service as at least one web service
The present invention provides a method, system and computer program product for exposing at least one local service as at least one web service. In an exemplary embodiment, the method includes receiving a call for the at least one web service, where the call comprises a request and a response. The method also includes delegating the call to a client bundle. The method further includes obtaining the at least one local service from a service registry via the client bundle. The method also includes invoking at least one method on the at least one local service via the client bundle. The method further includes returning a response from the invoked method for the at least one web service. |
| US08631415B1 |
Adjustment of threads for execution based on over-utilization of a domain in a multi-processor system by sub-dividing parallizable group of threads to sub-domains
Embodiments provide various techniques for dynamic adjustment of a number of threads for execution in any domain based on domain utilizations. In a multiprocessor system, the utilization for each domain is monitored. If a utilization of any of these domains changes, then the number of threads for each of the domains determined for execution may also be adjusted to adapt to the change. |
| US08631413B2 |
Determining the termination priority of applications based on capability of applications to retain operation state information
When a request is made for execution of a new application while other application is being executed or interrupted, and a judgment unit (61) has judged that no memory capacity required for execution of the new application is available in a volatile memory (12), an execution unit (2) terminates the other application having the lowest priority among the applications being executed or interrupted according to the priority of the priority information in a nonvolatile memory (11), and executes the new application. |
| US08631408B2 |
Configuring parameters of a guest operating system based on detected events
A host controller system monitors virtual machine hosts for a tuning event. Upon detecting a tuning event, the host controller system identifies at least one virtual machine potentially affected by the tuning event, and determines whether a corresponding guest operating system should be tuned (e.g., whether configuration parameters should be adjusted). If so, the host controller system obtains configuration data for the corresponding guest operating system and provides the configuration data to the corresponding guest operating system. |
| US08631402B2 |
Center management apparatus, method, and computer readable storage medium storing program thereof
A duplicator duplicates a specified guest program to create a guest copy. A virtual machine activation requester selects a center apparatus for maintenance and requests the selected center apparatus for maintenance to activate a virtual machine based on the guest copy. A maintenance requester requests the activated virtual machine to perform a maintenance process. After the maintenance process, when the guest copy has been changed, a maintenance reflector replaces with the guest copy the guest program, among data stored in a guest program storage, associated with a specified program ID. |
| US08631397B2 |
Virtualized application image patching
Virtual applications are automatically kept up to date with the current version of a virtual application. Instead of the client having to obtain the entire version of the current virtual application, the client obtains the portions of the current virtual application that are changed from its version of the virtual application. After obtaining the changes needed to update its version of the virtual application, the client integrates those changes into its version of the virtual application. |
| US08631396B2 |
Schema specification to improve product consumability on installation, configuration, and/or un-installation activity
Provided are techniques for retrieving a universal schema specification file that defines a structure of a product specific data set, retrieving the product specific data set that defines a specific configuration for a version of a product, validating the product specific data set using the universal schema specification file, and using the validated product specific data set and a product specific installable to automatically install the version of the product with the specific configuration. |
| US08631394B2 |
Static resource processing
One embodiment constructs a graph comprising one or more parameter nodes and one or more transformation nodes, wherein: each parameter node represents one or more parameters; and each transformation node represents one or more transformations; and sequentially applies from a lowest level to a highest level of the graph, the one or more parameters represented by each parameter node and the one or more transformations represented by each transformation node to a static resource to determine one or more versions of the static resource. |
| US08631390B2 |
Archiving a build product
An enhanced integrated development environment (IDE) is able to archive a build product and/or work with an archived build product in various ways. In one embodiment, a build product archive includes a manifest, a source code snapshot, a symbol table, and a build product. The manifest contains meta-data about the archive. The source code snapshot is a copy of the source code that was used in the build process. The symbol table is a copy of the symbol table that was generated by the build process. The build product is a copy of the build product that was generated by the build process. A developer can use the enhanced IDE to help share a build product with others and/or to understand system logs and reports that describe operation of the build product (e.g., crash logs and memory logs). |
| US08631386B2 |
System and method for automating the development of web services
A system and method for developing web services that includes three frameworks: a Design Time Framework, an Object-Service Framework, and a Run Time Framework. In the Design Time Framework, the system and method includes receiving a schema in a descriptive markup language from a user and generating source code artifacts in an object oriented programming language based on the schema. In the Object-Service Framework, the system and method includes relating the generated source code artifacts to a set of pre-built runtime services. Finally, in a Run Time Framework, the system and method includes providing the set of runtime services, wherein the runtime services interact with the generated source code artifacts through the relationship defined by the Object-Service Framework. |
| US08631384B2 |
Creating a test progression plan
Automatically creating a progression plan for a software test, by computing for each test period unit x the effort for attempting to perform test units, ATTx, and the effort for completing test unit execution, CCx. Three variables characterizing the test strategy are introduced in the computation: the Effectiveness, which represents the efficiency of the test team, the Defect Density rate, and the Verify rate value. By choosing the test strategy, the test manager defines the three variables' values which influence the progression plan. During test execution, a cumulative ‘attempted’ curve of the ATTx values and a cumulative ‘complete’ curve of the CCx values allow the test manager to compare the effort already made to the effort expected to be made for the Test Units which have been attempted and for the Test Units which have been completed, i.e. when the defects found in the code have been corrected. |
| US08631381B2 |
Method and system for power delivery network analysis
The subject application relates to a method and system for power delivery network analysis. The present disclosure is directed towards a computer-implemented method for analyzing a power delivery network (PDN) associated with an electronic circuit design. Embodiments may include extracting, using at least one processor, an electromagnetic (EM) model for each of one or more discontinuity structures associated with the circuit design and generating a three dimensional adaptive mesh model that is based upon, at least in part, the extracted EM model. Numerous other features are also within the scope of the present disclosure. |
| US08631377B2 |
System and method for designing cell rows with differing cell heights
A system and method for designing integrated circuits is disclosed. An embodiment comprises placing a standard cell with a first cell height into a cell row with a different height. The standard cell may have a height smaller than the cell row or else may have a height that is larger than the cell row. Vertical fillers and horizontal fillers are utilized to extend and connect the standard cell to adjacent cells without having to redesign the entire cell row. |
| US08631372B2 |
System and method of electromigration mitigation in stacked IC designs
A computer implemented method comprises accessing a 3D-IC model stored in a tangible, non-transitory machine readable medium, processing the model in a computer processor to generate a temperature map containing temperatures at a plurality of points of the 3D-IC under the operating condition; identifying an electromigration (EM) rating factor, and calculating and outputting from the processor data representing a temperature-dependent EM current constraint at each point. |
| US08631370B2 |
Swapping ports to change the timing window overlap of adjacent nets
In an embodiment, a list of ports and a physical location of the ports specified in a circuit design is created. Physically adjacent port pairs are determined within the list of the ports that are physically adjacent. For each respective physically adjacent port pair, the following elements are performed: calculating a timing window overlap for a current port and a next port in the respective physically adjacent port pair, computing a timing window overlap for the current port and each following port that is within a predetermined physical distance, and if the timing window overlap between the respective physically adjacent port pair is not smaller than the timing window overlap for the current port and each following port, swapping a physical location of the adjacent port with a physical location of the following port that has a smallest timing window overlap with the current port. |
| US08631365B2 |
Memory building blocks and memory design using automatic design tools
The memory building blocks can be used in conjunction with ASIC automatic design tools to generate a memory macro (e.g., a memory array) using a known ASIC design flow including, for example, register transfer level (RTL), synthesis, automatic place and route (APR) and timing analysis. |
| US08631363B2 |
Method and mechanism for identifying and tracking shape connectivity
A method and mechanism is disclosed for identifying and tracking nets in an electrical design. A hierarchical design does not have to be flattened to perform the operation of identifying and tracking nets. To identify sets of connected shapes, instead of having to unfold the entire design hierarchy, only the specific instances of shapes falling within the geometric bounds of shapes identified as being part of a net needs to be unfolded to perform the search. When composing the list of nets for a hierarchical design, the unfolded shapes at other hierarchical levels of the design can be derived based upon virtual terminal structures that implicitly references nets and objects at other levels. |
| US08631360B2 |
Methodology of optical proximity correction optimization
A method for performing OPC and evaluating OPC solutions is disclosed. An exemplary method includes receiving a design database corresponding to an IC circuit mask. A first lithography simulation and evaluation is performed on the design database utilizing a first set of performance indexes. A modification is made to the design database based on a result of performing the first lithography simulation and evaluation. A second lithography simulation and evaluation is performed on the design database utilizing a second set of performance indexes to verify the modification. If necessary, the design database is modified again based on a result of the second lithography simulation and evaluation. The modified design database is provided to a mask manufacturer for manufacturing the mask corresponding to the modified design database. |
| US08631358B2 |
Variable device graphical user interface
Methods, systems, devices, and apparatus, including computer program products, for adjusting a graphical user interface. A motion of a device is detected. A graphical user interface of the device is adjusted in response to the detected motion. |
| US08631356B2 |
Presentation of advertisements based on user interactivity with a web page
Methods and systems for presenting advertisements based on user interactivity with a web page are provided. According to embodiments of the invention, a web page is rendered on a client device. Gesture interactivity with the web page is monitored on the client device. A trigger is executed which defines an interactive event. When the interactive event occurs, as determined based on the monitored gesture interactivity with the web page, secondary content, such as an advertisement, is downloaded and displayed on the client device. |
| US08631354B2 |
Focal-control user interface
A user interface and techniques for manipulating a graphical representation via indirect manipulation of focal controls are described. Generally, the user interface includes a graphical representation (e.g., an image, video, application, browser, map, etc.), one or more visible or transparent focal controls, and gesture detection functionality to detect inputs from a user. The user may provide this input via a peripheral device (e.g., a mouse, keyboard, etc.), a touch-screen display, or in another suitable manner. In each instance, the user provides an input relative to the focal control and, in response to detecting the input, the gesture detection functionality manipulates the underlying graphical representation. |
| US08631353B2 |
Previewing a new event on a small screen device
Method and apparatus for previewing new events in a computing device having a plurality of applications for managing respective events are described. Individual applications are each represented by an application icon on a screen of a graphical user interface for the device. In response to a new event of a one of the applications, the application's icon is visually modified to notify of the new event. A visual modification may be determined in response to the new event, for example, to preview a content of the event. The visual modification may include a count of all new events that remain to be disposed. On a selection of the visually modified icon, additional previewing may be provided. Activation of the application having a visually modified application icon may be configured to automatically initiate the application at the new event. |
| US08631350B2 |
Graphical context short menu
A system and method for displaying a graphical context menu on a display screen of a mobile communication device. The method includes receiving a menu request, determining the number of menu items based on the context of the menu request, generating a graphical context menu based on the determined number of the determined number of menu items, inserting the menu items into the generated graphical context menu, and displaying the generated graphical context menu on the display screen with the inserted menu items. The graphical context menu can include menu items displayed in a 3×3 grid, a 2×3 grid or a 1×3 grid. The graphical context menu can include a default menu item in the center of the grid and a full menu option in the bottom most right slot of the grid. |
| US08631348B2 |
Search drop down menu method and apparatus
User interface for searching for data are described. In one embodiment, a method, which involves a user interface for searching, includes displaying on a display device a search input region and displaying, immediately adjacent to the search input region, a user interface object which, if selected, cause the display of a menu, disposed adjacent to the user interface object, of selectable search options to configure how to perform the search. The search input region can be configured to receive an input for a search of data on a data processing system coupled to the display device. |
| US08631346B2 |
File conversion initiated by renaming of file extension
Some embodiments of a system and a method to process file conversion initiated by natural human behavior have been presented. For instance, a file conversion manager running on a processing device may intercept an operation invoked by a user to rename at least a first extension of a file name of a file having an original file format to a second extension associated with a target file format. In response to the operation, the file conversion manager may select and execute one of a group of third party file conversion applications to convert the file from the original file format to the target file format. |
| US08631342B2 |
Computer display control system and method
A computer display control system comprises an input module adapted to receive a user input corresponding to a composited desktop display where the composited desktop display displays at least two active desktops corresponding to at least two different computers. The input module is adapted to automatically determine to which of the desktops the user input corresponds. |
| US08631339B2 |
Mobile terminal and displaying device thereof with a plurality of touch screens and virtual keypad
A mobile terminal and a displaying method thereof are provided. The mobile terminal includes a first touch screen which displays a first object, a second touch screen which displays a second object, and a controller which controls display of a virtual keypad on the second touch screen when a touch input is applied to the first touch screen. |
| US08631338B2 |
Generating universal graphical user interface element and relation
A method, system and article of manufacture are disclosed for creating a graphical user interface (GUI) item, in a computer system having a graphical user interface and a display screen. The method includes the step of enabling a user to create one or more instances of a defined GUI item. This enabling step, in turn, includes the steps of displaying on the display screen a Universal Graphical User Interface (UGUI) item; and identifying on the display screen, in a defined manner associated with the display of the UGUI item, a desired GUI item. In response to said identifying this desired GUI item, the displayed UGUI item is visually transformed on the display screen to said desired GUI item. The UGUI item may be a UGUI element or a UGUI relation for indicating the relation between two GUI elements. |
| US08631334B2 |
Virtual world presentation composition and management
Embodiments of the present invention provide a method, system and computer program product for composing and managing a presentation in a virtual world. In an embodiment of the invention, a method for composing and managing a presentation in a virtual world can include arranging a set of slides in a presentation, selecting a location in a portion of a virtual world for displaying the slides and also for attendee avatars viewing the slides, composing movements and gestures of a presenter avatar in coordination with a display of slide content of the slides, and presenting the presentation in the location of the virtual world at the location selected for displaying the slides for the attendee avatars placed the selected location for the attendee avatars while applying the composed movements and gestures of the presenter avatar coordinated with a display of slide content of the slides. |
| US08631330B1 |
Security application graphical user interface customization systems and methods
In some embodiments, a graphical user interface (GUI) of a computer security application is automatically configured according to a user profile of the user. Upon installation of the computer security application, a desired GUI complexity questionnaire is displayed to the user. The application then matches the user to a user profile out of a set of predefined user profiles, according to the user's answers to the questionnaire. User profiles reflect a user's desired complexity of display and control (e.g. Novice/Intermediate/Expert, Basic/Intermediate/Advanced). The information displayed and application controls provided by the GUI window vary in detail according to the user profile. Selecting a user profile propagates multiple individually-user-configurable display and control settings of the GUI, as well as under-the-hood (non-GUI) settings of the anti-malware application. |
| US08631328B2 |
System and method for controlling interaction between a mobile terminal and a digital picture frame
A mobile terminal includes a wireless communication unit, a memory, a touch screen, and a controller. The wireless communication unit establishes a connection to an external digital picture frame. The memory stores a plurality of images including one or more characters and information mapped to the characters. The touch screen displays a first image stored in the memory. And, the controller transmits the first image and first information mapped to the first image to the digital picture frame via the wireless communication unit. |
| US08631320B2 |
Information processing apparatus and information processing method
An information processing apparatus which performs variable printing processing to print by inserting different contents data into a variable area of document data for each predetermined unit. The apparatus sets variable area information for defining at least a position and size of a variable area laid out in document data and creates output data in which the variable area containing the contents data is laid out in each document page in accordance with the variable area information. |
| US08631319B2 |
Document databases managed by first and second authentication methods
There is provided a document management system that eliminates the necessity of performing such a complicated operation as to input a password by the user each time he/she tries to open any of document databases, thus improving the operability or the like for the user. A plurality of document databases are provided, which are capable of being accessed by a client apparatus via a communication medium. A document management apparatus manages the plurality of document databases such that different authentication methods are used for respective ones of the plurality of document databases when one of the at least one client apparatus having made an access request so as to open any of said plurality of document databases is authenticated, and makes settings such that the one client apparatus is not required to be authenticated again when accessing another one of said plurality of document databases after the one client apparatus has been authenticated. |
| US08631318B2 |
Electronic document versioning method and updated document supply method using version number based on XML
Methods and apparatus for versioning an electronic document based on XML and methods and apparatus for providing an updated electronic document based on XML can use a version value. The electronic document being managed can use a syntax defining a structure of the structured electronic document. One method is characterized in that date information of when a content of the electronic document is changed is used as a version value. |
| US08631316B2 |
Systems and methods for generating sitelets using information assets
A definition of an information category a user wishes to publish to the Internet is received from a user. At least one information asset comprising a link to an information data object is received and assigned to the information category. Sitelet generation parameters are received from the user, including a sitelet category comprising the information category, and optionally, other sitelet generation parameters such as data feed types and additional information categories. A sitelet is then generated using the sitelet category and any other supplied sitelet generation parameters. The sitelet comprises a data feed of a first data feed type comprising a representation of the information assets assigned to the sitelet category and any additional information categories. The data feed type can be in any standard format, such as RSS or ATOM, or any custom format, such as iFrame HTML, XML or JSON. If the user specifies more than one data feed type, sitelets are generated for each data feed type. |
| US08631312B2 |
LDPC (Low Density Parity Check) codes with corresponding parity check matrices selectively constructed with CSI (Cyclic Shifted Identity) and null sub-matrices
LDPC (Low Density Parity Check) codes with corresponding parity check matrices selectively constructed with CSI (Cyclic Shifted Identity) and null sub-matrices. An LDPC matrix corresponding to an LDPC code is employed within a communication device to encode and/or decode coded signals for use in any of a number of communication systems. The LDPC matrix is composed of a number of sub-matrices and may be partitioned into a left hand side matrix and a right hand side matrix. The right hand side matrix may include two sub-matrix diagonals therein that are composed entirely of CSI (Cyclic Shifted Identity) sub-matrices; one of these two sub-matrix diagonals is located on the center sub-matrix diagonal and the other is located just to the left thereof. All other sub-matrices of the right hand side matrix may be null sub-matrices (i.e., all elements therein are values of zero “0”). |
| US08631310B2 |
Method for reducing uncorrectable errors of a memory device regarding error correction code, and associated memory device and controller thereof
A method for reducing uncorrectable errors of a memory device regarding Error Correction Code (ECC) includes: performing majority vote according to data read at different times at a same address in order to generate majority vote data corresponding to the address; and checking whether the majority vote data has any uncorrectable error in order to determine whether to output the majority vote data as data of the address. For example, the method further includes: within the data read at different times at the same address, temporarily storing all of the data except for data of a last time into buffering regions/buffers, respectively, with the majority vote data being temporarily stored into a second buffering region/buffer to utilize a latest generated portion within the majority vote data to replace a latest retrieved portion within data in the second buffering region/buffer. An associated memory device and the controller thereof are further provided. |
| US08631307B2 |
Method for encoding and/or decoding multimensional and a system comprising such method
A method and a system of multidimensional encoding and/or decoding to be processed by a computer or a digital hardware system. The method utilizes an error correcting code which is chosen from the group comprising RS, BCH, BCH algebraic, RM (Reed-Muller), among others. The method is carried out by the steps of attribution of a dimension for each bit in the symbols set of a message, with symbols with at least two bits, so the error correcting code will be performed over the dimensions and not over the symbols; grouping of the dimensions in the same position of the origin symbols in a new symbol, so the symbols will be treated as symbols in both stages of the code, in that the error correcting code is performed in every dimension; and processing of each dimension in parallel or in an independent manner, using an error correcting code. |
| US08631305B2 |
Reducing processing bias in a soft forward error correction (FEC) decoder
A system is configured to receive a word that includes a group of samples; randomly select a subset of the samples; identify first samples, from the subset, with a lowest level of reliability; select another subset of the samples; identify second samples, from the other subset, with a lowest level of reliability; and create a merged subset based on selected first samples and selected second samples. The system is also configured to select a further subset of the samples; identify third samples, from the further subset, with a lowest level of reliability; identify fourth samples, from the merged subset, associated with a lowest level of reliability; create another merged subset based on a greater probability that fourth samples than third samples are included in the other merged subset; and generate another word based a sample from the other merged subset; and process the word using the other word. |
| US08631301B2 |
Dynamic electronic correction code feedback to extend memory device lifetime
Unrecoverable electronic correction code (ECC) errors in memory storage devices are usually preceded by recoverable ECC errors. A memory storage device controller is provided notice of the recoverable errors and associated information. The memory storage device controller can cause the data having the recoverable information to be rewritten on the memory storage device. Rewriting the data on the memory storage device (often in a different location) normally reduces the probability of encountering data with unrecoverable data errors. |
| US08631300B2 |
Systems and methods for scalable data processing shut down
The present inventions are related to systems and methods for data processing, and more particularly to systems and methods for power governance in a data processing system. |
| US08631299B2 |
Error correction encoding method and device, and communication system using the same
An error correction method and device and a communication system using them, including an LDPC code generation method capable of adjusting an encoding rate of an LDPC code in a variable manner while leaving the length of the code constant by use of an efficient encoding method or mechanism supporting a variable encoding rate, so that the encoding rate of the LDPC code can be adjusted without changing the code length. An error correction method includes a row dividing to divide each of a part or all of rows into two or more rows based on one parity check matrix, and a code construction to construct a plurality of LDPC codes with arbitrary code rates, respectively. |
| US08631298B2 |
Method for mapping physical hybrid automatic repeat request indicator channel
A method for mapping a physical hybrid automatic repeat request indicator channel (PHICH) is described. The method for mapping a PHICH includes determining an index of a resource element group transmitting a repetitive pattern of the PHICH, according to a ratio of the number of available resource element groups in a symbol in which the PHICH is transmitted and the number of available resource element groups in a first or second OFDM symbol, and mapping the PHICH to the symbol according to the determined index. In transmitting the PHICH, since efficient mapping is performed considering available resource elements varying with OFDM symbols, repetition of the PHICH does not generate interference between neighbor cell IDs and performance is improved. |
| US08631296B2 |
Automatic retransmission controller and retransmission block recombination apparatus
This invention proposes an automatic retransmission controller and a retransmission block recombination apparatus, of which the automatic retransmission controller comprises a responsive reception unit that receives the information fed back from the receiver; a retransmission judging unit that determines coded data blocks to be retransmitted according to the information received by the responsive reception unit; and a data acquisition unit that acquires a part of data in each of the coded data blocks to be retransmitted judged by the retransmission judging unit for recombination to form a retransmission coded block, when the number of the coded data blocks to be transmitted is more than one. |
| US08631295B2 |
Error concealment
A method and apparatus for selectively replacing damaged portions of a data stream. The method comprises analyzing the data stream to identify damaged portions therein; selecting a damaged portion for replacement; and replacing the selected damaged portion. The selected damaged portion is selected for replacement in dependence on a rate of replacement, the rate of replacement being that at which previous portions of the data stream have been replaced. |
| US08631293B2 |
Trace circuitry connected to TAP domain and address-command port
An address and command port interface selectively enables JTAG TAP domain operations and Trace domain operations within an IC. The port carries TMS and TDI input and TDO output on a single pin and receives a clock signal on a separate pin. The addressable two pin interface loads and updates instructions and data to the TAP domain within the IC. The instruction or data update operations in multiple ICs occur simultaneously. A process transmits data from an addressed target device to a controller using data frames, each data frame comprising a header bit and data bits. The logic level of the header bit is used to start, continue, and stop the data transmission to the controller. A data and clock signal interface between a controller and multiple target devices provides for each target device to be individually addressed and commanded to perform a JTAG or Trace operation. |
| US08631292B2 |
Multi-threading flip-flop circuit
A flip-flop circuit includes a master latch, a master/slave gate, a slave latch, a slave gate, a feedback latch, and a master gate. The master latch has an input and an output. The master/slave gate has an input coupled to the output of the master latch and an output. The slave latch has input coupled to the output of the master/slave gate and an output. The slave gate has input coupled to the output of the slave latch and an output. The has an input coupled to the output of the slave gate and an output. The master gate has an input coupled to the output of the feedback latch and an output coupled to the input of the master latch. |
| US08631289B2 |
Scan topology discovery in target systems
Topology discovery of a target system having a plurality of components coupled with a scan topology may be performed by driving a low logic value on the data input signal and a data output signal of the scan topology. An input data value and an output data value for each of the plurality of components is sampled and recorded. A low logic value is then scanned through the scan path and recorded at each component. The scan topology may be determined based on the recorded data values and the recorded scan values. |
| US08631288B2 |
Methods, devices, and systems for data sensing in a memory system
Methods, devices, and systems for data sensing in a memory system can include performing a number of successive sense operations on a number of memory cells using a number of different sensing voltages, determining a quantity of the number memory cells that change states between consecutive sense operations of the number of successive sense operations, and determining, based at least partially on the determined quantity of the number of memory cells that change states between consecutive sense operations, whether to output hard data corresponding to one of the number of successive sense operations. |
| US08631277B2 |
Providing transparent failover in a file system
A connection state system is described herein that allows a client to resume a connection with a server or a different replacement server by remotely storing client state information in association with a resume key. The system provides a resume key filter operating at the server that facilitates the storing of volatile server state information. The state information can include information such as oplocks, leases granted to a client, and in-flight operations on a file handle. The resume key filter driver sits above the file system, which allows multiple file access protocols to use the filter. Upon a failover event, such as a server going down or losing connectivity to a client, the system can bring up another server or the same server and reestablish state for file handles held by various clients using the resume key filter. |
| US08631276B2 |
Log-based rollback-recovery
Log-Based Rollback Recovery for system failures. The system includes a storage medium, and a component configured to transition through a series of states. The component is further configured to record in the storage medium the state of the component every time the component communicates with another component in the system, the system being configured to recover the most recent state recorded in the storage medium following a failure of the component. |
| US08631274B2 |
Flash-based memory system with variable length page stripes including data protection information
Methods and apparatuses for enhanced protection of data stored in a FLASH memory system involve a controller capable of adapting to the failure of one or more FLASH memory devices in the memory system. The controller stores data in the form of page stripes, each page stripe composed of data pages, and each data page stored in a different FLASH memory device. The controller also detects failure of a FLASH memory device in which a data page of a particular page stripe is stored, reconstructs the data page, and stores the reconstructed data page in a new page stripe, where the number of data pages in the new page stripe is less than the number of data pages in the particular page stripe, and where no page of the new page stripe is stored in a memory location within the failed FLASH memory device. |
| US08631273B2 |
Method and apparatus for addressing actual or predicted failures in a flash-based storage system
Methods and apparatuses for enhanced protection of data stored in a FLASH memory system involve a controller capable of adapting to the failure of one or more FLASH memory devices in the memory system. The controller stores data in the form of page stripes, each page stripe composed of data pages, and each data page stored in a different FLASH memory device. The controller also detects failure of a FLASH memory device in which a data page of a particular page stripe is stored, reconstructs the data page, and stores the reconstructed data page in a new page stripe, where the number of data pages in the new page stripe is less than the number of data pages in the particular page stripe, and where no page of the new page stripe is stored in a memory location within the failed FLASH memory device. |
| US08631272B2 |
Duplicate-aware disk arrays
A duplicate-aware disk array (DADA) leaves duplicated content on the disk array largely unmodified, instead of removing duplicated content, and then uses these duplicates to improve system performance, reliability, and availability of the disk array. Several implementations disclosed herein are directed to the selection of one duplicate from among a plurality of duplicates to act as the proxy for the other duplicates found in the disk array. Certain implementations disclosed herein are directed to scrubbing latent sector errors (LSEs) on duplicate-aware disk arrays. Other implementations are directed to disk reconstruction/recovery on duplicate-aware disk arrays. Yet other implementations are directed to load balancing on duplicate-aware disk arrays. |
| US08631270B2 |
Method, device for running internet protocol television service system, and internet protocol television service system
The present invention discloses a method, apparatus and system for operating an internet protocol television service system. The present invention relates to communication field, and solves the problem of poor quality of service caused by using a cold backup electronic programmer guide (EPG) server or transferring a user to other EPG server. The method includes: a backup electronic programmer guide (EPG) server receiving an obtaining instruction message sent by a service control manager, wherein the obtaining instruction message instructs the backup EPG server to obtain service information of a failed present network EPG server; the backup EPG server obtaining the service information of the failed present network EPG server according to the obtaining instruction message, and sending an obtaining response message to the service control manager after finishing obtaining the service information. |
| US08631266B2 |
Semiconductor memory device and method of controlling the same
A method of tuning a phase of a clock signal includes performing data training on a plurality of data pins through which data are input and output, in synchronization with a data clock signal; determining one of the data pins to be a representative pin; performing clock and data recovery (CDR) on read data of the representative pin; and adjusting a phase of the data clock signal based on the CDR. |
| US08631262B2 |
Method of dynamically scaling a power level of a microprocessor
A method of dynamically scaling a power level of a microprocessor is provided. The method includes: calculating unit workload rates during unit periods in a first duration period; changing a length of the first duration period based on a variation of the unit workload rates; calculating a period workload rate by accumulating the unit workload rates in the first duration period; and changing the power level of the microprocessor based on the calculated period workload rate. |
| US08631259B2 |
Method and apparatus for quick resumption of a processing system with volatile memory
When transitioning from sleep mode to active mode, a processing system loads first stage resume content and second stage resume content into a volatile memory of the processing system. The first stage resume content may contain contextual data for a first program that was in use before the processing system transitioned to sleep mode. The second stage resume content may contain contextual data for another program that was in use before the processing system transitioned to sleep mode. The processing system may provide a user interface for the first program before all of the second stage resume content has been loaded into the volatile memory. Other embodiments are described and claimed. |
| US08631256B2 |
Distributed management of a shared power source to a multi-core microprocessor
Microprocessors are provided with decentralized logic and associated methods for indicating power related operating states, such as desired voltages and frequency ratios, to shared microprocessor power resources such as a voltage regulator module (VRM) and phase locked loops (PLLs). Each core is configured to generate a value to indicate a desired operating state of the core. Each core is also configured to receive a corresponding value from each other core sharing the applicable resource, and to calculate a composite value compatible with the minimal needs of each core sharing the applicable resource. Each core is further configured to conditionally drive the composite value off core to the applicable resource based on whether the core is designated as a master core for purposes of controlling or coordinating the applicable resource. The composite value is supplied to the applicable shared resource without using any active logic outside the plurality of cores. |
| US08631255B2 |
Method, system and apparatus for dynamic buffer management for power saving
A method and apparatus may detect an event related to an external device communicating with a host controller. One or more external device characteristics of the external device may be determined. One or more physical memory cells for the host controller may be modified based on the one or more external device characteristics. |
| US08631251B2 |
System management controller entry into reduced power state responsive to other hardware entering reduced power state
A system includes an operating system, first hardware, second hardware, and a system management controller, the latter which also may be considered an integrated management module or a baseboard management module. The first hardware executes the operating system and is under control of the operating system. The operating system causes the first hardware to enter a first reduced power state. The second hardware is different than the first hardware and is not under control of the operating system. The system management controller is implemented by the second hardware. In response to the operating system causing the first hardware to enter the first reduced power state, the system management controller causes the second hardware to enter a second reduced power state corresponding to the first reduced power state. The first reduced power state may be a more-power-conserving reduced power state than the second reduced power state. |
| US08631250B2 |
Method and system for designating and handling confidential memory allocations
Designating and handling confidential memory allocations of virtual memory. An operating system provides a memory allocation flag that applications may use to indicate any arbitrary area of physical memory marked with this flag may contain confidential data and should be handled accordingly. The operating system also ensures that memory allocated with this flag can be placed in physical memory. When freeing up memory, the operating system protects any data in the memory allocated with this flag. For example, the operating system may prevent the confidential memory from being swapped out to storage or from being accessible to other applications, such as debuggers. Alternatively, the operating system may encrypt any data in the confidential memory before it is swapped out to storage. |
| US08631246B2 |
Method for starting a keyboard of a self-service terminal
A method for commencing operation of an encrypted pin pad (EPP) of a self-service terminal. The EPP includes a security module that is capable of encrypting a confidential numeric code entered over the EPP with a PIN key. The EPP has a sensor that detects whether the EPP is installed properly in the self-service terminal or not. The sensor signal is scanned by the security module of the EPP. The EPP automatically goes to a non-operational mode if the sensor signal indicates that the EPP is not properly installed. The EPP, after passing from an operational to a non-operational mode, can only be returned to operation by entering an authorized activation code in the keypad security module. |
| US08631244B1 |
System and method for preventing computer malware from exfiltrating data from a user computer in a network via the internet
A system for preventing computer malware from exfiltrating data from a user computer in a network via the internet. A host-based network process monitor intercepts network traffic information from the user computer and transmits a network request including user and application information including the network traffic information. An authorization server cooperates with the host-based network process monitor for i) verifying whether the user and process in the network request should have network access, and ii) cryptographically signing the intercepted network traffic information with an authorization server key, to authorize network access for the intercepted network traffic information. A firewall system is operably connected to the user computer and the authorization server configured to inspect the network traffic information from the user computer and reject any traffic information not signed with the authorization server key. |
| US08631243B2 |
Biometrics based identification
A biometrics template matching method includes the steps of: providing a reference biometric template and a candidate biometric template, each including position data and orientation data of a respective plurality of minutiae; comparing the orientation data of each minutia from the candidate template with the orientation data of each minutia from the reference template; when the orientation data of a selected pair differ by no more than a first threshold, determining a displacement vector representative of the difference in position data of the selected pair of minutiae; determining the maximum number of displacement vectors that differ from each other by less than a second threshold; if the maximum number of displacement vectors is less than a third threshold, returning a mismatch, otherwise returning a match. |
| US08631242B2 |
Applicant screening
A system of screening servers, screener client computers, and screening kiosks distribute an applicant screening process among multiple sites and multiple participants. To facilitate and secure communications of screening results and applicant actions, a personal identification code is provided that identifies individual sets of screening results. In this manner, the applicant is authenticated and can then enter appropriate applicant profile data into a secure screening account, such as via a screening kiosk. Screening results may be generated for the applicant in association with a unique personal identification code. This code can then be communicated to the screener, who can access the screening results along with a recommendation, if desired, by sending the code to a screening server. |
| US08631238B2 |
Preventing race conditions in secure token exchange
The present invention relates to methods and systems for preventing race conditions in secure token conversations. The method includes generating a message from a client application to a server application, determining that a first secure conversation token (SCT) exists, and using the first SCT to encrypt the message. The method further includes sending the encrypted message to the server, receiving an indication that the first SCT has expired, and initiating an SCT renew request. The method includes storing the first SCT, receiving a second SCT in response to the SCT renew request, and storing the second SCT in addition to the first SCT. The method further includes retrieving an encrypted message, determining that the encrypted message has been encrypted using the first SCT, in response to the determination, using the first SCT to decrypt the message, and generating a response from the server to the client. |
| US08631234B2 |
Apparatus and method for establishing encryption information common to a plurality of communication paths coupling two apparatuses
An apparatus includes a plurality of connection-source terminating units. Each of the plurality of connection-source terminating units constitutes an independent communication path coupled to a corresponding one of a plurality of connection-destination terminating units provided for a connection-destination apparatus. The apparatus establishes encryption information including first information used for encryption processing on communication performed via a plurality of the independent communication paths established between the apparatus and the connection-destination apparatus. The first information is used in common for all the plurality of the independent communication paths when packets are transmitted through the plurality of the independent communication paths established between the communication apparatus and the connection-destination apparatus. |
| US08631230B2 |
Differential client-side encryption of information originating from a client
A method may include allocating a number of public keys, where each respective public key is allocated to a respective entity of a number of entities; storing a number of private keys, where each respective private corresponds to a respective public key; storing one or more decryption algorithms, where each respective decryption algorithm is configured to decrypt data previously encrypted using at least one encryption algorithm of the encryption algorithms. Each respective encryption algorithm may be configured to encrypt data using at least one public key. Each respective decryption algorithm may be configured to decrypt data using at least one private key. The method may include receiving encrypted data, where the encrypted data is encrypted using a first public key and a first encryption algorithm, and the encrypted data is provided over a network. |
| US08631229B2 |
Differential client-side encryption of information originating from a client
A method may include allocating a number of public keys, where each respective public key is allocated to a respective entity of a number of entities; storing a number of private keys, where each respective private corresponds to a respective public key; storing one or more decryption algorithms, where each respective decryption algorithm is configured to decrypt data previously encrypted using at least one encryption algorithm of the encryption algorithms. Each respective encryption algorithm may be configured to encrypt data using at least one public key. Each respective decryption algorithm may be configured to decrypt data using at least one private key. The method may include receiving encrypted data, where the encrypted data is encrypted using a first public key and a first encryption algorithm, and the encrypted data is provided over a network. |
| US08631224B2 |
SIMD dot product operations with overlapped operands
A data processing system includes a plurality of general purpose registers, and processor circuitry for executing one or more instructions, including a vector dot product instruction for simultaneously performing at least two dot products. The vector dot product instruction identifies a first and second source register, each for storing a plurality of vector elements, where a first dot product is to be performed between a first subset of vector elements of the first source register and a first subset of vector elements of the second source register, and a second dot product is to be performed between a second subset of vector elements of the first source register and a second subset of vector elements of the second source register. The first and second subsets of the second source register are different and at least two vector elements of the first and second subsets of the second source register overlap. |
| US08631218B2 |
Method of and system for controlling the programming of memory devices
In order to further develop a method of and a system (100) for controlling the programming of, in particular the erase/write access to, a memory device (10) comprising multiple memory cells (20, 22), said memory cells (20, 22) being exposed to wear resulting from repeated programming, in such way that an increased lifetime of the memory device (10), in particular on an integrated circuit, is provided even under exceptional stress of the memory device (10), it is proposed to provide—at least one quality measuring/determining means (40, 42) being assigned to each memory cell (20, 22) in order to measure and/or to determine the quality of the respective memory cell (20, 22), in particular in order to measure and/or to determine the prospective endurance specified according to a number of change cycles which the respective memory cell (20, 22) can endure within a performance tolerance, and—at least one control means (50), in particular by at least one access load distributor, —being coupled to each quality measuring/determining means (40, 42), and—deciding depending on the measured and/or determined quality of the memory cells (20, 22), which one is selected for programming. |
| US08631216B2 |
Dynamic address translation with change record override
A translation table entry contains a change recording override field for controlling whether a change bit is to be set on a store or not. Each 4K byte block of main storage has an associated storage key comprising a change bit. The change recording override field controls whether the change bit of the storage key associated with the desired 4K byte block of main storage is set to 1 for a store operation. |
| US08631214B2 |
Memory control circuit, control method therefor, and image processing apparatus
In one embodiment, a circuit includes an input buffer, an output buffer, a counter, an issuing unit, a first controller, a register, and a second controller. The input buffer and the output buffer have a variable storage capacity. The counter cyclically counts from a first value to a second value. The issuing unit issues a write command if a count value of the counter is a third value and issues a read command if the count value is a fourth value. The register stores a first setting value, a second setting value and a third setting value to be capable of changing each of the setting values. The second controller controls the components to set the storage capacity, the second value, and one of the third and fourth values respectively to values corresponding to the first to third setting values. |
| US08631213B2 |
Dynamic QoS upgrading
In an embodiment, a memory controller includes multiple ports. Each port may be dedicated to a different type of traffic. In an embodiment, quality of service (QoS) parameters may be defined for the traffic types, and different traffic types may have different QoS parameter definitions. The memory controller may be configured to schedule operations received on the different ports based on the QoS parameters. In an embodiment, the memory controller may support upgrade of the QoS parameters when subsequent operations are received that have higher QoS parameters, via sideband request, and/or via aging of operations. In an embodiment, the memory controller is configured to reduce emphasis on QoS parameters and increase emphasis on memory bandwidth optimization as operations flow through the memory controller pipeline. |
| US08631211B2 |
Disk drive diagnosis apparatus
According to an aspect of an embodiment, a disk drive diagnosis apparatus is included in a RAID system in which a RAID control unit and a drive enclosure that encloses a disk drive are interconnected via a fabric switch. The apparatus comprises a virtual login processing unit configured to virtually execute a login process for a fabric switch of a disk drive and a control unit configured to notify the RAID control unit of a result of the virtual login process and disconnect from a connection line for the RAID control unit a disk drive that has not normally performed the virtual login process relative to the drive enclosure. |
| US08631210B2 |
Allocation and write policy for a glueless area-efficient directory cache for hotly contested cache lines
Methods and apparatus relating to allocation and/or write policy for a glueless area-efficient directory cache for hotly contested cache lines are described. In one embodiment, a directory cache stores data corresponding to a caching status of a cache line. The caching status of the cache line is stored for each of a plurality of caching agents in the system. An write-on-allocate policy is used for the directory cache by using a special state (e.g., snoop-all state) that indicates one or more snoops are to be broadcasted to all agents in the system. Other embodiments are also disclosed. |
| US08631208B2 |
Providing address range coherency capability to a device
In one embodiment, the present invention includes a method for receiving a memory request from a device coupled to an input/output (IO) interconnect, accessing a mapping table associated with the IO interconnect to determine if an address range including an address of the memory request is coherent, and if so, sending the memory request and a coherency indicator to indicate the coherent state of data at the address, otherwise sending the memory request and the coherency indicator to indicate a non-coherent state. Other embodiments are described and claimed. |
| US08631199B2 |
Storage system, storage device, and control method thereof
A storage system including a storage device which includes media for storing data from a host computer, a medium controller for controlling the media, a plurality of channel controllers for connecting to the host computer through a channel and a cache memory for temporarily storing data from the host computer, wherein the media have a restriction on a number of writing times. The storage device includes a bus for directly transferring data from the medium controller to the channel controller. |
| US08631194B2 |
DRAM refresh schedule control module
An electronic device includes a memory control circuit that controls a DRAM, and the memory control circuit performs: a first distributed refresh process for issuing refresh commands to the DRAM at a predetermined interval so that storage elements of which the DRAM is configured are refreshed at least once in a predetermined period Ts; a concentrated refresh process for issuing, triggered by a predetermined request to the DRAM, a predetermined number of times Nc of the refresh commands in a burst at an interval that is shorter than the predetermined interval; and a second distributed refresh process for, when the predetermined number of times Nc of refresh commands have been issued, calculating a refresh interval Tr for refreshing remaining storage elements that have not yet been refreshed in the predetermined period Ts and issues refresh commands at the calculated refresh interval Tr. |
| US08631180B2 |
Requests and data handling in a bus architecture
Aspects relate to methods and systems for processing requests and sending data in a bus architecture. At least one master device is connected to at least two slave devices via a bus. An allocator allocates incoming requests from the master device to a target slave device. Incoming requests are buffered for the respective slave device. The master device sends a read request for a first slave device to the bus; the allocator generates a current-state indicator associated with the read request. The allocator generates a priority indicator associated with the read request. If the initial value of the current-state indicator equals the value of the priority indicator, the read request is processed; or if the initial value of the current-state indicator does not equal the value of priority indicator, the read request is deferred until a later time. |
| US08631178B2 |
System bus monitoring method, system bus monitor, and system on chip
In the field of system bus technology, a system bus monitoring method, a system bus monitor, and a System On Chip (SOC) are provided, so as to more accurately monitor an average transmission efficiency of a system bus. The system bus monitoring method includes: accepting a pre-configured monitoring time; monitoring a system bus in real time during the monitoring time to determine an effective transmission time of the system bus; and determining a ratio of the effective transmission time to the monitoring time as an average transmission efficiency of the system bus. The present invention is applicable in monitoring of the performance of the system bus. |
| US08631176B2 |
Asynchronous communications technique
A main processor manages serial communication with one or more external devices by establishing the requisite tasks needed for serial communications. For example, these tasks can include (1) serial device handling, (2) protocol encapsulation, and (3) low-level communication with external devices. A priority is assigned to each of the tasks so that timing requirements are met, while maximizing processor efficiency of the main processor. Upon its completion, each lower priority task initiates execution of a next higher priority task to synchronize data processing with data communication. |
| US08631174B2 |
Systems, methods, and apparatus for facilitating communications between an external controller and fieldbus devices
Systems, methods, and apparatus for facilitating communications between an external controller and Fieldbus devices are described. A primary linking device in communication with the controller and one or more Fieldbus devices may be configured to direct the communication of a timing message to the controller and determine whether a response to the timing message has been received from the controller. Based upon the determination, the primary linking device may direct a switching of communications control to a secondary linking device. |
| US08631171B2 |
Method for finding starting bit of reference frames for an alternating-parity reference channel
The present invention discloses a method for locating the reference frames of the reference lane on the transmitting data bus. The present invention addresses this object by disclosing a method whereby the relationship between the size of the reference frame transmitted over the reference lane and the width of the data bus is such that the reference frame is bit-shifted automatically until it is aligned with the data bus. |
| US08631170B2 |
Memory overcommit by using an emulated IOMMU in a computer system with a host IOMMU
A method and system for managing direct memory access (DMA) in a computer system that hosts virtual machines and allows memory overcommit. The computer receives an indication that a bus address is to be used by a device to perform DMA to a buffer. In response to the indication, the computer determines a host device identifier for the device, and pins a memory page addressed by a host address that is associated with the bus address and a guest address. The computer also records, in a host I/O memory management unit (IOMMU), a mapping of the bus address and the host device identifier to the host address. After the device completes the DMA, the computer removes the mapping from the host IOMMU to prevent further direct access to the host address. |
| US08631168B2 |
Input selection mechanism for a display device
A television includes at least two ports (e.g. HDMI ports). The television polls the ports before presenting a user interface that displays some or all of the ports and before toggling between any two of the ports. The polling ascertains whether a device is connected to each of the ports and whether the device is powered. The television modifies the display and/or toggling based on the current state of each port. For example, in toggling, ports that are not connected and ports that are connected to inactive devices are skipped. In another example, when displaying a list of ports, only those ports that are connected to devices appear in the list. |
| US08631164B2 |
Collocation in a JAVA virtual machine of a media server and a JAVA EE server
In one embodiment, a mechanism for collocation in a JAVA virtual machine of a media server and a JAVA EE server is disclosed. In one embodiment, a system includes an integrated application server including a media server and Java™ Enterprise Edition (JAVA EE) deployed in a single Java™ virtual machine (JVM), and one or more management interfaces communicably coupled to the integrated application server. |
| US08631163B1 |
Automatic connectivity determiner and configurator
Certain exemplary embodiments can comprise a method comprising for a given information device, automatically identifying each installed network interface card (NIC) that is compatible with accessing a predetermined network. Certain exemplary embodiments can comprise automatically determining that a connection can not be achieved via a selected compatible NIC to a server on the predetermined network. Certain exemplary embodiments can comprise automatically trouble-shooting the selected compatible NIC. |
| US08631161B2 |
Computer program product, system and method for field management and mobile inspection
Disclosed herein is a computer program product, system and method to provide field management and mobile inspection via an online platform web-application for use by construction and capital projects management and property management firms and their subcontractors/vendors. More particularly, in an aspect, use of an automated field management process includes a terminal-based solution (i.e., a Tablet-PC) for field-based personnel that synchronizes with a server for office personnel and dynamically generates field management documents, reports and other information. In further aspects, field management resources may be generated that are context-specific. A visual punch list may be generated using area plans and special codes to facilitate automated field management processes. Rules may be pre-established by users to expedite field management processes. Data records may be synchronized among multiple mobile terminals and at least one server. |
| US08631160B2 |
Development of parallel/distributed applications
One embodiment of the present invention provides a method for supporting the development of a parallel/distributed application, wherein the development process comprises a design phase, an implementation phase and a test phase. A script language can be provided in the design phase for representing elements of a connectivity graph and the connectivity between them. In the implementation phase, modules can be provided for implementing functionality of the application, executors can be provided for defining a type of execution for the modules, and process-instances can be provided for distributing the application over several computing devices. In the test phase, abstraction levels can be provided for monitoring and testing the application. |
| US08631159B2 |
Personalized account migration system and method
A method for migrating information, and a migrator for migrating information, are disclosed. The method may include extracting organizational information from at least two service providers, accessing a first at least one of the at least two service providers upon selection of a migration selection interface by the user, receiving of a first plurality of information related to the user from one of the service providers, accessing a second at least one of the at least two service providers, and writing the first plurality of information to the second at least one of the at least two service providers. The migrator includes an importer in communicative connection with at least one migrate-from service provider, a normalizer that receives a first plurality of information from the importer and converts the first plurality to a standard format, a denormalizer that receives the standard format from the normalizer and converts the standard format to a second plurality of information, and an exporter communicatively connected to a migrate-to service provider, which exporter receives the second plurality of information from the denormalizer and sends the second plurality to the migrate-to service provider. |
| US08631158B1 |
Location-based automatic modification of a portable browser's home page and bookmarks
A system is provided that includes: (a) a tracking module 140 operable to determine physical locations of subscribers and when a physical location of a selected subscriber has changed and (b) in response to a change in the physical location of the selected subscriber, a content provider 144 operable to select, from among a set of resource providers, a smaller set of resource providers of potential interest to the selected subscriber and provide to the selected subscriber's communication device resource provider content 134 associated with one or more members of the subset of resource providers. |
| US08631153B2 |
System and method for processing, assigning, and distributing electronic requests
A system and method for processing and managing electronic requests may include an input module configured to receive a plurality of electronic requests associated with at least one of a product, service, order, and status. The system may comprise a classification module configured to assign each electronic request to at least one category; a transformation module configured to convert the electronic requests into a format compatible with one or more downstream systems; a distribution module configured to distribute the electronic requests based on routing rules to one or more downstream systems, which responds to the at least one request; a management module configured to manage the electronic requests; or a monitoring module configured to present, via a graphical user interface, information associated with at least one of the electronic requests to a user. |
| US08631152B2 |
System and method for data packet transmission and reception
A system transmits a data packet from a transmitting apparatus to a receiving apparatus. The receiving apparatus includes a receive buffer, and a size specifying information transmitting unit that transmits size specifying information to the transmitting apparatus. The transmitting apparatus includes a transmit buffer, a credit storage unit that stores, as a credit, a value corresponding to a total size of all data packets stored in the receive buffer, a credit adding unit that adds a credit to the stored credit on transmitting a data packet, a credit subtracting unit that specifies a size of a read-out data packet on receiving the size specifying information, subtracts a credit corresponding to the specified size from a stored credit, and a transmission controlling unit that controls data packet transmission based on a credit stored in the credit storage unit. |
| US08631151B2 |
Techniques for guaranteeing bandwidth with aggregate traffic
Methods, systems, and apparatus guarantee bandwidth for a network transaction. A network is logically organized as a tree having a plurality of nodes. Each node can guarantee service for a network transaction through the network. Each node monitors its traffic and reserves predefined amounts of unused bandwidth with its adjacent node. If a particular node needs additional bandwidth, that node borrows the bandwidth from its adjacent node. |
| US08631149B2 |
Systems and methods for object rate limiting
The present application is generally directed to systems and method for throttling a rate of requests between a client and a server using user specified inputs. A rate of requests for an object may be throttled by an intermediary which receives requests transmitted between a client and a server and via the intermediary. The intermediary may receive a request from a client for an object of a server. The intermediary may identify a policy specifying a mode of throttling for the request, the policy specifying a mode of throttling, a rate threshold and a period of time for the rate threshold. The rate throttler of the intermediary may determine whether the request exceeds the rate threshold for the period of time based on the mode of throttling of the policy and allow or block the request responsive to the determination. |
| US08631148B2 |
Method of providing proximity-based quality for multimedia content
A system and method for providing proximity-based quality for multimedia content, including: transmitting multimedia content, and intentionally controlling a quality level of a presentation of the multimedia content based on proximity of a user to a particular location. |
| US08631145B2 |
System and method for playing content on certified devices
Systems and methods of ensuring a predetermined quality of playback of media content are provided. The predetermined quality is determined by an encoder placing a passive flag or data field within a media file having a predetermined quality. The contents of the media file in which the passive flag or data field is located is not encrypted or designated within a particular standard. A decoder plays the media content within the media file upon detection of the passive flag or data field or in accordance with a value within the passive flag or data field and the certification of the device. |
| US08631134B2 |
Network architecture for secure data communications
A network architecture includes a perimeter network connected between an internal network and an external network. The perimeter network includes one or more external edge nodes that are connected to the external network and a plurality of proxy servers that are each connected to one or more of the external edge nodes. One or more internal edge nodes are connected between the plurality of proxy servers and the internal network. The proxy servers are operable to establish a first secure connection between a destination through the external network and a second secure connection to a destination in the internal network. Each of the plurality of proxy servers provide a substantially identical identification for authentication when establishing the first and second secure connections. |
| US08631131B2 |
Virtual machine pool cache
A host controller initiates a virtual machine pool, the virtual machine pool including a plurality of stateless virtual machines. The host controller identifies a virtual machine pool cache size value for the virtual machine pool, the virtual machine pool cache size value indicating a number of active, unassigned, stateless virtual machines to maintain in a virtual machine pool cache for the virtual machine pool. The host controller automatically loads the indicated number of active, unassigned, stateless virtual machines into the virtual machine pool cache for the virtual machine pool prior to receiving a request for one of the plurality of stateless virtual machines. |
| US08631127B2 |
Media library monitoring system and method
Embodiments of methods and systems comprise collecting data associated with a library or library components and storing the collected data in repository. By collecting data associated with a library or library components and storing the collected data in a repository, the degradation of library components can be monitored and the reliability of library components determined, allowing unreliable components to be bypassed or replaced, enhancing the reliability of the library and preventing data loss. |
| US08631122B2 |
Determining demographics based on user interaction
Methods and systems for determining demographics based on user interaction are provided. Demographic information is maintained in association with certain indicators. Information regarding user interaction related to an item of interest is accessed, and indicators may be identified based on the user interaction information associated with a user. It is determined that the user belongs to one or more demographics based on the identified indicators, and a report may be generated. |
| US08631120B2 |
Apparatus, method and computer program product for efficiently pooling connections between clients and servers
An apparatus, method and computer program product for efficiently pooling network client-server connections. The apparatus is implemented within an interface unit connecting a plurality of servers to the Internet, which is in turn connected to a plurality of clients. The method includes the steps of opening a connection between a first client and the interface unit; determining whether a connection between the interface unit and a server is finished being utilized by the first client; opening a connection between a second client and the interface unit; if no free connection is open between the interface unit and the server, then allowing the second client to access information on the server via the same connection utilized by the first client without waiting for the first client to initiate closing the connection; and delinking the connections between the first and second clients and the interface unit while keeping open the connection between the interface unit and the server. |
| US08631119B2 |
Interruptibility awareness service
Interruptibility awareness service enables a requestor to learn whether a requestee is interruptible, for instance, by obtaining current social interaction information of a requestee; determining whether the requestee is interruptible based on the requestee's current social interaction information; and returning a response that indicates requestee's interruptibility. |
| US08631117B2 |
System and method for correlating fingerprints for automated intelligence
A system and method for correlating fingerprints in an Information Technology (IT) infrastructure for automated intelligence, where a fingerprint provides an indication of the activity and operation of the IT infrastructure immediately preceding an event. It is determined whether a correlation exists between multiple fingerprints to determine whether such fingerprints separately indicate the occurrence of the event for the same reason. If a degree of match is found to exist between the rule sets of multiple fingerprints that exceeds a certain threshold, the fingerprints are determined to indicate the occurrence of the event for the same reason and the rule sets for those fingerprints can be merged together with the probabilities that such rules will indicate the occurrence of the event adjusted accordingly. In one or more embodiments, the fingerprint matching correlation procedures are implemented to account for time or phase shifts between the rule sets in two fingerprints. |
| US08631116B2 |
System and method for active business configured website monitoring
The website performance monitoring systems and methods of the present invention are implemented via a website monitoring tool that includes a website canvas and a plurality of web page objects configured to be dragged and dropped onto the generic website canvas to facilitate creation of a website model. The monitoring tool also includes a graphic interface which may be utilized to define and associate performance operational rules of a website being modified or created. The performance operational rules include website performance thresholds and rules associated with alerts which may be delivered in response to a website achieving or falling below defined performance alert levels. The monitoring tool also includes a pixel module which may be engaged to assign a plurality of attributes to a pixel associated with a page within the website model. The graphic interface of the monitoring tool also includes a plurality of web page objects that are configured to be selected, dragged and dropped onto the generic website canvas to facilitate creation of a website model that illustrates the process flow of pages within the website model. |
| US08631115B2 |
Connectivity outage detection: network/IP SLA probes reporting business impact information
Techniques for accurate determination of service impact are provided by provisioning network deployed probes with actual business object information related to business entities, such as VPN sites. Such probes are capable of sending a network trap (or alarm) containing actual business information in response to detecting a loss of connectivity. As a result, service impact caused by the loss of connectivity may be determined accurately by simply parsing the contents of a network trap, thus avoiding the complication and inaccuracy of conventional impact analysis. |
| US08631114B1 |
Information roll-up in distributed environments
Described is a technique for gathering information about a property. A request is received at a first node of a plurality of nodes. The request requests information in accordance with the property for a set of one or more objects defined in a portion of the plurality of nodes. The first node determines information about said property for objects of said set which are defined at said first node. Each of the other nodes determines information about said property for objects of said set which are defined at said each node. Information is communicated to the first node from the other nodes about said property for objects of said set which are defined at each of said other nodes. The first node performs processing to produce final information representing information received from said other nodes and information determined by said first node regarding said property. |
| US08631113B2 |
Intelligent integrated network security device for high-availability applications
Methods and apparatuses for inspecting packets are provided. A primary security system may be configured for processing packets. The primary security system may be operable to maintain flow information for a group of devices to facilitate processing of the packets. A secondary security system may be designated for processing packets upon a failover event. Flow records may be shared from the primary security system with the secondary security system. |
| US08631112B2 |
Management system, management apparatus, management method, and non-transitory computer readable medium storing control program for registering processing devices
A management system includes: plural management apparatuses each of which includes a first transmitting unit that, when processing devices connected to a communication unit are searched with reference to a first management table in which information of a processing device managed by the management apparatus is registered and a processing device which is not managed by the management apparatus is detected, transmits detection information of the processing device to the communication unit, and a first registration unit, when a processing device management request corresponding to the detection information of the processing device is received from the communication unit, registers information of the processing device related to the processing device management request in the first management table; and an information management server including a change unit that changes information of the management apparatus and a second transmitting unit that transmits the processing device management request to the communication unit. |
| US08631106B2 |
Secure handle for intra- and inter-processor communications
A protocol element referred to as a secure handle is described which provides an efficient and reliable method for application-to-application signaling in multi-process and multi-computer environments. The secure handle includes an absolute memory reference which allows the kernel to more quickly and efficiently associate a network data packet with an application's communication context in the kernel. |
| US08631101B2 |
Dynamic address assignment for address aggregation in low power and lossy networks
A node in a Low power and Lossy Network (LLN) is managed by monitoring a routing configuration on a node in a LLN. A triggering parameter that is used to invoke an address change on a child node is tracked and a threshold against which to compare the triggering parameter is accessed. The triggering parameter is compared to the threshold. Based on results of comparing the triggering parameter to the threshold, it is determined that an address change at the child node is appropriate. An address change of a child node appearing in the routing configuration is invoked based on the determination that an address change is appropriate. |
| US08631100B2 |
Automatic assignment of hardware addresses within computer networks
In general, techniques are described for automatic assignment of hardware addresses within computer networks. As one example, a network device comprising a physical network interface and a control unit may implement these techniques. The network interface receives a first message from a client device requesting a layer three (L3) network address. The first message also includes a layer two (L2) hardware address currently assigned to a network interface of the client device. The control unit selects a replacement L2 hardware address for use by the network interface of the client device as a replacement for the L2 hardware address included in the first message and generates a second message having a field that specifies the replacement L2 hardware address. The network interface outputs the second message to the client device so as to automatically assign the replacement L2 hardware address for use by the network interface of the client device. |
| US08631097B1 |
Methods and systems for finding a mobile and non-mobile page pair
Exemplary embodiments provide systems and methods for determining a mobile URL from a specified non-mobile URL or vice versa. In various embodiments, the determined mobile URL (or the determined non-mobile URL) may be tested to verify that it corresponds to the specified non-mobile URL (or mobile URL). In various embodiments, after one or more sets of mobile and corresponding non-mobile URLs are identified, the differences in the mobile and corresponding non-mobile URLs may be analyzed to create or define rules for converting from a non-mobile URL to a mobile URL, and vice versa. The rules may then be employed by search services, mobile device applications, etc. to synthesize or search for a mobile URL that corresponds to a give non-mobile URL, and vice versa. |
| US08631088B2 |
Prioritized data synchronization with host device
Improved techniques and apparatus for managing data between a host device (e.g., host computer) and a media device are disclosed. The data being managed can, for example, pertain to media data for media assets. The managing of the media data thus can involve transfer of media assets between the host device and the media device. In one embodiment, the transfer of media assets between a host device and a media device can be referred to as synchronization. |
| US08631082B2 |
Persisting a group in an instant messaging application
Various technologies pertaining to instant messaging are described herein. A persistent instant messaging group is created, wherein the persistent instant messaging group comprises a plurality of members and persists over a plurality of instant messaging sessions. Instances of an instant messaging application are installed on mobile telephones, and the instant messaging application is used to transmit instant messages between members of the persistent instant messaging group. Messages directed towards offline members of the persistent instant messaging group are transmitted to such members when they come online. |
| US08631081B2 |
System and method for information risk management
The present invention provides a system and method for evaluating risk associated with information access requests. The information access requests are collected, assigned a risk level according to user defined policies, a total risk is calculated and presented to user. The user can select a high risk event for further analysis. The system will break down the event into basic elements, so the user can ascertain the risk. The system allows a user to customize a report and the customized report can be saved as a template for future use. |
| US08631079B2 |
Displaying a list of file attachments associated with a message thread
Technologies are described herein for displaying a list of file attachments associated with a message thread an email application. The messages associated with the message thread are identified, along with any file attachments attached to those messages. An aggregated attachment list is generated containing an entry for each file attachment associated with the message thread. The aggregated attachment list associated with the message thread is then displayed in a window of the email application. |
| US08631075B2 |
Method and system for managing interrupts in an instant messaging application
A method for managing interrupts in an instant messaging application may include receiving an interrupt request from an interrupting contact during an instant messaging conversation between at least two contacts. The method may also include interrupting the instant messaging conversation in response to a predetermined one of the interrupting contact having a selected interrupt priority ranking relative to an interrupt priority ranking of each of the at least two contacts or an interrupting conversation having a higher interrupt priority ranking compared to an interrupt priority ranking of the instant messaging conversation. |
| US08631074B2 |
Security and support for flexible conferencing topologies spanning proxies, firewalls and gateways
A method and system for setting up and managing secure data/audio/video conferences with a wide range of topologies is described. The disclosed method and system allow extending the range of topologies possible with the H.323 conferencing standards while overcoming T.120 negotiating constraints. Security in such conferences may be based on a trusted node system or on more complex security procedures. Furthermore, the taught conference topologies fully utilize the T.120 standards while also permitting the reach of the conferences to the extent enabled by the H.323 standards by implementing additional modules to manage the setting up and tearing down of one or more conference connections. In addition, the method and system allow for dynamically adjusting conference connections to improve bandwidth usage and utilize H.323 support for gatekeepers. |
| US08631073B2 |
Doctor to patient multimedia synthesis communication
A method of recording an audio visual asset using a predetermined script is disclosed. The audio visual asset may be partitioned into multiple audio visual segments and the audio visual segments may be edited by the application of a naming paradigm and/or a data tagging system. The audio visual segments may then be overlaid with audio visual variables. The audio visual segments may be compiled by uploading the audio visual segments into a multimedia synthesis compiler such that a variable final message compilation may be generated. A user may be messaged by selecting a message type from the variable final message compilation generated from the audio visual segments. |
| US08631071B2 |
Recognition of and support for multiple versions of an enterprise canonical message model
A method of recognizing and supporting multiple versions of a canonical message model in a service oriented architecture industry model repository comprising determining differences between at least one first version of a message model and at least one other version of the message model; mapping the differences between the different versions of the message models to the SOA IMR; and providing the mapping of the differences between the message models to a message access service, mapping of differences between the message models are applied and updated to the later of the message models to support the versions of the canonical message models seamlessly. |
| US08631070B2 |
Providing event data to a group of contacts
Data related to an event is provided to a group of contacts while the event is occurring via an event user interface that enables the group of contacts to coordinate with one another during the event. In this regard, an event coordination service is provides the event data to each contact of the group for review via an event user interface that is persistently displayed on a telecommunication or other computing device associated with the contact for the contact's easy and immediate reference during the event. When the event ultimately concludes, display of the event user interface ceases as the group of contacts likely no longer needs immediate or ready reference to the event. |
| US08631069B2 |
Web and multi-media conference
Methods, systems, and machine-readable media are disclosed for providing multi-media conferencing. According to one embodiment, a method for providing a multi-media conference can comprise receiving a request to participate in the conference from a first client via a signaling protocol. For example, the signaling protocol comprises Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) or another signaling protocol. The first client and a media server adapted to support the conference can be invited to join the conference via third-party call control of the signaling protocol. The method can also include assigning a conference identifier to the conference. In such a case, inviting the first client and the media server can comprise sending invitation messages to each of the first client and the media server wherein the invitation messages include the conference identifier. |
| US08631064B2 |
Unified management of a hardware interface framework
A method and/or a system of unified management of a hardware interface framework is disclosed. In one embodiment, a method of the hardware interface framework includes applying to a client interface module with a generic agent module agnostic to a change in a device coupled to the hardware interface framework and a change in a management module and communicating a management data of the management module between the client interface module and a server interface module coupled to the device using the generic agent module. The method may also include synchronously communicating a request data of the management module to collect a response data of the device and asynchronously communicating an event data of an adapter module to the management module. |
| US08631062B2 |
Managing distributed resources in a computer system
The present invention provides a new management system and a new method for managing distributed resources (61-66), comprising a workflow engine (88) that can execute management workflows in order to actively control the distributed resources (61-66).The new management system is characterized in that autonomic Correlation Services (74-76) are introduced that manage different functional parts of the managed system in cooperation with workflow engine (88), whereby each Correlation Service (74-76) employs a Correlation Engine (174,175) and a set of rules (184,185,186) that describe how underlying resources (61-66) shall be managed, whereby a controller (44) communicates with the Correlation Services (74-76). |
| US08631061B2 |
Apparatus, method, and program for arithmetic processing
A mantissa/exponent splitter splits an input value X=(1+X1/223)×(2^X2) into a mantissa X1 and an exponent X2. An interpolation processor references the mantissa/exponent splitter using the mantissa X1 and determines a power value (log2(1+X1/223)) through an interpolation process. A logarithmic calculator determines a logarithmic value Z=log2 XY=Y(X2+log2(1+X1/223)) from the exponent X2 and the power value from the interpolation processor. The integer/fraction splitter splits the logarithmic value Z into an integer Zint and a fraction Zamari. The interpolation processor references a power of fraction table storage unit in response to the fraction Zamari and determines a power value (2^Zamari) through the interpolation process. The power calculator determines XY=2^Z=(2^Zamari)×(2^Zint), thereby resulting in the input value X to the power of Y. |
| US08631059B2 |
Methods or structures for reconstruction of substantially uniform samples from substantially nonuniform samples
Briefly, embodiments of methods or structures for reconstruction of uniform digital signal sample values from nonuniform digital signal sample values are disclosed. |
| US08631057B2 |
Alignment of multiple liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry runs
The problem of aligning multiple liquid chromatography mass spectrometry (LC-MS) runs to a common reference time frame is solved to facilitate comparison among LC-MS runs. The alignment of multiple LCMS can be achieved by solving a sparse system of linear equations to optimally stretch or compress local retention times for maximal similarity among the multiple runs. The multiple LCMS runs can be aligned simultaneously, thereby providing the advantage of efficient use of data by employing a sparse solver. A method of quality control in retention time alignment is also provided. |
| US08631050B1 |
Transformation engine
A transformation engine is disclosed that retrieves source data from a plurality of disparate data sources and provides source data that is consistent and normalized. the transformation engine comprises a plurality of interfaces that receive source data from a plurality of disparate databases. The source data comprises a plurality of data elements. The transformation engine further comprises a converter that aggregates and converts the received source data so that the plurality of data elements are recognizable as being substantially equivalent; a data processor that formats the received source data by merging and preparing the received source data; and a business rule applicator that filters the received source data. |
| US08631049B2 |
Constructing declarative componentized applications
Techniques for constructing a software application are provided. A data model of the application is represented as a relational model. Control logic of the application is defined to specify each of a plurality of operations of the application as a mapping from a current state of the application data model and one or more current application inputs to a new state of the application data model and one or more application outputs, described by one or more relational algebra operations selected from the group consisting of a relation-complement operation, a disjunction operation and a conjunction operation. |
| US08631043B2 |
Method and apparatus for generating a shape graph from a binary trie
A capability is provided for representing a set of data values using data structures, including converting a binary trie data structure representing the set of data values to a shape graph data structure representing the set of data values. The shape graph data structure is generated from the binary trie data structure based on the shapes of the sub-trees rooted at the nodes of the binary trie data structure. The shape graph includes vertices representing shapes of the sub-trees of the binary trie data structure. A shape graph data structure permits operations similar to the operations that may be performed on the binary trie data structure for performing lookups for data values from the set of data values, while at the same time reducing the structural redundancy of the binary trie data structure such that the shape graph data structure provides significant improvements in memory usage over the binary trie data structure. |
| US08631042B2 |
Data warehouse system
Methods and apparatus, including computer program products, implementing and using techniques for analyzing historical data in a data warehouse. A data warehouse is provided. The data warehouse includes several database tables. Every database table has a start time column and an end time column. A query is issued to the data warehouse. The query includes customized query predicates against the start time column values and end time column values of a database table. A response is received from the data warehouse. The response includes table records satisfying the query and having valid (START_TIME, END_TIME) ranges that cover a fixed time point specified by the customized query predicates of the query. Methods for updating a database table in a data warehouse, and a data warehouse system are also described. |
| US08631040B2 |
Computer-implemented systems and methods for flexible definition of time intervals
Systems and methods are provided for segmenting time-series data stored in data segments containing one or more data records. A combined segment error measure is determined based on a proposed combination of two candidate segments. An error cost to merge the two candidate segments is determined based on a difference between the combined segment error measure and a segment error measure of one of the segments. The two candidate segments are combined when the error cost to merge meets a merge threshold to generate a combined segment. |
| US08631039B2 |
Normalizing data for fast superscalar processing
A data normalization system is described herein that represents multiple data types that are common within database systems in a normalized form that can be processed uniformly to achieve faster processing of data on superscalar CPU architectures. The data normalization system includes changes to internal data representations of a database system as well as functional processing changes that leverage normalized internal data representations for a high density of independently executable CPU instructions. Because most data in a database is small, a majority of data can be represented by the normalized format. Thus, the data normalization system allows for fast superscalar processing in a database system in a variety of common cases, while maintaining compatibility with existing data sets. |
| US08631037B2 |
Information delivery using queries and changeable database containing queries, advisory information, and flow logic
A data storage system may contain a changeable database that includes: advisory information that includes the content of multiple advisory statements; query information that includes the content of multiple user queries; and flow logic information indicating a sequence for the delivery of the advisory statements and the user queries based on answers to the user queries. A user interface may deliver the user queries and the advisory statements to a user and receive answers in response to the user queries from the user. An information delivery engine that is separate from the changeable database may cause the user interface to deliver the user queries and the advisory statements to the user in a sequence based on the user's answers to the user queries and the flow logic information. This in system may be adopted to troubleshooting equipment, such as an optical network terminal. |
| US08631036B2 |
Associative search engine
This invention relates to an advertisement machine which provides advertisements to a user searching for desired information within a data network. The machine receives, from a user, a search request including a search argument corresponding to the desired information and searches, based upon the received search argument, a first database having data network related information to generate search results. It also correlates the received search argument to a particular advertisement in a second database having advertisement related information. The search results together with the particular advertisement are provided by the machine to the user. |
| US08631035B2 |
Method for efficiently supporting interactive, fuzzy search on structured data
A method to support efficient, interactive, and fuzzy search on text data includes an interactive, fuzzy search on structured data used in applications such as query relaxation, autocomplete, and spell checking, where inconsistencies and errors exist in user queries as well as data. It utilizes techniques to efficiently and interactively answer fuzzy queries on structured data to allow users to efficiently search for information interactively, and they can find records and documents even if these records and documents are slightly different from the user keywords. |
| US08631033B2 |
Compliance rules analytics engine
The present invention relates to compliance rules analytics systems and methods for facilitating compliance, such as the compliance of an investment portfolio or a set of investment portfolios, with a rule or a set of rules. |
| US08631030B1 |
Query suggestions with high diversity
Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for enhancing selecting relevant and diverse advertisements. In one aspect, a method includes receiving an initial query, selecting one or more additional queries relating to the initial query, including selecting a first additional query and a second diverse additional query, identifying one or more content items for each of the additional queries, the one or more content items forming a content block, and providing a content block and associated additional query to be displayed at a client device along with search results associated with the initial query. |
| US08631022B2 |
Metadata repository and methods thereof
A repository receives metadata from databases associated with different service providers. The repository converts the received metadata to a common format, such as MPEG7, and stores the converted metadata in a central database. The repository can also receive a query from a client device. The repository retrieves metadata associated with the query from the central database and provides it to the requesting client device. The repository can also convert the provided metadata to an appropriate format for the requesting device. Because the metadata is stored at a common location in a common format, content from different providers can be efficiently identified. |
| US08631021B2 |
Systems and methods for managing organizational information
Novel and useful systems and methods for identifying, organizing and displaying organizational information are provided for multiple users to define organizational relationships associated with an organization. The organizational relationships are included in a set of organizational relationships and stored as organizational data in a computer-readable medium for future access. The organizational data is used for a variety of purposes, such as generating visual depictions of the organizational relationships. |