| Document | Document Title |
|---|---|
| US08651796B2 |
Substrate transport apparatus with multiple independently movable articulated arms
A substrate transport apparatus including a drive section having at least one drive shaft and at least two scara arms operably coupled to the at least one drive shaft, the at least one drive shaft being a common drive shaft for the at least two scara arms effecting extension and retraction of the at least two scara arms, wherein the at least two scara arms are coupled to each other so that, with the at least one drive shaft coupled to the at least two scara arms, rotation of the drive shaft effects extension and retraction of one of the at least two scara arms substantially independent of motion of another of the at least two scara arms. |
| US08651789B2 |
Substrate processing apparatus
A substrate processing apparatus is presented having a transport chamber defining substantially linear substrate transport paths, a linear array of substrate holding modules, each communicably connected to the chamber. The substrate transport has at least one transporter capable of holding and moving the substrate on more than one substantially linear substrate transport paths. The transport chamber having different transport tubes at least one of which is sealable at both ends of the transport tube and configured to hold an isolated atmosphere different from that of the transport tubes, each of the different transport tubes having one of the substrate transport paths located therein different from another of the transport paths located in another of the transport tubes, and being communicably connected to each other, where at least one of the transport tubes is configured to provide uninterrupted transit of the substrate transport through the transport tubes. |
| US08651786B2 |
Fastening device for mounting on a mounting rail
A fastening device (21) for mounting on a mounting rail (11) having a rear-engagement member (22) which is configured to be introduced into the mounting opening (15) and to engage behind the rims (14) of the mounting opening (15) of the mounting rail (11); including a tensioning device (32) which cooperates with the rear-engagement member (22) and has a longitudinal axis, for clamping the fastening device (21) to the mounting rail (11); including a contact plate (42) for resting on the outside of the mounting rail (11) that has a feed-through opening for a part of the tensioning device (32); and a spring element (52) configured between the contact plate (42) and the rear-engagement member (22) for preloading the rear-engagement member (22) circumferentially with respect to the longitudinal axis (34) of the tensioning device (32); including a holding device (62) between the rear-engagement member (22) and the contact plate (42) for holding the rear-engagement member (22) in the preloaded position; upon release of the holding device (62), the rear-engagement member (22) being movable by the spring element (52) from the insertion position to a rear-engagement position where it engages behind the rims (14) of the mounting opening (15). One stop element (47) having a stop face for limiting the capacity of the rear-engagement member (22) for twisting rotation is provided on the contact plate (42). |
| US08651783B2 |
Storage and transportation system and elements thereof
A support device (100) for carrying an inner load holder (50/60) in use within an outer transport and storage container (10). The device includes a base member (101, 102, 103, 105) for being secured or securable to a floor (16) of the outer container, having at least one formation (104) for restraining lateral movements of the inner load holder relative to the device in a plane generally parallel to the floor. The device further includes a mechanism (108) for releasably restraining said inner load holder in a direction perpendicular to said floor or base, wherein said mechanism includes at least one sliding bolt member (110) for selectively engaging with a complementary feature (62) of the inner load holder and when so engaged, providing said restraining. |
| US08651780B2 |
Cutting tool including a clamping system and a method for cutting a spar inside a wing of an aircraft
A method and apparatus for a cutting tool system. In one advantageous embodiment, an apparatus may comprise a carriage that is movable along an axis, a cutting tool, and a depth controller. The cutting tool may be capable of being removably attached to the carriage. The depth controller may be capable of controlling a cutting depth of the cutting tool with respect to a surface of a workpiece closest to a part. |
| US08651779B2 |
Process for producing a drive shaft
A method for producing a drive shaft of a food processor, the drive shaft having an end-side, splined-shaft-like toothing that is movable into positively locking engagement with a complementarily formed clutch. The method includes producing the toothing by machining the drive shaft with a cylindrical milling cutter, wherein the cylindrical milling cutter engages with the drive shaft from a radial direction with respect to a longitudinal axis of the drive shaft; and positioning an axis of rotation of the cylindrical milling cutter cross-wise relative to the longitudinal axis of the drive shaft, wherein the axis of rotation of the cylindrical milling cutter is at an incline relative to the longitudinal axis of the drive shaft so that the axis of rotation and the longitudinal axis draw an angle of less than 90°. |
| US08651777B2 |
Adjustable doweling jig
An adjustable doweling jig is provided. The adjustable doweling jig has a pair of bore guide carriers that are symmetrically and simultaneously adjustable relative to a base structure of the doweling jig. The bore guide carriers carry a plurality of bore guides such that dowel holes can be placed using the bore guides at a broad range of locations, limited only by the size of the jig. |
| US08651772B2 |
Rotary apparatus for use with a gasifier system and methods of using the same
A method for transporting a solid particulate within a gasifier system is provided. The method includes discharging solid particulate through an inlet into an opening defined within a rotor, wherein the inlet and the solid particulate are at a first pressure. The method further includes rotating the rotor such that at least one end of the opening is aligned in flow communication with a duct at a second pressure that is different from the first pressure. The solid particulate is discharged from the rotor opening through an outlet such that the solid particulate is at the second pressure, and the rotor is rotated such that at least one end of the rotor opening is aligned in flow communication with a pressure source that is at approximately the first pressure, and such that the opening is at the first pressure. |
| US08651771B2 |
Anchor arrangement for use with open mat system; open mat system; and methods for reinforcing earth
An open mat system to reinforce turf includes an anchor arrangement to help secure the mat to the turf. The anchor arrangement includes an anchor head embedded in the earth, a cable connected to the anchor head, a cable connector device, and a brace. The cable is inserted into the connector device, which holds the cable against withdrawal from the connector device. The brace includes a receiver, in which the cable connector device is removably oriented in the receiver. |
| US08651769B2 |
Friction bolt
A tube (1) of a friction bolt has an outer part (3) and an inner part (5) folded inward and a gap (7) extending in the longitudinal direction of the tube, at which gap the outer part transitions into the inner part. The lateral wall areas (9) of the inner part are flat and have a shape in which the free space between the outer and inner parts is substantially lenticular as in known tubes. The bottom (15) of the inner part lies against the outer part, and the weld (13) is arranged at a lateral offset from the plane of symmetry (11) as the area where the bottom lies against the outer part of the tube. Finally, the radii of curvature (R3) in the area of the transitions (4) from the outer part into the inner part of the tube are greater than in known tubes. |
| US08651766B2 |
Wind, solar and hybrid wind-solar water circulation and aeration methods and apparatus
Circulation and aeration systems for ponds, lakes, sounds, treatment basins, and other bodies of water. In one set of embodiments, water is pumped in a downward direction to circulate ambient oxygen from the atmosphere and produced by plant photosynthesis to deeper strata. In other embodiments, water is circulated within predetermined depth strata. Each system preferably includes a wind turbine, a drive shaft, and an impeller array. Some systems include conduits for conveying and mixing water from and to selected depth strata, or configured as an open impeller-mixing apparatus. Alternative embodiments include systems which incorporate electrical power generation by the wind turbine, solar power generation and use hybrid wind-solar apparatus, and combinations of land-based and in-water based apparatus. A pneumatic pump diffuser and a control flow centered orifice diffuser line are employed in some embodiments. |
| US08651764B2 |
Quick release extension rod with a positioning structure
A quick release extension rod with a positioning structure comprises a body, a return member, an inserting rod, an even number of balls, a positioning ring, a control ring assembly, four elastic members and a C-shaped retainer. The balls are disposed on the connecting head of the inserting rod, so that the radial interval between the socket and the connecting head of the base of the quick release extension rod can be evenly distributed. When the socket rotates, the arrangement of an even number of balls can reduce the possibility of the asymmetrical-center-of-gravity caused oscillation. The four elastic members are disposed between the control ring assembly and the body to push the socket can be abutted against the control ring assembly to delimitate the axial interval, which further stabilize the center of gravity of rotation of the socket while preventing the occurrence of oscillation of the socket. |
| US08651760B2 |
Device including an applicator for applying a cosmetic or care-product composition
The present invention relates to a device for applying a composition to human keratinous materials, the device comprising: a container (2) that is provided with a wiper member (7) and that contains a cosmetic or care-product composition (P); an applicator (3) for applying the composition contained in the container, the applicator comprising: an applicator member (5) for applying the composition; a handle (6); and a stem (4) that connects the applicator member to the handle, the stem extending along a longitudinal axis (X) and including a visible portion that presents a cross-section that varies over more than half of its length (l), and that passes through at least one maximum (M) that is situated at a non-zero distance from the ends (4a, 4g) of the visible portion. |
| US08651759B2 |
Cylindrical cosmetic container
A cylindrical cosmetic container with an inner cap (7) inside a cap (5) fit outside an upper end of a container body (X) uses a first motion resistance at a halfway covering posture to an immediately preceding covering posture and a second motion resistance from the immediately preceding covering posture to a fully cover posture while the container body (X) is covered with the cap (5), in which the inner cap (7) includes a protrusion (7f) to deform towards an outer diameter side while applying the first motion resistance by being pressed into sliding contact with an extending upper end (4c) of the container body (X) and a projection (7d) projecting from an outer circumferential surface for applying the second motion resistance greater than the first motion resistance when a convex rib (4b) moves over the projection (7d). |
| US08651757B2 |
Printer
A platen support mechanism that movably supports a platen unit to which a platen is attached has a platen positioning mechanism that positions the platen unit in a specific posture at four locations, bosses that protrude from both sides at the front in the front-back direction of the printer, and shaft ends that protrude from both sides at the back in the front-back direction of the printer. The platen unit is thereby positioned in a specific posture at the closed position regardless of play in the platen support mechanism. As a result, the platen is positioned to the printing position in a specific posture with a constant gap to the nozzle surface of the print head. |
| US08651754B2 |
Electromagnetic shutter
A shutter includes a driver ring, a plurality of shutter blades coupled to the drive ring such that movement of the drive ring transitions the plurality of shutter blades between an open position exposing a central aperture of the shutter, and a closed position blocking the central aperture, and a first stop and a second stop movable relative to the first stop. At least one of the first and second stops limits travel of the shutter blades. |
| US08651752B2 |
Camera
A mirror contact member includes a first eccentric portion that is eccentric with respect to a rotation center of the mirror contact member, and a second eccentric portion that is eccentric with respect to the rotation center of the mirror contact member substantially at the same eccentricity as that of the first eccentric portion. When a mirror is displaced to a mirror-down state, the mirror is contacted with the first eccentric portion. A bounce regulation member is disposed to be rotatable about the second eccentric portion. |
| US08651751B2 |
Apparatus and process for termination of polymer optical fiber ribbons
In the present disclosure, a termination apparatus and process is disclosed that optimizes the termination of polymer optical fiber ribbons, eliminates the need for a ferrule and connector, and utilizes lower-cost materials instead of diamond for the cutting blade. |
| US08651750B2 |
Audio connectors with optical structures and electrical contacts
Electronic devices are provided that communicate over cables and other communications paths that include optical and electrical paths. A cable may include wires for forming an electrical path and one or more optical fibers for forming an optical path. Connectors at one or both ends of the cable may include electrical contacts and an optical coupling structure associated with the optical path. Optical paths may be included in connectors such as tip-ring-sleeve connectors and connectors of other types. Interface circuitry may be included in a connector to convert between optical and electrical signaling schemes. Wavelength-division-multiplexing may be used to support bidirectional communications. Breakout boxes and other equipment may be connected using the cables. Digital signals such as digital noise cancellation signals may be conveyed over the optical paths. Power and other electrical signals may be conveyed over the electrical paths. |
| US08651745B2 |
Electrical machine having a roller bearing, which is protected against electrical breakdowns, and a geared motor having such a roller bearing
In an electrical machine having a roller bearing, whose inner ring is seated on the rotor shaft of the electrical machine, whose outer ring is seated in a housing and which is located in a closed area, the roller bearing is intended to be protected against electrical breakdowns. For this purpose, the area contains a liquid on an aqueous basis, whose level overhangs the external contour of the inner ring at its lowest point. The inner ring and the outer ring are therefore conductively connected and the voltage can be equalized between the rotor and the housing of the electrical machine, without any impediment and without breakdowns. In an application as a geared motor, the lubricant for the gearbox is also a liquid on an aqueous basis. |
| US08651744B2 |
Roller bearing device having radial-plane arrangement structure of rotation sensor
Provided is a roller bearing device, which is suitable for preventing misdetection of a rotation sensor when a moment load is applied. A thin motor 100 includes a cross roller bearing 14 having an inner ring 14a and an outer ring 14b, a stator 22 supported by the inner ring 14a, a rotor 12 supported by the outer ring 14b, a motor unit 16 that applies rotation torque to the rotor 12, and a resolver 30 that detects a rotation angle position of the rotor 12. The resolver 30, the cross roller bearing 14, and the motor unit 16 are arranged in the recited order from the radially inner side on a radially identical plane. |
| US08651743B2 |
Tilting superhard bearing elements in bearing assemblies, apparatuses, and motor assemblies using the same
Embodiments relate to tilting superhard bearing element bearing assemblies and apparatuses. The disclosed assemblies/apparatuses may be employed in downhole motors of a subterranean drilling system or other mechanical systems. In an embodiment, a bearing assembly may include a support ring and a plurality of superhard bearing elements each of which is tilted and/or tiltably secured relative to the support ring and distributed circumferentially about an axis. Each of the superhard bearing elements includes a bearing surface and a base portion. The base portion of the at least one of the superhard bearing elements may include a tilting feature configured to allow the at least one of the superhard bearing elements to be tiltable about a tilt axis. The bearing assembly includes retaining features that secure the superhard bearing elements to the support ring. |
| US08651742B2 |
Sliding bearing
A sliding bearing 1 is formed cylindrically of a pair of half bearings 11 and 12. A dust pocket 4 formed of a recess part is formed in the inner peripheral edges of joining surfaces 11A and 12A of the half bearings 11 and 12, and foreign-substance discharge grooves 5 and 5′ are formed in a sliding surface 3 continuing from the dust pocket 4. |
| US08651740B2 |
Radiography system and moving method thereof
A radiography system is provided. The radiography system includes a radiographic device arranged in a movable manner, a measuring device to measure at least one of external force and torque applied to the radiographic device, and a drive device to move the radiographic device based on a direction and magnitude of the at least one of the force and torque measured by the measuring device. |
| US08651738B2 |
High-temperature plug
A high-temperature plug (10) is provided for a heating element and/or thermocouple or a temperature sensor with at least one wire section (18) embedded in an insulating manner within a metal jacket (16) with a wire end (14) led out from the metal jacket (16) on the front side. The high-temperature plug (10) has a connection sleeve (11) made of metal, into which the at least one wire section (18) embedded in an insulating manner within the metal jacket (16) opens. At least one contact element (12) is in electrical contact within the connection sleeve (11) with the wire end (14) led out from the metal jacket (16) on the front side. At least the end section, facing the at least one wire end (14), of the at least one contact element (12) is embedded in an insulating compound (13) or a metal oxide, such that the embedding fixes the contact element (12) in the connection sleeve. |
| US08651731B2 |
Dynamic mixer
The invention relates to a dynamic mixer for viscose components in particular for the mixing of dental compositions, with a rotor (30) and a housing (2), which has front inlet openings (12, 13) for the components and at least one rear outlet opening (20) and the inner space of which includes a pre-chamber (17) and a main chamber (22), with the pre-chamber (17) opening into the main chamber (22) in a distal, tapering transition section (16). For the precise regulation of the concentration of the components to be mixed of the supplied components even with temporary concentration fluctuations of the same and in order to achieve a high degree of homogenization, it is proposed that the dynamic mixer (1) has at least one individual channel (23a-d) as a passage from the pre-chamber (17) into the main chamber (22), with the width of the individual channel (23a-d) extending over a part of the periphery of the transition section (16). |
| US08651725B2 |
Backlight module
A backlight module provided includes a light source, a first light-guided plate, and a second light-guided plate stacked on the first light-guided plate. The first light-guided plate includes a plate body and an extension disposed on an edge of the plate body and extending towards the second light-guided plate aside a lateral side of the second light-guided plate. The plate body and the extension form a seamless light incident surface. The extension has a reflection surface. The reflection surface connects the light incident surface or the surface of the plate body. The light source is disposed at a light incident surface of the first light-guided plate for projecting light into the light-guided plate. |
| US08651724B2 |
TIR switched flat panel display
A flat panel display uses pixels (2060) that are turned on or off by the enabling or disabling total internal reflection, TIR, of a light guide (2010). A reflective surface (2070) directs the switched light towards the viewer. An optional mask may be employed to provide extremely high contrast ratios in low and in high ambient lighting conditions. The elements (2080) that enable TIR may be enabled quickly because of their small size and weight, resulting in a very fast switching speed. The fast switching speed allows colors to be generated and displayed in a sequential manner. |
| US08651723B2 |
LED light source with a luminescent layer
The invention relates to GLS-look-alike LED light source (100) comprising two different types of LEDs (21, 22), preferably LEDs emitting with a near UV spectrum and a blue or white spectrum, respectively. The light source (100) further preferably comprises a transparent bulb (40) with a shape similar to an incandescent lamp that is coated by a luminescent layer (30) to achieve a white lamp spectrum. The luminescent layer may contain one or two luminescent compositions. |
| US08651722B2 |
Backlight module and LCD comprising the same
A backlight module comprises a backplate having a baseplate and side plates, a direct-lit LED array, edge-lit LED arrays and a light guide panel. The light guide panel is located above the baseplate. The direct-lit LED array is disposed between the baseplate and the light guide panel. The edge-lit LED arrays are disposed at two sides of the light guide panel and facing light incident surfaces thereof respectively. Light scattering structures for scattering light rays are disposed on a light exiting surface or on a bottom surface of the light guide panel. With the LED arrays and the light scattering structures, the light guide panel is divided into three backlight regions. Displaying of the backlight module is controlled region by region by the light scattering structures and the LED drive circuit to improve the brightness of the backlight module and reduce the power consumption of the liquid crystal module. |
| US08651721B2 |
Planar illumination apparatus
A planar illumination apparatus includes: a light source; a light guide plate having a light-receiving end surface arranged facing the light source, an output flat surface for planarly outputting light received through the light-receiving end surface and a reflective flat surface facing the output flat surface; a reflective sheet disposed on the reflective flat surface side of the light guide plate; and a flexible printed circuit board disposed on substantially the same plane as that of the reflective sheet, the flexible printed board mounting the light source, wherein the flexible printed circuit board has a mounting portion on which the light source is mounted and a thin portion which extends from a forward side edge and is formed thinner than the mounting portion, and wherein at least one part of the thin portion and an end portion of the reflective sheet are overlapped with each other. |
| US08651720B2 |
Retroreflective articles and devices having viscoelastic lightguide
Disclosed herein is an optical device having a light source, a viscoelastic lightguide and a retroreflective film suitable for retroreflecting light. Light from the light source enters the viscoelastic lightguide and is transported within the lightguide by total internal reflection. The transported light is extracted from the lightguide and retroreflected at a structured surface of the retroreflective film. The optical device may have a “front lit” or a “back lit” configuration depending on the relative positioning of the lightguide and the retroreflective film. The retroreflective film may include prismatic retroreflective sheeting, holographic film or film structured with diffraction gratings. The optical device may be used, for example, as a sign or marking, a license plate assembly, a tail light assembly for vehicles, a security laminate for protection of documents against tampering, or an illumination device. |
| US08651719B2 |
Light guide decorative plate and touch light decorative plate
A light guide decorative plate includes a light permeable insulated decorative plate, and at least one optical fiber embedded in the light permeable insulated decorative plate. The optical fiber has one end exposed from the light permeable insulated decorative plate for guiding light emitted from a light source into the optical fiber, and another end opposite to said one end for exit of the light therethrough.A touch light decorative plate is also disclosed. |
| US08651714B1 |
Portable lighting device
A portable lighting device for illuminating a path engaged by a user, or enabling the user to be seen by other cyclists, pedestrians, motorists and the like is provided. Advantageously, the portable lighting device is small (configured to fit in the user's palm), light (configured to be comfortably attached to a user's bicycle frame, helmet or carried in the hand of the user) and durable (configured to be usable in any weather condition). In addition, the light is conveniently powered by an attachable battery pack and may store variable brightness and mode settings for versatile usage. Moreover, the light utilizes a EEPROM to store the user re-configured settings in conjunction with adjustably bright high-brightness LEDs ranging upwards of 3000 lumens to provide the user with an excellent lighting tool. |
| US08651707B1 |
Optical lens for a LED having a quasi-elliptical shape
Disclosed is an optical lens for guiding light of an LED to produce a quasi-elliptical light pattern, and the optical lens has a lens body. The optical lens comprises an emitting surface and an incident surface. The emitting surface is a curved surface, and an illumination side of the emitting surface is in a quasi-elliptical shape with a long axis and a short axis, and the length of the long axis is a, and the length of the short axis is b, and the lens body has a lens height c. The length a of the long axis, the length b of the short axis, and the lens height c satisfy the relations of 1 |
| US08651705B2 |
LED lighting fixture
An LED lighting fixture comprising (a) a front-housing portion having a surrounding lateral wall defining a front cavity and extending to a front-housing forward edge at an open front-end, (b) a rear-housing portion having a backwall and a surrounding wall which define a rear cavity, the surrounding wall extending to a rear-housing forward edge, the rear-housing portion joined to the front-housing portion with the rear-housing surrounding wall substantially in alignment with the front-housing surrounding wall, (c) a cross-member secured with respect to the housing portions in a position at the juncture thereof and spanning the interior of the joined housing portions, the cross-member having a front surface facing the front cavity, and (d) an LED illuminator secured to the front surface of the cross-member. |
| US08651702B2 |
Self-aligning light source and detector assembly
Self-aligning light source and detector assembly having a sensor support mounted in a predetermined, fixed position, a light source holder mounted in a predetermined, fixed position relative to the sensor support, a sensor mounted in a fixed position on the sensor support, and a lamp assembly removably mounted to the light source holder in a predetermined position defined by mating surfaces which engage each other and seat the lamp assembly in the predetermined position whenever the lamp assembly is installed in the holder. |
| US08651695B2 |
LED based high-intensity light with secondary diffuser
A high intensity LED based lighting array for use in an obstruction light with efficient uniform light output is disclosed. The high intensity LED based lighting array has a ring assembly having a plurality of reflectors and light emitting diodes. The ring assembly has a planar surface mounting each of the plurality of primary reflectors in perpendicular relation to a respective one of the plurality of light emitting diodes. A secondary diffuser is positioned on the ring to mix light from the light emitting diodes to create a uniform light emission in a range of azimuth angles. |
| US08651691B2 |
Integral conduit modular lighting
Apparatus and associated methods involve a light module adapted to mount to an open face of a conduit body. In an illustrative example, the light module may include an electrical interface for making operative electrical connection to conductors disposed within the conduit body. In some particular embodiments, the electrical interface may include an insulation displacement-style connector to facilitate installation and/or removal of the light module. In various examples, the conduit body may substantially conform to a form factor of a conduit body for a conventional conduit system. |
| US08651685B2 |
Apparatus and methods for backlight unit with vertical interior reflectors
Provided are solid state backlight devices and methods for forming the same. A solid state backlight unit according to some embodiments of the invention includes a housing having a major surface and multiple LEDs on a first surface of the major surface. The solid state backlight unit also includes a specular reflector proximate to the first surface of the major surface and oriented substantially perpendicular to the first surface of the major surface. |
| US08651677B2 |
Mounting mechanism for a component of an imaging apparatus, and methods of making and using same
A laser scan unit for an imaging apparatus, including an optical paths having a plurality of optical components for directing and focusing a light beam. A component mounting mechanism is employed having a first member which is substantially fixed and resistant to movement, and a second member having an end portion which flexibly moves in response to forces acting thereon that are generated by changes in temperature due to differences in thermal expansion between the component and the first and second members. |
| US08651676B2 |
Foldable compact mirror apparatus
Foldable compact mirror apparatus (10) comprises at least three planar mirror elements (12) which are foldably interconnected so that the planes of the mirror elements (12) can lie in parallel or substantially in parallel with each other, and attachment means (16) for releasably attaching the mirror elements (12) to an upright surface. Preferably, the mirror elements (12) have different widths to provide a tapering appearance and reduced weight during transport. |
| US08651675B2 |
Light-shielding coating and optical element
The light-shielding coating contains (a) a resin, (b) a coloring material, (c) inorganic fine particles, and (d) a surfactant and/or an oil. The concentration of Component (d), the surfactant and/or the oil, is higher in the uppermost layer of the coating than in the lower layer. The content ratio of Component (d) is in the range of 10 to 40 weight % relative to the total weight of the light-shielding coating. The optical element features this light-shielding coating. |
| US08651674B2 |
Corner cube retroflector device, method, and apparatus
A method of assembling a retroreflective device comprising arranging a first, a second, and a third reflective surface normal to one another; observing an angular relationship between the reflective surfaces; adjusting the angular relationship between the reflective surfaces; and adjoining the reflective surfaces with supporting members and an adhesive, wherein the supporting members are of substantially the same material as the substrate of the reflective surfaces, have a cross-sectional shape that is complimentary to the edges of the reflective surfaces, and are arranged along the adjacent edges of the reflective surfaces. |
| US08651671B2 |
Projection display device
A projection display device which displays an image by projecting the image on a screen includes a laser light source 1 (1a, 1b, 1c) for emitting coherent light, a display device 3 for forming an image to be displayed on a screen 5 in an area illuminated by a luminous flux from the laser light source 1, a first diffusion plate 14 for diffusing a luminous flux, and a second diffusion plate 15 for diffusing a luminous flux. The first diffusion plate 14 is provided in at least one of a conjugate position of the laser light source 1 or the vicinity of the conjugate position in the optical path of the optical system including the laser light source 1 through the screen 5. The second diffusion plate 15 is provided in at least one of a conjugate position of the display device 3 or the vicinity of the conjugate position. At least one of the first diffusion plate 14 and the second diffusion plate 15 fluctuates perpendicularly to an optical axis. |
| US08651668B2 |
Projector
A projector includes: a liquid-cooling device configured to cool down a cooling target using cooling liquid, a liquid storage unit including a storage unit body that temporarily stores cooling liquid therein; and an outflow portion that connects the inside and outside of the storage unit body and allows the cooling liquid stored in the storage unit body to flow out to the outside, and the liquid storage unit is disposed in such a manner that the cooling liquid flows out of the outflow portion in a direction substantially orthogonal to a projection direction of an image from the projector and substantially parallel to a horizontal plane. |
| US08651665B2 |
Projector
Disclosed is a projector, the projector including a light source, an illumination unit illuminating light incident from the light source, and a display device enabling to realize an image by receiving the light irradiated from the illumination unit, and whose center is positioned at an axis different from an optical axis of the illumination unit. |
| US08651663B2 |
Stereoscopic projector using scrolling color bands
A color stereoscopic digital projection system having a plurality of color channels for projecting a color stereoscopic image, comprising: left-eye and right-eye image forming systems, each including a light sources for each color channel; a spatial light modulator, illumination optics arranged to receive the light beams and provide corresponding substantially uniform bands of light, beam scanning optics arranged to cyclically scroll the bands of light across the spatial light modulator, and a controller system that synchronously modulates the pixels of the spatial light modulator according to image data. The right-eye and left-eye light sources have corresponding spectrally-adjacent, substantially non-overlapping spectral bands falling within the same component color spectrum. The system also includes one or more dichroic filters for combining the imaging light arranged to selectively transmit the spectral bands from one of the image forming systems and selectively reflect the spectral bands from the other image forming system. |
| US08651662B2 |
Optical tomographic imaging apparatus and imaging method for optical tomographic image
Provided are an optical tomographic imaging apparatus and an imaging method for an optical tomographic image, in which high measurement sensitivity and high lateral resolution of a specific portion of an object may be obtained with a simple structure. The optical tomographic imaging apparatus of a Fourier-domain method includes: an optical path length adjustment portion for adjusting an optical path length of the reference beam; a position adjustment portion for adjusting a position of a focusing device for focusing the measuring beam onto the object; and a drive control portion for controlling drive of the optical path length adjustment portion and the position adjustment portion. The drive control portion is controlled based on information from a layer constituting a cross section from cross section information that is obtained in advance for a portion to be imaged of the object. |
| US08651661B2 |
Method of preparing an ophthalmic lens with special machining of its engagement ridge
The invention relates to a method for preparing an ophthalmic lens (20) for mounting the same into the rim of a rimmed spectacles frame that comprises the step of acquiring a first longitudinal profile (27) of a groove of said rim, the step of blocking the lens in a holding means, and the step of trimming the ophthalmic lens using trimming means, during which the holding and trimming means are driven so that the ophthalmic lens is trimmed and includes a fitting rib extending along a second longitudinal profile (25; 26) derived from the first longitudinal profile. According to the invention, the method comprises the step of determining a second longitudinal profile of a singular portion (Z1) having a reduced curvature radius. Furthermore, during the trimming step, the holding and trimming means are driven so that the section of the fitting rib is locally narrowed in terms of width and/or height in said singular portion, and/or so that the setpoint of the trimming radius is reduced in said singular portion. |
| US08651660B2 |
Tinted polycarbonate ophthalmic lens product and method of manufacture
The present invention describes ophthalmic lens products comprising a multilayer wafer and an injection-molded polycarbonate inner portion. The multilayer wafer includes a dyed, photochromic or polarized layer between a tinted inner layer and an outer polymeric layer. The inner layer may be solid or gradient-tinted. The polycarbonate inner portion of the lens product is directly fused to the tinted inner layer of the multilayer wafer during injection molding. The invention further describes a method to produce a gradient-tinted polarized polycarbonate eyewear lens product by obtaining a multilayer wafer having an outer layer, an inner polycarbonate layer, and a polarized layer between the inner and outer layers, applying a gradient tint to the wafer's inner layer, placing the gradient tinted wafer within an injection-molding cavity, and injecting molten polycarbonate directly against the wafer's gradient-tinted layer to form the inner portion of the lens product and to fuse it to the wafer. |
| US08651655B2 |
Printer
Printer, comprising a media path that in one embodiment is arranged so that a print height is lower than a highest point of the media path. |
| US08651652B2 |
Pivotable ink cartridge platform for printer device
A printer device includes a housing (32) that defines an interior space. A platform (36) includes a first position extending along a plane within the interior space for receiving media to be printed with fluid. A mechanism (200) selectively applies a force to the platform (36) to move the platform (36) to a second position at an angle relative to the plane. |
| US08651650B2 |
Inkjet recording ink, inkjet recording inkset, ink cartridge, inkjet recording method, and recorded matter
An inkjet recording ink containing a colorant, a surfactant A, a surfactant B, a water soluble organic solvent, and water, wherein the surfactant A is expressed by any one of Structural Formula (1) and Structural Formula (2), and the surfactant B is expressed by Structural Formula (3): in Structural Formula (1), R1 represents hydrogen, an alkyl group, or an acyl group; Rf represents —CF3 or —CF2CF3; and m, n and p are natural numbers; in Structural Formula (2), M represents alkali metal, ammonium, phosphonium, or alkanolamine; Rf represents —CF3 or —CF2CF3; and q is a natural number; in Structural Formula (3), R3 and R4 each represent hydrogen or an alkyl group; and r, s, t and u are natural numbers. |
| US08651647B2 |
Liquid ejecting apparatus, and nozzle recovery method used in liquid ejecting apparatus
A liquid ejecting apparatus includes a recording head that ejects an ink from a plurality of nozzles, a liquid supply passage and a reservoir that supply the ink from an upstream side toward a downstream side, a maintenance pump that is able to suck and discharge the ink from and to the liquid supply passage, a filter that clarify the ink in the reservoir, and a control unit that performs a recovery process of the nozzles by controlling an operation of the pump, wherein the control unit causes the maintenance pump to perform a sucking operation to suck the ink, and then causes the pump to perform a discharging operation to discharge the ink, thereby supplying the ink clarified by the filter to the nozzle side. |
| US08651644B2 |
Ink cartridge
An ink cartridge includes a storage portion, a housing, a movable member, a support portion, and an intermediate member. The storage portion has flexibility and is configured to store ink. The housing that covers the storage portion and at least a central portion of the storage portion is fixed to the housing. The movable member contacts with the storage portion in the housing, and is rotatable in accordance with changes in a position of contact with the storage portion. The support portion is provided in the housing and includes a pair of engagement portions. The pair of engagement portions are disposed at an interval therebetween and rotatably support the movable member. The intermediate member is disposed between the movable member and the storage portion. |
| US08651640B2 |
Ink supply structure and fabricating method thereof
An ink supply structure includes at least one ink cartridge, at least one dye ink chamber, and at least one pigment ink chamber. The at least one dye ink chamber is contained in the at least one ink cartridge for storing a dye ink. The at least one pigment ink chamber is contained in the at least one ink cartridge for storing a pigment ink. One of the dye ink within the dye ink chamber and the pigment ink within the pigment ink chamber is selectively supplied from the at least one ink cartridge. |
| US08651639B2 |
Printing fluid cartridge, printing apparatus, and use of printing fluid cartridge
A printing fluid cartridge includes at least one electrical interface configured to be electrically connected to at least one contact, and a light attenuating portion configured to attenuate light. |
| US08651637B2 |
Liquid supply device, image printing apparatus, and liquid container
A liquid supply device includes a liquid container having a liquid chamber and a contact portion, and a mounting portion having an opening, and first and second surfaces. The liquid container is inserted into and removed from the mounting portion via the opening. The mounting portion includes an urging member that urges the liquid container toward the opening, a retaining member that selectively retains the liquid container in the mounting portion, and a stopper having a bendably deformable resilient member that extends from one of the first and second surfaces in a direction opposite the insertion direction of the liquid container, and that contacts the contact portion of the liquid container in the mounting portion. A first force required for deforming the resilient member in the insertion direction is less than a second force required for deforming the resilient member in the removal direction. |
| US08651632B2 |
Drop placement error reduction in electrostatic printer
A group timing delay device shifts the timing of drop formation waveforms supplied to drop formation devices of one of first and second nozzle groups so that print drops from the nozzle groups are not aligned relative to each other along a nozzle array direction. A charging device includes a common charge electrode associated with liquid jets from the nozzle groups and a source of varying electrical potential between the charge electrode and liquid jets which provides a charging waveform that is independent of a print and non-print drop pattern. The charging device is synchronized with the drop formation devices and the group timing delay device to produce a print drop charge state on print drops of a drop pair, a first non-print drop charge state on non-print drops of the drop pair, and a second non-print drop charge state on third drops. |
| US08651628B2 |
Liquid droplet ejecting head and image forming apparatus
A liquid droplet ejecting head is disclosed which includes at least one or more nozzles which eject liquid droplets; one or more dedicated liquid chambers which are communicatively connected to the nozzle; a common liquid chamber which is communicatively connected to the dedicated liquid chamber; and an energy generating unit which generates energy provided to the dedicated liquid chamber, wherein at least one wall face of the common liquid chamber includes a flexible wall, which has flexibility; a buffer chamber is included in an opposing area via the flexible wall and the common liquid chamber; and wherein the buffer chamber is communicatively connected to an external space in an area not opposing the common liquid chamber. |
| US08651626B2 |
Piezoelectric device liquid ejecting head, liquid ejecting apparatus, ultrasonic device sensor, and timing device
A liquid ejecting head comprises a pressure chamber communicating with nozzle and a piezoelectric actuator including a piezoelectric layer and an electrode which applies a voltage to the piezoelectric layer. The piezoelectric layer is composed of a solid solution containing bismuth sodium titanate and 0.2 mol % or more and 8.0 mol % or less of copper. |
| US08651624B2 |
Fluid ejector structure
In one embodiment, a fluid ejector structure includes: a chamber; a bridge spanning at least part of the chamber; a channel through which fluid may enter the chamber; a fluid ejector element on the bridge; and an outlet through which fluid may be ejected from the chamber at the urging of the fluid ejector element. The outlet is disposed opposite the fluid ejector element across a depth of the chamber and the chamber, ejector element and outlet are configured with respect to one another such that substantially all of the fluid in the chamber is ejected through the outlet upon actuation of the ejector element. |
| US08651623B2 |
Inkjet recording head and method of manufacturing inkjet recording head
An inkjet recording head includes: plural element substrates from which ink is ejected; and a flexible wiring substrate which includes a first wiring area, a second wiring area and a bending portion, the first wiring area including plural openings in which the element substrates are placed and which includes, in the periphery thereof, electrode terminals electrically connected to the element substrates, and the bending portion being bent between the first wiring area and the second wiring area. The flexible wiring substrate includes a slit which extends between the plural openings and reaches the bending portion or a position further than the bending portion from an end portion of the flexible wiring substrate on the side on which the first wiring area is provided, at a position opposite to the bending portion. |
| US08651617B2 |
Ink-jet recording apparatus
Ink-jet recording apparatus including carriage movable between first and second stationary members, cap movable between first position for covering nozzles of recording head mounted on the carriage and positioned near the first stationary member, and second position spaced from the first position, abutment portion movable by the carriage moving in first direction to move the cap to the first position, and control device for moving the carriage in second direction for abutment onto the second stationary member, setting this position of abutment as provisional point of origin of the carriage, moving the carriage in the first direction for abutment of the carriage onto the abutment portion at a speed lower than a speed of movement of the carriage before the abutment, further moving the carriage for abutment onto the first stationary member, and setting this position of abutment as point of origin of the carriage. |
| US08651615B2 |
System and method for analysis of test pattern image data in an inkjet printer using a template
Test pattern template data are stored in a memory of a printer to identify locations spatially within image data of a test pattern printed by printheads in an inkjet printer. The test pattern template data identifies an origin of a test pattern in the image data and the distances between structures in the test pattern to enable test pattern structure in the image data to be detected and identified more easily. |
| US08651610B2 |
Image forming system and methods thereof
An image forming system includes a print unit to print a plurality of swaths to form an image on a media, a media transport unit to transport the media to the print unit and an advancement error determination unit to determine an amount of advancement error corresponding to the transportation of the media. The image forming system also includes a swath adjustment module to dynamically adjust a swath size of a respective swath. |
| US08651606B2 |
Printing apparatus and printing method
An inkjet printing apparatus and an inkjet printing method are provided which can correct, with high precision, print position deviations among a plurality of printing element arrays in each of a plurality of print modes that use different groups of printing elements in each printing element array. The adjustment values for the print position deviations between the first and second printing element arrays are differentiated between the high-speed mode and the high-quality mode. In the high-speed mode, all printing elements in the first and second printing element arrays are used. In the high-quality mode, a part of the printing elements in each of the first and second printing element arrays are used. Based on these adjustment values, the ink ejection timings of the first and second printing element arrays are adjusted. |
| US08651605B2 |
Image recording apparatus
An image recording apparatus includes: an image recording portion; a treatment-liquid ejecting portion; a conveying mechanism having a support face; an adsorption mechanism including first and second electrodes arranged so as to be spaced from each other and so as to face a recording medium supported on the support face with the support face interposed between the recording medium and the first and second electrodes; and a controller which controls the treatment-liquid ejecting portion to eject treatment liquid onto at least a part of a first area of the recording medium before the image recording. The first area is an area near a leading end of the recording medium, and wherein the first area is overlaid, as seen in a direction perpendicular to the support face, on an area interposed between the first and second electrodes. |
| US08651601B2 |
Printing apparatus
This invention relates to realization of a more efficient power-saving mode in a printing apparatus capable of connecting an extension board for function enhancement. When the printing apparatus connects an extension board including a CPU and memory, the CPU of the extension board receives information required to return to a normal operation mode from a controller unit, and stores the received information in the memory before transition from the normal operation mode to the power-saving mode. Then, the controller unit lowers an operation frequency of a CPU thereof, and stops power supply to respective units of the apparatus, which do not require any power supply. In the power-saving mode, the extension board monitors an elapse of a predetermined time period and reception of print data, thereby, even in the power-saving mode, normally returning to the normal operation mode after the elapse of the time period. |
| US08651598B2 |
Accommodation container and refrigerator having the same
A refrigerator capable of preventing a cool air from being released when a door is open by having an accommodation container, including a bottom wall, a front side wall, a rear side wall, and lateral side walls to form an accommodation space, stored in a storage compartment together with a food storage container while accommodating the food storage container, the lateral side walls being spaced from the food storage container to form a space that allows a cool air to remain around the food storage container, the front side wall having a height corresponding to a height of the food storage container to prevent the cool air around the food storage container from being released, and the rear side wall and the lateral side walls having heights lower than the height of the front side wall to allow the cool air to flow around the food storage container. |
| US08651584B2 |
Wheel rim for tire
A wheel rim 1 for a tire 2 including a rim portion 1A having a rim body 5 and a pair of flanges 6, the rim body 5 having seat portions 5a for seating bead portions 2c of the tire 2 at both ends of the rim body 5 in a rotation axis direction thereof, and the pair of flanges 6 being continuously provided on both sides of the rim body 5 and extending radially outward, wherein convex portions 9 which extend in a direction intersecting with a tire circumferential direction are provided at distances from one another in the circumferential direction on an outer surface 6o, which does not come into contact with the tire 2, of the flanges 6 in the rotation axis direction and/or on an inner surface of the rim body 5 in a radial direction. |
| US08651578B2 |
Seat reclining apparatus for vehicle
A seat reclining apparatus for a vehicle, includes a first arm, a second arm rotatably supported by the first arm, a pawl including external teeth engageable with internal teeth, a cam portion and plural pawl-side cam surfaces arranged at the cam portion, a cam including a cam surface engaging with the cam portion formed at the pawl, and a biasing member biasing the cam to rotate and causing the cam surface to press the cam portion in a radial direction. The plural pawl-side cam surfaces or the cam surface is configured in a manner that the plural pawl-side cam surfaces and the cam surface are in contact with each other when the external teeth and the internal teeth are in an engaged state and in a manner that clearances generated between each of the plural pawl-side cam surfaces and the cam surface in the radial direction are all uniform. |
| US08651577B2 |
Adjustment device
The adjustment device according to the invention for an adjustable element, in particular the backrest of a chair, has a guide rail and a sliding element which is movable in the guide rail along an adjustment axis. Furthermore, a blocking element is provided, which blocking element can be secured on the guide rail or on the sliding element in a latching position in which the sliding element can be moved along the adjustment axis at least in one direction between two end positions, wherein the blocking element comes into operative contact with latches spaced apart along the adjustment axis. During the installation of the adjustment device, the blocking element is secured on the guide rail or the sliding element in an installation position in which the sliding element can be introduced into the guide rail in the direction of the adjustment axis. |
| US08651575B2 |
Seat back structure with lumbar support for vehicle
A lumbar support plate which is supported movably in a front/rear direction in a back frame that supports a headrest, and a biasing member which supports the lumbar support plate, are provided. A clutch mechanism which enables an output member to rotate by a rotating operation of a handle shaft, and an adjustment member which is capable of adjusting the front/rear position of the lumbar support plate in relation with an output member of the clutch mechanism are also provided. Also provided is a linking release mechanism which temporarily releases linkage with the clutch mechanism and permits rearward movement of the lumbar support plate, when a load equal to or greater than a prescribed value is applied to the lumbar support plate. |
| US08651569B2 |
Apparatus for support during tattooing
An apparatus that supports a person in a variety of positions so that a tattoo artist can comfortably apply a tattoo to the skin of the supported person is herein disclosed. The apparatus can be articulated to cause a person's legs and arms to be optimally positioned and supported to receive a tattoo. |
| US08651567B2 |
Folding chair
A folding chair is disclosed that meets and/or exceeds, for example, ANSI/BIFMA standards. The folding chair may be made from a material that includes, metal, wood, plastic, or the like. Independent of the particular material used in the folding chair, the disclosed folding chair includes a configuration that satisfies, or surpasses, for example, ANSI/BIFMA leg strength testing, among other tests. |
| US08651566B2 |
Vehicle reinforcing structure
A vehicle reinforcing structure includes a roof member, a pillar member that has in its upper part an extension part that extends along the roof member, and a reinforcing member that is joined so as to bridge the extension part and the roof member. The reinforcing member has a first welded part welded to the extension part, and a second welded part welded to a front edge of the roof member. The first welded part and the second welded part are provided such that an imaginary area created with straight lines that connect the respective edges of the welded parts substantially fits within the area of the reinforcing member. The reinforcing member further has an open area on the vehicle interior side of the first welded part on the rear side of the second welded part, the open area being in contact neither with the pillar member nor with the roof member. |
| US08651564B2 |
Polygonal cross-sectional frame, and rear vehicle body structure
A polygonal cross-sectional frame has an L closed cross-sectional shape such that the frame has an inwardly recessed section. A rear vehicle body structure includes a depressing member provided, along the lower surface of a rear frame extending rearward from a floor of a passenger compartment, in opposed relation to a predetermined vehicle-body-mounted component part disposed beneath the depressing member. As a rear section of the rear frame deforms due to a load input to the rear end of the rear frame, the depressing member deforms downward to depress and displace the predetermined vehicle-body-mounted component part. |
| US08651563B2 |
Bearing structure arrangement of a motor vehicle body
A bearing structure arrangement of a motor vehicle body is provided with a side panel structure adjoining a bulkhead, and a linking component secured thereto for accommodating a frame rail section located upstream from the side panel structure in the traveling direction. The linking component facing the frame carrier section includes, but is not limited to an attachment profile corresponding with the profile cross section of the frame rail section. |
| US08651561B2 |
Side vehicle body structure
In a side vehicle body structure of a vehicle, which is provided with a shoulder anchor part 2 for a seat belt, a shoulder reinforcement 9 of the shoulder anchor part 2 extends to the joint portion of a side body outer panel 7 and a quarter panel 8, and the shoulder reinforcement 9, the side body outer panel 7, and the quarter panel 8 are jointed together in the state in which the three elements are lapped together. |
| US08651555B2 |
Structure for car cover
An improved structure for car cover comprises a main unit with a compartment inside and multiple conduits for the external connectivity for the main unit, and a transmission component that can be driven by external power supply and is located inside the compartment of the main unit, and multiple passive components located at the peripheral of the transmission component inside the compartment to allow synchronous movement, and at least one wire duct on each passive component for a flexible elastic cable to wrap around, and an active end on each flexible elastic cable to pass through a conduit to outside of the compartment, and multiple link mechanisms that are composed of multiple links and use one end to connect to the main unit and the other end to connects to an active end of a different flexible elastic cable, and a soft piece of shield that is attached to the multiple link mechanisms and able to varies with the length of the multiple link mechanisms to change the coverage area. |
| US08651553B2 |
Tank closure
A tank closure system intended for closing a filling opening of a tank includes a tank cap, which closes the filling opening, and a tank flap, which covers the tank cap. The sides of the tank cap and the tank flap that face each other are designed to engage with one another in a positive locking manner by way of a defined shape, when the tank cap is situated in a predetermined position, in which the filling opening is closed, relative to the tank flap. |
| US08651550B2 |
Stowable seat arrangement for a vehicle
A stowable seat arrangement can include a seat having a seat back pivotably coupled to a seat bottom. A pair of front and rear legs can be pivotably coupled to the seat bottom. A first floor panel can be fixed to the pair of front legs. An access panel can be pivotably coupled to the vehicle and the front legs. The seat can selectively articulate from a deployed to a stowed position where the seat is adapted to be received in a stowage recess of the vehicle. The articulation of the seat can automatically open the access panel to provide access to the recess and then close the access panel upon the seat being in the stowed position. The first floor panel can automatically move to a substantially horizontal position relative to a vehicle floor to provide a flat load floor configuration when the seat is in the stowed position. |
| US08651549B2 |
Deep-drawn recess in a panel
A recess (1′) is proposed in a bottom panel (2′) of a body, in particular of a vehicle body, having a recess bottom (4′) which for its part merges into a recess wall (5′), wherein the recess (1′) has one or more first bottom corrugations (3′) which reinforce the recess bottom (4′) and one or more first wall corrugations (6′) which reinforce the recess wall (5′), wherein at least one first bottom corrugation (3′) and at least one associated first wall corrugation (6′) are arranged in a common vertical plane in such a way and are formed in such a way that the profile structure of the first bottom corrugation (3′) adjoins the profile structure of the associated first wall corrugation (6′) in the transition region from the recess bottom (4′) to the recess wall (5′), and wherein the shaped-out portion of said first wall corrugation (6′) is changed with regard to the shaped-out portion of the first bottom corrugation (3′) in such a way that the first bottom corrugation (3′) is formed towards the recess interior and the associated first wall corrugation (6′) is formed towards the recess exterior or vice versa. |
| US08651548B2 |
Movable body moving apparatus
A moving apparatus forcefully closes a movable body after moving the movable body to a prescribed position and includes first and second sliders and an impelling device. After the movable body has been opened, the first slider is locked in position and the second slider is attached to the movable body. As the movable body is being closed and moved to the prescribed position, the second slider moves relative to the first slider tensioning the impelling device. Once the movable body has reached the prescribed position, the second slider releases the movable body and is locked in position, and the first slider is attached to the movable body. The impelling device then urges the first and second sliders towards one another causing the movable body to close. |
| US08651546B2 |
Vehicle center console trim assembly
A vehicle center console trim assembly includes a console body and a cover. The console body includes a first side section and a ledge extending laterally from the first side section along a lower body portion of the console body. The cover is coupled to the console body and overlies a side surface of the first side section to form a side pocket between the cover and the side surface of the first side section with the ledge defining a bottom surface of the side pocket. The cover includes an upper cover portion that extends along an upper body portion of the console body, which is spaced above the lower body portion of the console body, with the upper cover portion concealing the ledge of the first side section of the console body from view in a downward vehicle looking direction from a location above the console body. |
| US08651545B2 |
Bed lift
A lifting system can be used to move an item between a use position and a stowed position in a structure such as a vehicle or home. The item may be an article of furniture, an appliance, a storage unit, a platform, workbench, or the like. The lifting system may be motorized and/or utilize a flexible drive to move the item. The lifting system may be used to reciprocally move the item between the use position and the stowed position in the structure. |
| US08651537B2 |
Door lock apparatus
A door lock apparatus includes a latch mechanism having a latch being engagable with a striker and having a pawl stopping a rotation of the latch being engaged with the striker at a half latched position and a fully latched position, a half latch detection portion, a full latch detection portion, a driving portion for rotating the latch being in the half latched position toward the fully latched position, an intermediate position detection portion and a controlling portion for controlling the driving portion to start the driving portion in order to rotate the latch being in the half latched position toward the fully latched position, to stop the drive of the driving portion when the latch is in the fully latched position and to temporally stop the driving portion when the latch is in the intermediate position. |
| US08651536B2 |
Door lock device
A door lock device includes a hook rotatable supported on a base plate; a latch supported on the base plate and rotatable between a latching position, engageable with the hook and an unlatching position not engaged with the hook; a latch controller which prevents the hook from rotating from the striker holding position to the striker releasing position, and makes the latch return to the latching position upon the hook reaching the striker releasing position after engagement between the latch and the hook is released by rotating the latch to the unlatching position from the latching position when the latch controller performs a door opening operation from the door fully-closed state; and a detector which detects that the door is open by referring to the returning operation of the latch to the latching position from the unlatching position that is caused by the latch controller. |
| US08651534B2 |
Locking system for door leaf installations
A locking device for locking a leaf of a leaf installation has first and second locking elements with respective first and latching elements. The second latching element is located at an end facing the first latching element and capable of a latching operative engagement with the first latching element. The second locking element is stationarily disposed relative to the leaf installation. The first locking element is disposed with regard to the leaf to move correspondingly to a movement of the leaf, so that the first locking element is moved translationally into a locking position towards the second locking element and away from the second locking element into an unlocking position. One of the locking elements has an activating element operable to allow for the latching operative engagement between the latching elements in a blocking position and to prevent the latching operative engagement in a release position. |
| US08651533B2 |
Duct mating assembly
A duct mating assembly includes first and second ducts having side surfaces connected along their edges to define an interior air space. A coupling portion is formed on one of the first or second ends of the ducts. The coupling portion of the first duct includes first and second sections joined by side sections. The first section of the first duct includes a fifth portion that extends to a sixth portion. A transition portion is positioned between the fifth and sixth portions. The transition portion steps downward and extends forward and then steps back up relative to the fifth portion for preventing air leakage between the first and second ducts. The second section of the first duct includes a first snap feature formed thereon and the fourth section of the second duct including a second snap feature formed thereon, the first and second snap features are operative to connect the second and fourth sections of the first and second ducts. |
| US08651531B2 |
Method and apparatus for the disposal of waste fluids
An apparatus for disposing of waste fluids includes a conduit system adapted to transport waste fluid from a receptacle to a sanitary sewer using an eductor having a venturi device. The conduit system includes first and second conduits. First and second connectors are used to connect the first conduit to the second conduit. The second connector includes a flap that acts as a check valve. |
| US08651529B2 |
Integrable bookstand
An integrable bookstand adapted to be integrated into a hard back cover of a book is disclosed. The integrable bookstand having a withheld and deployed conformations.In the withheld conformation the bookstand is coplanar with the hard back cover, rendering the latter storable in tandem between other flat articles. |
| US08651524B2 |
Airbag trajectory control envelope
An example trajectory control envelope includes a trajectory control envelope configured to receive an airbag and to control deployment of the airbag. |
| US08651522B2 |
Airbag, in particular for a motor vehicle
An airbag for a motor vehicle, comprises a support structure that can be displaced from a storage position to a restraint position, and a covering which surrounds a restraint volume of the airbag formed by the support structure in its restraint position. At least one connecting element, which extends inside the restraint volume, connects together the hollow bodies of the support structure and/or the surface areas of the covering. |
| US08651520B2 |
Inflator
An inflator (10), especially for a vehicle occupant restraint system, comprising a combustion chamber (24) in which solid propellant (28) adapted to be burnt off while forming a gas is accommodated, a storage chamber (26) containing a pressure gas (30), an igniter (14) and a component (20) arranged between the combustion chamber (24) and the storage chamber (26). There is at least one flow communication between the storage chamber (26) and the combustion chamber (24). The component (20) includes an additional weakened zone (22) adapted to be destroyed upon activation of the inflator (10) so as to permit flow of gas from the combustion chamber (24) into the storage chamber (26). |
| US08651518B2 |
Rear seat side airbag device
A side airbag may be smoothly deployed when there is a side collision, and damage to the side airbag at edges of a module case is prevented or suppressed. A recess portion is formed in a seat frame made of resin, and an airbag module is accommodated in the recess portion. The airbag module is provided with a module case in a substantial box shape. An upper side gap is formed between an upper wall portion and an upper end of a side airbag, and a lower side gap is formed between a lower wall portion and a lower end of the side airbag. A length of the upper wall portion is set shorter than a length of an upper wall portion of the recess portion. As a result, the side airbag is less likely to come into contact with the upper wall portion of the module case. |
| US08651517B1 |
Inflation of side curtain air bag with protection for out-of-position head
A side curtain air bag system deploys downward during a crash event into a protection zone overlapping an out-of-position head region. An inflator discharges an inflation gas upon the occurrence of the crash event. The system employs an inflatable bag including first, second, and third chambers. The second chamber has a respective deployed position coinciding with the out-of-position head region. The first chamber has a respective deployed position between the B-pillar and the deployed position of the second chamber. The third chamber has a respective deployed position along a lateral edge of the inflatable bag so that the second chamber is disposed between the first and third chambers. The chambers are configured so that the third chamber substantially fills prior to expansion of the second chamber, whereby the inflatable bag substantially completes its downward movement prior to full expansion of the second chamber. |
| US08651513B2 |
Airbag
An airbag having a cushion part defining an insertion hole that is positioned between first and second sewing lines provided to a base fabric and that is provided for the insertion of the inflator from an outside to an inside. A diffuser positioned within the cushion part and in which the inflator is inserted from the insertion hole. The diffuser has a tubular portion with a portion formed by folding layers of fabrics and being sewn to the base fabric along the first sewing line. The diffuser fabric of the tubular portion on a side adjacent to the base fabric being additionally sewn to the base fabric along a second sewing line. The diffuser includes a guide member 1 that extends and covers the insertion hole with a surface that continues from an inner surface of the diffuser. The guide member being sewn to the base fabric along the first sewing line. |
| US08651511B2 |
Collapsible stroller
A collapsible stroller has a collapsing operation in width and front/rear directions that can be performed simultaneously. The collapsible stroller has a frame including a pair of front leg tubes and a pair of rear leg tubes pivotally collapsibly coupled to the front legs; a seat unit including a pair of seat side-tubes and a pair of backrest tubes; a first collapsing auxiliary assembly horizontally collapsibly disposed between lateral sides of the frame and operably coupled to the side-tubes of the site unit and the rear leg tubes; a second collapsing auxiliary assembly disposed between the rear leg tubes; and an operation unit operably coupled to the side-tubes of the seat unit and releasibly coupled to the rear leg tubes of the frame, thereby the two dimensional collapsing operation of the stroller can be performed by one hand of the user. |
| US08651510B2 |
Trailer with lowerable and raisable trailer bed
A trailer including: i) a draw bar; ii) a trailer frame supporting a trailer bed; iii) an arm including a first pivot mount; iv) an axle pivotally connected to the arm at the first pivot mount; v) an actuating mechanism actuatable to exert a force on the arm relative to the trailer frame. The axle includes at least one associated wheel and the wheel has a plane of rotation in which the wheel rotates when traveling in a forward direction, and the actuating mechanism is located substantially in the plane of rotation. The trailer bed may be raised or lowered by exerting a force on the arm relative to the trailer frame. |
| US08651509B1 |
Tow strap apparatus
A tow strap apparatus includes a casing, a reel, a tow strap, a driving unit and a speed-increasing gearbox. The reel is rotationally placed in the casing. The tow strap is reeled on the reel. The driving unit is supported on the casing. The speed-increasing gearbox connects the driving unit to the reel. |
| US08651500B2 |
Dolly transport systems
A dolly transport system includes a dolly cart assembly having a dolly frame having at least one gripping handle, at least one lifting fork extending from the dolly frame to a distal end, and a handle grip structure located at the distal end of the lifting fork. The dolly cart assembly includes a first supporting location that includes the gripping handle and a second supporting location remote from the first supporting location that includes the handle grip structure. |
| US08651497B2 |
Winged W-seal
A seal assembly has a first seal member, a second seal member, and a third seal member. The first seal member has a wear surface that contacts a first wall of the cavity at two sealing locations. The second seal member has a wear surface that contacts a second wall of the cavity at two sealing locations. The third seal member extends between and resiliently connects the first seal member to the second seal member. |
| US08651495B2 |
Squeeze packing
The present disclosure provides a squeeze packing having a cut surface that describes a three-dimensional curved surface shape, in which the cut surface can be temporarily held with ease and intimately attached in an accurate manner without the use of an adhesive during fitting onto a device. The squeeze packing has, on at least one arbitrary portion of an endless ring finished to predetermined dimensions, a cut surface describing a three-dimensional curved surface shape extending diagonally so as to form a predetermined angle θ with respect to a radial direction of the ring, having a substantially S-shaped profile in side view, and curving in a width direction. |
| US08651494B2 |
Split seal assembly and method
A split mechanical end face seal assembly has a split gland plate assembly, a split mating seal ring assembly, a split primary seal ring assembly and a split biasing assembly. The segmented mating seal ring is axially and radially supported on the segmented mating ring adapter by resilient connector strips as pre-assembled sub-assemblies and the resilient connector strips axially non-rigidly support the mating seal ring within said mating ring adapter assembly. An axially movable primary sealing ring assembly includes a segmented primary seal ring. The biasing assembly is pre-assembled into the gland plate assembly and urges the primary seal ring into sealing relation with the mating seal ring. A method of installation includes resilient axial and radial support of the mating seal ring segments in mating ring adapter segments by the resilient connector strip for installation as a pre-assembled sub-assembly. It further includes pre-assembly of semi-circular shaped biasing ring segments into segments of the gland plate assembly. |
| US08651490B2 |
Modified poker game system and method
Systems, methods and apparatus for providing and conducting a wagering game which includes receiving a wager; generating a random initial hand of playing cards for one or more players and a dealer; comparing the initial dealer hand with a qualifying preset criteria, wherein the qualifying preset criteria includes a specific rank which the initial dealer hand must achieve; and responsive to the satisfaction of the qualifying preset criteria, dividing each initial hand of cards into two sub-hands of a preset amount of cards for the one or more players and the dealer, wherein the two sub-hands for any of the one or more players and the dealer must have a different rank in the underlying game; and providing a payout corresponding with the underlying game wager received if the player's two sub-hands are of a higher rank than the dealer's corresponding two sub-hands. |
| US08651489B2 |
Blackjack game with side wager on predetermined hand
A method to implement a blackjack side wager. The player makes a side wager which buys the player a predetermined point total such as 18. The game then continues and the side wager is resolved as if the player's hand for the side wager was 18, using the same blackjack rules as main wager at the table. If the dealer busts or has a final point total less than 18 the player wins the side wager. If the dealer does not bust and has a final point total greater than 18 the player loses the side wager. If the dealer has a final point total equaling 18 then the player pushes the side wager. |
| US08651487B2 |
Push button puzzle with internal locking mechanism
A puzzle toy that includes a plurality of push buttons that normally project from the surface of a cubic or spherical body. As the buttons are pushed in one at a time a latching mechanism residing within the body holds the buttons in a pushed-inwardly state, given a correct sequence of a subset of the buttons was pushed, deduced by logic and memory and including a chance mechanism. However if an incorrect sequence of the selected subset of button pushing is employed all the buttons so far pushed in will all pop back out at the same time at or before the time the last button is pushed in, forcing the player to start all over. The puzzle is solved when all buttons are pushed in flush with the body of the toy. |
| US08651486B2 |
Apparatuses for providing hands of playing cards with differential hand count capability
An apparatus for providing hands of playing cards includes a playing card moving system for moving a number of playing cards defining a hand of playing cards from a container to a delivery tray, and a processor with software to direct the playing card moving system to randomly select how many playing cards will form the hand in the delivery tray. The apparatus is capable of randomly selecting numbers of cards to be delivered in a hand of cards to players and a dealer during a round of a casino table card game. |
| US08651485B2 |
Playing card handling devices including shufflers
A playing card shuffling device includes a visual display in information communication with the playing card shuffling device. At least one processor is programmed to provide displayable information to the visual display indicative of an amount of time remaining or time expired in a procedure performed by the playing card shuffling device. |
| US08651481B2 |
Apparatus and method for detecting the thickness of a sheet document
A sheet thickness detection apparatus is provided for detecting the thickness of a sheet document on a document transport path. The apparatus comprises: a first detector unit having a sheet document contact point adjacent the document transport path, the detector unit comprising a piezoelectric element, a first portion of the piezoelectric element being fixed relative to the document transport path, and the piezoelectric element being arranged such that contact between a sheet document and the sheet document contact point as a sheet document passes the detector unit along the document transport path causes flexing of a second portion of the piezoelectric element relative to its first portion; and a sensing circuit connected to the piezoelectric element for outputting an electric signal based on the charge generated by the piezoelectric element upon flexing, the outputted signal being related to the thickness of the sheet document. A corresponding method is also provided. |
| US08651480B2 |
Sheet stacking apparatus and image forming apparatus
A finisher 100 includes a pair of bundle discharge rollers 130, a lower stack tray 137, and a width-direction aligning portion 200. The width-direction aligning portion includes a pair of aligning members 1 and a driving motor. The aligning member includes a pair of first aligning members 91 that is rotatably supported while being movable in the sheet width direction orthogonal to the discharge direction and a pair of second aligning members 92. The driving motor rotates the pair of first aligning members and moves the pair of first aligning members in the width direction. When the pair of first aligning members rotates and one of the pair of second aligning members abuts on the sheet, the pair of second aligning members forms opposite surfaces in which the sheet can be aligned in the width direction, and the pair of first aligning members align the sheet by the opposite surfaces. |
| US08651477B2 |
Sheet feeding device and image forming apparatus
A sheet supporting plate is vertically movably provided in a sheet feeding cassette, and a controller controls a lifting and lowering mechanism which lifts and lowers the sheet supporting plate based on basis weight information from an inputting portion. The controller stops the sheet supporting portion at a position where an abutting force causing a feeding roller biased by a feeding roller pressure spring to abut against a sheet is increased as the basis weight of the sheet is increased. |
| US08651469B2 |
Vibration damping device
A vibration damping device includes a vulcanized rubber molding and a resin molding integrally formed with the vulcanized rubber molding. The resin molding includes a sandwiched molding having a core layer and skin layers. The skin layers sandwich the core layer. The skin layer includes a resin composition (A) containing a first thermoplastic resin and an inorganic filler. The core layer includes a resin composition (B) containing a second thermoplastic resin and an inorganic filler. A volume ratio of the skin layers is 40 to 70% of the entire molding, and a bending modulus (E1) and a maximum bending strain (ε1) of the skin layers, and a bending modulus (E2) and a maximum bending strain (ε2) of the core layer satisfy the following expressions (1) and (2): 1<(E1/ε1)<(E2/ε2)<10 (1) ε1/ε2>1 (2). |
| US08651468B2 |
Tubular vibration-damping mount
The present invention provides a tubular vibration-damping mount capable of securing durability against an input in a direction perpendicular to an axis. A tubular vibration-damping mount comprises a core member, a tubular member, a rubber member, an upper surface of which has, as viewed in a cross section including an axis of the core member, a recessed portion in a radially inner direction of the rubber member and an inclined portion whose inclination angle is smoothly and upwardly increased in the radially inner direction from a point on the tubular member as a starting point, and a bracket, wherein the tubular member has, in an area higher than a lower end of an adhesion surface between the tubular member and the rubber member and the upper surface of the rubber member starts from a point on the inner periphery of the diameter-enlarged portion of the tubular member, which the point agrees with the starting point. |
| US08651466B2 |
Liquid-sealed type vibration isolator
In a liquid-sealed type vibration isolator having a first orifice flow channel 56 and a second orifice flow channel 60, a valve member 66 formed of a rubber elastomeric membrane for opening and closing the second orifice flow channel 60 is provided on a partitioning member 40 so as to be orthogonal to the direction of flow in the second orifice flow channel. The valve member is held at the outer peripheral portion thereof by a wall surface of a valve housing chamber 68, and includes inside the outer peripheral portion thereof a membrane portion 66B which is subjected to the flexural deformation by the liquid flow in the second orifice flow channel to close openings 60C and 60D of the second orifice flow channel. Communicating holes 76 which bring the second orifice flow channel into communication are provided at positions not overlapped with the opening of the membrane portion 66B. Accordingly, the switching of characteristics is enabled with an inexpensive structure. |
| US08651465B2 |
Method of manufacturing bushing assembly and vibration damping rubber bushing
A method of manufacturing a bushing assembly that includes a vibration damping rubber bushing having a round cylindrical resin outer cylinder, which is assembled by press fitting an outside peripheral face of the outer cylinder in an axial direction into a cylindrical metal mated component having a circular inside peripheral face. The vibration damping rubber bushing is press fit into the mated component with a rigid powder composed of material harder than the outer cylinder deposited in a section of the resin outer cylinder that is situated on the outside peripheral face and that mates with the inside peripheral face of the mated component, and the outer cylinder and the mated component are assembled in a mated condition such that the rigid powder intervenes between the outside peripheral face of the outer cylinder and the inside peripheral face of the mated component. |
| US08651460B2 |
Wall grommet for power connection
Provided is a wall grommet, which can be installed through the surfaces of walls to route wiring in the walls' interior spaces. In particular, the wall grommet is configured for running power cords inside walls and presenting the electrical connectors of a power cord in a manner such that power cords are hidden from view. The grommet may comprise a power module and a back cover. The power module comprises a housing, which defines an interior space that is adapted to hold either the female connector or male connector of a power cord. The back cover can be attached to the housing to secure the electrical connector of the power cord in the housing. |
| US08651453B2 |
Valve cartridge for a solenoid valve, and associated solenoid valve
The invention relates to a valve cartridge for a solenoid valve, having a capsule, a magnetic armature that is movably guided within the capsule, a valve insert that is inserted into the capsule at a first end, and a valve body, which is pressed into a second end of the valve insert and has a main valve seat. The magnetic armature, moved by a generated magnetic force, moves a tappet guided within the valve insert. The tappet has a closing element with a sealing element which plunges into the main valve seat of the valve body in a sealing manner for carrying out a sealing function, and an associated solenoid valve. According to the invention the valve insert is configured as a one-part slotted bushing, and the valve body is configured as a bonnet-shaped bushing. The valve body configured as a bushing is pressed into a second end of the valve insert configured as a slotted bushing such that the main valve seat is disposed within the valve insert. |
| US08651452B2 |
Valve with notch plate having enhanced strength
A valve having an improved multiple position notch plate providing a large number of selectable valve positions with enhanced strength, including in the travel stop limiting the range of movement of the valve handle connected to the valve member. The notch plate includes a plurality of intermediate notches extending only partially through a radial outer periphery thereof, at spaced locations along an arcuate path of movement of a detent element in connection with the valve handle. In one embodiment, the intermediate notches are disposed in radial outer tips of fingers defining a plurality of through notches extending completely through the notch plate, also for receiving the detent element for holding the handle. As a result a greater number of valve positions can be achieved, with robustness and strength to withstand hammer blows, kicking and the like. |
| US08651450B2 |
Adjustable and reusable brace, kicker and tie apparatus
Embodiments of an adjustable and reusable brace, kicker and tie apparatus are disclosed herein. Various embodiments include a bracing arrangement for bracing an inner and an outer form for forming a concrete structure. In various embodiments, the bracing arrangement may include interior and exterior vertical bracing members and a horizontal tie member removably and/or adjustably couple the vertical brace members at respective top or bottom ends of the vertical brace members. In various embodiments, a pair of bracing arrangements may share an exterior vertical brace member, which may be angled, for providing support at a corner of a form. In various embodiments, various bracing arrangement may be employed to form a bracing cage. The bracing arrangements may be constituted with material or materials designed for reusability. |
| US08651448B2 |
Means of stripping concrete formwork from a concrete surface
The invention is a frame for use with formwork to support the formwork for concrete casting and for stripping formwork from a concrete surface where a frame is moveable between a first and second position that supports and holds formwork in place for concrete casting in a first position and that retracts to a second position so as to lower the formwork away from the concrete surface wherein sufficient force is applied to the formwork as the frame retracts to the second position to strip it from the concrete surface. The invention provides a means of both supporting formwork during concrete casting as well as a means of stripping and lowering the formwork after the concrete is cast. |
| US08651447B2 |
Methods and devices for active vibration damping of an optical structure
A vibration damper assembly that may be attached and moved about a payload or optical mount surface of an optical structure such as an optical table. The vibration damper assembly may include a sensor and an actuator that may be disposed within a housing. In some embodiments, the vibration damper assembly or components thereof may be incorporated into an optical structure in the form of an optical component to be disposed or mounted on an optical mount surface of an optical structure such as an optical table. Embodiments of the vibration damper system may include a controller in communication with the damper assembly Embodiments of the controller may use adaptive tuning, auto-ranging selection of gain factors and other features in order to optimize damping performance. |
| US08651446B2 |
PC tablet holder and method of use thereof
A pc tablet holder for suspending pc tablets above the mid-body section of a user lying on bed with the back against the headboard. The holder has a tripod configuration with front legs made from a resilient elongated round bent in inverted “U”-shape and held in position by a string. A rear leg is connected to the “U”-shape's vertex by a retainer. A top clamping element, having a surface to catch the pc tablet's top edge, is carried at the “U”-shape's vertex. A bottom clamping element, having a space to receive the pc tablet's bottom edge, is carried by the string. The holder is placed on the bed with front legs across the user's mid-body section and the rear leg adjacent the user's crotch area. A pc tablet is removably clamped between the top and bottom clamping elements, achieving a hands-free holding of the pc tablet. |
| US08651443B2 |
Device for the clamping attachment of a scale
A device for clamping a scale to an attachment face of a support, the device including a securing element and a clamping element that is secured to a support by the securing element. The clamping element includes a first spring element that is resilient in a first direction toward an attachment face of the support, wherein the first spring element introduces a first clamping force on a scale in a direction of the attachment face. The clamping element further includes a second spring element that is resilient in a second direction that extends perpendicular to the first direction and wherein the second spring element introduces a second clamping force onto the scale in the second direction. |
| US08651442B2 |
Rail attachment structure of electric device
First fitting portions (9a and 9b) and second fitting portions (9c and 9d) are arranged in a hook shape on the bottom (3a) of a housing to face each other. The first fitting portions are fittingly engaged to one rail edge (2a) of a rail (2) in the width direction and the second fitting portions are fittingly engaged to the other rail edge (2b) of the rail. A linear spring (10) bent in a mountain shape is disposed on the bottom of the housing. The linear spring elastically deforms to reduce the inclination angle of the mountain by contacting the end surface of the one rail edge engaged to the first fitting portions. The urging force of the linear spring urges the rail such that the other rail edge is pressed by the second fitting portions. |
| US08651440B2 |
Portable multi-purpose mast for rapid, secure attachment to unsteady, inclined and irregular surfaces
A portable mast capable of supporting a payload that can be fastened to and detached from an unsteady, inclined or irregular surface of attachment. The improvements include a tensioning cable which exerts pressure on the base of the mast in opposition to the surface of attachment, a guide protecting the cable from abrasion, means for adjusting and retaining tension in the cable when the mast is fastened to the surface of attachment, a base capable of housing the fastener to protect the fastener from corrosion and tampering, a base allowing attachment to and pass-through of existing cords crossing the surface of attachment, and a base having resilient compression to conform to an irregular surface of attachment while maintaining pressure between the base and surface of attachment created by tensioning of the cable. Also disclosed is a mast with mechanical means for increasing cable tension in order to secure its tripod base to a surface of attachment. Also disclosed is a mast which can house standardized electronic components required by a variety of payloads, two masts which are capable of communicating with each other to synchronize the movement and operation of payloads, means for passing electronic signals from the surface of attachment through the mast to the payload, and a remote control for electronic communication with a transceiver housed within a mast to control the operations or movement of a payload. |
| US08651439B2 |
Support structure
A support structure having a body, an arm or plurality of arms connected to the body, a quick release device constructed and arranged to move the support structure from a support mode capable of supporting a cover, to a collapsed mode not capable of supporting a structure. A kit for creating a shelter having a support structure, a cover, and a kit housing. |
| US08651435B2 |
Device for mounting systems and aircraft or spacecraft
The present invention provides a device for mounting systems, for example an electrical or fluid-conveying line, on a structure, in particular of an aircraft or spacecraft, the device comprising: a basic holder which can be fastened to the structure; and at least a first system holder for mounting the systems; the basic holder being made up of at least a first part comprising a first interface for fastening the first system holder and a second part comprising a second interface for fastening the first or a second system holder, the interfaces being formed in an identical manner and pointing in different spatial directions. |
| US08651434B2 |
Methods and systems for rail communication
Systems and methods for communicating through a rail are provided. In one embodiment, a method for communicating through a rail is provided. The method includes sending an acoustic signal through the rail of a designated section of track. The acoustic signal includes control commands to remotely control operation of a rail vehicle on the designated section of track. |
| US08651429B2 |
Blended cutout flap for reduction of jet-flap interaction noise
An aircraft system includes a wing and a trailing edge device coupled to the wing. The trailing edge device is movable relative to the wing, and includes a leading edge and a trailing edge having a center flap portion and a plurality of outer edge portions integrally combined with the center flap portion such that the center flap portion is shorter in width than that of outer edge portions. |
| US08651428B2 |
Aircraft wing assembly
An aircraft wing assembly, comprising: a fixed wing portion; a first and second flight control surfaces; a first and second actuators operatively coupled to the first and second flight control surfaces for moving respective first and second flight control surfaces with respect to the fixed wing portion; a control system operatively coupled to the first and second actuators for controlling movement of the first and second flight control surfaces; and a third actuator selectively engaged with the second flight control surface for engaging and moving the second flight control surface out of a path of movement of the first flight control surface only in the event of a failure in the second actuator or its control, so as to avoid direct contact between the first and second flight control surfaces. |
| US08651421B2 |
Aircraft fuselage structure and method for its production
An aircraft fuselage structure which is constructed from a plurality of shells which are joined together is disclosed. Each shell forms part of the aircraft fuselage and comprises a support structure and a skin which is arranged on the latter and outwardly seals the aircraft fuselage in a compression-proof manner. The aircraft fuselage structure comprises an upper and side shell and a lower shell, of which the lower shell has a radius which is essentially significantly larger than the radius of the upper and side shell. The upper and side shell and the lower shell are joined together at transition regions extending in the longitudinal direction of the aircraft. The support structure of the lower shell is designed in terms of its strength in such a manner that it is capable of absorbing the internal pressure loading of the lower shell without the use of a main crossmember. |
| US08651420B2 |
Stowage compartment with space-saving opening mechanism
Overhead stowage compartments are provided for an aircraft. The stowage compartments feature an opening device that can be displaced or rolled up. This may make it possible to prevent lights or air outlets from being covered by pivoting a door upward, as well as to preserve the headroom during the opening process and to prevent collisions between the doors. The architecture of the aircraft may be optimized in this fashion. |
| US08651415B1 |
Engine cowl and inlet cover
A method and apparatus for covering an end of a housing for an engine. In one embodiment, an apparatus comprises a structure, a flange, and a retaining feature. The structure is configured to cover an opening of a housing for an engine. The flange is comprised of a deformable material and is configured to extend from the structure around a circumference of the structure. The retaining feature is configured to extend from a middle portion of the structure such that the retaining feature and the flange form a channel configured to receive an end of the housing. The retaining feature is configured to extend into an inlet of the engine through the opening of the housing to form an interference fit with a portion of an interior surface of the housing. |
| US08651406B2 |
Condiment grinder
A pepper grinder has a body, a grinding mechanism, and a drive mechanism for operating the grinding mechanism by causing relative movement between two grinding members. The drive mechanism has a lever for reciprocating pivotal movement in opposite directions to produce a driving force, a first ratchet arranged to transmit the driving force from the lever, upon pivoting of the lever in the first direction, causing relative movement between the grinding members in a third direction to grind pepper, and a second ratchet arranged to transmit the driving force from the lever, upon pivoting of the lever in the second direction, causing relative movement between the grinding members in the third direction to grind pepper. Upon reciprocating pivoting of the lever in the opposite directions, the first and second ratchets alternate in transmitting the driving force from the lever to the grinding mechanism. |
| US08651405B2 |
Roller mill
The roller mill according to the invention substantially comprises at least one grinding roller and a grinding table, the grinding table having a grinding table inner space which is open in a downward direction, at least one grinding roller drive system for driving the grinding roller and a grinding table drive system for driving the grinding table. The grinding table drive system further has a gearless direct drive which is arranged in the grinding table inner space. |
| US08651402B2 |
Adjustable nozzle tip for paint sprayer
A sprayer that dispenses paint stored in a reservoir body generally includes a housing and a channel member having an outer periphery with a threaded portion and an inner periphery defining an aperture. The channel member extends from the housing. A spray nozzle is connected to the inner periphery in the channel member. A collar member has an inner periphery with a threaded portion that is operable to engage to the threaded portion on the outer periphery of the channel member. A guard member is rotatably engaged with the spray nozzle and movable between an extended condition and a retracted condition. The guard member in the retracted condition is engaged for rotation with the collar member and is operable rotate the threaded portion of the collar member over the threaded portion of the channel member. The guard member in the extended condition is rotatable relative to the collar member. |
| US08651399B2 |
Structure for adjusting showerhead angle
A structure to hang a showerhead includes a fixed base and a supporting unit, wherein the supporting unit has two clamping arms and two conjugating arms, and one side of the clamping arms has a wedging surface that has two conjugating recessed arcs with an inclined angle corresponding to a mounting surface of the fixed base, and the inclined angle of one recessed arc is smaller than the other recessed arc. A conjugating surface extends from one end of the wedging surface, and engages with the other conjugating surface of the other clamping arm. An engaging surface is formed on the other side of the clamping arm to engage with the conjugating arms. According to this structure, the angle of the showerhead can be adjusted based on different inclined angles of the conjugating recessed arcs to further achieve the goal of easily adjusting the angle of water output from the showerhead. |
| US08651395B2 |
Systems and devices for emitting volatile compositions
Systems and devices for emitting volatile materials are disclosed. In some embodiments, devices for emitting two or more fragrance compositions are disclosed. In one non-limiting embodiment of a device, the device has a housing, and the housing is supported on an electrical outlet by a plug at least indirectly joined to the housing. The device contains a first volatile composition and a second volatile composition. The first volatile composition is emitted in an alternating period relative to said second volatile composition. In one embodiment of the device, the volatile compositions are alternately emitted during periods that are each greater than 15 minutes to about 24 hours in length. |
| US08651394B2 |
Laval nozzle for thermal spraying and kinetic spraying
The invention relates to a Laval nozzle for thermal spraying and kinetic spraying, especially for cold gas spraying, with a convergent section and a divergent section. To achieve a better degree of application effect, at least a portion of the divergent section, according to the invention, has a bell-shaped contour. |
| US08651384B2 |
Code reading apparatus and computer program product
A code reading apparatus includes: a storage section storing an applied voltage table showing a relationship between a focal distance of a liquid lens and an applied voltage to the liquid lens; a laser focus section performing laser focus adjustment; a contrast focus section performing contrast focus adjustment; and a correction section correcting a content of the applied voltage table based on a distance from the liquid lens to a subject found by the laser focus section and a corresponding applied voltage with which the subject is brought into focus by the contrast focus section. |
| US08651377B2 |
Analysis system for analyzing biological samples, methods, and computer program product thereof
An analysis system for analyzing biological samples, such as body fluids, methods implemented by the analysis system, and a computer program product for implementing the analysis system are disclosed. The system may include first and second lab devices, at least one of the lab devices may have a user identification component for identifying a user, a device identification component for identifying the lab device, and an interface component for sending a user identifier of the identified user and a device identifier of the lab device. The system may include a server computer having a server interface component for receiving the user identifier and the device identifier, and a processing component for determining a step of a workflow to be executed by the identified user, wherein the server interface component is operable to send a signal being indicative of a determined workflow to the lab device identified by the device identifier. |
| US08651376B2 |
Near field communication device, authentication system using the same and authentication method thereof
A near field communication (NFC) device, an authentication system using the NFC device and an authentication method thereof are provided. The NFC device includes a RFID tag, a loop antenna, a flexible fabric packaging material and an EMI shielding material. The device can be easily adhered to objects including most handsets for mobile phone services. By adopting the authentication system and the authentication method, the device can be paired with a typical mobile phone and used to authenticate the user, thereby enabling mobile payment and mobile banking activities using mobile phones. |
| US08651375B1 |
Gift card and referral card system and method
A system comprising a referral acceptor; a referral coordinator coupled to the referral acceptor; a referral calculator coupled to the referral calculator; and an input/output (I/O) device coupled to the referral coordinator. The referral acceptor is configured to accept a referral card. The referral card has a referrer identifier which identifiers a referrer of a holder of the referral card. |
| US08651371B1 |
Automated banking machine system dependent on unique data bearing record reader operation
An automated banking machine includes a card reader operative to read data from user cards. Read card data enables an authorized machine user to select between receiving currency bills that include a programmable tracking device or currency bills that do not include a programmable tracking device. The automated banking machine can dispense the form of currency bills that corresponds to the user's selection. Prior to dispensing a currency bill that has a programmable tracking device, the automated banking machine stores information related to the read card data in the currency bill. |
| US08651370B1 |
System for providing coded personalized souvenirs
The inventive technology disclosed herein relates to techniques, systems, methods and apparatus for providing coded souvenirs linked to web-based personalized content related to individual consumer identifiers, locality identifiers and/or both as well as to methods and apparatus for providing and servicing a coded personalized souvenir program. Additional embodiments also include laser engraved coded souvenirs. |
| US08651362B2 |
Braze joining of workpieces
A braze joint is made between two workpieces by first forming a thermal shrink fit region between the two workpieces adjacent to, or around, a braze or filler region in which a filler metal is located adjacent to, or within. The filler metal is suitably heated so that it flows in the braze or filler region to form the braze joint of the two workpieces. Cutouts may be formed in the thermal shrink fit region adjacent to the braze or filler region to extend the braze joint region or provide paths for gas byproducts in the brazing process. |
| US08651358B2 |
Single geometry palletized framing system
A palletized framing system for a motor vehicle body assembly system in which the pallet with a body structure positioned thereon is positioned at the framing station on balls to establish the vertical Z dimension with the pallet free to float on the balls in longitudinal X and lateral Y dimensions, whereafter positioners carried by one of the gates of the framing station engage and lock onto the pallet to precisely position the pallet and the body structure at the framing station at X and Y dimensions corresponding to the precisely attainable X and Y positioning of the gate. |
| US08651354B2 |
Ultrasonic bonding systems including workholder and ribbon feeding system
An ultrasonic ribbon bonding system is provided. The ultrasonic ribbon bonding system includes a workholder for supporting a workpiece during a ribbon bonding operation. The workholder defines a first plurality of standoffs extending above a surface of the workholder, the first plurality of standoffs configured to contact the workpiece during the ribbon bonding operation. The ultrasonic ribbon bonding system also includes a bond head assembly carrying a ribbon bonding tool, the ribbon bonding tool being configured to bond a ribbon to the workpiece during the ribbon bonding operation. |
| US08651353B2 |
Gym locker organizer backpack
A utility bag having shoulder straps which allows the bag to be used as a backpack to carry clothing, shoes, wet items, personal grooming items, etc. to a gym. At the gym the utility bag can be hung up on one or more of the locker hooks and, when the front panel of the utility bag is opened, all items in the utility bag can be easily accessed without removing the bag from the locker. The bag has a number of separate internally located compartments where each compartment can have a see thru mesh front panel which allows a user to see the contents of the compartment and allows air to circulate. The bag has pockets which are accessible from the outside of the bag which allow a user to quickly access a desired item such as a cell phone, wallet, etc. without opening the utility bag. |
| US08651352B2 |
Holster for a portable communication device
A holster for a portable device is described. The holster includes a cleaning mechanism for cleaning a surface of a portable device while it is in the holster. The cleaning mechanism comprises a cleaning head movably coupled to a housing of the holster and positioned adjacent an interior surface of the holster; and an actuator coupled to the cleaning head and positioned on an exterior portion of the holster. Movement of the actuator moves the cleaning head, cleaning a portion of a surface of the portable device. |
| US08651351B2 |
Modular interior cargo management assembly in police or commercial vehicle
A cargo management assembly for a vehicle having a support structure having a utility wall and side supports. A cabinet assembly is operably connected with the support structure. A barrier partition is disposed above the utility wall. A floor member is disposed below the cabinet assembly and the barrier partition. The floor member includes a spare tire access panel. |
| US08651349B2 |
Attachment device for a roof rack
The present invention relates to an attachment device by means of which, in use, an object is attached to a roof rack which is or at least can be connected to roof rails of a car, comprising a housing, at least two movable jaws extending to outside the housing, which jaws engage round a roof rack in use, and actuating means provided with an operating element for moving said at least two jaws together, wherein the actuating means are designed to translate the jaws and comprise at least one rack, which rack is engaged when the operating element is operated. The invention further relates to a combination of a roof rack and such an attachment device and to a combination of an object to be attached to a roof rack and such an attachment device. |
| US08651345B2 |
Glove with stationary arrangement
A glove with stationary arrangement includes at least a glove body having a non-operatable area, a glove station having a retention surface, and a magnetic arrangement provided at the non-operatable area of the glove body in a hidden manner, wherein the magnetic arrangement is magnetically affixed at the retention surface to detachably retain the glove body thereon so as to enable the user wearing the glove body in a donning and doffing manner in a hand down position. |
| US08651340B2 |
Fluid reservoir for a handheld device for personal care
A fluid reservoir for storing a fluid for a handheld device includes a housing and a flexible membrane. The flexible membrane delimits a variable storage volume in the housing. The storage volume may be varied by a defamation of the membrane. The variable storage volume has an output port. The fluid reservoir further includes a forcing member to exert a force on the membrane to pressurize a fluid in the storage volume. The forcing member has a recess for receiving a part of the storage volume. The membrane may be received into the recess of the forcing member during a compression stroke. By virtue thereof, a volume defined by the recess may be effectively used to become part of the storage volume for the fluid. |
| US08651339B2 |
Filling system for the metered delivery of a lubricant
A description is given of a filling system for the metered delivery of a lubricant, comprising a container for receiving the lubricant, wherein a rod interacts with the container, is mounted movably with respect to it and forces the lubricant out of an outlet opening arranged in the container. The invention also relates to cartridges for use in the filling system. One of the underlying objects of the invention was that of providing a filling system which can be supplemented by simple workshop means and enables the operator to fill up a lubricating system in a vehicle effortlessly within a short time. This object is achieved by a filling system in which the rod is rotatably mounted with respect to the container and turning of the rod in a predetermined direction of rotation brings about a reduction in the storage volume in the container or a handheld device and in which the rod has means for establishing a rotationally fixed connection with an adaptable turning tool. |
| US08651337B2 |
Foam dispenser having selectively pressurized container
A dispenser is provided including a dispenser housing that receives disposable refill units that are to be replaced when empty. The dispenser housing includes an air compressor and an inflation plug. The inflation plug includes a needle having an outlet and further includes a vent valve in fluid communication with the outlet. The inflation plug is fluidly associated with the air compressor such that the air compressor selectively advances air to the vent valve and to the outlet of the needle. The disposable refill includes a container having an interior with a liquid portion and air portion therein. The container further includes a plug receipt, and the inflation plug of the dispenser housing engages the plug receipt such that the outlet of the needle communicates with the interior of the container. The air compressor injects air into the interior of the container through the outlet of the needle to increase the pressure inside the container, and the vent valve of the inflation plug opens if the pressure of the container rises above a set threshold. |
| US08651336B2 |
Dispensing device, particularly for domestic appliances
A long-life substance dispensing device for a washing machine, particularly a dishwasher, comprises: —a body (20′, 30′) designed to be sealingly fixed to a structure of the washing machine, —a support means (40) adapted to contain a total amount of a substance sufficient for performing a plurality of washing cycles, —an actuation system (47′, 50″, 61″) which is electrically controllable for causing delivery of at least one dose of the substance contained in the support means (40). The actuation system (47′, 50″, 61″) comprises at least one drive element and one driven element (47′) capable of cooperating to obtain the delivery. The actuation system (47′, 50″, 61″) is arranged for being able to take on an operative condition, wherein the drive element (61″) is operatively coupled with the driven element (47′), and an inoperative condition, wherein the drive element (61″) is decoupled from the driven element (47′). |
| US08651333B2 |
Beverage dispensing assembly
The present invention is directed a beverage dispensing machine and beverage dispenser that may be used for mixing and dispensing liquids. The beverage dispenser has a mounting bracket with a carrier that is removably connected to the mounting bracket and a mixing bowl that is removably connected to the carrier. The beverage container also has a first set of fittings extending from the mounting bracket for receiving a first set of liquids and dispensing the first set of liquids into the mixing bowl. The beverage container also has a second set of fittings also extending from the mounting bracket for receiving a second set of liquids and dispensing the second set of liquids into the mixing bowl. |
| US08651324B2 |
Vending machine and method for automatic dispensing of convenience food products
A vending machine for dispensing convenience food products, picked up from a special refrigerated storage compartment, and delivered to an appropriate manual pick-up area. Its structure defines isolated areas communicating by a door; the first area being designed for containment of the products to be dispensed, the second area being designed for handling, picking up and dispensing of the product picked up from the area. The pick-up and delivery area includes a turret having an element for supporting a door adapted to seal and close a corresponding opening of a partition between the areas and; the door rotating with the structure of the turret, as it moves away from the opening, and at least one element for containing the product to be delivered, which is adapted to longitudinally slide along the turret and be opened by a loading and unloading door; the enclosure being displaced by a translating element. |
| US08651323B2 |
Hand protection barrier dispenser
A hand protection barrier dispenser for dispensing disposable sanitary barriers for temporarily covering the hand and providing complete hand protection is disclosed which dispenses the hand protection barriers in a manner so that they may easily be donned by a user thereof. The hand protection barrier operates to open each of the hand protection barriers into a position to be readily donned and dispensed. The hand protection barrier dispenser dispenses only a single hand protection barrier at a time. |
| US08651321B2 |
Gumball machine with lights and sound
A gumball machine includes a gumball container that contains a plurality of gumballs, and a neck portion coupled to the gumball container. The gumball machine has an elongated transparent housing having an upper end coupled to the neck portion, and a base coupled to the lower end of the elongated housing. A speaker is positioned inside the base and is electrically coupled to a switch, a plurality of lighting elements are arranged inside the transparent housing and electrically coupled to the switch, and a power supply is housed inside the base and electrically coupled to the switch, the speaker and the lighting elements. When an actuator is actuated, the actuator turns on the switch to cause the lighting elements to flash, the speaker to broadcast sound and/or music, and a gumball to be dispensed from the gumball container. |
| US08651314B2 |
Foam tank structure improvement
A foam tank structure includes a foam tank, a bag and a foam tube, in which the foam tank is equipped with a manhole and a hole cover, and the upper and lower tank walls are individually placed with a foam injection hole, an inlet opening and a drain opening; the bag is integrated with the hollow bag body within the foam tank, and the upper and lower ends individually connect with a foam injection hole, particularly, the bag has double bag walls forming interlayer space therebetween, and plural anti-wear items integrate within the interlayer space; and the foam tube is installed within the bag and connects the foam injection hole of the foam tank, and plural open-apertures are placed at the tube wall; thereby providing a foam tank structure which improves the durability and operating life of the bag. |
| US08651313B1 |
Underwater cryogenic storage vessel
Technologies are described herein for storing fluid in an underwater cryogenic storage vessel designed for use in a fuel system of an underwater vehicle. According to one aspect of the disclosure, a storage vessel includes at least two concentrically arranged storage tanks, which includes a first storage tank and a second storage tank. The first storage tank surrounds the second storage tank, such that the first storage tank is configured to protect the second storage tank from external environmental conditions. The storage vessel also includes a storage compartment positioned adjacent to the two storage tanks. In one embodiment, the storage vessel may be an underwater cryogenic storage vessel that stores liquid oxygen used as a reactant in a fuel cell and liquid carbon dioxide, which is an effluent of the fuel cell. |
| US08651308B1 |
Cosmetic package container
The present invention is related to a cosmetic package container, in particular, to a three-piece assembly of a cosmetic package container in a hollow spherical shape, comprising a cap unit and a base unit respectively of a semi-spherical hollow shape assembled in a top-down manner together with as a central ring unit having a net structure and attached to an opening of the base unit. A paste of cosmetic material is filled into the container via a filling perforation at the bottom portion of the base unit. The outer surface of the central ring unit is provided with threads for parts of the container to be fastened with ease to form a complete assembly of the container. The cap and base units are of a double-layered structure formed of different materials such that the outer appearance of the container can be of various decorative designs and is practical to use. |
| US08651306B2 |
Flip guide plug structure for bottle
A flip guide plug structure for a bottle includes a lower main body, an upper main body, a lower plug, a guide pipe, an upper plug, a connection unit and two magnetic members. The upper main body can be opened relative to the lower main body through the connection unit, and then positioned by the attraction of the two magnetic members to prevent an unexpected closing. The flip guide plug structure of the present invention is very convenient for use. |
| US08651304B2 |
Dispensing closure
A dispensing closure (10) for dispensing a product from a container (12) includes a cup base (14) and a measuring cup (16). The cup base (14) has an inner skirt (15) configured and arranged to engage a neck (28) of the container (12) and the measuring cup (16). An outer skirt (18) of the cup base (14) has at least one or more latch hook members (30A, 30B) to engage the measuring cup (16). The outer skirt (18) has at least one or more latch hook areas (32A, 32B) configured to disengage the at least one or more latch hook members (30A, 30B). The measuring cup (16) has a stepped shoulder (42A) for engaging the at least one or more latch hook members (30A, 30B) of the cup base (14). In operation, a force is applied to the one or more latch hook areas (32A, 32B) to disengage the one or more latch hook members (30A, 30B) from the stepped shoulder (42A) which permits removal of the measuring cup (16) from the cup base (14). |
| US08651298B2 |
Multi-ply laminated corrugated display rack
A freestanding display rack used for supporting and displaying product at a point of sale. The display rack can be shipped in a knocked-down flattened condition in a compact package and assembled without using tools. The display rack comprises a pair of spaced apart side panels and a plurality of shelves extend between and supported at their opposite ends on the side panels by a plurality of mechanical interlocking engaged between the shelves and the side panels. The plurality of mechanical interlocking comprises slots in the side panels and tabs integral with the shelves on opposite ends thereof extended through the slots. An opening formed in an end of each of the tabs projecting through the slots in the respective side panel. A locking pin inserted in each the opening to prevent withdrawal of the tabs from the slots. A graphics header extends above the shelves and side panels. |
| US08651294B2 |
Rail connector for modular overhead storage system
An overhead rack system is provided that may be mounted to the ceiling of a structure such as a garage for storing items in an organized manner off the floor. The overhead rack system includes a first and second adjustable mounting track and a support surface having a number of side rails connected together by a plurality of rail connectors. The first and second adjustable mounting tracks are adjustable relative to the ceiling mount such that the space between the ceiling and the support surface as well as the overall length of the side rails may be adjusted by the user according to the intended space. |
| US08651288B2 |
Shelf and merchandise display system
A merchandise display system is presented. The display system includes a support frame, a plurality of shelves disposed on the support frame, and a plurality of dividers coupled to each shelf. Each shelf includes a base having a plurality of arcuate surfaces extending continuously as tangent radii from a front end to a rear end of the base. In one embodiment, the arcuate surfaces and the dividers cooperate to define a plurality of lanes. Each lane is dimensioned to accommodate a front to back column of merchandise items. When a merchandise item is placed at the rear end of one of the lanes, the merchandise item traverses the lane by gravity to the forward end of the lane such that the merchandise item is presented to a prospective consumer in a substantially upright and forward facing position. |
| US08651284B2 |
Dialysis membrane with improved removal of middle molecules
A hydrophilic semipermeable hollow-fiber membrane for blood treatment, with an integrally asymmetric structure based on a synthetic polymer. The hollow-fiber membrane possesses on its inner surface a separating layer and an adjoining open-pored supporting layer, and has an ultrafiltration rate in albumin solution of 5 to 25 ml/(h·m2·mmHg). The hollow-fiber membrane is free from pore-stabilizing additives and has a maximum sieving coefficient for albumin of 0.005 and a sieving coefficient for cytochrome c that satisfies the equation SCCC≧5·10−5·UFRAlb3−0.004·UFRAlb2+1.081·UFRAlb−0.25. |
| US08651283B2 |
Mesh screen assembly with reduced pull-out
A mesh screen, for example for filtration wheels used in water treatment, provides a set of pleated filter elements assembled by in-molding the mesh into stringers subdividing a frame. Retention strips following the pleated edges of the filter elements at the stringers include apertures permitting direct clamping of the mesh near the stringers and the ability to visually inspect, after molding, engagement between the molded elements and the mesh while providing an increased engagement area between the mesh and elements of the over-molded frame. |
| US08651280B2 |
Cup retaining apparatus and methods
Cup retaining apparatus and methods are described herein. Retaining a cup or glass within or along a plate assembly allows for the user to hold both the plate and cup or glass with a single hand. Generally, a cup or glass retaining plate assembly may comprise a platform defining an opening which is sized to support a cup or glass extending at least partially through the platform. A retaining clip or arm may be pivotably attached to the platform and movable between a retaining position and a releasing position, wherein the opening opens along a portion of a periphery of the platform such that the cup or glass is secured within the opening when the retaining clip or arm is in the retaining position and wherein the cup or glass is removable when the retaining dip or arm is in the releasing position. |
| US08651279B2 |
Container system
A container system is described. In one or more implementations, the container system comprises a lower container for receiving a first food component (or components) and an upper container assembly for receiving a second food component (or components) so that the second food component is separated from the first food component. The upper container assembly is configured for engagement with the lower container and is operable to be at least partially opened while the upper container assembly is engaged with the lower container to introduce the second food component into the lower container with the first food component. In one or more embodiments, a pull tab is coupled to the upper container assembly. The pull tab is configured to be pulled while the upper container assembly is engaged with the lower container to at least partially open the upper container assembly. |
| US08651278B2 |
Shock-protecting packaging
A thermoformed packaging case has four wall-flanges which abut in ridge-within-groove nesting for interlocking and shock-absorbing closure of the case. Each edge has a pattern of ridges and grooves, and nesting of the edges of the flanges is enabled by a lateral shift in its ridge-groove pattern. Articles contained within the case are cushioned from shock by projections which protrude inwardly from inner surfaces of the walls to resiliently bear against the articles. Each buffer has a top surface surrounded by a valley and hump to provide shock-absorbing resilience. Locking of the case involves a flap hinged to a side-wall. To close a top-wall of the case onto the side-wall, projections of the top-wall enter recesses of the side-wall, and by folding the flap over to insert the projections into reverse recesses of the projections. The projections are snapped into recesses to effect triple-locking of the flap. |
| US08651275B1 |
Flatware napkin holder
A flatware napkin holder combining three elements, a rectangularly folded dinner napkin, a triangular-shaped napkin enfolding a place setting of flatware and a customizable pouch having a closed bottom, closed sides and an open top, the dinner napkin, luncheon napkin and flatware sitting inside the pouch, extending through the open top. The pouch is customizable to complement a motif for any festive occasion with an additional ornamentation. The flatware napkin holder can be used as a place card holder for a table having assigned seats. The dinner napkin, the luncheon napkin, the pouch and the pouch ornamentation can be the same color or complementary colors, using two or more colors, resulting in an exceedingly large number of possible combinations to match any color theme of the decorating motif. |
| US08651273B2 |
Convertible tool bag
A tool bag that includes a tool bag body formed from a base with first and second endwalls attached to opposite end portions of the base. The tool bag body also includes a first sidewall attached to a side of the tool bag body that is releasably attached to the first endwall and releasably attached to the second endwall, and a second sidewall attached to a second side of the tool bag body opposite the first sidewall. The second sidewall includes a sidewall section flexibly joined to a cover section, where the sidewall section is releasably attached to vertical portions of the first endwall and the second endwall. The removable cover is removably attachable to a top portion of the first and second endwalls. The tool bag can also include a rotatable handle and a tool wall for simple, secure storage of tools. |
| US08651270B2 |
Hydrogen energy systems
Hydrogen energy systems for obtaining hydrogen gas from a solid storage medium using controlled laser beams. Also disclosed are systems for charging/recharging magnesium with hydrogen to obtain magnesium hydride. Other relatively safe systems assisting storage, transport and use (as in vehicles) of such solid storage mediums are disclosed. |
| US08651267B2 |
Conveying screw apparatus for transporting loose material
A conveying screw apparatus for transporting loose material. The apparatus includes:—a power unit apt to rotate an Archimedes screw pushing the loose material;—a charging hopper of the loose material in a tubular body containing the Archimedes screw and the loose material; —a feeding channel of the loose material towards a user; —pushing elements of the loose material present in the feeding channel; and —a back flow preventing device, preventing the back flow of pushing air together with loose material; such a device closing, in case, a through hole to the feeding channel. The back flow preventing device includes a shutter, provided with a plate, undergoing the action of a helical spring which, in any opening/closing step of the through hole, is always substantially perpendicular to the feeding first direction of the material in the tubular body. |
| US08651266B2 |
Oil supply device for conveyance device
An oil supply device for a conveyance device, comprising a conveyance chain, an upper rail in which the chain travels and an oil supply device provided above the upper rail. A groove portion is provided at an inner surface side of the upper rail. An upper key member is positioned between the groove portion and the chain to support the upper portion of the chain. An oil supply hole, through which oil passes, is formed at a position of the upper rail which corresponds to a position above the upper key member. The oil, dropped from the oil supply device, passes through the oil supply hole of the upper rail and is applied to an upper surface of the upper key member. The oil applied to the upper surface of the upper key member is flown along the upper surface and the side surface thereof and supplied to the chain. |
| US08651263B2 |
Conveyor systems with center guide assemblies
A conveyor system includes a conveyor surface formed of a plurality of rollers in a single file arrangement. A center guide assembly has a guide configuration where a center guide member extends between adjacent ones of the plurality of rollers and beyond the conveyor surface and a recessed configuration where the center guide member is recessed from the conveyor surface. |
| US08651262B2 |
Circuit board inspection apparatus
A circuit board inspection apparatus is equipped with a plurality of lane divided sections for transferring circuit boards, a plurality of movable transfer devices disposed on the plurality of the lane divided sections and having transfer portions for transferring the circuit boards, and visual recognition positions disposed adjacent to the plurality of the lane divided sections in a Y direction. The plurality of the movable transfer devices transfer the circuit boards from the lane divided sections to the visual recognition positions. One of the movable transfer devices has a height adjustment portion that moves a corresponding one of the transfer portions in a Z direction to prevent the movable transfer device from interfering with a corresponding one of the lane divided sections, in transferring one of the circuit boards from one of the lane divided sections to one of the visual recognition positions. |
| US08651261B2 |
Dual hopper tubular food product launcher and method with robotic pick belt
A tubular food product launching system and method for interacting with a product loading head is disclosed. The system includes a pick belt, positioned alongside product carrying intermediate belts. The pick belt supplies additional product to a product inspector or vision equipped robot cell to replace defective or missing product observed on the intermediate belt(s) with replacement product from the pick belt. The overall system speed, and pick belt speed, can be adjusted to accommodate varying product post-launcher fill-rates in accord with the nature of the product and the abilities and speed of the robot cell and/or product inspector, so as to reliably assure 100% final fill-rate as product is fed to the loading head. |
| US08651260B2 |
Method and device for handling drink containers
A method and a device for handling containers is described, wherein the containers are transported along a predetermined transport path and combined with at least one other product, the amount of which can be determined, in such a way that the product is fed to each individual container in a predetermined feed area of the transport path, wherein the other product is routed along a feed path to the feed area. At least one characterizing state is determined in a detection area disposed upstream relative to the feed area in a direction of transport of the containers, the state being characteristic of a number of containers fed, and a residual amount for the product that remains to be fed to the predetermined feed area until the product is switched is determined as a function of this characteristic state. |
| US08651256B2 |
Method and arrangement for determining the wear condition of a shifting clutch
A method of determining the wear condition of a shifting clutch (1) of a motor vehicle which is provided either for interrupting the force flow or equalizing the rotation speed between a drive output shaft (2) of an internal combustion engine (3) and a drivetrain (4). The wear condition of the clutch (1) is determined from the parameters of clutch release path (sausrück) the and release force (Fausrück), at a release bearing (5) of the clutch (1) and, for this purpose, a difference between the clutch release path (sausrück), at a first increase-point (11; 12) of the release force (Fausrück) and at a reference point (13) represented by a second increase of the release force (Fausrück), is measured when the clutch is actuated. |
| US08651255B2 |
Clutch actuating apparatus for double clutch transmission
A clutch actuating apparatus for a double clutch transmission, may include an operation rod that constructs an operation stroke for engaging a clutch while moving straight, an electric power unit that generates a rotational force, a straight converting unit that converts the rotational force of the electric power unit into a straight movement force for moving straight the operation rod, a supplement force supplying unit for increasing the straight movement force of the operation rod and removing increased straight movement force in accordance with whether the operation rod engages or disengages the clutch, a rod locating unit that changes a position of the operation rod relative to the straight converting unit, and a housing that accommodates the straight converting unit and the supplement force supplying unit and covers the operation rod with a portion exposed to the outside. |
| US08651254B2 |
Apparatus for a disk brake
An apparatus for a disk brake comprises a caliper body having an inner peripheral surface and a seal groove disposed at the inner peripheral surface. The inner peripheral surface is dimensioned to slidably receive a piston therein, wherein the piston moves in a direction of a braking direction axis, and the seal groove is dimensioned to receive a seal therein so that the seal can seal a space between the inner peripheral surface and the piston. The seal groove comprises a movement restricting part that restricts movement of the seal in the direction of the braking direction axis, and a movement permitting part formed as a step facing radially inwardly. |
| US08651248B2 |
Brake disk
A brake disk is described that has a friction ring and a disk chamber connected to the friction ring via connecting links. Bores, into which the connecting links are inserted, are formed in the circumference of the friction ring. The connecting links are calibrated using a die before being inserted into the bore. A calibration ball is introduced into the bore with the aid of which the wall of the bore is calibrated when the connecting link is inserted. |
| US08651247B2 |
Direct drive braking system including an integrated package bearing
A wheel bearing hub and disc brake rotor assembly for use on vehicles includes a rotor (14) and a wheel mount (24), formed as a package bearing, fastened to the rotor with a connection assembly that promotes in plane torque transfer. The rotor has a flange form as a series of spaced tabs (20), and the wheel bearing hub (14) has a shoulder with complementary spaced tabs (34). The rotor is connected to the bearing hub by clamping a bridge (42) that spans the shoulder tabs over the rotor tabs. A spring clip (50) can be use with the bridge to accommodate thermal expansion of the rotor and eliminate rattling. Torque is transferred from the brake rotor to the bearing hub in a common plane to prevent twisting. In one embodiment, the bearing hub shoulder tabs may be formed by milling or machining slots. In another embodiment, the bearing hub shoulder tabs may be formed by fine-blanking or stamping slots. |
| US08651244B2 |
Hydraulic brake device
A hydraulic brake device includes a carrier body. The carrier body is integrally molded. The carrier body has at least one assembling portion disposed thereon for assembling purpose. The carrier body has at least one connecting portion respectively extending from the at least one assembling portion. At least one hydraulic brake assembly movably is mounted on the at least one connecting portion of the carrier body. The carrier body with the at least one brake assembly are adapted to assemble with a bicycle for providing a stable assembling effect, a high structural strength, and lightweight effect. |
| US08651242B2 |
Elevator system with freely locatable call terminal
In a method for adapting control functions in elevator systems using portable call terminals for providing calls, values of the control parameters are set and then used in the control of the elevator system. The values of the control parameters are dependent on the location of the call terminals. An elevator system includes: at least one elevator; at least one freely locatable call terminal; and a control system responsive to the call terminal. The control system is configured to control the elevator system based on at least one control parameter. A value of the control parameter is determined based on a location of the call terminal within a building after the portable call terminal is arranged at the location. |
| US08651237B2 |
Worker support cage for front end loader bucket
An apparatus is provided for lifting a worker into an elevated work position. The apparatus includes a worker-support cage configured for engagement with a bucket of a front-end loader. |
| US08651236B2 |
Operator cage
An operator cage for a machine such as a mobile elevating work platform comprises a base unit (22) and a fence assembly (25) releasably attached to the base unit, wherein the cage (6) is constructed and arranged to be readily disassembled for convenient transportation. |
| US08651233B2 |
Acoustic structure with increased bandwidth suppression
The bandwidth or acoustical range of a nacelle or other type of acoustic structure is increased by acoustically coupling honeycomb cells together to form pairs of acoustic cells that have an effective acoustic or resonator length that is up to twice that of either acoustic cell taken alone. |
| US08651226B2 |
Rack-driven power steering apparatus
A rack-driven power steering apparatus mitigates frictional force and noise produced due to iron powder generated by continuous frictions while balls are circulating in inner peripheral screw grooves and outer peripheral screw groove defined by a rack bar and a ball nut. The rack-driven power steering apparatus collects iron powder scattered between the rack bar and the ball nut in one place so that the iron powder can be easily removed. Therefore, the rack-driven power steering apparatus protects components, increases durability, and improves maintenance efficiency. |
| US08651223B2 |
Synchronizing system for hydraulic four wheel steering
A synchronizing system for hydraulic four wheel steering includes double acting front and rear steering cylinders. The front and rear steering cylinders are moveable between retracted and extended positions in response to the position of a power steering valve. A synchronizing valve assembly is connected by hydraulic lines between the front and the rear steering cylinders, and includes a first directional relief valve that opens in response to hydraulic fluid pressure to synchronize both steering cylinders in a full left turn position, and a second directional relief valve that opens in response to hydraulic fluid pressure to synchronize both steering cylinders in a full right turn position. |
| US08651221B2 |
Saddle riding type vehicle
A saddle riding type vehicle having a structure that supports a handle is provided. A handle cover includes first and second covers and a pulley cover. The first cover covers a front or rear part of a handle. The second cover covers the other side of the front or rear part of the handle. The pulley cover is provided in a space surrounded by the first and second covers. The first cover is provided with a pulley providing groove that covers a part of a pulley. The pulley is provided in the pulley providing groove. The pulley cover is provided on a side where the second cover is provided to the first cover. The pulley cover is attached to the first cover and covers the pulley together with the pulley providing groove. |
| US08651217B2 |
Structure of engine mount for vehicle
A structure of an engine mount is provided for a vehicle in which an engine is disposed in the front of the vehicle, a front wheel is driven, and the engine is integrally coupled with a transmission to be seated horizontally on a vehicle body in a transverse mounting direction. The structure may include a driveshaft coupled to receive the driving force of the engine through the transmission and penetrate a center bearing through a bearing bracket fixed to the engine, a subframe as a plate shape coupled to the vehicle body in a rear lower part of the engine and coupled to a lower part of the transmission through a main roll rod mounted on the front, and a sub-roll rod having one end connected to the subframe and the other end connected to the bearing bracket. |
| US08651212B2 |
Battery holder
The invention relates to a battery holder which is configured to be inserted into the tube opening in the seat tube of the frame of an electric bicycle and to be pulled out. The bicycle saddle is connected to the battery holder via a saddle pillar. |
| US08651210B2 |
System and method for extracting propulsion energy from motor vehicle exhaust
Engine exhaust is sent to a reformer, which produces hydrogen from fuel remaining in the exhaust. The hydrogen may be stored in a hydrogen tank, and may be used by a fuel cell to produce electricity to recharge a vehicle battery and/or to supply propulsion current to an electric propulsion system. |
| US08651190B2 |
Shear boost triggering and bottle reducing system and method
Systems can be configured to move a ram block in a blowout preventer. The system includes: a first bank of accumulators configured to provide a first pressure to move the ram block; a second bank of accumulators configured to provide a second pressure to move the ram block, wherein the second pressure is greater than the first pressure; and a controller configured to sequentially control the first bank of accumulators to apply pressure to move the ram block and to then control the second bank of accumulators to move the ram block after the first bank of accumulators has moved the ram block a first distance. |
| US08651188B2 |
Gas lift barrier valve
A gas lift valve that has a longitudinally extending tubular body having an inlet and an outlet, a flow path extending between the inlet and the outlet, and a flow tube located inside the body. The flow tube is translatable in the axial direction between at least a first and a second position. A venturi orifice located inside the body along the flow path. A seal part is located proximate to the outlet of the body. A flapper is connected with the body by way of a hinge part and the flapper has at least a first open position and a second closed position. The closed position is where the flapper contacts the seal thereby closing the flowpath and the second closed position is where the flapper does not contact the seal and does not close the flowpath. |
| US08651187B2 |
Method and apparatus to treat well stimulation fluids in-situ
A method and apparatus for the management of injection and production of well fluids in a subterranean well is described to optimize the use of stimulation fluids to enhance their compatibility with subterranean reservoirs and the surface environment and thereby reducing the damage said fluids induce in subterranean reservoirs and upon flow back to the surface reduce their damage to the environment is described. More specifically, this method is directed to the subterranean treatment of injection fluids. |
| US08651185B2 |
Reducing or stopping the uncontrolled flow of fluid such as oil from a well
The uncontrolled flow of fluid from an oil or gas well may be reduced or stopped by injecting a composition including 2-cyanoacrylate ester monomer into the fluid stream. Injection of the monomer results in a rapid, perhaps instantaneous, polymerization of the monomer within the flow stream of the fluid. This polymerization results in formation of a solid plug that reduces or stops the flow of additional fluid from the well. |
| US08651183B2 |
Robotic exploration of unknown surfaces
The subject matter describes a tactile sensing device comprising an end effector and a control unit. The control unit is capable of receiving tactile information from the at least one end effector. The device enables a user to identify and relatively quickly map the shape and location of unknown surfaces. |
| US08651182B2 |
Dog with skirt to transfer housing loads in a subterranean tool
A plurality of rows of locking dogs are provided with housing flexibility between rows to allow them to share a shear loading while leaving enough structural integrity in the housing to define the windows through which the dogs emerge. The dogs can also have extensions with a surface that grippingly engages the housing adjacent the window on extension of the dogs such that loads can transfer from the housing into the extension and into the profile in which the dog is disposed rather than passing the shear stress through the window edge into the dog that is in the profile. The dog configuration can also share the load on multiple contact surfaces of the housing to reduce stress at each contact location. |
| US08651178B2 |
Packer
A packer for a well. The packer comprises a seal element and seal setting apparatus. The seal setting apparatus is moveable with respect to the seal element in a setting direction to apply a setting force to the seal element to move the seal element from a run-in configuration to a set configuration in which, in use, the seal element forms a contact seal with a conduit wall. In use, the packer is arranged such that, in the set configuration, a pressure differential across the packer, which creates a force in the setting direction, will increase the setting force applied by the seal setting apparatus to the seal element to maintain the seal. |
| US08651177B2 |
Long-lasting hydraulic seals for smart shuttles, for coiled tubing injectors, and for pipeline pigs
A well conveyance apparatus for conveying equipment into a wellbore possessing long-lasting movable and slidable hydraulic seals against the interior of a borehole casing located within a wellbore in a geological formation in the earth that is caused to move by the application of pressurized wellbore fluids against the seals. The seals are allowed to rotate on bearings about the tool mandrel to prevent the build-up of torque on the seals to minimize wear and to extend the life of the seals. Vibratory means are attached to the tool mandrel to vibrate the sealing portion of the seals, so as the extend the life of the seals and to minimize wear of the seals. Sensor arrays provide information to a computer system that is used to control the vibratory means, pressure relief valves, and other parameters to minimize wear of the hydraulic seals. |
| US08651170B2 |
Exhaust gas heat exchanger
Heat is exchanged between exhaust gas passing through a plurality of tubes and cooling water passing through a plurality of passages defined outside of the plurality of tubes layered with each other. A heat exchanger includes a temperature decreasing portion arranged in a predetermined area on an outer surface of the tube adjacent to an inlet side of exhaust gas. The temperature decreasing portion is configured to decrease a temperature of a thermal boundary layer of the outer surface of the tube relative to cooling water by increasing a heat transmitting ratio between the outer surface of the tube and cooling water. |
| US08651167B1 |
Sand printed mold package for casting a wheel assembly having directional solidification features
A mold package for casting a wheel assembly includes a sand printed drag mold having a cavity with a chill support chamber and a metal chill received in the support chamber. The mold package further includes at least one sand printed mold insert received in the cavity of the sand printed drag mold and a sand printed cope mold coupled to the sand printed drag mold such that a casting cavity for the wheel assembly is created by the exterior inner surfaces of the cope mold, the drag mold and the at least one insert. |
| US08651163B1 |
Geometric design for ultrasonic welding tools
Ultrasonic welding tools for joining two or more components include a horn and an anvil. The horn work surface(s) has a plurality of protrusions, each having a base, a lower portion projecting from the base, and an upper domed portion projecting from the lower portion, substantially resembling a domed cone. The anvil work surface(s) has a plurality of protrusions, each having a basal portion and an upper tapering portion projecting from the base, substantially resembling a pyramid. The span of each pyramid base is no greater than the span of each domed cone base. The geometric center of each domed cone base on each horn work surface aligns with the geometric center of the valley surrounded by four adjacent pyramids on the matching anvil work surface. |
| US08651159B2 |
Die bonder providing a large bonding force
A die bonder is provided comprising a bond head including a collet for picking up a die and bonding the die at a bonding site. The die bonder further comprises a first motor which is connected to the collet by a shaft for driving the collet in driving directions towards and away from the bonding site and a second motor which is connected to the bond head for driving the bond head in directions parallel to the driving directions of the first motor. A rotary motor is also operatively connected to the collet for rotating the collet about a rotational axis that is parallel to the driving directions of the first motor. The shaft is slidably connected to the rotary motor and is slidable relative to the rotary motor when it is driven by the first motor to move. |
| US08651158B2 |
Processing microtitre plates for covalent immobilization chemistries
Disclosed herein is a method of: treating an organic polymer with an electron beam-generated plasma; exposing the treated polymer to air or an oxygen- and hydrogen-containing gas, generating hydroxyl groups on the surface of the polymer; reacting the surface with an organosilane compound having a chloro, fluoro, or alkoxy group and a functional or reactive group that is less reactive with the surface than the chloro, fluoro, or alkoxy group; and covalently immobilizing a biomolecule to the functional or reactive group or a reaction product thereof. |
| US08651156B2 |
Honeycomb structures for high shear flexure
The present invention provides an improved shear band for use in non-pneumatic tires, pneumatic tires, and other technologies. The improved shear band is uniquely constructed of honeycomb shaped units that can replace the elastomeric continuum materials such as natural or synthetic rubber or polyurethane that are typically used. In particular, honeycomb structures made of high modulus materials such as metals or polycarbonates are used that provide the desired shear strains and shear modulus when subjected to stress. When used in tire construction, improvements in rolling resistance can be obtained because of less mass being deformed and reduced hysteresis provided by these materials. The resulting mass of the shear band is greatly reduced if using low density materials. Higher density materials can be used (such as metals) without increasing mass while utilizing their characteristic low energy loss. |
| US08651155B2 |
Hydraulic piston pump assembly for air maintenance tire
An air-maintenance tire system includes a compression actuator mounted to the tire carcass configured for operative actuation by tire deformation during a tire revolution, a pump assembly affixed to the tire carcass and including a compressor body affixed to the compression actuator and having an internal air chamber, the air chamber having an inlet opening for admitting air into the internal air chamber and an outlet opening for conducting air from the internal air chamber to the tire cavity. The air compressor body further includes a piston valve member and an outlet valve member located within and at opposite respective ends of the internal air chamber, the piston valve member and the outlet valve member moving within the internal air chamber responsive to actuation by the compression actuator between respective open and closed positions, whereby cyclically opening and closing the inlet and the outlet openings during an air compression cycle. The compression actuator includes a hollow containment body formed from a resilient deformable material composition and containing a quantity of a non-compressible medium. The containment body is affixed to a relatively high flex-deformation region of the tire carcass and reciprocally transforms between a deformed state and a non-deformed state to generate a compression force against a piston valve member surface and move the piston valve between the open and closed positions within the air chamber. |
| US08651154B1 |
Tire traction device
A tire traction device installable on a vehicle tire tread surface, including a parallelepiped strip of a polymeric material, the strip having a protruding tread in a repeat pattern across an exterior surface, each strip having an interlocking hinge at the strip front and rear end by which the strip connects to other such strips by means of an insertable pin, the strip secured to the vehicle wheel by means of an adjustable belt member, the belt member having a buckle piece and a thread piece, secured around the vehicle wheel rim by means of a fastener. |
| US08651153B2 |
Device for increasing tire friction and method of using the same
A device and method for increasing tire friction is provided. The device is especially suitable for use on slippery roads, such as roads which have snow and/or ice. The device is permanently secured to the vehicle wheel assembly and easily installed over the tire for use. The device has a plurality of friction grips which independently move from an inactive first position secured to a sidewall of a housing center of the device to an active second position secured over the tire of the vehicle wheel assembly. |
| US08651150B2 |
Method for simultaneously weaving two fabrics, fabric adapted to be woven with such a method and loom usable with such a method
This method, for simultaneously weaving on a loom two fabrics (42, 44) provided with piles (424, 444), comprises the steps of weaving an inner layer (FL2, FL4) and an outer layer (BL2, BL4) for each distance fabric, binding the inner and outer layers with connecting warp yarns (401-404) extending between the inner and outer layers, weaving pile warp yarns (501, 502) between the distance fabrics, and cutting the pile yarns. During weaving, the inner and outer layers of each distance fabric are kept apart by respective lancet means (202, 204). Moreover, for each pick (P1-P13) and for each connecting warp yarn (401-404) and each pile warp yarn (501, 502), one selects on the basis of the information relating to the layer (BL2, FL2, BL4, FL4) in which said warp yarn has been interlaced in the previous pick, on the basis of the shedding pattern and amongst several predetermined positions, a position (A1-A8, B1-B12) to be taken by a shedding element (10) driving said warp yarn (401-404, 501, 502) during said pick. |
| US08651147B2 |
Apparatus for increasing the bending strength of tubes
The present embodiments relate to an apparatus which can be used to increase the bending strength of a tube in its connection region. The apparatus may include an adapter unit, the shape of which is matched to a cross-sectional shape of a tube end in such a manner that on the one hand the adapter unit can be fitted to a tube connection of a device instead of the tube end and on the other hand the tube end can be fitted to the adapter unit. The apparatus may also include at least one spring element made of glass fiber reinforced plastic, which is connected to the adapter unit, projects out of the adapter unit in the direction of the tube and has a termination element at the projecting end, against which termination element a fitted tube abuts when subjected to bending, so that the rigidity of the spring element increases the bending strength of the tube in the region between the adapter unit and the element. |
| US08651146B2 |
Cable stand-off
The different embodiments of the cable stand-off serve as a thermally inslutative protector. In one embodiment, the cable stand-off includes an elongated member defining a lumen therethrough, and a plurality of fins extending from an outer surface of the elongated member, wherein the plurality of fins includes sets of fins, each set of fins being spaced a longitudinal distance from one another and being positioned around a circumference of the elongated member. Another embodiment of the cable stand-off comprises an elongated member having a helical shape and surrounding at least a portion of a length of at least one energy transmission conduit. In yet another embodiment, a cable stand-off comprises an elongated surrounding at least a portion of a length of an energy transmission conduit, wherein the elongated member is made of a non-flammable, low particulate, flexible fiber material. |
| US08651145B2 |
End seal
A kit, apparatus, and method for sealing a junction between a manhole and a pipe within a sewer system are provided. In a first embodiment, the end of a pipe adjacent a manhole is sealed by the use of a pipe liner and a tubular sleeve made of a hydrophilic material. The tubular sleeve is held in place by a mechanical fastener and a pipe liner is installed or otherwise placed through the tubular sleeve and against the wall of the pipe. In a second embodiment, a majority of the area surrounding a junction of a pipe and a manhole is sealed by the use of a tubular sleeve made of a hydrophilic material including a flange portion, a mechanical fastener, a pipe liner, and a manhole liner. |
| US08651143B2 |
Device for shutting a jettisoning circuit of an aircraft
A device for shutting an aircraft jettisoning circuit includes a coupling endpiece. The endpiece carries a sealing gasket and means suitable for modifying a dimension of the gasket. |
| US08651134B1 |
Tool for oil filter drainage
A draining tool useful for controlled draining of a fluid container, such as a threaded spin-on type oil filter. The draining tool includes a piercing pin having a tapered point, striking head, resilient spring, resilient spring retainer assembly, and piercing pin retainer assembly. The draining tool includes a central block having an axial bore housing the piercing pin, and an internal chamber having a channel permitting drainage of fluid from the internal chamber. One end of the central block provides an attachment assembly suitable for holding the tool against the fluid container allowing the fluid container to be pierced by the piercing pin and the internal chamber to receive fluid flowing from the fluid container. |
| US08651129B2 |
Method and arrangement for generating or depositing a stream of fluid segments and use thereof
An arrangement and method for generating or depositing a stream of m>1 fluid segments, respectively separated by an intermediary medium which does not mix with the fluid segments. The arrangement includes a molded body having a channel for conducting the fluid stream, from which n≧m first access lines and n second access lines branch off. The first and second access lines are configured so to be inserted into n wells. The lengths of the first access lines differ from the lengths of the second access lines, and respectively one first valve is arranged in the channel, between the branching location for each second access line and the branching location for each associated first access line, and wherein respectively a second valve is arranged in each second access line. |
| US08651127B2 |
Method for operating a sanitary tank for a rail vehicle
The invention relates to a method for operating a tank for receiving fluids in a sanitary system of a rail vehicle, wherein a) the fill level of the tank is registered; b) in the event that the fill level registered in step a) is equal to or greater than a fill level specified for the tank, ice formation is permitted for a time period specified for the tank; c) in the event that the fill level registered in step a) falls below the specified fill level, the tank is emptied; or d) in the event that the fill level registered in step a) falls below the specified fill level, the fill level is increased with fluid from a fresh water tank, and subsequently, steps b) or c) are carried out. |
| US08651117B2 |
Applicator for applying cosmetic composition to the eyelashes or eyebrows
An applicator used to apply a cosmetic composition to the eyelashes or the eyebrows includes a stem having a distal stem portion extending along a longitudinal axis and further includes a brush extending from the distal stem portion. The brush includes a core supporting bristles. The core extends along a longitudinal axis that is entirely contained within a plane. The core further has a first curve that is concave towards a first side of the core and a second curve, different from the first curve, that is concave towards a second side of the core opposite from the first side of the core. The longitudinal axis of the core crosses the longitudinal axis of the distal stem portion at least once. The core of the brush extends along the longitudinal axis of the core towards a free end of the core without turning back towards the distal stem portion. |
| US08651116B2 |
Dental flossing material with monofilament threader
The present invention relates to a dental cleaning aid. The aid includes a threader (or leader) including a monofilament. A follower is provided for following the threader and the follower is at least in part wider than the monofilament. Preferably, the aid includes a loop or fold fastening arrangement by which the threader and follower are fastened together. In one embodiment, the arrangement includes a fold or loop of the follower engaged with a fold or loop of the threader. |
| US08651113B2 |
Magnetically responsive nanoparticle therapeutic constructs and methods of making and using
Magnetically responsive therapeutic carriers comprise nanoparticles including single-domain nanoparticles comprising magnetite and having an average particle size ranging between 1 and 50 nanometers, clusters of the single-domain nanoparticles, the clusters having an average cluster size ranging between 5 and 1000 nanometers, and mixtures of the two. The single-domain nanoparticles are encapsulated with a silica coating. A silane coupling agent is bonded to the silica coating and has a specific pendant functional group capable of selectively binding with the therapeutic. Preferably, the bond between the specific pendant functional group and the therapeutic is a covalent bond. The movement of magnetically responsive nanoparticle therapeutic constructs, with concentration and extravasation/endocytosis at a target site, such as cancerous tumors, uses a controllable magnetic field generator adapted to move the therapeutic constructs in three dimensions, and is enhanced using a repetitively-varying magnetic field. A method for treating cancer comprises administering and magnetically guiding a therapeutic construct comprising paclitaxel. |
| US08651106B1 |
Internal nose filter mounting device, method, and kit
Internal nose filter mounting devices, methods and kits are provided. The nose filter mounting device includes first and second septum magnets, each septum magnet having two opposing faces and being configured to be inserted into a nostril of a user such that one face is adjacent the nasal septum therein and the first and second septum magnets may magnetically engage across the septum. The nose filter mounting device also includes first and second filter magnets connected to the first and second septum magnets, respectively, each filter magnet being configured to mate with filter elements in the nostrils of the user. |
| US08651102B2 |
Emergency ventilation apparatus, system, and method
An emergency ventilation apparatus, system, and method for providing ventilation to patients in emergency situations, the system comprising an angled laryngoscope handle and a ventilation-aid securement device. The handle is configured to hold a laryngoscope blade between approximately twenty and forty degrees relative to a lower portion of the handle for more effective intubation of patients. The securement device fits atop a portion of a ventilating mask and is adjustably secured to the patient fitted with the mask by an adjustable strap or similar device. The securement device fits flexibly over the mask providing a seal between the mask and the patient's face. A version of the securement device includes a thumbscrew for engaging with the mask to secure it. Another version of the securement device is further capable of securing an endotracheal tube to a patient using a thumbscrew to advance a retaining arm for engaging the tube. |
| US08651101B2 |
Nebulizer kit and nebulizer
A nebulizer kit includes a case body, a flow channel formation member that covers an opening in an upper area of the case body, and a cylindrical aerosol discharge port that passes through a portion of the top surface of the flow channel formation member located toward the outer edge thereof. The case body and/or the flow channel formation member includes a rotation mechanism that, when the case body has overturned and the aerosol discharge port has become positioned on the lower side in the vertical direction of the top surface of the flow channel formation member, causes the case body to rotate in a circumferential direction to cause the aerosol discharge port to move away from a lower side in the vertical direction. Even if the nebulizer kit has overturned, a liquid within the nebulizer kit is prevented from spilling. |
| US08651099B2 |
Oven appliance with a mechanism for securing a pair of doors in a closed configuration
An oven appliance is provided having a pair of doors mounted to a cabinet of the appliance and configured for permitting selective access to a cooking chamber of the oven appliance. A mechanism selectively secures the pair of doors in a closed configuration such that access to the cooking chamber is impeded by the pair of doors. |
| US08651095B2 |
Bowstring cam arrangement for compound crossbow
A compound bow or crossbow employs bowstring cams with bowstring cam grooves and power cord cam grooves. Preferably a pair of generally identical power cord cam grooves are positioned axially above and below the bowstring cam groove. The power cords are anchored to a fixed anchor point, e.g., a pylon, on the near end of the riser or on the near side of the crossbow bar or stock. The power cords do not cross over to the other limb. The reduction in the number of cam wheels and pulleys and in the number of strings or cords results in greater efficiency and higher transfer of energy from the bow to the arrow or bolt. There is no drop-off in pull weight at full draw. The bolt or arrow accelerates throughout the travel of the bowstring, resulting in significantly higher velocity. |
| US08651093B2 |
Sludge adhesion inhibiting structure for internal combustion engine
A sludge adhesion inhibiting structure for an internal combustion engine according to the present invention is characterized in that a sludge inhibiting layer inhibiting generation or adhesion of sludge is formed on a surface of an area inside the internal combustion engine into which oil as a liquid does not always spread and which is contacted by oil mist as a gas. Preferably, the sludge inhibiting layer is made up of a solid alkali substance. Furthermore, the sludge inhibiting layer is provided in a head cover and formed on an inner surface of an oil separator chamber separating the oil from a blow-by gas. |
| US08651085B2 |
Piston-pin bearing lubrication system and method for a two-stroke internal combustion engine
An improved lubrication system and method for the normally contacting and abutting piston pin and connecting rod journal bearing surfaces of an internal combustion engine that includes an inertia pump in a connecting rod. The inertia pump reacts to the movement of the connecting rod and conveys a predetermined measure of lubricating oil at a high enough pressure to overcome the forces which cause the surfaces to normally maintain contact. By separating the normally contacting surfaces of the pin and the connecting rod journal, the surfaces become lubricated. Several embodiments of inertia pumps provide variations in implementing the invention. |
| US08651083B2 |
Cylinder block and thermally sprayed coating forming method
A cylinder block is provided with a cylinder bore and a thermally sprayed metallic coating disposed on an internal wall of the cylinder bore. The internal wall has first and second wall sections that are located at different axial locations along the internal wall of the cylinder bore. The thermally sprayed metallic coating is disposed on the internal wall of the cylinder bore by spraying droplets of a molten metal. The thermally sprayed metallic coating includes a first thermally sprayed coating portion having a first iron oxide concentration and a second thermally sprayed coating portion having a second iron oxide concentration. The first thermally sprayed coating portion is disposed on the first wall section. The second thermally sprayed coating portion is disposed on the second wall section. The second iron oxide concentration is different from the first iron oxide concentration. |
| US08651077B2 |
Fluid-pressure-operated valve timing controller
A fluid-pressure-operated valve timing controller includes an outer rotor, an inner rotor, and a spiral spring constructed by an element wire spirally extending. The spiral spring biases the inner rotor in a biasing direction when the spiral spring twistingly deforms in accordance with sliding rotation of the inner rotor in a deformation direction relative to the outer rotor. The spiral spring has a bent part bent to protrude in a radial direction. The bent part of the spiral spring is linearly contact with a part of the element wire located adjacent to the bent part in the radial direction. |
| US08651073B2 |
Lift-control device for a poppet valve of an internal-combustion engine or operating machine
A lift-control device for a poppet valve of an internal-combustion engine including a first valve-lift means, a second valve-lift means, and a means for selective de-activation of the second valve-lift means. In an embodiment, the first valve-lift means is configured to define a first valve-lift law and is operatively connected with a rocker that acts on a stem of said valve to move said stem according to the first valve-lift law; and the second valve-lift means is configured to define a second valve-lift law and is operatively connected with the rocker. In an embodiment, the first valve-lift means comprises a profile of a cam or eccentric acting on the rocker to cause it to oscillate about a first axis so as to move the valve stem according to the first valve-lift law; and the second valve-lift means comprises an auxiliary rocker that co-operates in contact with the first valve-lift means. |
| US08651067B2 |
Steam circuit in a power station
The invention relates to a steam circuit in a power station, comprising at least one evaporator and at least one superheater, characterized in that a condensate collector and return line is provided between the superheater and the steam generator to trap condensate in the superheater and return the condensate to the evaporator. |
| US08651062B2 |
Easy to insert pet carrier
The invention features an animal carrier that is designed to more easily place an animal (e.g., a cat or dog) into the carrier. The carrier features a funnel that can be attached to the body of the carrier, that is sized to permit passage of the animal through the funnel, that is oriented to convey the animal by gravity into the carrier, and that can be removed once the animal has been delivered into the carrier. The invention also features a retrofit funnel that is adapted to be securely attached to an opening of a standard animal carrier. |
| US08651061B2 |
Swiftlets farming for production of edible bird's nests
A swiftlet breeding facility, for use in creating and harvesting edible bird's nests. The facility includes sub-systems for injecting live insect and worm prey, and water, into an aerial enclosure to provide a feeding system imitative of a natural swiftlet feeding environment. |
| US08651059B2 |
Finfish containment pens and polyhedral structures
A finfish aquaculture containment pen having a plurality of panels that when joined together form the majority of the exterior surface of the containment pen. The panels each comprise tension-hearing mesh material forming the exterior surface of the containment pen, a plurality of compression-bearing struts extending along the boundaries between panels, wherein the mesh material is attached to the struts along the lengths of the struts, and a plurality of hubs at which a plurality of struts and the corners of a plurality of panels abut each other. The panels can form a polyhedral structure. The mesh can comprise coated wire mesh. The struts can be curved members with convex curvature. |
| US08651052B1 |
Powdered bran feeder
The present invention provides a game feeder that successfully dispenses powdered forms of grain such as rice bran. The invention adds a semi-flexible cable that attaches by one end to the center of a spinning member of an existing feeder's dispensing mechanism. The cable extends upward through the center of the feed hopper so that the opposite end of the cable is located within a hollow center of the feed made within the feed hopper as the feed is loaded into the feed hopper. The flexible member preferably has a weight attached at its terminal end so that the cable and weight are swung around within the feed hopper as the spinning member rotates providing enough stirring action to the feed to cause it to move downward within the hopper, through the bottom opening of the hopper and to the automated feed dispersing mechanism. |
| US08651050B2 |
Automatic animal retrieving platform assembly
An automatic animal retrieving platform assembly (10) and its method of operation for retrieving a domestic animal (12) from a stall (29) is described. The platform assembly retrieves and at least partly confines the domestic animal from a stall to effect a job function with the animal, such as for milking a cow in a dairy barn. The platform assembly (10) is displaceable on wheels (13) to position an entrance opening (24) thereof behind the animal stall. A displaceable floor (17) extends to the rear of the stall and retrieving arms (26, 27) are provided to grasp the animal and cause it to back-up slowly onto the displaceable floor where it is at least partly confined in a cage 18. After the job function is completed the retrieving arms (26, 27) release the animal and it returns freely to its stall. To help it return to its stall a tether (70) may be secured to a neck collar 30 of the animal. |
| US08651049B2 |
Plasma processing apparatus
A plasma processing apparatus includes a processing gas supplying unit for supplying a desired processing gas to a processing space between an upper electrode and a lower electrode which are disposed facing each other in an evacuable processing chamber. The plasma processing apparatus further includes a radio frequency (RF) power supply unit for applying an RF power to one of the lower and the upper electrode to generate plasma of the processing gas by RF discharge and an electrically conductive RF ground member which covers a peripheral portion of the electrode to which the RF power is applied to receive RF power emitted outwardly in radial directions from the periphery portion of the electrode to which the RF power is applied and send the received RF power to a ground line. |
| US08651040B2 |
Disconnectable mooring system and method for disconnecting or reconnecting it
A disconnectable mooring system for a vessel is presented, comprising a moonpool in the vessel, a turret structure mounted for a rotation in said moonpool and a buoy member having a plurality of passages each adapted to receive a riser. The turret structure has a lower end comprising a buoy receptacle for detachably receiving the buoy member, wherein the mooring system further comprises a plurality of mooring lines for transmitting mooring forces and each have a lower end and an upper end connected to the seabed and the buoy member, respectively. The mooring lines each comprise a first section which in a disconnectable manner is connected to the turret structure and a second section connected to the first section at a coupling point and connected to the buoy member. Also methods for disconnecting and reconnecting such a mooring system are presented. |
| US08651033B2 |
Precision fertilizer placement
A method to precisely meter and dispense two or more crop inputs with a common metering disc is presented to achieve proper placement in the soil relative to one another. In one embodiment, dry granular or granulized fertilizer is metered from one side of the disc and seed is metered from the opposite side of the same metering disc. The fertilizer is placed in a concentrated “pulse” approximately equal distances between seeds within a common seed furrow and/or between seed furrows to improved nutrient use efficiency by minimizing soil to fertilizer contact and subsequent chemical reactions that make applied supplemental nutrients less available to plants. Pressurized air may be utilized to assist discharge of both the seed and fertilizer from the disc meter to assure precise spacing in the soil. A cover may be placed on the meter and metering disc to recirculate air and thus minimize potential atmospheric contamination from seed coatings and fertilizer materials. |
| US08651032B2 |
Classification device, vertical pulverizing apparatus using the same, and coal fired boiler apparatus
To provide a classification device in which product fine powder little in mixture ratio of coarse particles can be obtained. A classification device characterized in that a setting pitch P between stationary fins 13 and a width L of each stationary fin 13 are combined so that a value of P/L is in a range between 0.042×(θ−50)+0.64 and 0.019×(θ−50)+0.22 in 50°≦θ≦70° when θ is an inclination angle of each stationary fin 13, P is the setting pitch, and L is the width in a direction of circulation of particles. |
| US08651031B1 |
Multi-configuration stackable voting booth
A multi-configuration voting booth is disclosed which includes a voting tabletop assembly having a bottom cavity and a top surface. A plurality of support leg holders are movably coupled within the bottom cavity such that the holders may be positioned within the cavity or extending outward from the cavity. Coupled to the outward end of the holder is a telescopic support leg that is adjustable in length. The support leg is coupled to the holder such that the width of the space between the support legs may be adjusted to accommodate a wheelchair therein. A privacy panel assembly is provided that is foldably coupled to the top surface of the voting tabletop assembly. The voting tabletop assembly is configured for nesting two booths together to facilitate storage and transportation. |
| US08651022B2 |
Compact mechanical inertia igniters for thermal batteries and the like
An inertial igniter for igniting a thermal battery upon a predetermined acceleration event is provided. The inertial igniter including: a base having a first projection; a striker mass rotatably connected to the base through a rotatable connection, the base having a second projection aligned with the first projection such that when the striker mass is rotated towards the base, the first projection impacts the second projection; and a rotation prevention mechanism for preventing impact of the first and second projections unless the predetermined acceleration event is experienced. |
| US08651020B2 |
Method for web tension adjustment
The invention relates to methods for web tension adjustment in a processing machine for processing a web of goods, in particular in a shaftless printing press, in which downstream web tension segments are decoupled from an adjustment of the web tension in a first web tension segment defined upstream by a first clamping point and downstream by a second clamping point. To that end, the first clamping point is subjected to a first control instruction, which is generated using a first dynamic element with a non-constant transmission function, and the second clamping point is acted upon by a second control instruction, which is generated using a second dynamic element with a non-constant transmission function. As a result of the provisions of the invention, for decoupling the downstream web tension segments from the web tension adjustment and so forth, it is unnecessary to pilot-control the corresponding downstream clamping points. |
| US08651018B1 |
Combination food smoker and grill system
A combination food smoker and grill system that is an effective ellipsoid shaped food smoker designed to prevent direct contact of the meat to be grilled with an open flame thereby preventing the creation of carcinogenic, carbonized meat. More specifically, the combination food smoker and grill system is a pedestal smoker and grill assembly having an upper portion grill chamber with a hinged dome cover having at least one lift handle, an adjustable heat discharge vent, a lower portion grill chamber with a first comestible grill-screen, a second comestible grill-screen, a plurality of first comestible grill-screen supports, a plurality of second comestible grill-screen supports, a smoker screen assembly, a heat portal, and a heat column assembly having a base. |
| US08651013B2 |
Device for the formation of froth in a milk-based drink
The device for the formation of froth in a milk-based drink comprises a tubular structure suitable for being connected to a steam-dispensing nozzle, at least one hole for air to pass, formed through the wall thickness of the tubular structure, and an element for adjusting the flow of air through the hole for air to pass. |
| US08651010B2 |
Semiautomatic pistol
The invention relates to the trigger and firing mechanisms for pistols. The inventive pistol comprises a frame (1), a barrel (2) with a cartridge chamber (3), a cartridge feeding mechanism (4), a fired case removing mechanism and a breech block return spring (12). The breech block (13) is slidable parallel to the barrel axis and comprises a firing mechanism, which consists of a firing spring stop (14), a firing spring (15), a striker (16) having a firing pin tip (17), a cocking notch (18) and rest pads for a firing spring (19) and for a striker spring (20). The breech block (13) includes a mechanism for sinking the firing pin tip (17) in a position, which makes possible the chambering of a cartridge, said mechanism having a striker spring (21), the force of which in a precompressed condition is greater than the precompressed force of the firing spring (15). The striker spring stop (22) is installed in the breech block (13) for fixing the precompressed force of the striker spring (21). The invention improves the positioning accuracy of the striker during the loss of resilience of the spring thereof. |
| US08651007B2 |
Branched stent/graft and method of fabrication
Branched braided stent or graft devices and processes for fabrication of the devices are disclosed in which a trunk portion and two hinge leg portions are fabricated in one piece braided from a single plurality of filaments, whereby the legs contain the full plurality of filaments and the trunk portion contains a subset of the same plurality of filaments. The fabrication process involves braiding the hinged legs on a mandrel while retaining loops of filament between the hinged leg portions for subsequent braiding of the trunk portion of the stent or graft. |
| US08651003B1 |
Power-operated toilet paper dispensing device and associated method
A power-operated toilet paper dispensing device for automatically providing a desired quantity of existing toilet paper as needed by a user may include a housing adapted to be affixed to a support surface. Further, the device may include a plurality of spindles situated within the housing. Each of the spindles may receive and support a corresponding roll of toilet paper. A mechanism may be included for automatically and independently rotating each of the spindles along a corresponding first rotational path defined within the housing. Such a mechanism may be automatically responsive to a triggering event such that a first one of the spindles automatically and independently articulate along the corresponding first rotational path while a second one of the spindles remains statically disposed at a fixed position within the housing. Additionally, the automatically and independently rotating mechanism may automatically detect the triggering event at a location exterior of the housing. |
| US08651002B2 |
Sheet cutter
A sheet cutter includes: a stationary knife including a straight blade part formed in a straight-line shape in a longitudinal direction; a movable knife including a cutting edge part formed in the shape of V-character, opposed to mesh with the straight blade part of the stationary knife, the movable knife being able to freely move toward or back from the stationary knife; a movable knife pressing member for pressing the movable knife against the stationary knife; and a movable knife driver driving the movable knife forward or backward. The movable knife pressing member pressure contacts the movable knife against the stationary knife by a compression coil spring contained inside the movable knife pressing member. |
| US08650985B2 |
Faucet control handle structure
A faucet control handle structure, which can be used in different water control bases with different sizes, including a control handle and a adjustable device, wherein the control handle has a receiving space that has two positioning ribs cross each other to engage with the adjustable device. The adjustable device has an adjustable base, a clamping piece and an adjustable unit, wherein the adjustable base has a sleeve hole, one end of which has a plurality of wedging edges formed at the opening end thereof. A clamping piece that can be adjusted to move back and forth is then formed in an opposing direction of the wedging edge. According to the above structure, since the adjustable device is located at the receiving space of the control handle, it can be used for water control sticks with different sizes of the water control base to enhance the practicability of the faucet handle and increase the convenience during the assembly process. |
| US08650982B2 |
Electric telescopic steering apparatus
An electric telescopic steering apparatus includes a jacket having a lower jacket and an upper jacket in order to telescope the jacket; and a screw shaft arranged along a longitudinal direction of the jacket and held under a rotation-locked state. The screw shaft includes one end portion supported by one of the lower jacket and the upper jacket. The electric telescopic steering apparatus further includes a nut screwed on another end portion of the screw shaft and supported by another of the lower jacket and the upper jacket; a driving section configured to drive a rotation of the nut; and a displacement absorbing section provided between the one end portion of the screw shaft and the jacket. The displacement absorbing section is configured to permit the one end portion of the screw shaft to be displaced on an X-Y plane defined by an imaginary X-axis and an imaginary Y-axis which are substantially perpendicular to an axis of the screw shaft, and configured to permit an angle of the axis of the screw shaft to vary about the X-axis and the Y-axis. |
| US08650979B2 |
Drive system of an electric vehicle
A drive system of an electric vehicle includes a drive motor, a transmission and a hydraulic system. The transmission has an input shaft, a countershaft, an output shaft, a first transmission unit placed between the countershaft and the output shaft, a first clutch, a second transmission unit placed between the countershaft and the input shaft, and a second clutch. The drive motor is attached to the input shaft, which is attached to the countershaft to provide power of the drive motor to the countershaft; the first clutch is configured for linking or cutting off the power transmission between the countershaft and the first transmission unit; and the second clutch is configured for linking or cutting off the power transmission between the countershaft and the second transmission unit. The first transmission unit has a first transmission ratio greater than a second transmission ratio of the second transmission unit. |
| US08650977B2 |
Electric actuator
An electric actuator has a housing (2), an electric motor (3), a speed reduction mechanism (6), a ball screw mechanism (8) and a rotation sensor (9). The ball screw mechanism (8) has a screw thread shaft (23) that moves axially but cannot rotate relative to the housing (8). A nut (24) is inserted over the screw thread shaft (23) and can rotate relative to the housing (2), via a rolling bearing (11), mounted on the housing (2), but cannot move axially. A swing link (13) is arranged to perform the pendulum motion interlocked with the linear motion of the driving shaft (7). A magnet (18) is mounted on the end of a pivotal shaft (17) to form the reference point of the pendulum motion. The position of the driving shaft (7) is detected by the rotation sensor (9) arranged opposite to the magnet (18) via a predetermined air gap. |
| US08650976B2 |
Gyro stabilizer
A gyroscope power starter has a housing having a bottom and a concave head slanted at a predetermined angle relative to the housing, the concave head engaging a gyroscope rotor. An electric power source is mounted on the housing. A motor is rigidly mounted to a housing. The motor is connected to the power source for producing a rotational power in response to a switching force. A power rotor is connected in unity with the motor and protruding from an opening into the concave head of the housing to transmit the rotational motor power to the gyroscope rotor. An alignment member is formed in a concave center area. The alignment member protrudes into a groove of a gyroscopic rotor when the gyroscopic rotor is rotating. |
| US08650974B2 |
Device for collecting samples from a powder stream
The invention relates to a device for collecting samples from a powder stream guided in a powder line (3). The device comprises a housing (1) that is disposed on the powder line (3), a slide (5) which comprises a sample well (13) disposed upwardly relative to the powder stream, and a pushing device. There is a sample container (18) provided that matches the sample well (13). An associated withdrawal device (19) comprising withdrawal tongs (20) can be inserted into the housing (1) in such a way that the withdrawal tongs (20) are located axially above the sample well (13) in the inoperative position of the slide (5) and can be fitted on the sample container (18) and connected to the same. |
| US08650961B2 |
Apparatus for generating vibrations in a component
An apparatus for generating vibrations in a component comprising a clamp assembly for clamping the component and a vibration generator for generating vibrations in the clamped component, the clamp assembly including: a base member, a pair of fixedly-spaced clamp members and a wedge for laterally wedging part of the component between the clamp members thereby to clamp the component. The base member, or a fixed clamp member, is inclined and the wedge having an inclined wedging surface arranged to engage the inclined base member or inclined fixed clamp member. The apparatus may form part of a test rig for vibration testing components such as turbo machine blades. |
| US08650960B2 |
Method and apparatus for imaging biological data
An imaging apparatus for generating photoacoustic images and ultrasound images that is capable of generating both types of images with high resolution is provided. An ultrasound probe includes a plurality of probe elements. A first phase matching adding section reads out photoacoustic signals from a photoacoustic element data memory, and administers phase matching addition within a first phase matching range. An image processing section generates a photoacoustic image based on phase matched and added data. A second phase matching adding section administers phase matching addition on reflected acoustic signals sampled by a signal obtaining section within a second phase matching range. An image processing section generates an ultrasound image based on phase matched and added data. The first phase matching range is greater than the second phase matching range. |
| US08650956B2 |
Vibration test arrangement
Vibration test arrangements incorporate an isolation device. In order to allow the isolation device to operate on one side only of a component subject to vibration testing a clamp association is provided between isolation elements. An abutment pressure to retain and present the component is generated between the isolation elements utilizing the clamp association and an appropriate displacement mechanism. The displacement mechanism is controlled by a controller in a control loop incorporating a sensor to determine operational characteristics of the arrangement and appropriate drivers for the displacement mechanism. |
| US08650948B2 |
Automatic seepage meter
The present invention relates to an automatic seepage meter for measuring groundwater-surface water exchange in a mixed zone of stream. The present invention includes: the chamber installed in streambed sediment; the device for measuring amount of groundwater recharge through a change in water level accompanied by discharging water in the water in case of losing stream; and the device for measuring amount of groundwater discharge through a change in water level according to an increased water from the chamber to the water bath for measuring discharge in case of gaining stream. |
| US08650944B2 |
Supercooled large drop icing condition simulation system
A method and apparatus for an icing simulation system. The icing simulation system comprises a wind tunnel, a nozzle system, and a controller. The nozzle system is configured to spray drops of water within the wind tunnel. The controller is configured to control a number of properties of the water in the nozzle system such that the nozzle system sprays the drops of the water with different sizes for a desired type of icing condition. |
| US08650935B2 |
Method of TOC monitoring
A method of determining the TOC of a purified water stream is disclosed comprising at least the steps of: passing a supply water stream through a water purification apparatus including an oxidizer to provide a purified water stream, and dispensing at least a portion of the purified water stream; stopping the dispense of the purified water stream and recirculating the purified water stream as a recirculating water stream through at least a portion of the water purification apparatus including the oxidizer to provide a re-oxidized water stream; and measuring the conductivity value of the re-oxidized water stream to determine the TOC of the purified water stream. In this way, a determination of the TOC of the purified water stream of can be provided without requiring a dedicated TOC monitor at the point of dispense of the purified water stream. |
| US08650931B1 |
Self-sealing fuel tank test fixtures
Concepts and technologies are disclosed herein for providing and using self-sealing fuel tank test fixtures. According to some embodiments disclosed herein, a self-sealing fuel tank test fixture includes a fuel cube configured for storing fuel. The fuel cube includes a front side configured to support a test sample for the test. The self-sealing fuel tank test fixtures also can include a knife valve selectively configurable from a first position in which the fuel in the fuel cube is separated from the front side and a second position in which the fuel in the fuel cube is allowed to contact the test sample. |
| US08650929B2 |
Method and apparatus for determining a flow rate error in a vibrating flow meter
A method for determining an error in a flow rate of a fluid flowing through a vibrating flow meter is provided. The method includes the step of receiving sensor signals from the vibrating flow meter. A first flow rate is determined using the sensor signals. A fluid density is determined. A fluid velocity is determined using the first flow rate, the fluid density, and a physical property of the flow meter. A flow parameter, V/p is calculated based on the fluid velocity and the density. A flow rate error is then determined based on the calculated flow parameter. |
| US08650924B2 |
Bearing block assembly and rolling device provided with such bearing block assemblies
A bearing block assembly for bearing a pair of rollers which enclose a nip, at one end of the pair, includes two bearing blocks, each of which is intended for bearing a respective roller and which are provided with supporting elements for supporting in a frame. The bearing blocks each have a bearing aperture with a center line or axis, support elements via which the bearing blocks are supported next to one another in such that the center lines or axes of the bearing apertures extend parallel and at a distance from one another, as well as adjusting element via which the mutual distance between the center lines or axes can be adjusted. The support elements include a spring structure which is situated between the bearing blocks and cooperates with both bearing blocks and which is elastically deformable during adjustment of the mutual distance between the center lines or axes. |
| US08650922B2 |
Pipe bender and method for spiral pipe bending with the pipe bender
Provided are a pipe bender which is capable of spiral pipe bending and a method for spiral pipe bending with radii of bend using the pipe bender. The pipe bender includes an XY sliding mechanism), which has a Y-axis movement means travelling back and forth and an X-axis movement means travelling from side to side; a turning table device for rotating a turning table provided on top thereof, the turning table device being placed on the XY sliding mechanism; a bender with a cylindrical shaft rotatably supported, the cylindrical shaft placed on the turning table and secured to a worm wheel; a center shaft passing through the hole of the cylindrical shaft and having a lower end secured to a bottom; and a bending roller provided on top of the cylindrical shaft rotatable about the center of a support roller and which is disposed adjacent to the support roller. |
| US08650918B2 |
Basket assembly for a washing machine
A basket assembly for a washing machine includes a basket and a bracket attached to the basket. A motor is coupled to the bracket and the bracket transmits rotation from the motor to the basket. The support bracket is formed of a thermoplastic and includes a hub and fins spaced from each other extending radially from the hub. Each of the fins has an attachment portion connected to the basket. The support bracket includes a reinforcement rod spaced from the hub extending from one of the fins to another of the fins for reinforcing the fins when the support bracket transmits rotation from the motor to the basket. |
| US08650916B2 |
Article of footwear having a flat knit upper construction or other upper construction
Flat knitting allows production of textile structures (e.g., for use in footwear uppers) of a final desired shape such that textile cutting steps can be avoided. Flat knitted elements also can be formed directly in desired three dimensional shapes, which can help avoid the need to use additional support structures (e.g., in footwear construction). By selectively placing multiple different yarns and/or stitch patterns at multiple different locations in the overall structure during the knitting process, flat knitted products may have multiple different physical properties (e.g., different stretchability, different moisture management capabilities, etc.) at multiple different locations or zones within a single, unitary construction (e.g., different properties at different zones or locations within a single footwear structure). Additionally, flat knitting can be used to produce pockets, tunnels, or other layered structures in the final product. |
| US08650911B2 |
Method and apparatus for heating glass
Glass is heated from above and below while the glass resides on rolls (3) in a tempering furnace (1). The upper surface of the glass (4) is heated by hot air jets formed by sucking air from inside the furnace (1) and pressurizing the hot air and recycling it back to the upper surface of the glass. Air which has been taken from outside the furnace (1) and pressurized by a compressor (17) and heated is blown to the lower surface of the glass. |
| US08650906B2 |
System and method for recovering and liquefying boil-off gas
A system and process to re-liquefy boil-off liquid natural gas in varied amounts by a process using a screw compressor having an effective compression range from about 10 to about 100 percent of its rated capacity. |
| US08650905B2 |
Falling film evaporator
An evaporator for use in a refrigeration system includes a shell and a tube bundle, the tube bundle having a plurality of tubes extending substantially horizontally in the shell. A hood is disposed over and laterally surrounds substantially all of the plurality of tubes of the tube bundle. A distributor is positioned between the hood and the tube bundle. The hood is asymmetrically disposed within the evaporator. |
| US08650904B2 |
Ejector-type refrigerant cycle device
An ejector-type refrigerant cycle device includes a compressor, a radiator, an ejector, a suction side evaporator disposed to evaporate refrigerant to be drawn into a refrigerant suction port of the ejector, and a discharge capacity control portion configured to control a refrigerant discharge capacity of the compressor. The discharge capacity control portion increases the refrigerant discharge capacity of the compressor in accordance with an increase of a requirement capacity required in a refrigerant cycle of a general operation, when the requirement capacity is larger than a standard value. In contrast, when the requirement capacity required in the refrigerant cycle is equal to or smaller than the standard value, the discharge capacity control portion controls the refrigerant discharge capacity of the compressor to be switched alternately between a high capacity operation and a low capacity operation. Thus, a refrigerant circulation amount in the refrigerant cycle can be suitably adjusted. |
| US08650901B2 |
Tray as well as refrigerator unit and/or freezer unit having at least one tray
The present invention relates to a tray having an icemaker as well as having a holder to fix the icemaker to the tray. |
| US08650899B2 |
Power transmission assembly and ice-making assembly using the same
An ice-making assembly for a refrigerator, which can effectively separate ice from a tray and a power transmission assembly for transmitting power to the tray are provided. The power transmission assembly includes a body unit defining an exterior of the ice-making assembly and a plurality of gear teeth protruding from an outer circumference of the body unit. Each of the gear teeth includes a first end portion protruding from the body unit by a predetermined distance and a second end portion further protruding from the body unit than the first end portion. According to the embodiments, even when the water is infiltrated into the power transmission assembly and frozen, the frozen ice can be removed in a direction by the above-described structures of the gears. |
| US08650898B2 |
Air conditioner
An air conditioner is disclosed. The compressor has an entrance coupled to an exit of the evaporator via the first ON/OFF valve; and an exit coupled to an entrance of the condenser via the first flow-direction valve. The liquid pump has an entrance coupled to an exit of the liquid accumulator via the second ON/OFF valve; and an exit coupled to an entrance of the throttling device via the second flow-direction valve. An exit of the condenser is coupled to an entrance of the liquid accumulator; an exit of the throttling device is coupled to an entrance of the evaporator. The compressor's bypass pipe has an entrance coupled to an exit of the evaporator; and an exit coupled to an entrance of the condenser. The liquid pump's bypass pipe has an entrance coupled to an exit of the liquid accumulator; an exit coupled to an entrance of the throttling device. |
| US08650897B2 |
Heat pump system
A heat pump system includes a first usage unit operable to perform a hot-water supply operation to heat an aqueous medium and a second usage unit operable to perform air-cooling and air-warming operations to cool or heat an air medium. The first and second usage units are both connected to a heat source unit in such a manner that the first and second usage units are incapable of individually selecting and performing a hot-water supply operation, an air-cooling operation, or an air-warming operation. The heat pump system is capable of switching operation to a thermoregulation mode different from the switched state of a heat-source-side switching mechanism in response to a thermoregulation mode command issued by a first usage-side controller, a second usage side controller or a centralized controller. |
| US08650895B2 |
Method for constructing air conditioning systems with universal base units
A method of constructing modular air conditioning systems for vehicles includes providing identical universal base units that can be built out into a variety of different types of air conditioning systems. Each base unit includes a frame, a condenser, an evaporator coil, and a blower, and has open-circuit refrigerant connection lines so as to be non-operational without a completion kit. Completion kits are provided in a variety of configurations, including at least two of a simple connection kit, a front box kit, and a compressor kit, each of which is connectable with a universal base unit to form a unique type of air conditioning system. |
| US08650894B2 |
System and method for compressor capacity modulation in a heat pump
A system and method is provided to control and operate a compressor to have two or more discrete output capacities in response to an outdoor temperature measurement. During operation of the compressor in an air conditioning or cooling mode, the compressor has a first output capacity in response to the outdoor temperature being greater than a first temperature setpoint and the compressor has a second output capacity in response to the outdoor temperature being less than a second temperature setpoint. During operation of the compressor in a heating mode, the compressor has different output capacities based on the outdoor ambient temperature. |
| US08650893B2 |
Air conditioning system with variable condenser reheat and refrigerant flow sequencer
A vapor-compression air conditioning system comprising a blower positioned in a return air flow path from a conditioned space, a reheat heat exchanger positioned in the return air flow path and downstream from the blower, a system reversing valve fluidly coupled to the reheat heat exchanger, and a refrigerant flow sequencer interposed the system reversing valve and the reheat heat exchanger. A method of manufacturing an air conditioning system is also provided. |
| US08650892B2 |
Apparatus and methods for creating purified portable water from the atmosphere
Disclosed is a system to extract water moisture from the atmosphere, highly purify and condition the extracted water, and provide beverages for human consumption. In one embodiment, the device collects water-vapor condensation from filtered intake air, and then subjects the condensate to a series of purification filters and to a sterilization process in order to produce drinking water. The system may then use the water produced to provide carbonated drinks, flavored drinks, coffee drinks, or ice. The system may also play music and charge a portable electronic device. The disclosed system may incorporate the variations in different combinations. |
| US08650890B2 |
Humidity control system
A closed space forming unit (41-48) forms a closed space (37, 38) around an adsorption member (51, 52) supporting thereon an adsorbent for desorbing and adsorbing moisture. An active species generating unit (101, 102) supplies active species, for decomposing odorous components, into the closed space (37, 38). |
| US08650888B2 |
Current lead quenching assembly
The present invention relates to a cryostat having a service neck for access to a superconducting magnet. In many cryogenic applications components, e.g. superconducting coils for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), superconducting transformers, generators, electronics, are cooled by keeping them in contact with a volume of liquefied, the whole cryogenic assembly being known as a cryostat. In order to operate a superconducting magnet, it must be kept at a temperature below its superconducting transition temperature. A cryostat must provide access to the vessel containing the liquefied helium for the initial cooling of the magnet to its low operating temperature, for periodic refilling of systems where there is a loss of helium, and provide sufficient access whereby to enable operation and maintenance of the magnet. The present invention seeks to provide an access neck to a cryostat such as helium vessel with a minimum heat load and accordingly provides a cryostat assembly, wherein a service neck comprising at least one positive and one negative current lead is arranged such that one of the leads is formed by the neck tube wall and the space between a neck tube wall and the second current lead forms a gas path for venting and/or filling or other services. |
| US08650882B2 |
Wall elements for gas turbine engine combustors
A wall element of a gas turbine engine having an inner hot surface, and an outer cooler surface, during use. A plurality of projections is provided on the outer surface to facilitate heat transfer to a coolant flow during use. The projections are arranged in a first density pattern and in a second higher density pattern for increased cooling. The second higher density pattern is positioned adjacent a hotter region of the tile than the first density pattern to reduce the thermal gradient throughout the wall element. |
| US08650881B2 |
Methods and apparatus for combustor fuel circuit for ultra low calorific fuels
A method for controlling a gas turbine combustion system includes supplying an ultra low calorific fuel to a combustor of the combustion system through a first fuel circuit, controlling a supply of the ultra low calorific fuel through a second fuel circuit as required to control the volumetric flow of the ultra low calorific fuel through the combustor, and combusting the ultra low calorific fuel in the combustor. |
| US08650880B1 |
Active combustion control for turbine engine
An active combustion control device provides modulated fuel flow to the combustor of a turbine engine to mitigate combustion instability. The device includes a valve unit and an electronic valve driver controlling translation and rotation components in the valve unit that drive a metering member having a modulating end. The axial position and rotation of the end geometries relative to static flow ports inside the valve unit modulate the fuel flowing from the valve unit to the combustor atomizer. The amplitude and frequency of the modulated fuel flow match that of the instable combustor fuel flow and the phase is offset by 180 degrees so that the resultant fuel flow is at or near a stable state. |
| US08650877B1 |
Solar panels that generate electricity and extract heat: system and method
The present invention is a solar panel that generates electricity and extracts heat. A set of such panels may be assembled into a blind. The blind may have a frame that can be retrofit on an existing window. Fluid in the panel is heated by incoming solar radiation, causing it to move, constrained by a one-way valve, in one direction. A Tesla Valve may be used as the one-way valve. The moving fluid may pass through a generator, generating electricity. Heat may be extracted from the fluid by a heat exchanger. The heat may be used to heat a building. |
| US08650873B2 |
Water recirculation system for power plant backend gas temperature control
A water recirculation system for a steam power plant includes a tapoff line which receives water from a downcomer, and an economizer link which receives water from the tapoff line and transports the water to an economizer. |
| US08650869B1 |
Automatic hydraulic/pneumatic flow rectifier for bi-directional pumps
An apparatus includes a piston/rod assembly comprising a piston and a housing. The piston is translatable within the housing. The housing comprises a housing power side and a housing filler side. The housing power side comprises a housing power side intake/exhaust tap. The housing filler side comprises a housing filler side intake/exhaust tap. The apparatus also includes a flow rectifier comprising a flow rectifier power side and a flow rectifier filler side. The flow rectifier power side comprises a flow rectifier power side intake/exhaust tap communicating with the housing power side intake/exhaust tap. The flow rectifier filler side intake/exhaust tap communicates with the housing tiller side intake/exhaust tap. |
| US08650865B2 |
Exhaust gas routing device for an internal combustion engine having a thermoelectrical generator
An exhaust gas routing device for an internal-combustion engine having a thermoelectric generator is fluidically connected with an exhaust gas line and a pipe guiding a coolant. The generator has a plurality of thermoelectric yoke pairs which are arranged between a first surface heated by the exhaust gas and a second surface cooled by the coolant. The exhaust gas routing device has a device guiding the exhaust gas along the first surface at a flow velocity that increases in the flow direction of the exhaust gas. |
| US08650864B2 |
Combination liquid-cooled exhaust manifold assembly and catalytic converter assembly for a marine engine
An exhaust system for a marine engine comprising liquid-cooled manifold and catalytic converter assemblies. Each assembly uses a separate cooling system to cool either the exhaust manifold or a shell inside which resides the catalytic converter. The housing or shell containing the catalytic converter uses water to cool an exterior surface of a water jacket to an acceptable temperature conforming to federal regulations. The liquid-cooled manifold assembly may use either water or glycol to cool outer cooling tubes surrounding exhaust tubes extending from the engine block to the catalytic converter assembly. |
| US08650863B2 |
Exhaust gas purification system for an internal combustion engine
The present invention is intended to improve a SOx reduction rate which is a ratio of an amount of SOx reduction with respect to an amount of SOx occlusion in SOx poisoning recovery processing. In the present invention, in the SOx poisoning recovery processing in which the SOx occluded in an NOx storage reduction catalyst is reduced by decreasing the air fuel ratio of an exhaust gas flowing into the NOx storage reduction catalyst to a predetermined air fuel ratio in a repeated manner, the length of a period in which the air fuel ratio of an exhaust gas flowing into the NOx storage reduction catalyst is decreased is made longer in a relatively early time during the processing than in a relatively late time during the processing. |
| US08650862B2 |
Agricultural machine
An agricultural machine has an internal combustion engine, a particulate filter disposed in an exhaust-system branch of the internal combustion engine, and an engine control unit designed to control the internal combustion engine in a regeneration phase in such a manner that a temperature is reached in the particulate filter that is required for the regeneration thereof, and to abort an on-going regeneration if at least one operating parameter of the machine that influences the regeneration deviates from a setpoint value. A control device of the machine is provided to predict a time period in which it is likely possible to hold the operating parameter to the setpoint value thereof, and to start regeneration when this time period begins. |
| US08650861B2 |
Control of the regeneration of a particulate filter
A method for inducing the regeneration of a particulate filter associated with an exhaust gas emitting engine while being operated in a vehicle in variable driving conditions. The method includes turning on, for a time period, a heating device in physical contact with the filter subject to the following conditions: i) an average pressure of the exhaust gas at the entrance of the filter is greater than a predetermined value; and ii) an instantaneous pressure of the exhaust gas at the entrance of the filter is at a high improbable value. The time period for such heating device to stay turned on is sufficiently long to reach the particulate ignition temperature and for such instantaneous pressure to get from such high improbable value to a significantly lower value. The average pressure is obtained by averaging a plurality of pressure data sensed at the entrance of the filter. |
| US08650858B2 |
Exhaust emission control device for internal combustion engine
An exhaust emission control apparatus for an internal combustion engine includes: an exhaust gas purification catalyst arranged in an exhaust gas passage of the internal combustion engine; an air/fuel ratio sensor installed on an upstream side of the exhaust gas purification catalyst and detects an air/fuel ratio of an exhaust gas discharged from the internal combustion engine; air/fuel ratio feedback control means that performs feedback control of the air/fuel ratio based on an output of the air/fuel ratio sensor; and sensor output correcting means that corrects a shift in the output of the air/fuel ratio sensor. The sensor output correcting means is configured so as to correct a shift in the output of the air/fuel ratio sensor using a lean shift amount of the air/fuel ratio sensor output in accordance with a quantity and/or a proportion of an aldehyde included in the exhaust gas. |
| US08650857B2 |
Apparatus and method for onboard performance monitoring of exhaust gas particulate filter
The present invention is directed to a gas particulate treatment system and may include a gas filter and a gas filter performance monitor downstream of the gas filter. The gas filter performance monitor includes a particulate trap operable to collect particulates passing through the gas filter, and a sensing apparatus associated with the gas filter performance monitor that operates to sense particulate collection in the gas filter performance monitor. |
| US08650855B2 |
System for controlling at least one actuator of the cowlings of a turbojet engine thrust reverser
The control system of the invention includes at least one actuator (6) for a cowling (2), driven by at least one electric motor (7), and a control means (9) for the electric motor (7). The electric motor control means (9) includes a means for determining and/or estimating the outside temperature of the turbojet engine, the electric motor control means being adapted for adjusting the driving torque supplied by the electric motor on the basis of said outer temperature. |
| US08650854B2 |
Bifurcation and aft vent used to vary fan nozzle exit area
A turbofan engine includes a core nacelle housing a spool having a turbine. A turbofan is arranged upstream from the core nacelle and is coupled to the spool. A fan nacelle surrounds the turbofan and core nacelle. A bifurcation supports the core nacelle relative to the fan nacelle and extends radially between the nacelles. The core and fan nacelles provide a bypass flow path receiving bypass flow from the turbofan. In the example, the nacelles provide a fixed nozzle exit area. The bifurcation includes an inlet that is in communication with a passage. The passage is selectively opened and closed by a valve to provide air from the inlet to a vent opening near the nozzle exit area. By opening the valve, the nozzle exit area is effectively increased to provide increased bypass flow through the turbine engine. |
| US08650851B2 |
Systems and methods for controlling fuel flow within a machine
Systems and methods for controlling fuel flow within a machine are provided. A plurality of fuel types provided to the machine and a plurality of fuel circuits associated with the machine may be identified, each of the plurality of fuel circuits adapted to be provided with one or more of the plurality of fuel types. A fuel flow parameter for calculating fuel flow may be identified, and a respective fuel flow for each of the one or more fuel types provided to each of the plurality of fuel circuits may be calculated based at least in part on the identified fuel flow parameter. Based at least in part on the calculation of the respective fuel flows, operation of one or more fuel flow control devices providing fuel to the plurality of fuel circuits may be controlled. |
| US08650850B2 |
Three-layered metal cable for tire carcass reinforcement
In a multi-strand steel cable, at least three layers are present. An inner layer includes from 1 to 4 wires. An intermediate layer surrounds the inner layer and includes from 3 to 12 wires wound together in a helix at a pitch p2. An outer layer surrounds the intermediate layer and includes from 8 to 20 wires wound together in a helix at a pitch p3. A rubber sheath covers at least the intermediate layer and is formed of a cross-linkable or cross-linked rubber composition that includes at least one diene elastomer. |
| US08650845B2 |
Idler with a deflector and web wrap device
An Idler is provided for a web wrap device. The idler has a deflector acting on web moved over the idler. The deflector has areas of different deflection intensity over its area of contact with the web. |
| US08650841B2 |
Packing compressible objects
The invention relates to a low friction gliding plate designed to optimize the process of packing at least one compressible object, such as insulation material, in continuous foil. In addition the present invention relates to a method for using a low friction gliding plate in packaging at least one compressible object. |
| US08650840B2 |
Reservoir for nebulizer with a deformable fluid chamber
A reservoir for a nebulizer, a nebulizer and a method of filling a reservoir are proposed. To avoid undesirable rises in pressure, a fluid chamber of the reservoir is pre-collapsed and filled with an initial amount of fluid which is less than the maximum volume of the fluid chamber. Preferably, before being filled, the fluid chamber is compressed and/or expanded by means of gas to a defined volume which is less than the maximum volume of the fluid chamber. |
| US08650834B2 |
Method of forming a core component
The present invention is directed to a method of forming a molded core component. A mat formed from cellulosic fiber and resin is provided. The mat is consolidated in a first press until the resin is substantially fully cured, and then removed from the first press. The consolidated mat is then placed in a second press having a mold cavity shaped to form at least one depression in at least one of the major surfaces. The consolidated mat is reformed in the second press to form a molded core component having at least one depression in at least one of the major surfaces. The molded core component has a variable density, preferably of between about 10 lbs/ft3 and 80 lbs/ft3. |
| US08650831B2 |
Reconstruction methods for structural elements
A method and an article of manufacture are disclosed for externally reinforcing various solid structures, such as columns, poles, piles, beams, pipes and the like, constructed from various materials. Multiple sheets laminated together with resin and grout constitutes a structure reinforcement wrap (SRW) for the formation of an external reinforcement shell. The multiple layers include a spacer sheet, a reinforcement sheet, such as Fiber Reinforced Polymer (FRP) saturated with resin. The spacer sheet creates a small, substantially planar space between the spacer sheet and the solid structure, which space may be filled with concrete, grout, epoxy, or other similar reinforcing material. In various embodiments, a surface groove is created in the solid structure and a reinforcing bar (rebar) is embedded in the groove to further structurally bond the solid structure to the reinforcing material poured in the planar space created by the spacer sheet. |
| US08650828B2 |
Reinforced concrete component reinforced with Z-shaped sheet metal pieces
A reinforced concrete component with at least one upper and at least one lower longitudinal reinforcement layer, and one transverse force reinforcement, wherein the latter is passed above an uppermost and a lowermost longitudinal reinforcement in its extension. The transverse force reinforcement is formed by at least 20 trapezoidal or triangular sheet metal components made from structural steel. Each sheet metal component has at its two ends one splay/chamfer. The chamfer is passed to the uppermost or lowermost longitudinal reinforcement, respectively. |
| US08650825B2 |
Furring strip fastening member and construction structure using the same
A furring strip fastening member is formed by a furring strip receiving plate, a bolt hole portion, a spring portion, and a rear face plate. The furring strip receiving plate and the rear face plate are shaped as flat plates that face each other. The bolt hole portion is provided at a central portion of the furring strip receiving plate. The spring portion connects the furring strip receiving plate and the rear face plate. The rear face plate has in a central portion thereof a through-hole. In a construction structure for buildings, a bolt is mounted to an anchor that is driven into a skeleton wall of a building that is formed by a concrete wall and a heat insulating material disposed outside the latter. This bolt traverses a through-hole in the rear face plate, and the bolt is screwed into a bolt hole portion. The furring strip is connected to the furring strip fastening member, and an external wall material is fastened to the furring strip. With the furring strip fastening member, the furring strip receiving plate presses against the furring strip while the rear face plate presses against the heat insulating material, on account of the reaction of the spring portion. |
| US08650824B2 |
Interlocking floor tile
A flexible interlocking floor tile having a dual construction with an interlocking mechanism allows for easy installation of multiple tiles. The dual construction can include recycled material and virgin or new material. The tile also includes an adequate support at the corner of the tile when assembling multiple tiles. The tile has a single interlocking structure or groove to keep the entire tile joint tight with other tile joints, instead of interrupted interlocking structure which can lead to functional and aesthetic flaws in the entire floor. The single continuous interlocking structure allows for a one-step easy removal of any excess material or flashing from the tile after the molding process. |
| US08650821B2 |
Multi-use tall building structure
A multi-story tall building structure consisting plurality of three or more towers which are the primary structure enclosing a space longitudinally and transversely therein which are multiple floor/ceiling assemblies for multiple use occupied spaces including condos, military areas, observation, hotels, restaurants, retail, and offices. Each of the three towers has three or more vertical structural elements such as solid or hollow columns, or steel, concrete, or masonry constructs vertically extending. As an alternative occupied space including an aircraft landing deck or platform is attached to the top of the structure. |
| US08650818B1 |
Mounting apparatus for door jambs and window frames
A mounting apparatus for door jambs and window frames utilizing a pair of angled legs attached to and extends along the entire length of an elongated element of the jamb or frame opposite the door or window opening, respectively. The angled legs may be moved inwardly or outwardly along the backside of the door jamb or window frame to accommodate the installation of drywall or filler compound. The angled legs may achieve a fire resistant status in combination with a metal stud found in an adjacent wall. |
| US08650817B2 |
Flood proof window
A flood proof window includes a glazing and a window frame having a glazing backstop. Dual sided tape is positioned between the glazing and the glazing backstop. The window is further provided with a glazing sealant for the glazing. |
| US08650816B1 |
Stairs and mezzanine and method for constructing same
The present invention relates to improved stairs and mezzanine that are constructed of standard steel structural components with poured concrete stair treads and the associated method for making them. The invention employs standard steel structural components to make a staircase frame that is stronger, is faster to construct, and is less expensive than those made by current methods. The framework for the staircase is constructed of steel studs, u-channel members, and metal deck material that are cut to size and screwed together. Once the metal framework is constructed and any openings caulked, concrete is poured within the framework to form the concrete steps for the stairs and any associated intermediate platform or mezzanine. Once the concrete is dry, the stairs may be painted, carpeted, or finished as desired. |
| US08650813B2 |
Photovoltaic module with removable wind deflector
A photovoltaic (PV) module assembly including a PV module, a deflector, and a clip. The PV module includes a PV device and a frame. A PV laminate is assembled to the frame, and the frame includes a support arm forming a seat. The deflector defines a front face and a rear face, with the clip extending from either the trailing frame member or the rear face of the deflector. In a mounted state, the deflector is nested within the seat and is releasably mounted to the trailing frame member via the clip. In some embodiments, the support arm forms a second seat, with the PV module assembly providing a second mounted state in which the deflector is in a differing orientation/slope, nested within the second seat and releasably mounted to the trailing frame member via the clip. |
| US08650811B2 |
Solar collector frame
An apparatus comprising a number of platforms and a number of beams. The number of platforms has a first side and a second side. Each platform in the number of platforms is comprised of a number of devices. The number of beams is connected to the second side of the number of platforms at a plurality of connection points. The plurality of connection points is configured such that an orientation of the number of platforms remains substantially unchanged in response to a load on the number of platforms. |
| US08650809B2 |
Roof spoiler
Disclosed is a roof spoiler that effectively disrupts the attached flow of wind upon a roof surface. This spoiler has a stowed position, whereby it is almost completely out of the view of passersby. It also has a deployed position, wherein a barrier is projected vertically, or substantially vertically, so as to disrupt the flow of air over the roof surface. This spoiler utilizes a hinged design to move between these two positions. The spoiler is specially designed to operate in conjunction with a gutter mounted along the leading edge of the roof. In the stowed position, a portion of the spoiler covers the open gutter. In one embodiment, the spoiler is L-shaped to facilitate its stability in the deployed position. |
| US08650804B2 |
Roofing valley inset
A roof valley inset provides a flexible material with angularly extending arms. Dividers may be useful to direct water toward respective arms in a base pan and the arms may taper, such as to a point away from the other arm. Dividers may be provided as permanently connected to the base pan or detachably connected for ease in shipping. The dividers may also have cantileveredly connected legs which extend above a portion of the arms to assist in covering shingles, when installed. |
| US08650801B2 |
Pressure relief door with counterweight mechanism
A counterweight mechanism that includes a radial arm with a weight and a series of elements interconnected between the door and the arm. The weight provides a closing force when in a first position and provides an opening force when in another position. The weight may be an over center weight and the closing force reduces when the weight moves toward an over center position. The counterweight mechanism may require manual resetting after the weight is in the second position. Door movement may be though an angle that is less than an angle of movement of the radial arm. |
| US08650800B2 |
Window lift assemblies for vehicles including window support bracket assemblies
A window lift assembly for moving a vehicle window includes a window regulator assembly including an actuator that moves the vehicle window between raised and lowered positions. A window support bracket assembly connects the vehicle window and the window regulator assembly. The window support bracket assembly includes a window support that supports the vehicle window. The window support includes an outboard side and an inboard side. A support bracket is connected to the window support. The support bracket includes a window support connecting portion connected to the inboard side of the window support and a lift arm bracket connecting portion extends below a bottom of the window support. An underhang portion is connected to the window support connecting portion at an inner bend and is connected to the lift arm bracket connecting portion at an outer bend. |
| US08650799B2 |
Vehicle door opening warning system
A vehicle door opening warning system for a car includes a sensor for sensing the approaching of another car from behind when a person is opening the car door, a car door-opening control unit stops the car door from being opened when the sensor senses the approaching of the other car from behind, and a warning light and a buzzer are activated to give a visual warning signal and an audio warning signal when the car door is being opened. |
| US08650792B1 |
Gun magazine loader
A loader for gun magazines. The loader includes a handle and a pair of spaced apart, outwardly extending prongs. In an embodiment, a stiffener is used to maintain alignment of prongs, and to keep the prongs from being urged apart during use. The loader is used by engaging prongs with a cartridge in the magazine, and then urging the cartridge against biasing means to create space for a cartridge to be loaded. Once space is created, the cartridge to be loaded is urged into magazine while cradled between prongs of the loader. |
| US08650789B2 |
Firearm selector switch locking apparatus
A lockable safety selector switch adapted to replace a manufacturer's original safety selector switch for a firearm having a selector detent pin with a tip. The lockable safety selector switch has a body adapted to selectively orient between a SAFE position that prevents the firearm from firing and a FIRE position that allows the firearm to fire, and a locking mechanism configured to operatively associate with the firearm selector detent pin to selectively lock the body in the SAFE position. The lockable safety selector switch is configured such that the firearm requires no modification for the lockable safety selector switch to replace the original safety selector switch. |
| US08650787B2 |
Spring action magazine follower and magazine for firearms
A follower for a firearm magazine includes a base part, a guide, a cartridge engaging part, and a slide stop actuating structure. The base part provides a lower surface against which the magazine spring acts, and the guide provides a guide surface extending transverse to a base plane defined by the base part. The cartridge engaging part provides a spring action within the follower itself to augment the force of the magazine spring. The slide stop actuating structure is located at a front end of the base part and provides an inclined engagement surface that extends upwardly from the front end of the base part to a front edge of the follower. This upwardly angled surface forms an engagement surface to reliably engage a slide stop lug of a firearm to actuate the firearm's slide stop mechanism when the magazine is empty. |
| US08650784B2 |
File folder and repositionable tab
The folder is formed from a single sheet, folded along a fold line to form opposing walls. Each wall, at its top, includes a retaining portion that folds over a metal or plastic channel rod and includes a series of horizontally-spaced holes. The holes extend vertically over the lower edge or a rib of the channel rod. Each channel rod extends laterally past the edge of the folder and includes notches or hook ends that engage a pair of rails. Each tab includes a clip portion that opens downward. The clip portion includes two vertically-oriented inner faces, one or both of which includes inward-facing dimples or protrusions that fit at least partially into the holes in the retaining portion. At least one optional protrusion may be locating, meaning that the top of the protrusion does not engage the channel rod when the tab is fully attached. |
| US08650782B2 |
Highway sign assembly and methods of positioning same
Highway or railroad sign assemblies having partial view obstructing means on their edges, mounted at an inclined position between or above road lanes or railroad tracks wherein vehicles or trains are traveling in opposite directions, and adapted to warn drivers that are going in the wrong direction without confusing drivers going the right way, and methods for so positioning such sign assemblies. |
| US08650781B1 |
Utility trailer license plate bracket
The present invention is directed to a mounting bracket for the license plate of a utility trailer. Conventional mounts position the plate below the taillights where the plates are frequently bent by contact with the ground either during towing or manipulation by the tongue. The present lit bracket extends upwardly from the tail light holes, or alternatively affixes to the back gate of the utility trailer, to position the plate out of harm's way. |
| US08650780B2 |
License plate frame pivoting fastener cover
A specialized fastener cover is suitable for concealing a fastener used to attach one object to another. The fastener cover includes a decorative emblem and a method of pivoting the emblem between two positions. In one position, the decorative emblem conceals the fastener. When the emblem is pivoted to the second position, the fastener can be accessed so that it can be inserted in fastener receptacles in the objects to attach the objects to one another or removed from the fastener receptacles to separate the two objects. The fastener cover can be incorporated into an attachable object, such as a license plate frame to be attached to a vehicle. |
| US08650770B1 |
Air cycle heat pump dryer
This invention is a method and apparatus for drying wet objects, comprising passing air through the wet objects thereby having air absorb moisture from said wet objects; compressing the air adiabatically, thereby heating it; extracting heat from the air by passing it through the hot side of a heat exchanger thereby cooling it; expanding the air adiabatically, thereby cooling it further, below its dew point; separating the condensate from the air; restoring to the air all or part of the heat by passing it through the second side of the heat exchanger; and redirecting all or part of the air back to the wet objects thereby forming a loop in the flow of the air. |
| US08650769B2 |
Assembly comprising a measuring scale attached to a substrate and method for holding a measuring scale against a substrate
An assembly including a substrate and a scale held on the substrate, wherein the scale has a measuring graduation, and the scale is held on the substrate by pneumatic suction. The scale is braced on the substrate via two-dimensionally distributed, spaced-apart supports, which are disposed facing a measurement area defined by the measuring graduation and wherein adjacent ones of the supports are spaced apart from one another at a mutual period that is less than a thickness of the scale. In addition, the supports have a structure such that a connection by optical contact bonding between the supports and the scale and/or between the supports and the substrate is prevented at least in the measurement area. A space between the scale and the substrate is sealed off from surroundings by a sealing structure. |
| US08650763B2 |
Shaving razor providing enhanced control during shaving
A shaving razor that improves stability, corresponding user control and offers a closer shave is provided. The shaving razor can include a razor handle configuration that reduces the propensity for the shaving razor to roll in a user's hand and improves the maneuverability of the razor cartridge during shaving. In addition, the shaving razor can include a biasing pivoting member producing a progressively increasing return torque on the razor cartridge that forces the cartridge into flat contact with the skin thus improving glide and shaving closeness. |
| US08650761B2 |
Fastening apparatus
A fastening apparatus for a limit stop element of an electric hand tool, in particular a hand circular saw, is disclosed. The fastening apparatus includes a guide, into which the limit stop element can be inserted and along which it can be displaced, and a locking mechanism, which can lock the limit stop element in the displacement direction. The locking mechanism has a spring element, which, in its locked position, clamps the limit stop element with a clamping force directed against the limit stop element and, in a released position, permits a displacement of the limit stop element. |
| US08650760B2 |
Heated cutting blade, cutting head, and blade mounting structure
The present invention provides a method and apparatus of reducing current requirements by increasing resistance of the blade structure by reducing the cross sectional area of at least one section of the blade so that the electrical current requirements for heating of the blade to cutting temperature are reduced wherein the power supply and substantially entire unit may be mounted within a hand held unit. Methods of shaping blades to perform various heat distributions for specialty blades for custom cutting are disclosed. Further, an improved blade mounting structure is provided which includes structure for maintaining the legs of the blade parallel to the direction of cut and provides for easy insertion of new blades by maintaining a slotted blade cradle stable and in alignment with the blades and a clamp member away from the blade when the clamp mounting structure is loosened. |
| US08650757B2 |
Methods for preloading a bearing and aligning a lock nut
An apparatus for providing a load on a bearing mounted to a shaft includes an attaching member and a press mechanism. The attaching member is releasably connected to the shaft. The press member is coupled to the attaching member and is configured to provide a compressive load to the bearing. The press mechanism includes an aligning arm configured to engage a shaft slot of the shaft to align the press mechanism relative to the shaft when the attaching member connects to the shaft. |
| US08650755B2 |
Method and equipment of making a length of heat conduction pipe in a vacuum environment from a semi-finished heat conduction pipe
A method of making a length of heat conduction pipe from a long conduction pipe filled with heat transfer medium in vacuum environment comprises: a material preparation step in which a long heat conduction pipe with predetermined length sealed at both ends is prepared, a squelching and cutting step in which squelching and cutting is conducted on pre-determined point of said long heat conduction pipe in vacuum environment; a sealing step by which the cut end of said long heat conduction pipe is brazed and sealed in vacuum. There also provides an equipment for performing the method. |
| US08650753B2 |
Seal and a method of manufacturing a seal
A seal (48) between a compressor rotor blade (26) and compressor casing (28) comprises an abradable structure (59) on the compressor casing (28). The abradable structure (59) comprises a metallic foam (60) having pores (66, 68). The metallic foam (60) has a first a region (62) and a second region (64). The first region (62) of the metallic foam (60) is arranged adjacent to the compressor casing (28) and the second region (64) of the metallic foam (60) is spaced from the compressor casing (28) by the first region (62) of the metallic foam (60). The pores (68) of the second region (64) of the metallic foam (60) contain an abradable material (70) and the pores (66) of the first region (62) of the metallic foam (60) do not contain an abradable material. |
| US08650752B2 |
Method for manufacturing valve umbrella portion of hollow engine valve, press device of valve umbrella portion of hollow engine valve, and hollow engine valve
A semi-finished product having a hollow and an expansion diameter portion is manufactured in advance (first step), and a press device for folding an outer cylinder (4) and an inner cylinder (5) around an entire die set (DS) is used, thereby performing drawing with a body of the semi-finished product as the center in a constant temperature atmosphere at any temperature between a room temperature and 870° C. (second step). |
| US08650749B2 |
Method for manufacturing graphene electronics
An electrical circuit structure employing graphene as a charge carrier transport layer. The structure includes a plurality of graphene layers. Electrical contact is made with one of the layer of the plurality of graphene layers, so that charge carriers travel only through that one layer. By constructing the active graphene layer within or on a plurality of graphene layers, the active graphene layer maintains the necessary planarity and crystalline integrity to ensure that the high charge carrier mobility properties of the active graphene layer remain intact. |
| US08650741B1 |
Method of assembling universal gate
Various embodiments of an invention regarding universal fence gates are described including a specially shaped fence gate connector that may act as an elbow and/or a T-member, a universal fence gate kit with parts for assembling a universal fence gate including a specially shaped fence gate connector, a universal fence gate assembled using a specially shaped fence gate connector, and methods for assembling fence gates using a uniquely shaped fence gate connector. |
| US08650739B2 |
Method for manufacturing transmission electron microscope micro-grid
A method for manufacturing a transmission electron microscope (TEM) micro-grid is provided. A support ring and a sheet-shaped carbon nanotube structure precursor are first provided. The sheet-shaped carbon nanotube structure precursor is then disposed on the support ring. The sheet-shaped carbon nanotube structure precursor is cut to form a sheet-shaped carbon nanotube structure in desired shape. The sheet-shaped carbon nanotube structure is secured on the support ring. |
| US08650737B2 |
Making an elongated product
An elongated product is formed such that first a core is formed, the outer surface of the core being made of plastic. Thereafter, a tubular metal layer is extruded such that the layer is seamless. When the metal layer is extruded, a clearance is allowed between the metal layer and the core. After the metal layer has cooled, the diameter of the metal layer is reduced such that the metal layer contacts the plastic core. Thereafter, the metal is annealed such that the flexibility of the metal layer increases. |
| US08650732B2 |
Road wheel protection member
A protection member for a vehicle road wheel includes a first planar surface and a second planar surface with a central aperture extending therethrough. The protection member further includes a plurality of unequal length pins spaced about the aperture and extending in a direction away from the second surface. The plurality of pins are configured and positioned to engage holes of said road wheel utilized for mounting the road wheel to an axle of the vehicle. The protection member further includes a plurality of spoke receiving features spaced about and extending from the second surface. The spoke receiving features have a complimentary configuration for substantially aligning with a complimentary configuration of spokes of the road wheel. When the road wheel is disposed on the second surface the plurality of pins detachably couple the protection member to the road wheel. |
| US08650724B2 |
Zippers for bags and luggage
A zipper for luggage or a travel bag may include a slider and a releasable security device to provide access to the bag by authorized persons. The releasable security device may be configured to receive a portion of a locking apparatus, such as a padlock. A portion of the releasable security device may be received within the slider. |
| US08650723B2 |
Non-rotatable snap fasteners
A snap fastener includes a male component and a female component. In a mechanical fastener, a shaft having an enlarged tip fits within a socket having a retaining element for releasably holding the enlarged tip. In a magnetic snap fastener, the female component has a magnet and a cover with a central hole for receiving the shaft. In both forms of snap fasteners, the male component and female component have anti-rotation surfaces, which interact to prevent rotation of the male and female components relative to each other. |
| US08650722B2 |
Clip for vehicle and mounting method of interior member using same
A clip for a vehicle including: a substantially hollow clip main unit that has a distal end portion to be fixedly pressed into a fixation member on a vehicle body side, and a base portion in which an opening is formed; and a main unit support member that is capable of supporting the clip main unit from an inside thereof in a state where the main unit support member is completely inserted into the opening of the clip main unit, wherein a clip linking device is provided to the clip main unit and the main unit support member for engaging the clip main unit with the main unit support member so as to restrict the relative displacement in the insertion direction between the clip main unit and the main unit support member, in a state where the main unit support member is half-inserted into the clip main unit. |
| US08650721B2 |
Buckle device for seat belt and manufacturing method thereof
A buckle device 10 for a seat belt includes: an anchor plate 11 that can be attached to a vehicle body side; a buckle 20 to which a tongue of the seat belt can be detachably attached; and a woven fabric 30 that is passed through hole portions 14, 26 formed respectively in the anchor plate 11 and the buckle 20, the woven fabric 30 being folded back so as to overlap at least triply and being sewn together in the overlapping part. A tip end portion 31a of the woven fabric 30 tucked into the inner side contacts the opposing buckle 20. |
| US08650717B2 |
Processing line of bast fiber
A processing line of bast fiber is provided. The processing line is comprised of various devices for carding, cutting, degumming, high temperature washing, separating and water washing, softening, drying, batching and applying oil, permeating and reconditioning, stretching-breaking carding, and combing and sorting. The processing line of bast fiber can improve production efficiency, and improve the yield of long hemp fibers. Moreover, the produced fiber has stable quality and is convenient for post-processing. |
| US08650716B1 |
Methods and apparatus for minimizing contamination in hard disk drive assembly processes
A removable tool for reducing contamination in a cleanroom assembly environment during assembly of a hard disk drive may include a handle assembly and a positive locking assembly. The handle assembly may define a proximal and distal end such that, in use, the proximal end is further away from the hard disk drive being assembled than is the distal end. The positive locking assembly may be configured to lock onto a portion of an upper perimeter of a Motor Base Assembly (MBA) of a hard disk drive and onto a corresponding portion of a lower perimeter of the MBA. The handle assembly and the positive locking assembly may be further configured to enable free access to an interior of the MBA during subsequent assembly steps. The positive locking assembly may be further configured to be selectively releasable without touching the MBA, to thereby enable the removal of the tool. |
| US08650712B2 |
Side adjustable door hinge pin socket mechanism
A device for use in a door assembly that is positioned in a cabinet and defines a pivot axis. The device includes a base member adapted to be fixedly secured to the cabinet, an intermediate member slidingly engaged with the base member, and a cover connected to the intermediate member and having a hinge pin socket therein. The intermediate member includes a transversely extending adjustment screw associated therewith that defines a first axis. Rotation of the adjustment screw causes the intermediate member and cover to move in a direction substantially perpendicular to the first axis. |
| US08650709B2 |
Handle for a wand of a vacuum cleaning appliance
A handle for a wand of a vacuum cleaning appliance includes a handgrip portion and a conduit for receiving an air flow. The handle includes an aperture for admitting ambient air into the conduit. A first valve occludes a first portion of the aperture, and a second valve occludes a second portion of the aperture. A control mechanism moves the first and second valves away from the aperture to admit ambient air into the conduit. To vary the air flow into the conduit, the control mechanism includes a first manually operable actuator located on the handle for moving both of the first and second valves away from the aperture, and a second manually operable actuator is located on the handle for moving only one of the first and second valves away from its respective portion of the aperture. |
| US08650708B2 |
Surface treating appliance
An upright surface treating appliance includes a main body having a user operable handle, and a support assembly for allowing the appliance to be rolled along a surface using the handle. The support assembly includes a yoke pivotably connected to the main body, and a pair of domed-shaped wheels rotatably connected to the yoke. A surface treating head is connected to the yoke. The yoke is shaped so that a section of the yoke is located between the rims of the wheels. To afford a compact appearance to the appliance, the outer surfaces of the wheels and the section of the yoke together at least partially delimit a substantially spherical volume. |
| US08650704B2 |
Cleaning appliance
A cleaning appliance includes separating apparatus for separating dirt from a dirt-bearing fluid flow, a chassis, and a duct mounted on the chassis for conveying the fluid flow to the separating apparatus, the duct including a support for supporting the separating apparatus. |
| US08650699B1 |
Scrubber adapted for cleaning a side surface of a rain gutter
A scrubber for rain gutters with a scrubbing pad having a profile complementary to the profile of the outside side face of the gutter. The scrubbing pad is formed of a open cell natural or synthetic sponge and is attached to a substantially flat backing plate and makes substantially 100% surface contact with the outside side face of the rain gutter. The scrubbing pad overlaps a flange at the top of the outside side face of the gutter and overlaps a bottom of the rain gutter at the bottom of the outside side face. The scrubber is guided by the scrubbing pad along the rain gutter in a straight line by the overlapping portions of the scrubbing pad as the scrubber is moved back and forth along the rain gutter. |
| US08650694B2 |
Speed regulated pipeline pig
A pipeline pig includes a venturi and a modulating valve located rearward of the inlet side of the venturi. When the valve is in the open position, a predetermined maximum bypass flow is allowed through the venturi. The closed position allows a predetermined minimum bypass flow. The valve may be a poppet-style valve or a frusto-conical shaped stopper. The stopper has sufficient mass and/or aerodynamic drag to overcome the spring force holding the valve in the open position. When the pig stalls, the valve closes and the stopper chokes bypass flow through the venturi. When the pig starts running again, the valve opens as inertia forces the stopper away from the inlet side of the venturi. Also, as friction of the pig increases due to changes in the internal diameter of the pipeline or accumulation of debris ahead of the pig, increased airflow across the valve creates drag sufficient to partially overcome the spring force, thus keeping the pig moving at a desirable rate of travel. |
| US08650693B2 |
Sun tracking mechanism with automated cleaning arrangement for solar panel
A solar panel includes a cleaning assembly, the solar panel being mounted for rotation about a horizontal axis along a semi-circular path and the cleaning assembly comprising an oblong brush held across the front face of the solar panel and slidable back and forth along the front face of the solar panel. |
| US08650691B2 |
Strand guiding device
The present invention relates to a strand guiding device that comprises a curved body having a first end and a second end. The strand guiding device further comprises at least one channel extending from the first end to the second end inside the strand guiding device, the channel being arranged to be traversed longitudinally by a strand of a cable, and further arranged to hold the strand in place when under tension. The body of the guiding device is filled with a protective material for protecting the strand from corrosion and allowing later removal of the strand. |
| US08650690B2 |
Article of footwear with tubular sole assembly and method of manufacture
An article of footwear includes an upper and a sole assembly secured to the upper. The sole assembly includes a mat formed of at least one randomly dispersed extruded tubular member, each tubular member being hollow in an in-use condition in which the mat provides support for a user's foot. |
| US08650686B2 |
Adjustable width bariatric transport support surface
A specialty support surface for a variable width bed that can easily change its width from a wide bariatric mattress to a standard width so it can fit through a standard hospital door frame. The support surface can be placed on any bariatric bed frame that is designed to reduce its width to fit through a standard door. The support surface has the normal traverse air cells (used to reduce or relieve pressure). In addition, transverse air cells have independently controlled compartments on their ends. By inflating or deflating the controlled compartments, the length of the transverse air cells can be varied. These controllable compartments are controlled through an electronic controller by simply pressing a keypad on its touch panel. The electronic controller is used to control air pressure to the various compartments of the specialty support surface. The mattress replacement can be single or multi zone. |
| US08650684B1 |
Supine headrest with mandibular engaging portion
An airway management pillow operable to provide a secure airway of a patient in a supine position by providing a combination of a head-tilt chin lift technique and a jaw thrust technique. The airway management pillow further includes a base having a contoured surface. Integrally formed with the base on opposing sides thereof are a pair of formable lateral wings. Disposed within the pair of lateral wings are lateral wing support members that are manufactured from a malleable metal. A plurality of mandible engaging members are formed with the pair of lateral wings that project inwards in a perpendicular manner and are operable to engage at least a portion of the posterior of the mandible of the patient engaged with the airway management pillow. A support frame is disposed within the base and is operably coupled with the lateral wing support members. |
| US08650683B2 |
Pillow
A pillow has an outer cover having a first side and a second side that define there between a space for receiving pillow filling. First and second partition walls extend between the first side and the second side to divide the space into first, second, and third chambers, respectively. A closable access mechanism provides access to the first, second, and third chambers so that pillow filling can be selectively added to or removed from any of the chambers to adjust the firmness of portions of the pillow. |
| US08650682B2 |
Multifunctional display for hospital bed
A patient support apparatus includes a frame and a siderail coupled to the frame for movement between raised and lowered positions. The patient support apparatus has a display screen that, in one embodiment, is coupled to the siderail and in another embodiment is coupled to the frame with a flexible arm. The display screen displays a first graphical user interface when the display screen is positioned at a first position and a second graphical user interface when the display screen is positioned at a second position. |
| US08650680B1 |
Modular multiple bed unit
A modular multiple bed unit having first and second beds connected together at right angles using mating rail brackets each defining a quick-release coupler. A bracket with quick-release coupler is provided at each of the two spaced locations on the side of one rail of the first bed, and a bracket with a mating quick-release coupler is provided on the end of each rail of the second bed for perpendicular connection of the rails of the second bed to the one rail of the first bed. In one embodiment, a stud is formed on each bracket on the rail of the first bed to engage a hook on an L-shaped bracket on the end of a corresponding rail of the second bed. |
| US08650679B1 |
Dynamic hammock spreader apparatus
A method for spreading a hammock is disclosed. The method may include selecting a hammock comprising a hammock base having a first end, a second end opposite the first end in a longitudinal direction, a first side, and a second side opposite the first side in a lateral direction. The method may further include suspending the first end of the hammock base from a first anchor and suspending the second end of the hammock base from a second anchor. Once suspended, the hammock base may be spread in the lateral direction using exclusively a dynamic spreader system. The dynamic spreader system may automatically adjust the amount of the spreading in response to changes in the weight, shape, or orientation of contents within the hammock base. |
| US08650678B2 |
Corner latching play yard
A foldable structure includes: an upper assembly forming an upper portion of the structure; a base assembly forming a lower portion of the structure; a centrally-located hub assembly operatively connected to the base assembly; and a post extending from each corner of the upper assembly to a corner of the base assembly. The upper assembly includes a plurality of arm assemblies. At least one latching mechanism is provided at each corner of the upper assembly extending from an upper portion of at least one of the posts to a portion of at least one of the arm assemblies. |
| US08650676B2 |
Patient lift and transfer device
A patient lift and transfer device includes a base with casters for moving on a ground surface, a mast extending upwardly from the base, a carriage guided to slide along the mast by a mechanical linear drive assembly and having a forwardly extending beam, and a resting module for a patient to sit or lie thereon. The resting module is detachably connected to the beam to be suspended from the ground surface, and is raised or lowered with the carriage so as to lift and transfer the patient in a safe and comfortable manner. |
| US08650675B2 |
Locking safety mechanism for suspended transport apparatus
A suspended patient-carrier/transport apparatus of the type including an overhead rail forming a horizontal track terminating at a track-end, and a carrier device supported by a carriage having a plurality of aligned rollers rideable along the track. The inventive suspended transport apparatus has a locking safety mechanism including a track-end detector and a locking device. The locking device is operatively connected with respect to the track-end detector which actuates the locking device to engage the rail thereby stopping the carriage on the track upon sensing an absence of the track beyond the track-end. |
| US08650671B1 |
Toilet fill valve with adjustable bowl fill flow
Various embodiments are directed towards toilet fill valves with adjustable bowl fill flow. In one embodiment, a toilet fill valve includes a water inlet, a water outlet, a bowl fill outlet port, and a bowl fill valve. The bowl fill valve has an integrally molded portion that forms a bowl fill valve inlet port. The integrally molded portion of the bowl fill valve inserts into the bowl fill outlet port so that the bowl fill valve inlet port is coupled to the bowl fill outlet port. |
| US08650669B1 |
Portable urinal
A portable urinal is provided with a reservoir having a low center of gravity, a flexible corrugated hose which will maintain its position in either a contracted or expanded condition or a shape or curve to which it is placed for convenience in use wherein the flexible corrugated hose maintains its shape and degree of extension or contraction and including receptacles suitable for use by males and females in various positions including seated, standing and stooping. |
| US08650665B2 |
Bottom periphery length adjustment mechanism
There is provided a bottom periphery length adjustment mechanism usable for apparel in which a very high importance is attached to design of appearance. The length adjustment mechanism comprises a slide adjuster. The slide adjuster comprises a band and a buckle that are formed of a synthetic resin. An engagement claw of the buckle is engaged with a serrated engagement groove provided on the outer surface of the band so that, in an engaged state, the band freely approaches the buckle but cannot retract. The buckle is fixed to the backside of the bottom. When the band approaches the buckle, the periphery of the bottom shrinks while, when the band moves away from the buckle, the periphery of the bottom expands. |
| US08650664B2 |
Garment for protection from the elements
A garment for protection from the elements includes a blanket defined by an upper edge, a lower edge and a first side edge and a second side edge disposed between and connecting the upper edge and the lower edge, the upper edge, the lower edge, and the first side edge and the second side edge together forming a substantially rectangular shape, a hood connected to the blanket along the upper edge, a seat cushion assembly disposed on the blanket, the seat cushion assembly including a seat cushion pocket and a seat cushion removably disposed in the seat cushion pocket, and an attachment device attached to the seat cushion assembly circumscribing a waist of a wearer. |
| US08650662B2 |
Method and apparatus for providing sleeves to an otherwise sleeveless garment
A method and apparatus for supplying a variety of stylish sleeves for wear with sleeveless outfits. A bust band circles the rib cage and the back with either front or back closure. A pair of shoulder straps are attached to the bust band. Stylish lace, sheer or other sleeves are sewed or otherwise attached to the shoulder straps and/or bust band. The band generally runs around the front chest just under the bra and around the back at the approximate vertical location of the rear part of the bra. The sleeves are typically sewed onto the shoulder straps and/or bust band; however, it is within the scope of the present invention to use removable sleeves with various fastening techniques. In the preferred embodiment, small silicone strips are attached to the interior of the shoulder straps that allow the sleeves to adhere to the shoulder and not slip down. |
| US08656511B2 |
Method for attaching a particle to a scanning probe tip through eutectic bonding
A method for attaching a conductive particle to the apex of a probe tip comprises the steps of: moving the apex of a probe tip close to a conductive particle and applying a bias voltage between the probe tip and the conductive particle so that the conductive particle can permanently attach to the apex. The method uses only a bias voltage to transfer and attach conductive particles to the apex of a probe tip, and no surface treatment of the probe tip is required. |
| US08656510B1 |
System, apparatus, and method for simultaneous single molecule atomic force microscopy and fluorescence measurements
An apparatus, system, and method of integrating atomic force microscopy (AFM) and fluorescence microscopy (FM). One particular application is to simultaneous single molecular fluorescence with AFM force spectroscopy. Included is a methodology to align the AFM tip and a molecule or other nanoscale object with high accuracy. |
| US08656509B2 |
Scanning probe microscope and surface shape measuring method using same
It has been difficult to highly accurately measure the profiles of samples using scanning probe microscopes at the time when scanning is performed due to scanning mechanism fluctuations in the non drive direction, i.e., vertical direction. The present invention is provided with, on the rear side of a sample stage, a high-accuracy displacement gauge for measuring fluctuation in the non drive direction, i.e., vertical direction, at the time when the sample stage is being scanned in the horizontal directions, and as a result, highly accurate planarity evaluation with accuracy of sample nm-order or less is made possible by correcting sample surface shape measurement results obtained using a probe. |
| US08656504B2 |
Method and apparatus for protecting account numbers and passwords
A method and apparatus are provided for protecting confidential information. The method includes the steps of providing a plurality of files where each file contains at least one item of secret information, password protecting the plurality of files with a master password, detecting entry of passwords into a master password entry field, comparing entered passwords with the master password to identify incorrect master passwords and deleting the plurality of files upon successive entry of incorrect master passwords a predetermined number of times. |
| US08656497B2 |
Constraint injection system for immunizing software programs against vulnerabilities and attacks
A constraint is inserted into a program to address a vulnerability of the program to attacks. The constraint includes a segment of code that determines when the program has been asked to execute a “corner case” which does not occur in normal operations. The constraint code can access a library of detector and remediator functions to detect various attacks and remediate against them. Optionally, the detector can be employed without the remediator for analysis. The context of the program can be saved and restored if necessary to continue operating after remediation is performed. The constraints can include descriptors, along with machine instructions or byte code, which indicate how the constraints are to be used. |
| US08656496B2 |
Global variable security analysis
A method includes determining selected global variables in a program for which flow of the selected global variables through the program is to be tracked. The selected global variables are less than all the global variables in the program. The method includes using a static analysis performed on the program, tracking flow through the program for the selected global variables. In response to one or more of the selected global variables being used in security-sensitive operations in the flow, use is analyzed of each one of the selected global variables in a corresponding security-sensitive operation. In response to a determination the use may be a potential security violation, the potential security violation is reported. Apparatus and computer program products are also disclosed. |
| US08656489B1 |
Method and apparatus for accelerating load-point scanning
A method and apparatus for accelerating a load point scanning process. In one embodiment, the method and apparatus comprise creating, at an initial scan, a detection area map identifying files referenced by detection areas. Upon a subsequent scan, determining whether the detection area has changed with respect to the detection area map. If the detection area map has changed, re-evaluating the detection area and repopulating the detection area map entry. In another embodiment, the method and apparatus avoid rescanning files as allowed using information in a file attribute cache. |
| US08656486B2 |
Biometric sensor for human presence detection and associated methods
An electronic device may include a communications interface, a user prompting device, a biometric sensor, and a controller. The controller may perform biometric spoof detection with the biometric sensor, and receive a request for human presence verification from a remote device via the communications interface. The controller may also prompt the user for a verification action using the sensor based upon receiving the request, and determine that the user has completed the verification action in response to the prompting and based upon the biometric spoof detection. The controller may further send a response to the remote device via the communications interface and based upon determining that the user has completed the verification action. The controller may send a notification to the remote device that there is a biometric sensor. |
| US08656484B2 |
System and method for mutually authenticated cryptographic key exchange using matrices
Two parties can establish a cryptographic key using a matrix based key exchange protocol, for secure communications without any prior distribution of secret keys or other secret data, and without revealing said key to any third party who may have access to all of the transmissions between them. The two parties use a shared secret to produce a common matrix M. The common matrix M, is multiplied by a random matrix K on the sending side, and a different random matrix N on the receiving side. The matrix product KM is sent from the sending side to the receiving side, and the matrix product MN is sent from the receiving side to the sending side. Both sides produce the common matrix product KMN, and use it for producing a symmetric key for encrypted communications, after mutually authenticating one another over an insecure network. |
| US08656483B2 |
System for locking electronic device and method thereof
A system for locking an electronic device is provided. The system includes an electronic device, and electronic keys electrically connected to the electronic device. The electronic key includes a plurality of resistors which are connected in series, the resistance value of the electronic key is changeable by coupling different resistors of the electronic key. The electronic device comprises of a processing unit and a function key. When the function key produces locking command in response to user operation, the processing unit obtains the resistance value of the electronic key and produce encryption key according to the obtained resistance value to unlock the electronic device. When the function key produces unlocking command, the processing unit decodes the encryption key and unlocks the electronic device when determining the obtained value matches the decoded encryption key. |
| US08656474B2 |
Biometric authentication device, biometric authentication method and storage medium
A biometric authentication device includes: a biometric information obtain portion obtaining biometric information of a user; a biometric condition determine portion determining good and bad of biometric condition of the user according to the biometric information of the user; a biometric matching portion performing a matching of registered biometric information registered in advance based on the biometric information; an alternate authentication portion performing an authentication based on information that is different from the biometric information; and an alternate authentication control portion switching validation and invalidation of the authentication by the alternate authentication portion according to a determination result of the biometric condition determine portion. |
| US08656473B2 |
Linking web identity and access to devices
Systems and methods are provided for linking a web identity and a portable device to provide web access to a user from a vehicle. An example system includes a presence agent that may be configured to validate the presence of the portable device in the vehicle by recognizing a device identifier saved on the portable device. After the presence of the portable device is validated, a security manager may receive a user identifier, and verify if the user identifier corresponds with a known user value. Then, the security manager may send a user identity secure proxy to a credential manager. The credential manager may be configured to receive the user identity secure proxy, and in response, pass one or more credentials to a computing device onboard the vehicle. The credentials may indicate that the user is authorized to access one or more web services from the computing device. |
| US08656468B2 |
Method and system for validating authenticity of identity claims
A method for validating authenticity of identity claims of one or more communicating entities in an online transaction over a network is disclosed. The method includes extracting identity information of the first communicating entity by the second communicating entity during online transaction and prompting a client to provide a unique resource name of the first entity. Further, the method includes validating the identity information extracted from the first entity by checking identity information already registered in a registry. Later the method includes authenticating the identity claims of the first entity based on the validation results. The method also includes steps for registering identity information of the first entity within the registry. |
| US08656466B2 |
Data processing with a posteriori or a priori authentication
A method and apparatus are provided for processing data. The method includes a step of receiving, during a first communication session established with said server, a request formulated by a first user defining at least one processing operation to be executed on first data, and a step of executing said processing operation on said first data, during a second communication session established with said server after said first session for a second user. The step of executing is applied on condition that the second user has been authenticated via a strong authentication method during the second session and that a relationship between the first and second users has been verified. |
| US08656465B1 |
Userspace permissions service
In one example, a method includes intercepting, by a first security module, a request from a software application executing on the computing device to access a resource of the computing device. The first security module may include a first group of permissions received from a second security module included in an operating system. The second security module may control access by software applications executing on the computing devices to resources of the computing device based upon permissions granted to the software applications. The method may also include identifying a second group of permissions granted to the software application. The second group of permissions may be a subset of the first group of permissions. The method may also include determining, based upon the first group of permissions, whether the software application is allowed to access the resource. The method may also include controlling access to the resource, based on the determining. |
| US08656461B2 |
Copy-paste trust system
Various embodiments are disclosed relating to performing a trusted copy and paste operations between a source application and a target application. For example, a trust system may receive a paste request for pasting copied source content, and may compare a source trust level associated with the source content to a target trust level associated with a target application. In this way, for example, harmful or disruptive code may be prevented from being pasted into the target application. |
| US08656450B2 |
Security policy switching device, security policy management system, and storage medium
A security policy switching device includes a policy information storage that stores policy setting information and identification information of a policy in correspondence to each other, the policy setting information including setting content of the policy and identification information of a user to whom the policy is attached, a data information storage that stores identification information of data for which a policy is set and identification information of a policy attached to the data in correspondence to each other, and a policy switching unit that switches, in response to a switching request designating identification information of data for which the policy is to be switched and identification information of a user instructing the switch, a policy attached to the data by updating identification information of the policy attached to the data stored in the data information storage with identification information of another policy. |
| US08656449B1 |
Applying policy attributes to events
Systems, methods, and computer-readable media, for applying one or more policy attributes to an event are provided. The application of policy attributes to an event is initiated. Thereafter, policy attributes to be applied to an event are identified. Such policy attributes may be identified based on event attributes. The policy attributes are applied to an event so that a specific quality of service is achieved. Subsequently, an indication is provided to reconfigure a host source such that the policy attributes may be applied upon each event request. |
| US08656447B2 |
Splicing of content
A Headend system including a video codec to encode a video sequence yielding an encoded video sequence having video packets, a multiplexer, a signal generator to receive a notification of a splice point, analyze at least some of the encoded video packets based on the notification in order to find a random-access-point-packet, the random-access-point being a point from which to start decoding the encoded video sequence by the rendering device so that the video sequence may be rendered for output from the splice point, create a timing signal estimating a location of the random-access-point-packet in the encoded video sequence, and output the timing signal to the multiplexer or transmission equipment. Related apparatus and methods are also described. |
| US08656446B2 |
System and method for internet access to a personal television service
A communication system and a family of methods for remote access to personal television service are disclosed. According to this invention, a remote personal TV service center provides centralized program guide information. A user may access to the personal TV service center through a digital video recorder which is connected to the personal TV service center via telephone modem or a network server. A user may access to the personal TV service center through a remote computer terminal or a personal digital assistant which is connected to a computer network. The user selects program events and programs the digital video recorder by using a graphical user interface installed in the front panel of the digital video recorder in case of local programming, or using a similar GUI which is incorporated into the Web pages presented to remote users by a Web server in case of remote programming. The media stream stored in one digital video recorder may be transferred to another digital video recorder. For data security protection during data transfer, all communication are authenticated and encrypted. |
| US08656443B2 |
Method and system for providing dynamic time slice encoding for complete internet anywhere
A server may be used to handle at least some of processing of content retrieved via and/or derived from Internet access operations of a plurality of set-top boxes (STBs). Resource allocation and/or utilization, and/or tasks or applications performed in the server during the processing may be configured based on control data, which may be determined by the server and which may comprise capabilities of links between the server and each of the plurality of STBs, requirements of the tasks, characteristics of the content and/or the Internet access operations, user preferences and/or interactions, and/or content provider preferences. The server may dynamically reconfigure the tasks and/or resources based on monitoring of its operations and/or changes of the control data. Configuring tasks and/or resources may comprise time slicing access to resources that are commonly used during concurrent servicing of at least some of the plurality of STBs by the support server. |
| US08656440B2 |
Method and system of providing a virtual community for participation in a remote event
An approach is provided for establishing a virtual community for remotely participating in an event. A remote camera set is controlled by a user equipment to view an event from a plurality of viewing perspectives. A virtual community is built to share viewing of the event by multiple participants. |
| US08656438B2 |
Method and system of queued management of multimedia storage
A queue management module receives a message to queue location information for multimedia content. The queue management module stores the location information in a queue corresponding to a subscriber. The queue management module receives a message for location information from a video distribution module. The queue management module transmits a message for retrieval of multimedia content to the video distribution module. In other examples, a queue agent module transmits a message for location information for multimedia content to a queue management module. The queue agent module receives a message for retrieval of content from the queue management module. The queue agent module retrieves the multimedia content from the remote content server using the location information received in the message for retrieval of content. A data storage module identifies available storage in limited storage provided for the subscriber and stores the retrieved multimedia content in the limited storage for the subscriber. |
| US08656436B2 |
Satellite reception and distribution system for use as a head end with programmable transponder conversion of transponder blocks
Various designs of configurable multiswitch or multifeed satellite reception systems comprising switch-over matrices and transponder branches and “one cable solutions” which allow or do not allow subsequent expansion with respect to the subscribers that can be connected thereto are known from the prior art. In general, the costs for such systems comprising frequency converters are primarily determined by the frequency converters and the associated filters. The aim of the invention is to devise inexpensive methods or devices which allow detection of the complete frequency spectrum—even after subsequent expansions—and which therefore do not involve any restrictions with respect to the program range. The device for the freely programmable conversion of 1 to m transponders in n transponder blocks (TB1 to TBn) of a satellite reception system comprises the following elements: a satellite antenna (S) comprising at least one LNB reception converter (LNB1, LBN4) to the outputs of which the respective satellite IF plane is applied; a multiswitch (MS) connected to the outputs of the one or more LNB reception converters (LNB1, LNB4); n converters (U) which are arranged in parallel to each other; mid a combinatorial circuit (VS) connected to the converters (U) to combine the n transponder blocks (TB1 to TBn) to an output spectrum, the device making all configured transponders available to every receiver in the manner of a satellite head end. The invention is used in the field of satellite reception and distribution systems as a head end. |
| US08656435B2 |
Controlled metadata revelation
A method of controlling revelation of one or more metadata items is disclosed. Each of the one or more metadata items is associated with one or more parts of an audio-visual data stream (101). The method comprises: for a given one or more parts (103,105) of the audio-visual data stream (101), revealing one or more metadata items (113,115,117) associated with the given one or more parts (103,105) of the audio-visual data stream (101) only after the given one or more parts (103,105) of the audio-visual data stream (101) have been accessed. |
| US08656433B2 |
TV program information management method and a remote control
A TV program information management method has steps of creating a channel information table, receiving and updating channel program information, generating arranged channel information and receiving download request. A management platform generates an arranged channel information according to the channel information table and the updating channel program information. The arranged channel information is hierarchical information related to cable providers, grouped channels by similarity that are provided by the cable providers, programs of the channels and ratings of the programs. A remote control downloads the arranged channel information therein so a desired program may be selected easily. |
| US08656431B2 |
Global interactive program guide application and device
A system and device is disclosed that employs a global interactive program guide to receive, access, manage, and view digital entertainment services such as live television, television on demand, and pre-recorded video and audio programming from one on more content sources, via an internet-enabled device, anywhere in the world. As disclosed, the global interactive program guide provides a user with metadata that describes available content and enables the user to access desired content on an a la carte basis and arrange the presentation of that content in any way or order desired. The system of the instant invention can alternatively be practiced with any mobile communications device that is accessible via the internet, cell phone communications or other communications mode. Changes made to content availability are instantly synchronized through the entire system and content redundancy is obtained when available. |
| US08656429B2 |
System and method for displaying and navigating a graphical two-dimensional array of a plurality of available channels
The subject application is directed to a system and method for displaying and navigating a graphical two-dimensional array of a plurality of available channels on an associated display unit. A two-dimensional array of channel boxes is first generated on an associated display. Input signals are then received corresponding to a respective plurality of available channels. At least one of the received input signals is then parsed to acquire channel identification data indicating at least one channel associated with the parsed signal. Image data associated with the indicated channel is then captured. Thereafter, at least one channel box is populated in the array with the acquired identification data and the captured image data. |
| US08656422B2 |
Method and apparatus for managing targeted advertisements for a linear television service
A method and apparatus for managing targeted advertisements for linear television is provided herein. During operation a client device will determine whether or not an advertisement opportunity duration is known, unknown, or variable. Based on this determination, advertisements that best match the advertisement opportunity duration will be chosen via separate algorithms. More particularly, a first algorithm will be used to choose advertisements when the advertisement opportunity duration is known, a second algorithm will be used to choose advertisements when the advertisement opportunity duration is unknown, and a third algorithm will be used to choose advertisements when the advertisement opportunity duration is variable. |
| US08656420B2 |
System and method for providing a routing service in distributed computing environment
A system for providing a routing service that enables a client to locate a target service in distributed computing environment that supports multiple communications protocols. The system includes a main database and a routing mechanism. The main database has routing information. The routing mechanism can be distributed in multiple instances. The routing mechanism includes a local database. The local database stores an extract of the main database. The routing mechanism uses the local database to make routing decisions. To locate the target service, the client first obtains a reference to the routing mechanism. The client then sends a request with input parameters to the routing mechanism. The routing mechanism then returns output parameters to the client. The output parameters contains a reference and/or associated properties of the target service depending on the type of the target service. The client analyzes the returned output parameters and locates the target service. |
| US08656418B2 |
Providing a proxy view for an application in a window manager
A window manager process hosts proxy window objects created by an application in a window manager display structure. A process in a device creates a local proxy view object within a window manager display structure for the window manager process. The process registers an identifier for a remote proxy window object which corresponds to an application display structure. The application controls processing of data used by the application. The process assigns the identifier for the remote proxy window object to the local proxy view object in the window manager display structure to create a composite display structure and renders the composite display structure to display an image on a display device. The image corresponds to the objects of the application display structure represented by the remote proxy window object. The window manager process controls rendering of the composite display structure. |
| US08656417B2 |
Interface for telecommunication services using uniform resource identifiers
An application programming interface (API) provides telecommunication services in the form of a resource modeled as an object, which object can be essentially any coherent and meaningful concept that may be addressed. The API model permits simpler and more intuitive invocation and usage of the API. The object model for the API avoids having to understand service infrastructure for proper API invocation and tends to increase the usability of the service represented by the API. With the object-modeled resource, the device can be made to appear to an application programmer as a webpage, so that interacting with the device is the same as interacting with a webpage, such as by utilizing HTTP requests and responses. The object-model API can increase the ease with which an application programmer can utilize the services offered, as well as increase the ease with which the API may be integrated into an overall communication system. |
| US08656411B2 |
Technique for monitoring activity within an integrated circuit
A technique to monitor events within a computer system or integrated circuit. In one embodiment, a software-accessible event monitoring storage and hardware-specific monitoring logic are selectable and their corresponding outputs may be monitored by accessing a counter to count events corresponding to each of software-accessible storage and hardware-specific monitoring logic. |
| US08656407B2 |
Profiling input / output operations
Implementations of the present disclosure provide methods including executing a virtual machine configured to execute a plurality of applications and perform a plurality of I/O operations; storing meta information for a first I/O operation performed by the virtual machine in an I/O information holder for the virtual machine; receiving a request to begin an I/O profiling session on the virtual machine after storing the meta information; and reporting an I/O event record for a second I/O operation performed by the virtual machine using the meta information for the first I/O operation, wherein the second I/O operation is performed after beginning an I/O profiling session on the virtual machine. |
| US08656403B2 |
Negotiation management in data processing systems
Techniques are disclosed for optimizing schedules used in implementing plans for performing tasks in data processing systems. For example, an automated method of negotiating for resources in a data processing system, wherein the data processing system comprises multiple sites, comprises a negotiation management component of a computer system at a given one of the sites performing the following steps. One or more tasks from at least one source of one or more plans are obtained. Each plan is annotated with one or more needed resources and one or more potential resource providers at one or more sites in the data processing system. An optimized resource negotiation schedule based on the one or more obtained tasks is computed. The schedule comprises an order in which resources are negotiated. In accordance with the optimized resource negotiation schedule, a request for each needed resource is sent to the one or more potential resource providers such that a negotiation process is performed between the negotiation management component and at least one of the potential resource providers. |
| US08656402B2 |
Incremental web container growth to control startup request flooding
A computer implemented method, an apparatus, and a computer usable program product for controlling startup request flooding. An application server instance is started. If the application server instance is throttled during a startup interval, a Web container thread manager is initiated. If the Web container thread manager identifies it is time to increment a Web container maximum thread pool size for the application server instance, the application server instance is notified to increment its Web container maximum thread pool size by a programmable amount. If the Web container maximum thread pool size for the application server instance has not reached a final maximum thread pool size, and if the startup interval for the application server instance has not completed, the Web container thread manager is suspended for an interval, after which the Web container thread manager identifies if it is time to increment the Web container maximum thread pool size for the application server instance. |
| US08656398B2 |
Synchronization of workflows in a video file workflow system
A system and method for synchronization of workflows in a video file workflow system. A workflow is created that splits execution of the workflow tasks (in a single, video file workflow) across multiple Content Management Systems (CMSs). When a single workflow is split across two CMSs, which jointly perform the overall workflow, the two resulting workflows are created to essentially mirror each other so that each CMS can track the tasks being executed on the other CMS using synchronization messages. Hence, both CMSs have the same representation of the processing status of the video content at all time. This allows for dual tracking of the workflow process and for independent operations, at different CMSs, when the CMS systems require load balancing. The split-processing based synchronization can be implemented in the workflows themselves or with simple modifications to workflow templates, without requiring any modification of the software of the workflow systems. |
| US08656397B2 |
Migrating groups of threads across NUMA nodes based on remote page access frequency
A mechanism for tracking memory accesses in a non-uniform memory access (NUMA) system to optimize processor task placement is disclosed. A method of embodiments of the invention includes creating a page table (PT) hierarchy associated with a thread to be run on a processor of a computing device, collecting access bit information from the PT hierarchy associated with the thread, wherein the access bit information includes any access bits in the PT hierarchy that are set by a memory management unit (MMU) of the processor to identify a page of memory accessed by the thread, determining memory access statistics for the thread, and utilizing the memory access statistics for the thread in a determination of whether to migrate the thread to another processor. |
| US08656393B2 |
Multi-core system
A multi-core system includes: a first core that writes first data by execution of a first program, wherein the first core gives write completion notice after completion of the writing; a second core that refers to the written first data by execution of a second program; and a scheduler that instructs the second core to start the execution of the second program before the execution of the first program is completed when the scheduler is given the write completion notice from the first core by the execution of the first program. |
| US08656387B2 |
Method and system for workload distributing and processing across a network of replicated virtual machines
A method and a system for creating a network of virtual machines in a communication network including a head node virtual machine (VM) for distribution and processing of a workload. The head node VM is created and hosted at a server computer. The head node VM specifies the workload that is assignable into sub-tasks. A pool of physical computing devices for hosting a plurality of replica VMs is identified. The head node VM is replicated at each one of the plurality of replica VMs. The plurality of replica VMs coordinate to assign at least one workload sub-task to the each one of the plurality of replica VMs. The at least one assigned workload sub-tasks is processed at the respective each one of the plurality of replica VMs to provide at least one sub-task result. The at least one sub-task result is received at the head node VM. |
| US08656381B2 |
Presenting machine instructions in a machine-independent tree form suitable for post-link optimizations
A machine-independent representation of computer instructions can serve as a standard for machine instruction description that is suitable for post-link transformation tools, such as post-link optimizers, and for education of users. In one embodiment the instructions are presented as expression trees in a XML file. An optimizer operates on the transformed code representations, after which optimized code is re-transformed into machine-readable code. |
| US08656377B2 |
Tracking variable information in optimized code
Embodiments are directed to tracking variable location information in optimized code and efficiently collecting and storing reaching definition information. A computer system receives a portion of source code at a compiler, where the compiler is configured to compile and optimize the source code for execution. The computer system tags selected variables in the source code with a tag, where the tag is configured to provide location information for the variable. The computer system optimizes the received portion of source code including changing at least one of the tagged variables. The computer system also tracks the tagged variables as the variables are changed by the compiler during code optimization and persists the variable location information, so that the persisted variable location information is available to other compiler components. |
| US08656375B2 |
Cross-logical entity accelerators
A cross-logical entity group is created that includes one or more accelerators to be shared by a plurality of logical entities. Instantiated on the accelerators are functions that are common across multiple logical entities. The functions to be instantiated are determined, for instance, dynamically during run-time. |
| US08656374B2 |
Processing cobol data record schemas having disparate formats
A computer readable medium is configured to receive a description of a COBOL copybook that can be represented in one of a plurality of disparate formats, to parse the COBOL copybook based on the description of the COBOL copybook, and to create a standardized data record schema based on the COBOL copybook. The description of the COBOL copybook includes information about the format of the COBOL copybook. |
| US08656372B2 |
System for translating diverse programming languages
A computer language translator that translates all or any portion thereof of source code in an original computer language to source code in a target computer language, which may then be translated back to the original language while still maintaining concept, syntax, form of expression, and formatting of the original source code. |
| US08656369B2 |
Tracing flow of data in a distributed computing application
A method is provided for tracing dataflow in a distributed computing application. For example, the method includes incrementally advancing a dataflow in a dataflow path of one or more dataflow paths according to two or more directives encoded in two or more data messages. The method further includes performing the two or more directives. The dataflow path includes one or more operators including at least one merge operator operative to merge the two or more data messages and merge the two or more directives. One or more of the incrementally advancing of the dataflow and the performing of the two or more directives are implemented as instruction code performed on a processor device. |
| US08656368B1 |
System, method, and computer program product for abstract software performance profiling
The present disclosure relates to a computer-implemented method for abstract software performance profiling. The method may include providing, using a computing device, a virtual run-time stack associated with a software performance profile. The method may further include generating, using the computing device, at least one abstract tag associated with the virtual run-time stack. The method may also include performing, using the computing device, at least one operation on the virtual run-time stack, the at least one operation including, at least in part, the at least one abstract tag. |
| US08656366B2 |
Microprogrammable device code tracing with single pin transmission of execution event encoded signal and trace memory storing instructions at same address
A microprogrammable electronic device has a first code memory storing instructions, and is configured to execute each instruction in the first code memory at a respective instruction cycle. The system comprises binary code generating means, and a tracing device. The binary code generating means form part of the device, and are configured to generate and output on a single pin of the device binary codes, each of which indicates a corresponding execution-related event, is generated and outputted at a corresponding instruction cycle, and has N bits, where N is an integer >=2. The tracing device is coupled with the single pin to receive the binary codes, and has a second code memory in which the instructions are stored. The tracing device is configured to trace instructions executed by the device, on the basis of the received binary codes and of the instructions stored in the second code memory. |
| US08656365B2 |
Systems, methods, and computer-readable media for measuring quality of application programming interfaces
A system, computer-implemented method, and computer-readable medium for determining the quality of an API includes receiving documentation of the API, determining one or more characteristics of the API based at least in part on the documentation of the API, determining or more measurement values based at least in part on the one or more characteristics of the API, and computing a quality score for the API based at least in part on the one or more measurement values. |
| US08656362B2 |
System, method and program product for correcting semantic errors in code using peer submitted code snippets
A method, system and/or program product corrects semantic errors in code in an integrated development environment. The method includes inputting, using a code editor, code being developed in an integrated development environment. One or more nodes, in a syntax tree constructed for inputting the code, are identified as containing semantic errors pertaining to use of a third-party library. A primary executable code snippet and a secondary code snippet for correcting the semantic errors are displayed. If execution of the primary code snippet does not correct the semantic errors, then the secondary code snippet is automatically executed. |
| US08656359B2 |
Debugging data mappings
Various embodiments of systems and methods for data mappings with visual debugging capabilities are described herein. A debugger is used to debug data transformations while presenting the actual transformation being debugged. The mapping being debugged is depicted differently than the rest of the mappings. A user can check the current context, continue debugging, resume execution, or terminate the debug session. |
| US08656357B2 |
Testing internationalized software using test resource file and test font
An efficient testing method is provided for internationalized software executed in a plurality of language environments. The method includes mock-translating an externalized resource file written in a first language of the internationalized software by converting characters of the first language to characters of a second language based on a conversion table; and displaying output information from the internationalized software that performs processing by referring to the mock-translated test resource file using one of a plurality of fonts prepared for respective test categories. |
| US08656355B2 |
Application-based specialization for computing nodes within a distributed processing system
A distributed processing system is described that employs “application-based” specialization. In particular, the distributed processing system is constructed as a collection of computing nodes in which each computing node performs a particular processing role within the operation of the overall distributed processing system. Each of the computing nodes includes an operating system, such as the Linux operating system, and includes a plug-in software module to provide a distributed memory operating system that employs the role-based computing techniques. An administration node maintains a database that defines a plurality of application roles. Each role is associated with a software application, and specifies a set of software components necessary for execution of the software application. The administration node deploys the software components to the application nodes in accordance with the application roles associates with each of the application nodes. |
| US08656354B2 |
Compound versioning and identification scheme for composite application development
The present invention provides a method, a system and a computer program product for defining a version identifier of a service component. The method includes determining various specification levels corresponding to the service component. Thereafter, the determined specification levels are integrated according to a predefined hierarchy to obtain the version identifier of the service component. The present invention also enables the identification of the service components. The service components are identified from one or more service components on the basis of one or more user requirements. |
| US08656353B2 |
Mobile application generator
A system and a method are disclosed for receiving a request to create a mobile application, the request comprising provider-specific application information and provider-specific content for the mobile application, generating, by a processing device, an application description based on the provider-specific application information, wherein the application description comprises a selection of one or more application features for the mobile application, retrieving, by the processing device, a base mobile application stored in a data store, wherein the base mobile application comprises previously generated base application software code, modifying, by the processing device, the base mobile application in view of the application description; and generating, by the processing device, binary mobile application code for the mobile application in view of the modified base mobile application. |
| US08656352B2 |
System and method for synchronized workflow management
A system may identify a workflow associated with a graphical model and execute the workflow in a number of stages. The system may display a number of components of the graphical model and identify which of the displayed components are associated with or affected by execution of a current one of the stages of the workflow. |
| US08656350B2 |
Event-based process configuration
A system and method for configuring an event-based process are disclosed. A configuration module receives input describing an event-based process or modifications to an event-based process. For example, the configuration module receives as input a graphical depiction of one or more states and state transitions that comprise at least a portion of the event-based process. Using the received input description, the configuration module generates executable data, such as data formatted as an event processing language, corresponding to the input. The executable data is then communicated to an event engine which executes the executable data to implement the event-based process or modifications to an event-based process corresponding to the received input. One or more aspects of the execution of the event-based process may also be visualized, and graphically modified, though an event monitoring module. |
| US08656348B2 |
Parser, code generator, and data calculation and transformation engine for spreadsheet calculations
A system including spreadsheet sheets, makes calculations and data transformations, which is available through a programming interface, and conforms to the grammar and syntax of a target software development language is presented. The system includes an Object Model with Data Structures representing entities involved in spreadsheets. The system includes a Parser and Code Generator that extracts data from a body of spreadsheet data, instantiates instances of Data Structures of the Object Model to represent the spreadsheet data, parses the data and formulas contained in the cells of the spreadsheets, iterates through the instantiated instances of the Data Structures, and generates source code that performs the calculations and data transformations embodied in the spreadsheet data. The system includes a Calculation Engine with software base classes that implement the common structural and data access features of spreadsheet data, and further implement the operations of common spreadsheet functions and operators. |
| US08656345B2 |
Managing hardware implementation and deployment of a graphical program
System and method for managing and specifying hardware implementation of a graphical program. A graphical program that implements an algorithm is stored in a memory of a computer system. The graphical program meets one or more first specified implementation requirements and is targeted for deployment to a programmable hardware element. A plurality of sets of descriptive directives are also stored in the memory, where the descriptive directives are associated with the graphical program and specify one or more additional specified implementation requirements, e.g., memory resource implementations, optimization directives, and so forth, where the additional directives result from programmatic and/or user-specification. Each set of descriptive directives is useable by a synthesis tool to generate a respective hardware configuration program for deployment to the graphical programmable hardware element. |
| US08656343B2 |
System and method of providing real-time updates related to in-use artifacts in a software development environment
An artifact update notification system that includes a server computer and client computer is discussed and described. The server computer stores artifact preferences, determined according to objective and subjective criteria, of artifact characteristics. The client computer executes a software development environment that makes use of a software artifact. The server computer and client computer interact to perform an update cycle. The update cycle includes the server computer communicating to the client computer whether there is an actionable change to the software artifact with respect to the artifact preferences. If there has been an actionable change to the software artifact, the client computer performs an update action in the software development environment in response to the actionable change. A related artifact update notification method is also described, as is a computer-readable storage medium that includes instructions for operation of a computer to execute a related artifact update notification method. |
| US08656337B2 |
Optimization method and device for netlist used in logic circuit design for semiconductor integrated circuit
A method, device, and article for assisting in the design of a logic circuit. The method can be such that: logic circuit description data is acquired, a first netlist is generated which is logically integrated with a first frequency based on the acquired logic circuit description data, and a second netlist is generated which is logically integrated with a second frequency higher than the first frequency based on the acquired logic circuit description data, logical operation elements and the wiring for the logical operation elements are arranged based on the first netlist, and a timing report is outputted which is related to the execution timing for each block divided into a predetermined wiring unit, and any block not satisfying the desired operational speed based on the outputted timing report is extracted, the first netlist is replaced with the second netlist for any extracted block, and placement and routing is performed. |
| US08656334B2 |
Multiple threshold voltage cell families based integrated circuit design
A method, system, and computer usable program product for multiple threshold voltage cell families (mVt families) based integrated circuit design are provided in the illustrative embodiments. The integrated circuit includes cells, and a cell includes an electronic component. A design process is initialized by using cells from the mVt families in the design. The cells from the mVt families are included in iterative manipulation of the design. The cells from the mVt families are further included in violation cleanup and subsequent steps of the design process. A version of the design is produced that is usable to implement the circuit with the cells from the mVt families. |
| US08656332B2 |
Automated critical area allocation in a physical synthesized hierarchical design
A method, computer program product, and data processing system for efficiently performing automated placement of timing-critical unit-level cells in a hierarchical integrated circuit design is disclosed. In preparation for global optimization the entire unit at the cell level, macro-level cells are assigned a “placement force” that serves to limit the movement of the macro-level cells from their current position. Movement boundaries for each macro element are also defined, so as to keep the components in a given macro element in relative proximity to each other. Optimization/placement of the unit design is then performed, via a force-directed layout algorithm, on a “flattened” model of the design while respecting the movement boundaries. Following this “flattened” optimization, the placed “unit-level” cells are modeled as blockages and the macro elements are optimized individually, while respecting the location(s) of the blockages. This entire process is repeated until the optimization of the unit layout eventually converges. |
| US08656325B2 |
Integrated circuit design method and system
Disclosed is an integrated circuit design method that determines maximum direct currents for metal components and uses them as design constraints in the design flow in order to avoid/minimize electromigration failures. Short and long metal components are treated differently for purposes of establishing the design constraints. For a short metal component, the maximum direct current as a function of a given temperature for a given expected lifetime of the integrated circuit is determined, another maximum direct current is determined based on the Blech length, and the higher of these two is selected and used as the design constraint for that short metal component. For a long metal component, only the maximum direct current as a function of the given temperature for the given expected lifetime is determined and used as the design constraint. Also disclosed herein are associated system and program storage device embodiments for designing an integrated circuit. |
| US08656324B2 |
Circuit design systems for replacing flip-flops with pulsed latches
A circuit design system, methodology, and software are disclosed for generating circuit capable of consuming less dynamic power. In particular, the circuit design methodology entails modifying an initial circuit design including a clock network coupled to a plurality of edge-triggered flip-flops to generate a modified circuit design that uses pulsed latches driven by pulse generators in place of at least some of the flip-flops. Since pulsed latches use less dynamic power than edge-triggered flip-flops, the modified circuit may consume less dynamic power. The circuit design methodology may further entail adding delay cells for balancing the clock network to compensate for timing effects caused by the insertion of pulse generators. Additionally, the methodology may further include cloning of forbidden clock paths to make more flip-flops eligible for pulsed latch replacement. |
| US08656321B1 |
Method of eliminating a lithography operation
Methods of semiconductor device fabrication techniques using double patterning are disclosed. According to various embodiments of the invention, methods of semiconductor device fabrication using self-aligned double patterning are provided. Particular embodiments of the invention allow creation of logic circuit patterns using two lithographic operations. One embodiment of the invention employs self-aligned double patterning to define two or more sets of parallel line features with a connection feature between two adjacent sets. In such embodiment, the sets of parallel line features along with the connection features are formed using two lithographic masks, without a need for an additional mask layer to form the connection features. In other embodiments, other features in addition to the connection features can be added in the same mask layer. |
| US08656316B2 |
Device, system and method for selecting, sharing and displaying electronic content
A device, system and method to present electronic content on a first mobile electronic device in communication and configured to receive electronic content from a second electronic device. In accordance with a system, a first mobile electronic device having a first processor, a first short-range communications subsystem coupled to the first processor, and a first display coupled to the first processor; and a second mobile electronic device having a second processor, a second short-range communications subsystem coupled to the processor, a long-range communications subsystem coupled to the processor and operable to couple to a content server via a communication network, and a second display coupled to the second processor, wherein a short-range wireless connection is established between the first and second short-range communications subsystems of the first and second mobile electronic devices. |
| US08656312B2 |
Content display apparatus and display method thereof
In a content display apparatus in which a plurality of contents are displayed according to the order of metadata added to each content, the plurality of contents are arranged hierarchically by metadata and a group of metadata, and an array of plurality of contents arranged hierarchically is formed. Icons representing contents are displayed on a display device according to the order of the array of plurality of contents formed, and when a command for scroll is made for the displayed icons, icons in the hierarchy level to which the icons belong are scroll displayed. The scroll speed for scroll displaying the icons is changed, and based on the changed scroll speed, the hierarchy level is changed so that icons in different hierarchy level are displayed and scrolled. |
| US08656310B2 |
Method and apparatus for performing multi-selection
A method and apparatus perform multi-selection. The method comprises: opening and displaying an object group on a display device, the object group comprising at least one object; determining an object corresponding to a first selection instruction from the at least one object based on the first selection instruction, and establishing a first correspondence between the first selection instruction and the object corresponding to the first selection instruction; determining an object corresponding to a second selection instruction from the at least one object based on the second selection instruction, and establishing a second correspondence between the second selection instruction and the object corresponding to the second selection instruction, the second selection instruction being different from the first selection instruction; operating the at least one object based on the first and second correspondences, the operation being conducted according to the first and second selection instructions. |
| US08656308B2 |
System and method for electronic item management
A method of managing electronic items is provided. User-owned images of items are received and stored to a plurality of virtual closets. Each of the plurality of virtual closets are associated with a specific position in a stack. The stack has a plurality of positions. Retailer-owned images of items are stored in the plurality of virtual closets. An image is displayed in each of the positions of the stack. Each displayed image is selected from a virtual closet of the plurality of virtual closets corresponding with the positions in the stack. A user is allowed to change the displayed image in each of the positions in the stack. |
| US08656303B2 |
Method and system for certifying webforms
The technology disclosed relates to certifying a webform. A Declarant desires to publish a plurality of facts it asserts about a webform's posting location. The Declarant constructs a formatted digital declaration of facts and presents it to a Certifier requesting a signed declaration of facts. The Certifier examines the declaration in accordance with its operating policy and assembles a signed declaration of facts indicating its confidence that the facts are true. A Client encounters a webform in a hypermedia document that is or might be certified and requests information from the Certifier about the facts and the Certifier's confidence that the facts are true. The Certifier presents its signed declaration of facts and confidence to the Client in a manner such that the Client can render the facts and confidence information prior to the user manipulating the webform. |
| US08656302B2 |
Display system, network interactive display device, terminal, and control program
A technique for presenting display screens of a plurality terminals connected to a network on a multi-window screen of a display screen of a display device. A communication unit receives image data captured and then sent by each terminal having a screen capture function. A display control unit controls an image synthesizer to synthesize the captured image data into single screen multi-window format data. A multi-window screen is thus presented. |
| US08656298B2 |
System and method for conducting online campaigns
Systems and methods for generating displays showing interactions with a piece of content accessible via a number of unrelated websites are described. One embodiment of the invention includes storing a piece of content within a database and providing access to the piece of content via a website hosted by a server associated with the database, receiving a request from a user to propagate the piece of content to a 3rd party website hosted via a 3rd party server, obtaining user account information, accessing the 3rd party server using the user account information, providing propagation player code to the 3rd party server, where the propagation player code includes information enabling a browser application to access the piece of content via the server associated with the database, receiving requests from browser applications, where the requests are associated with user interactions with the piece of content, identifying requests associated with a user interaction via the propagation player included in the 3rd party website, updating database records tracking user interactions with the piece of content via different websites in response to the received requests, and generating a display of the websites to which the content has been propagated, where the display includes the 3rd party website. |
| US08656297B2 |
Enhanced virtualization system
A computing device creates lightweight state files. The state files may include information relating to user processes, user-interface elements, and time points. When loaded, the state files restore the saved state. State files may be transferred to different computing devices thus making a computer state portable. A series of state files viewed as a stream showing changes in the system state over time. |
| US08656294B2 |
User interface for a touch sensitive display on an electronic device
A user interface (UI) for a text editing application executing on an electronic device, such as a wireless communication device, partitions a touch-sensitive display into two functional areas, a user input area and a text composition area. The UI displays text output in the text composition area and allows a user to scroll “user documents” through the input area. From an active user document displayed in the input area, users can automatically copy-and-paste text directly into a text area without having to exit the text editing application. |
| US08656290B1 |
Realtime synchronized document editing by multiple users
Collaborative editing of electronic documents in realtime is provided. A host serves a client code over a network to a plurality of clients that each employ a browser to run the client code. The client code revises the text document locally in response to user input, frequently sends those edits to the host, receives updates from the other clients via the host, and revises the local text document accordingly. Each client, in some embodiments, stores three variables, one for edits not yet reported to the host, one for edits reported by not yet acknowledged, and one for the text document as modified by the acknowledged edits. Updates from the other clients are applied to the three variables according to certain rules. A composition of the three variables yields a version of the text document. The host keeps records of which edits were introduced by which client. |
| US08656286B2 |
System and method for providing mixed-initiative curation of information within a shared repository
A system and method for providing mixed-initiative curation of information within a shared repository is provided. Static content is retrieved from a shared storage associated with a shared information management client. Dynamic content including one or more information items satisfying a similarity threshold with the static content is identified as similar dynamic content. An interactive visualization is generated within the shared information management client from information extracted from the static content and the similar dynamic content. The interactive visualization of the information is linked with the static content and the similar dynamic content. A selection of the information of the similar dynamic content is received from within the visualization. The static content in the shared storage is updated with the similar dynamic content linked with the selected information. |
| US08656285B1 |
Web-based system and method facilitating provider-user interaction and the releasing of digital content
A web based platform and method is provided for facilitating content transactions between a provider and one or more users. Content transmitted from a content provider via a communications network and a customized graphical user interface, and stored on a database server in association with content data. Access to an identifier of the content is provided for users of the user interface, and value is received from one or more users in association with the content. In response to the received value, selective access to the content by one or more users is provided, with the access for a particular user determined based on the content data. The content data in various embodiments may include a value threshold for the content, with access provided to all users or a set of users after a cumulative value received exceeds the value threshold. |
| US08656276B2 |
Position information management system, image forming apparatus, position information management method and storage medium
A position information management system, an image forming apparatus, a position information management method and a storage medium is provided. The position information management system includes a document acquisition unit that acquires an electronic document to be printed; a layout acquisition unit that acquires layout information for printing the electronic document on a medium in a layout different from a layout for ordinary printing; and an information generation unit that generates correspondent information between a position on the electronic document and a position on the medium in the case where the electronic document is printed on the medium on the basis of the layout information. |
| US08656275B2 |
Matching various combinations of XPATH URIs to the same XML node
Embodiments of the present invention address deficiencies of the art in respect to subscribing and updating nodes within XML documents and provide a novel and non-obvious method, system and computer program product for matching various combinations of XML Path Language (XPATH) Uniform Resource Identifiers (URIs). In one embodiment of the invention, a method for matching various combinations of XML Path Language (XPATH) Uniform Resource Identifiers (URIs) that includes receiving a XPATH expression for a node in an XML document, retrieving the node identified by the XPATH expression, determining if a template exists for the identified node, where the template resides in a database of a document management system, comparing the template expression to the XPATH expression and determining if the expressions match. The method can further include modifying the XPATH expression to account for a dominant attribute required by the template when the XPATH expression does not match the template expression and returning the modified XPATH expression. |
| US08656273B1 |
Unified data entry for generating multiple forms
A method for populating forms based on a user interview. The method includes generating, using a computer processor, binary questions according to a first rule, receiving answers to the binary questions from the user, adjusting, using the computer processor, a binary question based on answers according to a second rule during the user interview, and identifying, using the computer processor, forms from a forms library based on the answers according to a third rule. The method also includes presenting based on the answers, data entry fields of forms to the user in a unified format, where related data entry fields are grouped together to form data entry menus in the unified format, receiving data from the user for the data entry fields, populating a portion of the forms to generate populated forms based on the data, and storing the populated forms in a repository on behalf of the user. |
| US08656272B2 |
Persisting instance-level report customizations
Various technologies and techniques are disclosed for persisting instance-level report customizations. Input is received from a user to run an original report. An original query associated with the original report is executed against a data store. The original report is displayed to the user. At least one instance-level customization is received from the user to customize an instance of the original report. The instance-level customizations that the user makes to the customized report are tracked in a manner that allows a history of changes from the original report to the customized report to be determined. The customized report is generated in subsequent executions of the report. The instance-level changes the user made to the report can be audited to allow users to see the changes made to the original report. |
| US08656268B2 |
Queueing events in an interactive media environment
An arrangement is provided where all applications in an interactive media environment run on a single application thread in a media player. Event queues are utilized to schedule the application thread's processing of workitems corresponding to events that occur in the environment. Workitems include methods to be invoked when the workitem is processed and arguments for the method. Workitems further include a begin time and an end time and are ordered in the event queue first by begin time followed by the order in which they were inserted into the queue. The application thread marks workitems whose begin times corresponds to the current or previous time and then processes marked workitems from the queue in order. Such processing is committed so that once the application thread begins processing of a workitem it does not stop. Workitems are dropped from the event queue if their end times have been passed. |
| US08656266B2 |
Identifying comments to show in connection with a document
A system may identify a comment that includes a number of links, each of the links points to a corresponding document; identify one or more factors associated with each of the links, the one or more factors including at least one of: a click through rate associated with the links, explicit user feedback regarding the links, a length of an address associated with the links, a measure of popularity associated with the document corresponding to the links, or a comparison of a topic associated with the comment and a topic associated with the document corresponding to the links; assign a score to the links based on the one or more factors; select one of the links based on the assigned scores; and provide information regarding the comment to a client device for presentation in connection with presentation of the document corresponding to the selected link. |
| US08656264B2 |
Dynamic aggregation and display of contextually relevant content
A web-based system scans content for specific terms, and transforms occurrences of the terms into hypertext links. Each hypertext link provides access to a dynamically generated web page which contains aggregated content related to the respective term. The aggregated content may be gathered through a distributed keyword search of various content sources, including web sites and other sources on a wide area network. The results of the keyword search are aggregated into a single page or document, preferably with filtering to remove page elements not well suited for display on a mobile device. Occurrences of specific terms on this dynamically generated page may similarly be transformed into links, such that the user can browse content from various sources within a confined environment. |
| US08656263B2 |
Trellis-coded modulation in a multi-level cell flash memory device
A method and system for storing data in a multi-level cell (MLC) flash memory device are described. The method includes receiving data for storage in the flash memory device, the flash memory device comprising an array of MLC flash memory cells, and encoding the received data into non-binary symbols according to a trellis-coded modulation scheme. The method further includes writing each of the non-binary symbols to a respective flash memory cell set, wherein each flash memory cell set comprises a plurality of MLC flash memory cells. |
| US08656255B1 |
Method for reducing effective raw bit error rate in multi-level cell NAND flash memory
A memory system includes a flash subsystem for storing data identified by page numbers. The memory system further includes a central processing unit (CPU), and a flash controller coupled to the CPU, the CPU being operable to pair a lower with an upper page. Further included in the memory system is a buffer including a page of data to be programmed in a block of the flash subsystem, wherein split segments of pages are formed and concatenated with split error correcting code (ECC), the ECC having a code rate associated therewith. |
| US08656246B2 |
Method and an apparatus for use of codes in multicast transmission
A method and apparatus for multicasting of a multi-packet message are disclosed. Data to be transmitted as a message are divided into N sets, each set being encoded to generate encoded data. A set of parity bits is separated from each of the N sets of encoded data. The N sets of separated parity bits are encoded by a systematic code with a predetermined distance S across the N sets, resulting in N′ parity-bit packets. The N′ parity-bit packets are encoded with a code that is selected so that each receiving station decodes the N′ parity-bit packets with a high probability. The N-packet message, comprising the N sets of encoded data less the separated bits, and the N′ packets are multicasted. If less than S packets of the N-packet message fail to decode at a receiving station, the receiving station recovers all N packets using the N′ packets. |
| US08656245B2 |
Method of error floor mitigation in low-density parity-check codes
A digital communication decoding method for low-density parity-check coded messages. The decoding method decodes the low-density parity-check coded messages within a bipartite graph having check nodes and variable nodes. Messages from check nodes are partially hard limited, so that every message which would otherwise have a magnitude at or above a certain level is re-assigned to a maximum magnitude. |
| US08656244B1 |
Rate adaptive nonbinary LDPC codes with low encoding complexity
Described herein is a method and system that provides a class of error correction codes which can be used in communication systems to correct errors which may be introduced by a communication channel. In particular, a “staircase matrix” or “staircase LDPC code” is defined that enables performance gains associated with nonbinary LDPC codes while requiring low encoding complexity. Also, the concepts, systems and techniques described herein allow for implementation of a single encoder and decoder structure which can realize arbitrary rational coding rates, thus enabling a communication system to easily adapt a coding rate to different coding requirements. |
| US08656242B2 |
Data receiving devices and methods for receiving data
According to an embodiments, a device may be provided. The device may include a data receiver configured to receive data in sets of consecutive packets from a data transmitter, wherein each set may include a first packet and at least one further packet. The device may further include a first packet reception determinator configured to determine whether the first packet of a set of consecutive packets is received by the data receiver. The device may further include a data sending determinator configured to determine whether the data transmitter sends the set of consecutive packets based on whether the first packet of the set of consecutive packets is received. |
| US08656240B2 |
Request for retransmission when format of data is incorrect
A wireless communication apparatus that uses a communication protocol to transmit and receive data with a data check bit, including a received data determining section that performs a data check for received data by using the data check bit to determine whether the data is error; a received result transmitting section that, when determined to be error, discards the data and transmits a retransmission request to other wireless communication apparatus of the transmitting origin, whereas determined to be not error, transmits a message indicating that the data is normal to the other wireless communication apparatus of the transmitting origin; and a retransmission asking section that determines whether a format of the data is incorrect or normal, and when determined to be normal, passes the data to predetermined processing, whereas when determined to be incorrect, discards the data and asks the received result transmitting section to request retransmission of the data. |
| US08656239B2 |
Control of data transmission based on HARQ in a wireless communication system
Techniques for controlling data transmission in a wireless communication system based on hybrid automatic retransmission (HARQ) are described. In one design, a user equipment (UE) may determine the number of HARQ processes (Z) supported by the UE, e.g., based on the amount of resources available at the UE. The UE may send information indicative of the number of HARQ processes supported by the UE to a Node B. The UE may thereafter receive data from the Node B on up to Z HARQ processes. In one design, the UE may receive data for non-guaranteed bit rate (non-GBR) traffic on up to Z HARQ processes and may receive data for guaranteed bit rate (GBR) traffic on up to all HARQ processes available in the system. In another design, the UE may receive data for both GBR traffic and non-GBR traffic on up to Z HARQ processes. |
| US08656238B2 |
Flip-flop circuit and scan flip-flop circuit
A scan flip-flop circuit includes a pulse generator, a dynamic input unit and a latch output unit. The pulse generator generates a pulse signal which is enabled in synchronization with a rising edge of a clock signal in a normal mode, and is selectively enabled in synchronization with the rising edge of the clock signal in response to a logic level of a scan input signal in a scan mode. The dynamic input unit precharges a first node to a power supply voltage in a first phase of the clock signal, selectively discharges the first node in the normal mode, and discharges the first node in the scan mode. The latch output unit latches an internal signal provided from the first node to provide an output data, and determines whether the output data is toggled based on the clock signal and a previous state of the output data. |
| US08656235B2 |
Verifying and detecting boundary scan cells to input/output mapping
In some embodiments, a computer-implemented method includes receiving, in a processor, a device description code identifying components of a device and connections between the components, wherein some of the components and connections form boundary cells used for testing the device. The method can include processing, in the processor, the device description code to determine that the components and the connections meet a standard governing components and connections necessary for the boundary cells. The method can also include traversing the connections between the components to determine that the connections meet the standard, and reporting, via one or more output devices, that the device complies with the standard. |
| US08656232B2 |
Apparatus and method for testing semiconductor integrated circuits, and a non-transitory computer-readable medium having a semiconductor integrated circuit testing program
An apparatus for testing a semiconductor integrated circuit includes a pattern data generating unit configured to generate test pattern data for testing a write operation in a memory of the semiconductor integrated circuit; and a write unit configured to write the test pattern data into a storage area of the semiconductor integrated circuit. |
| US08656231B1 |
Method and apparatus for determining whether a page in a flash memory system is in an erased state
A memory device and method, such as a flash memory device and method, includes a memory having a plurality of nonvolatile memory cells for storing stored values of user data. The memory device and method includes a memory controller for controlling the memory. The memory controller includes an encoder for encoding user write data for storage of code values as the stored values in the memory. The encoder includes an inserter for insertion of an indicator as part of the stored values for use in determining when the stored values are or are not in an erased state. The memory controller includes a decoder for reading the stored values from the memory to form user read data values when the stored values are not in the erased state. |
| US08656229B2 |
System and method for execution of user-defined instrument command sequences using multiple hardware and analysis modules
A system and method for the execution of a program comprises a user-defined sequence of standard hardware and analysis module commands of an instrument, in the context of a tester comprising a plurality of VSAs and VSGs, or other hardware measurement modules types, where the coordination of command execution and resource availability is built into the system as an inherent part of its overall architecture. As such, the commands are the same as those ordinarily executed in piecemeal fashion, but are now automatically and sequentially executed in an atomic and deterministic manner through the coordinated interaction of embodiments of the invention. |
| US08656226B1 |
System and method for statistical application-agnostic fault detection
A system, method, and computer readable medium for statistical application-agnostic fault detection of multi-process applications. The computer readable medium includes computer-executable instructions for execution by a processing system. A multi-process application runs on a host. Interceptors collect statistical events and sends said events to a statistical fault detector. The statistical fault detector creates one or more distributions and compares recent statistical event data to historical statistical event data and uses deviation from historical norm for fault detection. The present invention detects faults both within the application and within the environment wherein the application executes, if conditions within the environment cause impaired application performance. The invention also teaches consensus fault detection and elimination of cascading fault notifications based on a hierarchy of events and event groups. Interception and fault detection is transparent to the application, operating system, networking stack and libraries. |
| US08656225B2 |
Network fault management in busy periods
A method retrieves an event record that identifies a network device that generated the event and that contains a timestamp indicating when the event was generated. A key period of use associated with the generating network device is also retrieved. If the time of the event is within the retrieved key period, the event record is modified to show that the event is within the retrieved key period. Using information in the modified event record, the event and an indication that the event is within the retrieved key period is displayed. |
| US08656223B2 |
Peripheral component interconnect express root port mirroring
An information handling system includes a peripheral component interconnect express root complex, a basic input output system, and a root complex mirroring block. The peripheral component interconnect express root complex includes a plurality of peripheral component interconnect express ports. The basic input output system is in communication with the peripheral component interconnect express root complex, and is configured to detect a peripheral component interconnect express adaptor configuration, and to set a peripheral component interconnect express mirroring setting based on the peripheral component interconnect express adaptor configuration. The root complex mirroring block is in communication with the basic input output system, and is configured to mirror data between a first peripheral component interconnect express adaptor and a second peripheral component interconnect express adaptor based on the peripheral component interconnect express mirroring setting. |
| US08656220B2 |
System-on-chip and debugging method thereof
A system-on-chip (SoC) includes a core, a plurality of power domain blocks, and a power control circuit including a debug circuit. The power control circuit is configured to control power supplied to the core and each of the power domain blocks, and the debug circuit is configured to debug the power control circuit. |
| US08656219B2 |
System and method for determination of the root cause of an overall failure of a business application service
An ontology is generated for a business application on an enterprise network that describes one or more nodes that communicate with each other during the execution of the business application. An alert condition of the business application is detected, and the ontology for the business application is processed to determine one or more components of the ontology that are in an alert state. Further, a root cause view that indicates the one or more alert state components is generated and displayed to a user. |
| US08656218B2 |
Memory configuration for data replication system including identification of a subsequent log entry by a destination computer
Performing data management operations on replicated data in a computer network. Log entries are generated for data management operations of an application executing on a source system. Consistency point entries are used to indicate a time of a known good, or recoverable, state of the application. A destination system is configured to process a copy of the log and consistency point entries to replicate data in a replication volume, the replicated data being a copy of the application data on the source system. When the replicated data represents a known good state of the application, as determined by the consistency point entries, the destination system(s) may perform a storage operation (e.g., snapshot, backup) to copy the replicated data and to logically associate the copied data with a time information (e.g., time stamp) indicative of the source system time when the application was in the known good state. |
| US08656214B2 |
Dual ported replicated data cache
A dual ported replicated data cache. The cache is configured for storing input data blocks. The cache includes an augmenter for producing an augmented data block with parity information from the input data block, a first memory array for storing the augmented data block, and a second memory array for storing the augmented data block. |
| US08656211B2 |
Avoiding failover identifier conflicts
In certain embodiments, a service provided by a production server is facilitated. The production server is associated with a backup server configured to take over if the production server fails. The production server assigned a first identifier. A failover with a potential identity conflict is determined to have occurred. In the failover, the backup server has taken over for the production server and has been assigned the first identifier. A second identifier is assigned to the production server to replace the first identifier that was assigned to the production server in order to avoid the identity conflict. |
| US08656209B2 |
Recovery of a failed registry
A system, method, and computer-readable medium, is described that enables a registry recovery service to retrieve zone files from a target registry, archive the zone files, publish the zone files to a managed DNS server, reconcile ownership of the zone files, and publish the zone files to a provisioning DNS server. The registry recovery service may also implement a WHOIS server for the zone and ownership information and may also implement zone specific features particular to the target registry's TLD. The registry recovery service may also enable DNSSEC extensions on the recovered registry DNS services. |
| US08656205B2 |
Generating reference clocks in USB device by selecting control signal to oscillator form plural calibration units
A USB device with a clock calibration function and a method for calibrating reference clocks of a USB device are provided. A USB 2.0 initial calibration is performed on the USB device in order to control an embedded oscillator (EMOSC) of the USB device to output a first reference clock compliance USB 2.0 specification and USB 3.0 specification during the initialization phase. After that, a USB 3.0 on-line calibration is performed on the USB device in order to control the EMOSC of the USB device to calibrate a second reference clock during a super-speed mode of USB 3.0 specification. |
| US08656197B2 |
Semiconductor device and control method for semiconductor device
A semiconductor device includes: a frequency setting information storage unit that stores sets of frequency information indicating setting of a frequency supplied by an oscillation unit and frequency identification information identifying the frequency information and outputs one of a plurality of pieces of the frequency information to the oscillation unit based on frequency identification information inputted thereinto; a speed setting information storage unit that stores speed identification information indicating a speed of the semiconductor device and frequency identification information corresponding to the speed identification information; a frequency identification information count unit that holds a value of the frequency identification information inputted into the frequency setting information storage unit; and a control unit that causes the frequency identification information count unit to increment or decrement the held value of the frequency identification information to approach a value of the frequency identification information stored in the speed setting information storage unit. |
| US08656195B2 |
Energy efficient ethernet control
A physical layer device includes a pseudo-random number generator, a register, a state machine, and a timer. The pseudo-random value generator is configured to produce a pseudo-random value within a predefined range. The register is configured to receive the pseudo-random value from the pseudo-random value generator and store the pseudo-random value. The state machine is configured to obtain the pseudo-random value from the register and provide the pseudo-random value to a timer within the physical layer device. The timer is configured to control a duration of an Energy Efficient Ethernet time period based on the pseudo-random value. |
| US08656193B2 |
Power module for information handling system and methods thereof
An information handling system can receive power from a wireless or wired power source. In response to determining the information handling system is coupled to the wired power source, the system decouples the wireless power source from providing power. In response to the system being decoupled from the wired power source, the information handling system couples the wireless power source to the system. |
| US08656188B2 |
Single command payload transfers block of security functions to a storage device
A storage device has a storage medium and a processor. The processor is disposed within the storage device and is adapted to receive multiple commands as a command block over an interface. The processor is adapted to extract each of the multiple commands from the single block for execution on the storage device. |
| US08656187B2 |
Dispersed storage secure data decoding
A method operating on a computer begins by generating a read command to read at least some of a plurality of data slices from a dispersed storage network. The method continues by receiving the at least some of the plurality of data slices. The method continues by performing a reverse information dispersal algorithm on at least some of the plurality of data slices to produce a plurality of transposed data elements. The method continues by reverse transposing the plurality of transposed data elements to recover data elements of a data segment. |
| US08656183B2 |
Federated digital rights management scheme including trusted systems
Federated systems for issuing playback certifications granting access to technically protected content are described. One embodiment of the system includes a registration server connected to a network, a content server connected to the network and to a trusted system, a first device including a non-volatile memory that is connected to the network and a second device including a non-volatile memory that is connected to the network. In addition, the registration server is configured to provide the first device with a first set of activation information in a first format, the first device is configured to store the first set of activation information in non-volatile memory, the registration server is configured to provide the second device with a second set of activation information in a second format, and the second device is configured to store the second set of activation information in non-volatile memory. |
| US08656180B2 |
Token activation
Systems and methods for activating a token to enable a user to enter a transaction based on information received from a recovery key and a passcode are described herein. |
| US08656178B2 |
Method, system and program product for modifying content usage conditions during content distribution
The present invention provides a method, system and program product for modifying content usage conditions during broadcast content distribution. Specifically, the present invention allows protected (e.g., encrypted, secured, etc.) content to be received along with content usage conditions, an encrypted combination of the content usage conditions and a title key (e.g., a MAC), and a key management block. Using the key management block, a key encrypting key can be determined for decrypting the combination. Once the combination is decrypted, the content usage conditions can be modified (e.g., edited, added to, etc.). |
| US08656177B2 |
Identity-based-encryption system
A system is provided that uses identity-based encryption (IBE) to allow a sender to securely convey information in a message to a recipient. A service name such as a universal resource locator based at least partly on the name of an organization may be associated with a local key server at the organization and a public key server external to the organization. Users at the organization may use the service name to access the local key server to obtain IBE public parameter information for performing message encryption and to obtain IBE private keys for message decryption. External to the organization, users may obtain IBE public parameter information and IBE private keys from the public key server using the same service name. The local key generator and the public key generator may maintain identical copies of the same IBE master secret. |
| US08656170B2 |
Protection of control plane traffic against replayed and delayed packet attack
Techniques are provided for determining freshness of control messages in a network. At a first device that is to enter into a secure communication session with a second device, timestamp information and time window size information are sent to the second device in a control message during a first exchange between a first device and a second device. At the first device, timestamp information and time window size information are obtained from a control message received from the second device by the first device during the first exchange. At the first device, the freshness of a control message is tested based on the timestamp information of the control message during a second exchange and the time window size information received from the second device during the first exchange. |
| US08656169B2 |
Method, system and device for negotiating security capability when terminal moves
A method for negotiating a security capability when a terminal moves is provided. When a user equipment (UE) moves from a second/third generation (2G/3G) network to a long term evolution (LTE) network, the method includes the following steps. A mobility management entity (MME) acquires a non-access signaling (NAS) security algorithm supported by the UE, and an authentication vector-related key or a root key derived according to the authentication vector-related key, selects an NAS security algorithm, derives an NAS protection key according to the authentication vector-related key or the root key, and sends a message carrying the selected NAS security algorithm to the UE. The UE derives an NAS protection key according to an authentication vector-related key thereof. A system for negotiating a security capability when a terminal moves, a UE, and an MME are further provided. |
| US08656165B2 |
Electronic vehicle document display
A method of displaying electronic documents on a vehicle display screen is described. The vehicle includes a display screen embedded in a window of the vehicle in a manner visible from outside the vehicle. The method includes storing the digital certificate in a memory unit of the control module. The method includes displaying information on the display screen by retrieving the digital certificate. Also, upon validating the digital certificate, the information associated with the digital certificate is displayed on the display screen, wherein the information includes an electronic document that indicates at least one of compliance with a local law, valid insurance, validation of payment of taxes associated with the vehicle, and a parking receipt for parking the vehicle, wherein the display screen comprises at least one button, manipulable by a user outside of said vehicle, to select a display mode of said display screen. |
| US08656161B2 |
Information sharing system, information sharing method, group management program and compartment management program
An information sharing system manages computing resources such as files and processes by virtually assigning them to a compartment that is a unique area identified by a group ID. As the information sharing system detects a file input event of an object by using the compartment, it authorizes only referring to files belonging to the same compartment or a lower order compartment. Additionally, as the information sharing system detects a file output event of an object, it allows files to be arranged within only the same compartment. By doing so, it is possible for remotely located users of a user group to share confidential information within the group and at the same time also share information ordinarily and more broadly. |
| US08656160B2 |
Computer system authentication using security indicator
A method to authenticate a first computer system over a network to a second computer system is disclosed. A login user interface (UI) is presented to a user of the first computer system while disconnected from the second computer system. The login UI presents at least one input field to receive login input from the user and a security indicator that has been previously selected by the user and that is local to the first computer system. Login input is selectively received from the user based on a determination that the user recognizes the security indicator as having been previously selected by the user. A connection is established between the first computer system and the second computer system over the network. The received user input is transmitted using the established connection to the second computer system for authentication of the first computer system. |