| Document | Document Title |
|---|---|
| US08657145B2 |
Cap for a port of a pressurized container or conduit
A system for sealing an access port of a pressurized container or conduit comprises a metallic cap 10 having a sealing surface 20 which forms a seal with a corresponding sealing surface 16 of a metallic access port assembly 2, when the surfaces are pushed against each other by a clamping means 4 which is preferably separate from the cap. As shown the metal to metal sealing surfaces are frustro-conical in shape. The cap comprises a shoulder 26 which engages the rim of the access port if the cap is over tightened preventing deformation of the sealing surfaces. The cap may comprise a further frustro-conical sealing surface 40 which co acts with a corresponding surface 46 on an insert 6 which fits within and rests upon an internal shoulder 18 of the access port assembly 2 which may be welded onto a container. |
| US08657143B2 |
Small engine fuel tank systems and mounting methods
The present subject matter relates to systems and methods for coupling a fuel tank assembly to a combustion engine in which a cover configured for covering at least a portion of the combustion engine can include a recess configured for receiving a fuel tank therein. The recess can include a receptacle positioned against an inner wall of the cover and configured for receiving a protruding ear of the fuel tank, a first protruding tab extending from the inner wall of the cover at or near the receptacle, and a latch strike extending from the inner wall of the cover at or near the receptacle. A retaining clip with a first retaining portion and a latch arm can be positioned in a blocking position with respect to the receptacle to prevent the protruding ear of the fuel tank from being removed from the receptacle. |
| US08657138B2 |
Container having a pre-curved lid
A plastic container having a container body and a permanently attached container lid is provided. The container lid is attached to the container body by a living hinge such that the entire plastic container is a one-piece construction. The container lid is pre-curved such that in an open state the container lid is curved. However, when the container lid mates with the container body in a closed state, at least a portion of the container lid that was previously curved becomes substantially planar such that portions of the lid remain biased into the container body. The container can also incorporate a carrying feature for receiving and positioning articles therein, as well as a sealing chamfer for reducing the likelihood of the ingress of foreign matter into an interior cavity of the container. |
| US08657135B2 |
Artificial nipple and nursing container using same
An artificial nipple can include a nipple tip section that can sufficiently reach the sucking fossa and can be appropriately squashed The artificial nipple can have a base section that widens to match an attachment object, an areola section formed contiguously to the base section and that extends while narrowing gradually, and a nipple section that extends from the areola section and that narrows more than the areola section. A flange section can be provided in the base section with a predetermined thickness. A check valve can be formed with a valve body so as to be entirely accommodated within the thickness dimension of the flange, and provided in the base section. |
| US08657133B2 |
Customizable mounting system for furniture
This disclosure relates to pieces of furniture for housing electronic devices and that give the appearance of being permanently built into a wall. The pieces of furniture comprise panels which can easily be removed and which house and hide wires of electronic devices, giving the appearance that the wires are housed beyond the wall. Additionally, the pieces of furniture are designed to have electronic devices mounted thereon with little mounting (i.e., studs are unnecessary) or no mounting to secure the piece of furniture onto the wall. |
| US08657126B1 |
Product dispensing system with dispenser door
A plurality of product dispensing frames, each having a left side wall, a right side wall, a front end, and a rear end, and including an upper support deck extending between the front end and the rear end, a lower support deck positioned below the upper support deck, the lower support deck extending between the front end and the rear end and defining a product display area, and a dispenser door pivotably connected between outermost dispenser frames to cover and enclose the upper support decks. |
| US08657117B2 |
Scenario kit
A novelty kit comprising components which represent elements for coping with and surviving attempts by another person to dispose of the user of the kit according to any one of several disposal scenarios. The scenarios may include inducing an apparently accidental fall, inducing drowning, and being buried alive. The elements of the kit would be thematically linked to warding off a fall, to resist drowning, and to cope with being buried alive. The kit may take the form of a receptacle containing pill bottles bearing labels reciting the contents and including humorous instructions for use and humorous or appropriate hazard warnings. |
| US08657116B2 |
Point of sale packaging assembly
A point of sale packaging assembly includes a support portion for supporting a toy and a fastener device. The support portion has opposing surfaces and a slot extending therethrough and configured for receiving a looped extension member of a toy. The fastener device includes an elongate portion and a base portion pivotally coupled to the elongate portion. The elongate portion includes a distal end portion releasably securable to an engagement surface on the base portion. The elongate portion is configured to be received through the looped extension member of the toy so that the toy is releasably coupleable to the support portion. |
| US08657112B2 |
Back protective cover for tablet device
A back protective cover for a tablet device is provided which is capable of preventing a touch-screen cover from coming off the tablet device. According to the present invention, a back protective cover which covers a back of a tablet device is provided, the back protective cover comprising a separation preventing section configured to cover an attaching/detaching section of a touch-screen cover of a detachable type, the touch-screen cover covering a touch screen of the tablet device, so as to prevent separation between the touch-screen cover and the tablet device. |
| US08657111B2 |
Golf bag bottoms and methods to manufacture golf bag bottoms
Embodiments of golf bag bottoms and methods to manufacture golf bag bottoms are generally described herein. Other embodiments may be described and claimed. |
| US08657110B2 |
Shoe kit having removable and interchangeable heel assemblies
A kit containing a shoe body having a heel base and a plurality of assorted removable and interchangeable heels. The heel assembly includes the heel base and a removable and interchangeable heel. The removability relies upon at east two curved, tapered grooves ending in a dimple. The heel utilizes a locking connector which contains components which fit within a cavity within the heel base and which locks in place upon rotation thereof when the components engage the curved, tapered, grooves and dimple. |
| US08657109B2 |
Packaging for beverage containers of different sizes
Universal packaging for beverage containers of different sizes is described. The universal packaging includes a bottom support structure including an opening having an interior floor surface. A raised cylinder extends upwards from the interior floor surface. A beverage container of a first height fits within the opening in the bottom support by placing an open side of the beverage container down upon the interior floor surface, the raised cylinder extending into an interior of the beverage container of the first height. A beverage container of a second height, the second height being less than the first height, fits within the opening in the bottom support by placing a solid bottom surface of the beverage container of the second height down upon an upper surface of the raised cylinder. |
| US08657107B2 |
Paint brush protective cover
A paint brush protective cover for a paint brush includes a jacket which provides for wet media storage and safe transportation. |
| US08657106B2 |
Product packaging with releasable fastener
A fastener system includes a toy product, a support platform, and a plug that engages a keyhole formed into the product. The plug includes a base and a pronged key extending from the base. The support platform includes a through-hole that permits the passage of the key into the packaging. One or more integrally-formed biasing members are located on the base of the plug to draw the key toward the product and create a secure connection. The pronged key may be formed from a plastic material and configured such that it plastically deforms but remains attached to the key when and predetermined force is applied to the key to pull the key from a misaligned position with respect to the key hole. |
| US08657105B2 |
System and method for controlling a conveyor belt condition monitoring system
A system and method are disclosed for controlling a conveyor belt condition monitoring system, and for automatically providing user alarms and system trips when sensed conditions exceed acceptable values. The system may use sensors to measure magnetic disruptions (“events”) in belt components and an algorithm may be used to monitor changes in these disruptions over time. The magnitude of these changes can then be used to predict when belt failures will occur. The system may also be used to sense when imminent failure of the belt will occur and to automatically stop the belt before failure occurs. An integrated display provides detailed information on the measured belt events and enables the user to customize alarm/trip levels and to assess problem as conditions via a virtual private network or the Internet while the belt is operating. The system is modular so that its features may be selectively integrated into existing facility-wide monitoring systems. |
| US08657103B2 |
Media transport system with vibratory edge registration function
An apparatus has a continuous loop conveyor belt mounted on a frame. The conveyor belt has a first edge, a second edge, and a belt surface between the first edge and the second edge. The first edge is positioned relatively higher than the second edge such that the belt surface is at an angle with respect to a horizontal ground reference plane, and such that the belt surface slopes downwardly from the first edge toward the second edge. In addition, a sidewall is connected to the frame. The sidewall is positioned adjacent the second edge, and the sidewall is perpendicular to the belt surface and runs parallel to the second edge. Therefore, the sidewall prevents items from falling off the belt surface at the second edge. Further, a plurality of rectangular fins are connected to the belt surface. The fins are perpendicular to the sidewall and perpendicular to the belt surface. A vibrator is connected to the frame and transmits vibrations to the conveyor belt. |
| US08657095B2 |
Control device and method for controlling
The invention relates to a control device and to a method for controlling an automated clutch, which includes a hydraulic clutch actuating system, which has a hydrostatic actuator, which is driven by and electric-motor actuating drive having an incremental displacement sensor in such a way that the actuator moves in a translatable manner. The invention includes an absolute displacement sensor, which detects the actuator position. |
| US08657094B2 |
Clutch device for vehicle
A clutch device for a vehicle includes an input shaft, an output shaft coaxially arranged with a rotational axis of the input shaft, first clutch plates, second clutch plates, a piston fitted to a cylindrical portion integrally formed with the output shaft or the input shaft, an elastic member arranged between the piston and the cylindrical portion, a hydraulic chamber defined by the cylindrical portion and the piston, a canceller chamber defined by the cylindrical portion and the piston to connect to an outer side of the cylindrical portion via a discharge hole formed at a portion of the cylindrical portion, the portion being located at a predetermined radial distance from the rotational axis, and a throttle hole formed in a portion of the piston to connect the hydraulic chamber to the canceller chamber, the portion being located at a radially inward side of the portion of the cylindrical portion. |
| US08657093B1 |
Dry application clutch arrangement
A PTO clutch assembly is directed to marine environment usage with a propeller drive shaft. The PTO clutch assembly can be operated at 7 degrees of axial tilt. A clutch friction disc has a recessed area that reduces the need for initial break-in. |
| US08657091B2 |
Clutch device
A clutch device which transmits torque by causing multiple friction engagement elements to engage with each other by use of a clutch connection/disconnection member caused to operate by an electric actuator includes: an elastic member disposed between the clutch connection/disconnection member and the multiple friction engagement elements; position detector for detecting a position of the clutch connection/disconnection member; and controller for controlling an operation of the electric actuator on the basis of the position of the clutch connection/disconnection member detected by the position detector. Thus, the position of the clutch connection/disconnection member (i.e. a stroke amount of the elastic member) and a torque transmission capacity of the clutch device have a linear relationship with each other. Hence, the torque transmission capacity of the clutch device can be accurately controlled by the electric actuator. |
| US08657090B2 |
Clutch actuated by initial limit-torque sliding damping
The present invention relates to a clutch actuated by initial limit-torque sliding damping capable of controlling a clutch device to perform operations of coupling or releasing with the driving torque, characterized in that a relay transmission structure assembly (104) is installed between a rotary prime motive end (101) and an output-end clutch structure (1052), the relay transmission structure assembly (104) is installed with a relay coupling structure (204) having an active side of relay coupling structure and a passive side of relay coupling structure, and a limit-torque sliding damping device (106) is installed between the relay transmission structure assembly (104) and the output end (102). |
| US08657078B2 |
Wheel chock
A wheel chock including a head for engagement with a vehicle wheel. The head has a blade that defines a pair of conjoined wedges oriented 180° apart. A hosel is affixed to, and extends laterally from, the middle of the blade. A handle is affixed to, and extends upwardly from, the hosel. |
| US08657077B2 |
Cantilever brake with quick release mechanism
A cantilever brake of bicycle is provided with a triangular cable stop including first, second and third corner attachments and a wheel between the first and second corner attachments; a first pivot member including a first trough; a first cable passing through the first corner attachment, the wheel, and the second corner attachment to be fastened at the first pivot; a second pivot member including a second trough; a second cable having one end fastened in the third corner attachment and the other end fastened in the second pivot member; a first brake arm releasably pivotably secured to the first trough and including two opposite first projections and a spring actuated first adjustment knob distal the first projections; and a second brake arm releasably pivotably secured to the second trough and including two opposite second projections and a spring actuated second adjustment knob distal the second projections. |
| US08657076B2 |
Vibration isolator for the sliding rail guide of an elevator or the like
An elevator car sliding guide includes a shoe configured to slide on one or more rails, a first bracket connected to the shoe, a second bracket for connecting to a car assembly, and a plurality of elongated elastomeric members arranged generally from a first end of the sliding guide to a second end of the sliding guide and connected between the first bracket and the second bracket. The shoe and the first bracket are substantially surrounded on three sides by the second bracket. Each of the plurality of elongated elastomeric members is configured for deflection under loads of increasing magnitude. |
| US08657073B2 |
Power transmission apparatus
A power transmission apparatus is capable of easily passing lubricant toward a seal arranged between a higher shat and an opening of a case of the apparatus. The apparatus includes the higher shaft, i.e., a hollow connecting shaft that faces the outside of the transfer case through the opening of the transfer case. The oil seal is arranged between the hollow shaft and the opening of the transfer case. The hollow shaft meshes, through helical spur gears, with an intermediate transferring shaft that is positioned lower than the hollow shaft. A lubricant guide is arranged to receive lubricant splashed up by the ring gear and helical spur gear of the intermediate shaft and guide the received lubricant toward the oil seal and a ball bearing. |
| US08657070B2 |
Ladder step attachment device
A ladder step attachment made of a single, unitary piece of extruded aluminum having no moving parts. The attachment has a horizontal standing surface improved with a gripping surface, the standing surface having two notches for engaging the rails of a ladder and extending partially between the ladder rails. A lip connected to the standing surface presents a resilient member to abut the back side of the rung. A substantially tube-shaped support has a tube wall. One part of the tube wall shares a portion of the standing surface and another part of the tube wall engages the ladder's rails. A bend at the top of the rail engaging tube wall separates that portion of the tube wall from a substantially vertical portion of tube wall above the bend to facilitate removal. |
| US08657065B1 |
Exhaust valve with resilient spring pad
An exhaust pressure actuated valve assembly for placement inside a tubular exhaust conduit includes a valve plate rotatable between open and closed positions. An axle is adapted to pivotally couple the valve plate to the exhaust conduit about a longitudinal axis of the axle. The axle axis is adapted to extend in a direction substantially perpendicular to a direction of exhaust flow through the conduit. A cantilevered spring pad has a first portion coupled to the valve plate and a second portion spaced apart from the valve plate. The second portion is oriented to contact an inner surface of the conduit as the valve plate moves toward the closed position to dampen vibration. |
| US08657063B2 |
Hearing assistance device
A device structured to assist the hearing of a user by being removably connected to and disposing a user's ear in an enhanced hearing orientation. The device includes an elongated base, which may be disposable, and has a sufficient length to be disposed in an operative position behind the user's ear. Opposite ends of the base include an adhesive material secured to a common side thereof, wherein different ones of said opposite ends are respectively disposed and maintained in confronting engagement with a rear surface of the ear and adjacently disposed portion of the user's head. The base further includes biasing capabilities disposed and structured to exert a sufficient, forwardly and outwardly directed force on the user's ear to dispose and maintain it in the enhanced hearing orientation, when the base is in the operative position. |
| US08657059B2 |
Attachment structure of propeller shaft to cross-member
An attachment structure of a propeller shaft to a cross-member in a vehicle includes a pair of main frames (10) extending in a vehicle length direction; the cross-member (15) connecting the main frames (10) together; the propeller shaft (37) arranged between the main frames (10) and including a front shaft (37a) and a rear shaft (37b) connected together through a joint (65); a center bearing (67) fixed to the cross-member (15) and configured to rotatably support the front shaft (37a); a fuel tank (83) arranged between the center bearing (67) and one of the main frames (10); and a flexible connection body (170) configured to connect the center bearing (67) and part of the cross-member (15) on a side opposite to the fuel tank (83) and having a length which is substantially non-extendable. |
| US08657057B2 |
Construction machine or transfer apparatus
The present disclosure relates to an apparatus, in particular a construction machine configured as a mobile excavator or a transfer apparatus, having an undercarriage carrying a chassis and having a superstructure connected thereto, wherein the superstructure is made up in a modular manner of at least two modules which can be releasably coupled to one another, and wherein at least one drive module is provided which forms an operable unit of a machine drive and a machine cooling system and at least one further module includes one or more superstructure components. |
| US08657056B2 |
Activated-stroke actuator, in particular for an automobile safety system for the protection of pedestrians
Pyrotechnic actuator in particular for lifting the hood of an automobile in the event of a collision with a pedestrian.The actuator comprises a return-braking arrangement (25) acting between the rod (17) and the body (13) of the actuator and having an inertial actuating threshold in order to brake the rod in return only if it is subjected to a force under a sufficient acceleration truly representative of a collision. |
| US08657052B2 |
Upper machine body for operating machine, and operating machine having the same
A floor panel is formed with an opening for mounting a pedal device. The opening permits a remote control valve to penetrate through the floor panel. The opening has an insertion region configured to allow the joint, the hydraulic hose and a lower portion of a valve body to be inserted thereinto from above the floor panel, and an arrangement region located in side-by-side relation to the insertion region in a second direction and configured to allow the valve body to be arranged therein while being fixed to the floor panel. In top plan view, a length of the opening in the second direction is less than a length of the opening in the first direction, and a length of the arrangement region in the first direction is less than a length of the insertion region in the first direction. |
| US08657050B2 |
Saddle-ride type vehicle
A saddle-ride type vehicle includes an engine attached to a body frame and a fuel tank disposed above the engine. A seat is attached to the body frame on a rear side of the fuel tank via a pair of engagement members in spaced relation to one another. The engagement members define a space therebetween. A throttle body associated with the engine is disposed below a forward portion of the seat. A resonator is coupled to an air intake. The resonator is positioned on an upper side of the throttle body and covers and protects the throttle body. |
| US08657048B2 |
Hydraulic excavator
A hydraulic excavator includes a lower travel body, an upper swiveling body, an exterior door, and a louver. The upper swiveling body has a swiveling platform and a frame with a lower end part of the frame being secured to the swiveling platform, the upper swiveling body being swivelably supported by the lower travel body. The exterior door has a curved part in which an opening is formed. The exterior door is openably/closably supported by the frame of the upper swiveling body. The louver blocks the opening in the exterior door in a closed state, and the louver is mounted in the frame of the upper swiveling body. |
| US08657047B2 |
Bicycle hub with integrated motor
A bicycle hub comprises a hub axle, a motor case and an integrated motor. The hub axle has a pair of frame attachment ends. The motor case is mounted on the hub axle such that the bicycle frame attachment ends protrude out of opposite axial ends of the motor case. The motor case including a recessed portion that is configured to receive a bicycle frame that is mounted to the bicycle frame attachment ends of the hub axle. The integrated motor is operatively mounted between the hub axle and the motor case. |
| US08657040B2 |
Percussion drilling assembly and locking system therefor
A percussion drilling assembly includes an outer tubular, an inner tubular coupled within the outer tubular at a threaded region, a drill bit slideably disposed within the inner tubular, and a locking system located proximate the threaded region. The locking system is actuatable by translation of the drill bit relative to the locking system, whereby the locking system is configured to prevent rotation of the inner tubular relative to the outer tubular in at least a first direction. |
| US08657039B2 |
Restriction element trap for use with an actuation element of a downhole apparatus and method of use
A downhole apparatus for engaging a borehole in a subterranean formation includes a tubular body having a longitudinal axis and a first bore, an actuation element having a second bore and is positioned within the first bore of the tubular body, a drilling fluid flow path extending through the first and second bores, and a restriction element trap positioned within the second bore of the actuation element. The actuation element is configured to selectively retain an operable component of the downhole apparatus in an initial position and the restriction element trap is configured for retentively receiving a restriction element. A restriction element trap for use with an actuation element for retentively receiving a restriction element and an expandable reamer apparatus for enlarging a borehole in a subterranean formation are also provided. Further provided is a method of activating a downhole apparatus within a borehole of a subterranean formation. |
| US08657037B2 |
Drill bit and core retaining device
A core retaining device is provided for use with a core drill bit, which is adapted to cut a core from a material such as concrete. The core retaining device includes a core attachment mechanism for releasably connecting the core retaining device to the core. A bearing is connected to the core attachment mechanism and allows the drill bit to rotate while the core attachment mechanism remains statically connected to the core. A biasing arrangement operably connects between the drill bit and the core via the bearing, and axially biases the core away from the material preventing the core from slipping from the drill bit. The core retaining device further includes at least one auxiliary safety feature such as extensions which extend laterally outward from the drill bit. |
| US08657027B2 |
Single piezo-actuator rotary-hammering (SPaRH) drill
A Single Piezo-Actuator Rotary-Hammering (SPaRH) Drill includes a horn actuator having high power piezoelectric materials and a flexure pre-stress to increase the actuators effectiveness. The drill is a low mass, low power, compact coring drill measuring 20-cm high by 7-cm diameter and having a total weight of 2 kg including drive electronics. Using an average power of 50-Watts, the drill basalt is expected to cut basalt at a rate of 0.2 cm/min down to depth of 10-cm and create cuttings and an intact core. The drill is expected to operate under different environments including Martian ambient (6 Torr and down to −50° C.), and liquid nitrogen temperatures (77 K) and low pressure (<<1 Torr) to simulate lunar polar and Europa conditions. Materials expected to be sampled include Kaolinite, Saddleback Basalt, Limestone, Volcanic Breccia, Siltstone, ice, permafrost and layered rocks with different hardness. |
| US08657022B2 |
Fire suppression system
A fire detection system includes a detection tube and a sensing device. The detection tube contains a sensing fluid having a first physical condition and a second physical condition. The sensing fluid is in the first physical condition below a temperature threshold, and is in the second physical condition above the temperature threshold. The sensing fluid is at least partially liquid in the first physical condition. The sensing device is movable to open in response to a transition of a portion of the sensing fluid from the first physical condition to the second physical condition. |
| US08657016B2 |
Adjustable flow control device
A flow control device comprises a fluid pathway configured to provide fluid communication between an exterior of a wellbore tubular and an interior of the wellbore tubular, a flow restriction disposed in a fluid pathway, a flow blockage disposed in the fluid pathway, and a retaining member configured to maintain the flow blockage within the fluid pathway and allow access to the flow blockage within the fluid pathway. The flow blockage substantially prevents a fluid flow through the fluid pathway. |
| US08657015B2 |
Intelligent completion system for extended reach drilling wells
Apparatus and methods for completing, treating, and/or producing a wellbore are provided. The apparatus can include a tubular body defining an inner bore, one or more injection inflow control devices, and one or more production inflow control devices. The one or more injection inflow control devices can include one or more first check valves in fluid communication with the inner bore, with each first check valve being configured to allow fluid to flow therethrough from the inner bore to a region of the wellbore, and to substantially block a reverse fluid flow therethrough. The one or more production inflow control devices can include one or more second check valves coupled to the tubular body, each second check valve being configured to allow fluid to flow therethrough from the wellbore to the inner bore and to substantially block a reverse fluid flow therethrough. |
| US08657013B2 |
Riser system
A riser system for coupling a surface platform to a wellhead. The riser system includes a main tube, flanges and one or more tie rods. The main tube forms an annulus for fluid flow between the wellhead and the platform. A flange extends radially from each end of the main tube. The tie rods are coupled to and extend between the flanges. |
| US08657012B2 |
Efficient open water riser deployment
A riser for use in subsea operations that is parked subsea deployed as needed onto wellheads disposed proximate where the riser is parked. A base anchored into the seafloor provides a pedestal for parking the riser. The riser emits a beacon signal so it can be located when needed. When parked, the riser can be kept in a vertical orientation by a buoyancy module mounted on an upper portion of the riser. A workboat, or other vessel, attaches to the parked riser and positions it onto a designated wellhead. An extension connects the riser to platform or other vessel above the sea surface. |
| US08657011B2 |
Underwater power generation
A method for providing auxiliary electrical power to an underwater well installation, the installation being linked to a surface location via an umbilical cable, to supplement any electrical power received at the installation from the umbilical cable, comprises the steps of: providing power generation means at the installation; and providing an electrical power output line for transferring electrical power generated by the power generation means to the installation. |
| US08657006B2 |
Oil well plug and abandonment method
A method of severing a well string that extends into an oil well from an oil platform with a deck includes supporting upper and lower sections of the well string, the lower section supported at the platform deck with a deck located string support. A shear mechanism cuts the well string at a position that can be above the deck located string support. The upper section is then lifted a selected distance and the deck located string support again supports the string at a position below the cut. |
| US08657004B2 |
Sliding stage cementing tool
A downhole tool provided within a casing string for use in cement staging operations. The tool includes an inflatable packer that is integral to the body of the tool and ports in sides of the tool. The ports are selectively opened and closed for circulating cement from within the tool so that cement can flow between the casing string and a wellbore. The ports are actuated by sliding the casing string upward or downward within the wellbore. The packer can be pressure tested after being set to ensure its efficacy. |
| US08657000B2 |
Systems and methods for enhanced waterfloods
Methods and systems for enhancing oil recovery from a subterranean formation comprising at least a first region and a second region are provided. An exemplary method includes creating an injection stream by adding a salt to a water stream to increase a concentration of an ion and injecting the injection stream into the subterranean formation through a first injection well in the first region of the subterranean formation. Fluid is produced from the subterranean formation and separated to generate an aqueous stream comprising at least a portion of the ion. The salt is added to the aqueous stream to adjust the concentration of the ion in the aqueous stream to a desired level. The aqueous stream is injected into the subterranean formation through a second injection well in the second region of the subterranean formation. |
| US08656998B2 |
In situ heating for reservoir chamber development
Methods and apparatus relate to systems and methods of recovering oil from a formation. In operation, a steam chamber develops as a result of steam injection into the formation and the recovery of fluids including the oil through a production well. An auxiliary well spaced in a lateral direction from the production well helps ensure development of the steam chamber as desired. The auxiliary well may enable heating of the formation through establishing an electric potential between the auxiliary well and the production well or by resistive heating of material forming the auxiliary well. Further, the auxiliary well may provide a flow path for solvent or gas injection to facilitate the recovery through the production well. |
| US08656997B2 |
Systems and methods for producing oil and/or gas
A system for producing oil and/or gas comprising a mechanism for releasing at least a portion of a sulfur containing compound into a formation; a first mechanism for converting at least a portion of the sulfur containing compound into a carbon disulfide formulation and/or a carbon oxysulfide formulation, the first mechanism for converting within the formation; and a second mechanism for converting at least a portion of the carbon disulfide formulation and/or a carbon oxysulfide formulation into another compound, the second mechanism for converting within the formation. |
| US08656995B2 |
Detecting and correcting unintended fluid flow between subterranean zones
Detecting and correcting unintended fluid flow between subterranean zones. At least some of the illustrative embodiments are methods including: injecting a first fluid into a subterranean zone, the injecting by way of a first borehole; making a reading indicative of surface deformation; identifying, based on the reading indicative of surface deformation, a flow path for a second fluid out of the subterranean zone; placing a compound into the flow path, the compound reduces the flow of the second fluid through the flow path. |
| US08656994B2 |
Method for determination of fluid influx profile and near-wellbore area parameters
Method for determination of a fluid influx profile and near-wellbore area parameters comprises measuring a first bottomhole pressure and after operating a well at a constant production rate changing the production rate and measuring a second bottomhole pressure. A wellbore fluid temperature over an upper boundary of a lowest productive layer and wellbore fluid temperatures above and below other productive layers are measured and relative production rates and skin factors of the productive layers are calculated from measured wellbore fluid temperatures and measured first and second bottomhole pressures. |
| US08656993B2 |
Measuring gas losses at a rig surface circulation system
A technique for improving the capability of measuring gas losses at the rig surface area uses a predetermined quantity of a preselected gas injected into the drilling fluid used in the drilling rig, which is then detected and compared to measure the gas loss. Various embodiments may use special-purpose gases. Other embodiments may use air or components of air, such as nitrogen or oxygen, as the gas to be detected and measured. |
| US08656992B2 |
Stimulation of biogenic gas generation in deposits of carbonaceous material
The invention relates to treating of subterranean formations to increase the susceptibility (by way of chemical break down or solubilization, but not necessarily limited by these or any other theories) of large carbonaceous molecules therein, such as comprise coal, to bioconversion into methane and other useful hydrocarbon products by indigenous and/or non-indigenous microbial consortia, by introducing into the subterranean formations: (a) a solution containing at least one of an oxoacid ester of phosphorus or a thioacid ester of phosphorus; and (b) one or more other chemical compounds/chemical entities selected from the group consisting of: hydrogen, carboxylic acids, esters of carboxylic acids, salts of carboxylic acids, oxoacids of phosphorus, salts of oxoacids of phosphorus, vitamins, minerals, mineral salts, metals, and yeast extracts. In an additional embodiment the treating of the subterranean formation further comprises introducing into the subterranean formation a microbial consortia (preferably comprised of methanogens). |
| US08656991B2 |
Clog free high volume drill cutting and waste processing offloading system
A clog free waste removal system for removing waste or drilling cuttings from a wellbore at the rate that waste is being produced having an incoming transportation system, a rig buffer, and optional surge tank, an outgoing transportation system, and post treatment device or transport. |
| US08656986B2 |
Fin, heat exchanger and heat exchanger assembly
The present invention discloses a fin of heat exchanger comprising a straight segment; a substantially-circular arc segment having a radius of R; and a substantially-circular arc transition segment connected between the straight segment and the substantially-circular arc segment and having a radius of r, wherein R>r. According to the present invention, after being assembled and welded to the heat exchanger, the substantially-circular arc segment is relatively easy to deform, and the shapes of the straight segment and substantially-circular arc transition segment are substantially unchanged. Therefore, the deformation of the fin is regular and easy to control. The arranging density of the fin in the heat exchanger is uniform, and the shape of the fin can meet the design requirements. In addition, the shape stability and the heat transfer coefficient of the fin are high. |
| US08656984B2 |
Mold for direct-cast aluminothermic welding
The mold for aluminothermic welding of metal rails has two components made of identical rigid refractory material and suitable for fitting around two ends of rails to be welded, each component includes: a lower part having a face defining a mold cavity suitable for enveloping the foot and a core of the ends of the rails, and a channel opening at the bottom into a lower region of the mold cavity and having at the top an opening and an upper part including a cooling chamber connected to the mold cavity and capable of containing the heads of the rail ends, the cooling chamber forming a non-compartmentalized volume to which the channel is connected via the opening and which is bounded by an external wall of each mold component. |
| US08656981B2 |
Method of producing tire vulcanization mold, and tire vulcanization mold
A root portion 7a of a sipe blade 7 that protrudes from a surface 12a of a plaster casting mold 12 is coated with a coating layer 10 of an easily collapsible refractory material. A string-shaped exhaust hole forming member 11 of a casting refractory material is attached to the sipe blade 7 so as to be in contact with the coating layer 10. Molten metal M is poured onto the surface 12a of the plaster casting mold 12 in this state so as to cast a mold with the shape of the surface 12a transferred thereon and with the root portion 7a of the sipe blade 7 cast therein. The coating layer 10 is thereafter removed to form a slit around the root portion 7a of the sipe blade 7. The exhaust hole forming member 11 is also removed to form an exhaust hole communicating with the outside of the piece. Therefore, the slit and the exhaust hole communicate with each other. In this way, a mold provided with an exhaust mechanism can be simply produced. |
| US08656979B2 |
Pet door pest and debris barrier
A barrier device preventing access of pests such as mosquitoes, flies, and other small animals as well as debris between a panel pet door and a screen door by providing a seal between the panel pet door and the screen door. The barrier material may have ribs for the purpose of added stiffening or as a guide for adjusting the reach of the barrier. A stopping device may be used to ensure the screen door is closed to a location where good contact is made with the barrier device. |
| US08656976B2 |
Switching dual cam adhesive tape dispenser
An adhesive tape dispenser is provided that is operable by a single hand, and is applicable to a variety of adhesive tapes. The provided adhesive tape dispenser overcomes the problem of jamming due to tape accumulation behind the blade by providing a switchable double cam system that allows adhesive tape to be dispensed, the cutter blade to be urged suddenly downward to cut the tape, and then the cutter blade suddenly retracted during one rearward motion of the tape-cutting button. |
| US08656974B2 |
Adjustable inner tube
An adjustable inner tube for a pneumatic tire includes a valve and a continuous tube. The continuous tube includes a first segment and a second segment, wherein the first segment covers a portion of the second segment and the second segment may slide relative to the first segment to alter the circumference of the tube. |
| US08656973B2 |
Polymer sheet for inner liner, polymer laminate for inner liner, and pneumatic tire
A pneumatic tire is provided which includes a polymer sheet for an inner liner composed of a polymer composition including: a polymer component containing more than or equal to 5% by mass and less than or equal to 40% by mass of a styrene-isobutylene-styrene triblock copolymer and more than or equal to 60% by mass and less than or equal to 95% by mass of a rubber component of at least one kind selected from the group consisting of natural rubber, isoprene rubber, and butyl rubber; and more than or equal to 0.1 part by mass and less than or equal to 5 parts by mass of sulfur with respect to 100 parts by mass of the polymer component. The pneumatic tire has sufficient tackiness before vulcanization and vulcanization adhesiveness between the inner liner and a member adjacent thereto, and exhibits excellent air permeation resistance. |
| US08656971B2 |
Wheel and multi chamber tire assembly
A tire assembly includes a tire having an annular tread between and connected to outer edges of opposed first and second sidewalls. The first and second sidewalls terminate at radially inner edges defining first and second bead sections, respectively. The tire also has a first interior wall having one edge coupled to the tread and an opposite free edge. The first interior wall is positioned between and generally parallel to and spaced from the first and second sidewalls. A first annular spacer is positionable adjacent the first bead section between the first sidewall and the first interior wall on one side of the first interior wall. A second annular spacer is positionable on the opposite side of the first interior wall. The first and second annular spacers are configured to generally maintain a spacing of the first and second sidewalls and the first interior wall relative to one another. |
| US08656970B2 |
Pneumatic radial tire for motorcycle
There is provided a pneumatic radial tire for a motorcycle enabling safe running the motorcycle in conformity to various road conditions by achieving both performances of wet performance, i.e., hydroplaning and traction performances in particular, and linearity in handling at high level. In the pneumatic radial tire for a motorcycle, (a) tilt lug grooves are disposed at a tilt angle of 5 to 85° relative to a tire circumferential direction, (b) a ratio of the minimum length Lmin thereof to the surface length W thereof along one side of a tread is 0.1 or higher, (c) two groups of the tilt lug grooves are formed of two or more tilt lug grooves disposed substantially in parallel from each other, (d) they are formed of a first group of tilt lug grooves (G1) formed in a shape of chevron and a second group of tilt lug grooves (G2) formed in a shape of reversed chevron, (e) the G1 and G2 groups are alternately disposed in the circumferential direction, and (f) the G1 and G2 groups are mutually disposed on both sides of the equator of the tire line-symmetrically with respect to the equator and with an offset in the circumferential direction. |
| US08656963B2 |
Vehicle wastewater drainage system
A wastewater drainage system for a vehicle, such as a recreational vehicle (RV), is provided. The system includes a pump, such as a macerator pump, in selective fluid communication with the black water tank and the gray water tank, and a drainage hose connected to the exit end of the pump for directing wastewater to a wastewater storage area. The system allows the RV user to clean the black water tank using water from the gray water tank, and allows gray water to be stored in the black water tank so that less time is spent draining the tanks and more time is spent enjoying the RV experience. |
| US08656961B2 |
Composite flexible pipe and method of manufacture
Embodiments disclosed herein relate to one or more embodiments of and methods to make a reinforced flexible pipe. The reinforced flexible pipe includes a pipe structure, a first composite tape member having a T-shaped cross section, and a second composite tape member having a T-shaped cross section, in which the first composite tape member is wrapped on the pipe structure in a first orientation and the second composite tape member is wrapped on the pipe structure in a second orientation. One or more embodiments relate to a method of forming the same. |
| US08656958B2 |
Microfabricated elastomeric valve and pump systems
A method of fabricating an elastomeric structure, comprising: forming a first elastomeric layer on top of a first micromachined mold, the first micromachined mold having a first raised protrusion which forms a first recess extending along a bottom surface of the first elastomeric layer; forming a second elastomeric layer on top of a second micromachined mold, the second micromachined mold having a second raised protrusion which forms a second recess extending along a bottom surface of the second elastomeric layer; bonding the bottom surface of the second elastomeric layer onto a top surface of the first elastomeric layer such that a control channel forms in the second recess between the first and second elastomeric layers; and positioning the first elastomeric layer on top of a planar substrate such that a flow channel forms in the first recess between the first elastomeric layer and the planar substrate. |
| US08656953B2 |
Combination manual/pneumatic shut-off valve
A method of preventing a mass flow controller from participating in crosstalk in an array of mass flow controllers is described. The method includes sensing and providing a signal indicative of a fluid pressure inside of a mass flow controller with a pressure sensor contained within the mass flow controller, determining a response of a control valve to a rapid pressure perturbation at the inlet of the mass flow controller using the signal indicative of the fluid pressure to avoid overcompensation for the rapid pressure perturbation, and adjusting a control valve contained within the mass flow controller downstream of the pressure sensor, based on the determined response, so that the mass flow controller avoids overcompensating for the rapid pressure perturbation. The pressure sensor is positioned such that the pressure sensor is sensitive to rapid pressure perturbations at the inlet of the mass flow controller. |
| US08656949B2 |
Microfluidic devices and methods of fabrication
The present invention relates to microfluidic devices that comprise a 3-D microfluidic network of microchannels of arbitrary complexity and to a method for fabricating such devices. In particular, the invention relates to a method of forming microfluidic devices having 3-D microfluidic networks that contain open or closed loop microchannels using a single-step molding process without the need for layer-by-layer fabrication, and to the resultant microfluidic devices. The networks of such microfluidic devices may comprise one or more microchannel circuits which may be discrete or interconnected. |
| US08656946B2 |
Valves
A double check valve (10) with two separate elements (20, 25) individually movable to close the valve and collectively movable to open the valve. The separate elements are independently closing the valve, and collectively controllable to open the valve, to allow pressure release or to allow injection of fluid (e.g. lubricant). In an example, the double check valve includes two separate check valves with a stinger element (30) between them which is operable to internally sting the one check valve when (e.g. by action of) the other check valve is stung by a user (e.g. using a stinger means) thereby to open both check valves individually and the double check valve as a whole. |
| US08656945B2 |
Pressure control valve assembly for containers adapted to contain compressed fluids
A pressure control valve assembly for containers adapted to contain compressed and liquefied gases, comprising a valve body that can be applied to a container for gases and the like, in which a first duct for the gas in output from said container and a pressure regulator device connected to the inside of said container and to said first duct are defined, said pressure regulator device being fully placeable within said container, said regulator device comprising at least one regulator of the piston type. |
| US08656944B2 |
Combined metering valve and pressure regulating valve
A valve element combines a metering function and a pressure regulating function. A valve housing houses a metering valve. The metering valve is movable by a control to meter an amount of fluid delivered from an inlet to an outlet. A pressure regulating valve is received within the valve housing and is supplied with a pressure delivered into the inlet on a first face, and a pressure downstream of the outlet on a second face. The pressure regulating valve acts to regulate the pressure drop across the metering valve to ensure accurate fluid metering. |
| US08656939B2 |
Apparatus, system and methods for sealing and severing a subsea pipeline
Disclosed is an apparatus for sealing and severing a subsea pipe adapted to convey fluids, e.g., hydrocarbons, and systems and methods using such apparatus. The apparatus includes a housing adapted to attach to the pipe, a piercing tool for providing an opening in the pipe at a predetermined location and a mechanism for establishing fluid communication between a source of sealant material and space within the pipe adjacent the opening in the pipe, and a cutting mechanism for cutting the pipe. Methods disclosed include piercing the pipe to form an opening, injecting sealant material through the opening into the pipe to form a fluid-tight seal, and cutting the pipe through the seal to form sealed cut ends. |
| US08656936B2 |
Barrier structure and nozzle device for use in tools used to process microelectronic workpieces with one or more treatment fluids
Apparatuses, and related methods, for processing a workpiece that include a particular barrier structure that can overlie and cover a workpiece. Apparatuses, and related methods, for processing a workpiece that include a particular movable member that can be positioned over and moved relative to a workpiece. Apparatuses, and related methods, for processing a workpiece that include a particular ceiling structure that can overlie a processing chamber. Nozzle devices, and related methods, that include a particular annular body. Nozzle devices, and related methods, that include a particular first, second, and third nozzle structure. |
| US08656934B2 |
Hair treatment device
A hair treatment device or tool to chemically treat a section of hair for highlighting, frosting, perming, coloring, decoloring, straightening, neutralizing, relaxing, conditioning and the like comprising a member or body of lightweight, flexible, resilient, washable, porous, absorbent foam or fabric including at least one hair section treatment channel formed therein extending from the surface thereof to receive a section of hair therein coated or covered with a treating chemical to isolate the section of hair during treatment and absorb excess chemical from the section of hair being treated. |
| US08656933B2 |
Hair sculpting device and methods
A handheld device for sculpting hair includes a bristle section and a wave section which effectively sculpt hair in a wave style when used in the method of the invention. |
| US08656930B2 |
Method and system for processing cancer cell electrical signals for medical therapy
A scientific computer system with processor capable of recording, storing and reprogramming the natural electrical signals of cancer cells as found in tumors of humans and animals. The reprogramming process is designed to create a confounding electrical signal for retransmission into a malignant tumor to damage or shut-down the cellular internal electrical communication system. Altering the electrical charge on the glycocalyx of the outer cell membrane is also part of the treatment by application of ions. The invention causes cancer cell death as a medical treatment using ultra-low voltage and amperage encoded signals which are reprogrammed from cancer cell communication signals. |
| US08656921B2 |
Adjustable Support for Soft Palate and Implanting Method thereof
The current invention provides an adjustable soft palate support and an implantation method. The adjustable soft palate support is a flat implant including a hard palate connecting end and a support. The support is a flat implant connected to the hard palate connecting end and is inserted into the soft palate. The hard palate connecting end is connected to the hard palate and includes a connecting structure and an adjustment mechanism. The connecting structure is configured to affix the support to the hard palate, and the adjustment mechanism is configured to control the movement or the curvature of the support or the lifting degree of the soft palate. The adjustment mechanism may be set to be in an on state to reduce interference with swallowing or to an off state to enlarge an airway during breathing, thereby treating snoring and obstructive sleep apnea/hypopnea syndrome (OSAHS). |
| US08656918B1 |
Method, system, and tool for affixing compression stabilized prosthetic socket interface
A method, system, and tool for fitting a compression stabilized prosthetic socket for a patient having an amputated limb and a remaining portion that includes a first socket portion for contacting a patient's remaining portion of a limb, and a second socket portion for attachment of a prosthetic device. The first socket portion has compression portions having a radius for compressing portions of the patient's remaining portion of a limb, and relief portions receiving any portions of the patient's remaining limb which bulge upon the compression applied by the compression portions. The relief portions may be formed as openings or as enlarged radius portions. The fitting method, system, and tool can include use of a mechanism to compress bar surfaces against the limb in areas selected to receive compression portions in order to prepare an image for creating the first socket portion. |
| US08656903B1 |
Flip top grill assembly
A flip top grill assembly includes an assembly base, a pair of linkage assemblies carried by the assembly base, a grill cage carried by the pair of linkage assemblies and positional between a first position and a second position inverted with respect to the first position and at least one handle operably engaging at least one of the pair of linkage assemblies and adapted to facilitate pivoting of the grill cage between the first position and the second position responsive to manipulation of the handle. |
| US08656902B2 |
Table saw having a detachable table extension for cutting tile
A tile saw comprises a frame, a primary table moveably supported by the frame for supporting a work-piece to be cut, a water tray located under the primary table, a supporting arm mounted on the frame, and a cutting device supported by the supporting arm. The primary table also includes first and second connecting edges and a secondary table which may be removably attached, without the use of tools, to either the first or second connecting edge of the primary table. When the secondary table is attached, the supporting area for the work-piece is increased resulting in increased stability and increased cutting accuracy. |
| US08656894B2 |
Gas intake device
A gas intake device for letting gases into an inlet volume of a cylinder head of a motor vehicle combustion engine includes a valve (10) for supplying the cylinder head with gas, this valve communicating with the inlet volume of the cylinder head directly and indirectly via a heat exchanger (14). The valve (10) and the heat exchanger (14) are mounted on a plate (21) intended to be mounted directly on the cylinder head. The device is compact and relatively insensitive to vibration. |
| US08656890B2 |
System and method for controlling an injection time of a fuel injector based on closing electrical decay
A system and method for controlling an injection time of a fuel injector. The system includes a drive circuit configured to output a drive signal having a pulse width, wherein the injection time is influenced by the pulse width and a closing electrical decay of the fuel injector. A controller is configured to determine the closing electrical decay of the fuel injector and adapt the pulse width based on the closing electrical decay to control the injection time. The closing electrical decay includes a closing response. The controller determines the closing response based on an injector signal, such as a coil voltage of the fuel injector. By determining the closing response, the pulse width can be adjusted to compensate for fuel injector part-to-part variability, fuel injector wear, variations in fuel pressure received by the fuel injector, dirt in the fuel injector, and the like. |
| US08656887B2 |
Spark plug unit arrangement within a motorcycle internal combustion engine
A motorcycle with a spark plug unit disposed on a front side of a cylinder head wherein approaching the spark plug unit from the front side between a front wheel and the spark plug unit as well as a high-tension cord can be prevented, without increasing the front-rear length of the vehicle. The motorcycle includes an engine with a tubular section containing a spark plug that projects roughly in a forward direction from a front surface of a cylinder head. A spark plug cap which is connected to the spark plug in the inside of the tubular section with the high-tension cord connected to a side portion thereof is fitted to the tubular section. A portion of the tubular section which projects from the cylinder head is formed with a cutout for containing the high-tension cord and for directing the cord toward a lateral side of the tubular section. |
| US08656885B2 |
Engine for a vehicle
An engine for a vehicle can include an oil pan coupled to a lower portion of a crankcase, and a partition wall configured to partition a crank chamber in the crankcase and the oil pan. The partition wall can be disposed on the crankcase, and can include openings configured to return oil from a crank chamber side to an oil pan side. Bridges are configured to suppress back flow of the oil from the oil pan side to the crank chamber side. The bridges can be fixedly disposed below the openings so as to cover at least part of the openings from below. |
| US08656876B2 |
Valve timing control apparatus
A primary resilient member urges a primary limiting member into a recess in an inserting direction in a state where a rotational phase is a limited phase in a limited phase range. A relative slide gap is radially provided between the primary limiting member and a secondary limiting member at a location adjacent to a working chamber. First and second primary slide gaps are radially provided between the primary limiting member and radially opposed wall surface sections of the receiving hole. A secondary slide gap is radially provided between the secondary limiting member and a radially opposed wall surface section of the receiving hole. The relative slide gap is larger than the first and second primary slide gaps and the secondary slide gap. |
| US08656873B2 |
Oil control valve assembly for engine cam switching
An oil control valve assembly for an engine is provided that has a control valve with a valve body, and a manifold that defines a control passage in fluid communication with a valve lift switching component and an exhaust passage for exhausting fluid from the valve. The control valve is controllable to selectively direct fluid from a supply source to the control passage to actuate the valve lift switching component. An elongated tubular member is positioned adjacent the engine component and is operatively connected to the exhaust passage such that fluid flows from the exhaust passage to the elongated tubular member and through the elongated tubular member onto the engine component. |
| US08656868B2 |
Heat exchanger for thermo boiler
Heat exchanger for thermo boiler 1 with a tube bundle 6 using solid fuel in particles constituted from an inner furnace 7 and a double wall jacket connected from the tube bundle 6 characterized by the fact that space 14 over the inner furnace 7 and the tube bundle 6 is divided from a slab 13, that tubes 6 which cross said slab 13 in openings 15 are rigidly fixed to said slab 13, that at least a bar 10, 11 which can be controlled from outside crosses the slab 13 and the double wall jacket 20 on at least one side, that said bar/s 10, 11 bring/s at least two scraping plates 8 and 9, of which an at least intermediate one positioned on one side of said slab 13 and at least an other one from the opposite part of slab 13, of which at least one positioned at the end of tubes 6. |
| US08656858B2 |
Device and method for chemically and electrolytically treating work pieces using a conveyor system to transport work pieces between treatment tanks
A device and a method for chemically or electrolytically treating work pieces (1) are proposed in an effort to avoid irregular contours of finest conductive structures, pads and lands as well as bridges (shorts) on the one side or breaks on printed circuit boards on the other side. The device comprises processing tanks (2) for the treating of work pieces and a conveyor system for the transport thereof. The conveyor system comprises at least one transport carriage (18), at least one holding element (14, 25) and at least one connection means (12, 13, 35) between the transport carriage(s) and the holding element(s). The processing tanks adjoined with a clean room zone (3). The work pieces are conveyed through the clean room zone using the conveyor system. |
| US08656857B2 |
Marker installation apparatus
A marker installation system is disclosed for inserting a marker of the type having shaft with a bottom end for inserting into a ground surface and an engagement portion of the shaft separated from the bottom end by an insertion portion of the shaft. The apparatus includes a magazine assembly defining a magazine space configured to receive at least one marker. The magazine space has a push position in the magazine space for receiving the at least one marker. The apparatus further comprises a push assembly mounted on the magazine assembly. The push assembly is configured to engage the engagement portion of the shaft of the marker located in the push position and push the marker from the magazine assembly when the push assembly is actuated. A plurality of the markers are bonded together such that each of the markers can be removed from the rest of the plurality when it is desired to insert a marker into the ground. |
| US08656856B1 |
Collapsible personal catamaran
A collapsible catamaran has twin rigid hulls attached by frame members to a platform that holds a rider. The hulls and platform are divided into sections to allow the hulls and platform to be disassembled and transported in a small space. The hulls are substantially hollow and have access ports that allow a rider to store buoyant materials or equipment inside the hulls. A motor mount is attached to the front platform and receives an electric motor that is configured to pull the catamaran through the water. A cover may be attached to the platform to provide shade to the rider. The cover may support one or more solar panels that collect electricity to power the motor. The parts may be combined in a kit, which allows the rider to assemble the components of the collapsible catamaran. The catamaran may then be assembled from and disassembled into the components before and after each use. |
| US08656855B2 |
Light-weight portable folding boat
A folding boat includes a pair of stringer tube assemblies arranged for extending longitudinally when assembled and the stringer tubes of each pair of the assemblies connected by hinges to respective adjacent stringer tubes at the hinges. The stringer tubes assemblies are received within a waterproof skin. Frame members or butterfly frame members serve to connect to the assemblies of the stringer tubes within the skin to provide a frame for the waterproof skin. Fabric inflatable tubes are located within the skin, each having a seam for having the assembled stringer tubes assemblies nestled within when assembled in the frame. |
| US08656850B2 |
Punch data generating device and computer readable medium storing punch data generating program
A punch data generating device generating punch data for execution with an embroiderable sewing machine including a needle bar moved up and down and mounted with a punch needle for forming penetrations on a workpiece in dot-by-dot strokes, a transfer mechanism transferring the workpiece in two directions in coordination with the movement of the punch needle to form the penetrations. The punch data generating device includes a cut data generator generating cut data constituting the punch data, the cut data being used to form the penetrations along an outline of a predetermined pattern to allow cutting of the outline; and an auxiliary cut data generator generating auxiliary cut data constituting the punch data, the auxiliary cut data being used to form penetrations contacting the outline of the pattern to form a cut that facilitates detachment of the outline from the workpiece. |
| US08656849B2 |
Embroidery frame
An embroidery frame comprises an inner frame, wherein the inner frame is a circular form. The embroidery frame comprises a middle frame which is configured to be detachably attachable to a radial outside of the inner frame. The middle frame is a circular form. The embroidery frame comprises an outer frame which is configured to rotatably hold the middle frame, wherein the outer frame is a circular form, and the outer frame is configured to be detachably attachable to a radial outside of the middle frame. The embroidery frame comprises a grip portion which is provided to the middle frame. |
| US08656845B2 |
Multi component dye system for protection of valuables
A multi-component dye unit for use in a system to protect valuables. The unit comprises at least two reservoirs arranged in an external container or housing. The reservoirs are filled with different agents A and B, and connected to a spraying device capable of staining the contents of a secured container. The reservoirs are preferably made of flexible material and the contents thereof may be expelled by gas pressure in said external container. Advantageously, the external container may be made of two parts clippable together. |
| US08656842B1 |
Wall mounted portable desk
A wall mounted portable desk where a first shelf and a second shelf are supported by hanging straps. The straps are hung on a wall by hooks and attached D rings. The straps are inserted through and folded over the rings creating a pair of front and rear straps. Each shelf has loop type fastening strips extending from each corner. The hanging straps each have one surface covered with hook type fastening material. The front shelf strips attach to the attach to the hook fastener side of the front folded hanging straps. The rear shelf strips attach to the rear hook fastening side of the rear hanging straps. The front folded hanging straps proceed to the underside of the first shelf and a slide into a support ring and then proceed down to the front edge of the second shelf and finally under the second shelf and onto the hook portion of the rear folded hanging strap. |
| US08656839B2 |
Railcar bogie
A railcar bogie includes: a cross beam configured to support a carbody; a pair of front and rear axles respectively provided on front and rear sides of the cross beam so as to extend along a crosswise direction; bearings respectively provided on both crosswise-direction sides of each of the axles and configured to rotatably support the axles; bearing accommodating portions configured to respectively accommodate the bearings; and plate springs extending in a front-rear direction so as to be respectively supported by both crosswise-direction end portions of the cross beam, end portions of each of the plate springs being respectively supported by the bearing accommodating portions. Each of the bearing accommodating portions includes: a case portion configured to accommodate the bearing; and supporting portions configured to support the plate springs. The plate springs are supported by the supporting portions on a center side of the axle in the front-rear direction. |
| US08656835B2 |
Printing device and method including reduced torque disturbance of the rotating component of the printing device
A printing device for printing on a printable media. The printing device comprises a rotating component (1), a gripper mechanically coupled to the rotating component (1) and configured for loading and unloading the printable media to and from the rotating component (1), an actuating element (5) configured for actuating the gripper, the actuation resulting in a disturbance to the rotation of the rotating component (1), and a compensating element (6) shaped such as to reduce the disturbance by applying a compensating mechanical force to the rotating component (1) during the rotation of the rotating component (1). |
| US08656828B2 |
Electric oven for cooking food
An electric oven includes a cooking chamber having at least one heating member and at least one support member for supporting food, the cooking chamber being provided with a movable pressing member for pressing the food against the support member to cook the food while kept pressed. |
| US08656827B2 |
Capsule for the preparation of a beverage and capsule-holding unit for use therewith
The capsule (1) comprises a cup body (2), with a bottom wall (2f) on which is a separating structure (3) with a plurality of spokes (4), defined between which are corresponding interspaces (5). The bottom wall (2f) has in its central portion a plurality of drink exit openings (6) which are not aligned with the slopes (4). A first filter sheet (7) is arranged on the separating structure (3) in such a way that a plurality of brewing chambers is defined between the first filter sheet (7), the spoked structure (3) and the bottom wall (2f). A quantity of powdered or granular material (8), especially roast ground coffee, is placed in the body (2) on the filter sheet (7). The second sheet (9) of filter material is applied to a top outer edge of said body (2). In use, the pressure of the fluid injected into the capsule (1) deforms the first filter sheet (7) in such a way that it moves towards the bottom wall (2f) through the interspaces (5) between the spokes (4), while defining, along the opposite edges of each spoke (4), respective essentially radial channels or passages (10) for the drink to flow towards the openings (6) in the bottom wall (2f). |
| US08656826B2 |
Espresso coffee machine
Systems and methods for an improved espresso coffee machine are described. In one aspect, the improved espresso coffee machine includes one or more operating units, each of which at least includes a boiler, a pump, a heating unit, and a unit for aroma extraction and dispensing of the espresso coffee brew, including related conduits. Each unit is equipped with a system for controlling and adjusting the espresso coffee brewing parameters. |
| US08656822B1 |
Ballistic floor blanket
A ballistic floor blanket is adapted for use in a military vehicle. The floor blanket includes top and bottom assembly covers, and an interior ballistic fabric composite intermediate the top and bottom assembly covers. The fabric composite incorporates a plurality of overlying structural ballistic layers. The ballistic layers include high-performance fibers having a tensile strength greater than about 2000 MPa and an elastic modulus greater than about 60 GPa. A retention assembly having a plurality of peripherally spaced floor anchors is adapted for attaching the floor blanket to the military vehicle. |
| US08656818B2 |
Device for three-sided trimming of products
A device for three-sided trimming of products has a cutter lifting assembly that is operable in a lifting movement that determines a machine cycle of the device. Several cutters, at least for head trimming, foot trimming, and front edge trimming of the products, are mountable on the cutter lifting assembly. The device has a lateral alignment configuration, which is movable at least on one side, for performing a pushing movement against the product, by way of which the product can be brought into a cutting position. The device further includes a device for initiating and/or terminating the pushing movement of the alignment configuration in such a way that the time of initiation and/or the pushing duration of the pushing movement within the cycle duration of the device is independent of the lifting movement of the cutter lifting assembly. |
| US08656816B2 |
Peeling tool
A peeling tool designed for at least partially stripping the outer peripheral surface of rotationally symmetric objects, in particular cylindrical plastic pipes, with the peeling tool featuring a peeling head with a drive shaft having a longitudinal axis and coaxially to this drive shaft arranged cylindrical blade roller. The cylindrical blade roller moves with the drive shaft. The peeling tool also featuring at least one peeling blade inside the blade roller with the peeling blade having a cutting edge which extends beyond the blade roller surface and defines the maximum outer diameter of the peeling head. The peeling tool also features two cylindrical guide elements with longitudinal axes, which are mounted to the face sides of the blade roller in a coaxial arrangement. |
| US08656799B2 |
Transmission device between an input drive shaft and an output shaft, such as the shaft for driving the wheels of a travelling machine
Transmission device between an input drive shaft and an output shaft, of the type including a housing inside which are placed at least partially a reduction gear mechanism and a progressive cone clutch mechanism, the reduction gear mechanism including a driving member engaged with a driven member, formed by a gearwheel mounted so as to rotate freely on the output shaft and able to be coupled to/uncoupled from the output shaft via two friction cones of the clutch mechanism, the cones being placed coaxial to the axial bore of the gearwheel and capable of coming, under the action of a control device, into bearing contact with a conical bearing surface of the gearwheel. The conical bearing surfaces of the gearwheel are, relative to the axis of rotation of the gearwheel, offset axially from the gear teeth of the gearwheel and are placed on the same side of the gear teeth. |
| US08656796B2 |
Operating element movable back and forth by traction elements wound in opposite directions on winding bodies
An operating element with a drive motor equipped with a drive shaft, which can be driven in two opposite rotational directions to move an actuating element between two end positions by a motion transmission device. Each of two motion transmission devices includes a winding body, onto which a traction element is wound in the direction opposite to that in which the traction element of the other transmission device is wound. The free end of the traction element is attached to the actuating element. |
| US08656795B2 |
Easily switchable automatic transmission eccentric shaft
An easily switchable automatic transmission eccentric shaft includes an input shaft over which a movable centrifugal saddle is fit. An elastic body is arranged between the centrifugal saddle and the input shaft. The centrifugal saddle is provided at one side thereof with an openable weight assembly, which selectively moves the centrifugal saddle with respect to the input shaft. A balance weight is coupled to one side of the weight assembly. The balance weight forms a limiting structure that includes two retention members and an elastic element between the retention members. The limiting structure helps controlling preciseness of variable transmission, helps increasing available transmission positions, facilitates the weight assemblies returning back to home positions, and is suitable for high horsepower applications. |
| US08656792B2 |
Pipette device having a throttle point in the pipette duct
A pipette device including a metering liquid receptacle designed to be filled, at least in part, with working fluid and which has a pipette opening as a first tapering of cross-section of flow, a pressure change device which is designed to change the pressure of the working fluid in the metering liquid receptacle, and a throttle point in a pipette duct designed to be filled with working fluid as a further tapering of cross-section of flow. The throttle point is arranged fluid-mechanically between the metering liquid receptacle and the pressure change device and is dimensioned in such a way that a ratio of a flow resistance of the pipette opening for dispensed metering liquid to a flow resistance of the throttle point for working fluid, which flows through the throttle point when the metering fluid is dispensed, is less than 0.5. |
| US08656788B2 |
Ring shear apparatus considering wall-slip effect
A ring shear apparatus for measuring a shear strength of soil samples. The ring shear apparatus considering a wall-slip effect including: an upper ring for forming a first accommodation portion having a ring shape in which soil samples are accommodated; a lower ring for forming a second accommodation portion that corresponds to the first accommodation portion of the upper ring and has a ring shape in which soil samples are accommodated, closely attached to a lower portion of the upper ring and rotatably installed relative to the upper ring; a rotating unit for rotating the lower ring relative to the upper ring; and a shear strength measuring sensor combined with the upper ring and for measuring a shear strength of the soil samples, wherein a plurality of protrusions that protrudes from the lower ring is formed on an inner circumferential surface of the lower ring along a circumferential direction of the lower ring in order to prevent the soil samples from being slid when the lower ring is rotated. |
| US08656787B2 |
Electrostatic capacitive pressure sensor
In an electrostatic capacitance pressure sensor provided with a pressure sensor chip of a diaphragm structure for detecting an electrostatic capacitance in accordance with a pressure of a medium to be measured, one face of a sensor diaphragm of the pressure sensor is a pressure introduction chamber side wherein the medium to be measured is introduced, and the other face is a capacitor chamber side wherein a capacitor portion is formed, where, in the sensor diaphragm, the rigidity is lower towards a center portion from a peripheral edge portion that is a boundary of diaphragm securing portions on the capacitor chamber side. |
| US08656783B2 |
Transducer array imaging system
The disclosed embodiments include a method, system, and device for conducting ultrasound interrogation of a medium. The novel method includes transmitting a non-beamformed or beamformed ultrasound wave into the medium, receiving more than one echoed ultrasound wave from the medium, and converting the received echoed ultrasound wave into digital data. The novel method may further transmit the digital data. In some embodiments, the transmitting may be wireless. The novel device may include transducer elements, an analog-to-digital converter in communication with the transducer elements, and a transmitter in communication with the analog-to-digital converter. The transducers may operate to convert a first electrical energy into an ultrasound wave. The first electrical energy may or may not be beamformed. The transducers also may convert an echoed ultrasound wave into a second electrical energy. The analog-to-digital converter may convert the electrical energy into digital data, and the transmitter may transmit the digital data. |
| US08656782B2 |
Method and device for non-destructive material testing of a test object using ultrasonic waves
A method for the non-destructive material testing of a test object at least solid in some regions by subjecting the test object to ultrasonic waves and capturing the ultrasonic waves reflected within the test object. The method includes the steps, computer-supported dividing of the test object into a prescribed number of volume elements, subjecting the test object to ultrasound on a plurality of surface elements while probing the surface or at least one surface segment of the test object, capturing the sound waves reflected at the volume element while probing the plurality of surface elements on the surface or at least the surface segment of the test object, and in-phase addition of the sound waves reflected at the same volume elements and captured at various surface elements of the surface of the test object. Angle-dependent amplitude distribution is used in the sound field of the test head. |
| US08656780B2 |
Methods for retrofitting natural gas meters
Disclosed are methods for diagnosing poor performance of natural gas meter stations which utilize tube bundle flow conditioners upstream of orifice plates and methods for retrofitting the natural gas meter stations to improve accuracy of orifice measurements. Diagnostic methods include making measurements of decibels of sound upstream and downstream of the orifice plate, detecting intermittent sounds from a check valve downstream of the orifice plate, and visually inspecting the internal surface of the meter tube downstream of the orifice plate. Accuracy of orifice measurements is improved by replacing a tube bundle flow conditioner with a one-piece plate flow conditioner. |
| US08656771B2 |
Device for measuring thickness of cloth and method for measuring thickness of cloth
A device and method for measuring the thickness of a cloth when the predetermined pressing force is applied to the cloth. A device for measuring a cloth thickness includes a stationary part having a base surface; a movable member having a pressing end to press a cloth against the base surface; a movable member driving mechanism to move the movable member linearly without rotating around itself from an initial position up to an over-pressing position where the pressing end presses the cloth against the base surface with a force exceeding the predetermined pressing force; a load cell for detecting a force with which the pressing end presses the cloth against the base surface; and a pulse coder for detecting the space between the base surface and the pressing end when a force value detected by the load cell reaches the predetermined pressing force. |
| US08656765B2 |
Fuel property detection device for construction machine and construction machine provided therewith
A device detecting a property of fuel in a course of a pipeline, while improving accuracy and stability of the fuel property detection. The device includes a sub-tank provided in the course of a fuel pipeline connecting a fuel tank and an engine, and a sensor capable of detecting the property of fuel inside the sub-tank. The sub-tank includes a fuel inlet for introducing therethrough fuel from the fuel tank, and a fuel outlet for sending out therethrough the fuel toward the engine. |
| US08656763B2 |
Failure detection apparatus and failure detection method for a particulate filter
The present invention is intended to provide a technique which is capable of improving detection accuracy at the time of performing failure detection of a particulate filter by the use of a PM sensor. In the present invention, the PM sensor is arranged in an exhaust passage at the downstream side of the particulate filter. Then, the presence or absence of a failure in the particulate filter is determined by making a comparison between an output value of the PM sensor at the time when a predetermined period of time has elapsed after the execution of PM removal processing to remove the particulate matter deposited on the PM sensor is completed, and a predetermined threshold value. At this time, the threshold value is set based on an average value of an amount of intake air in an internal combustion engine during the passage of the predetermined period of time. |
| US08656762B2 |
Method for detecting a rotation angle
A method for detecting a first rotation angle of a first shaft of an engine is provided, whereby a first marking carrier with sensor-readable markings is provided, whereby the markings form a first marking pattern that has marking sections having at least one first and a second marking section. The first marking carrier is scanned by a first sensor and a first sensor signal is generated. The first sensor signal is modulated by the markings on the marking carrier. A correlation between a time course of the first sensor signal and a time signal is made by a computing unit. A first marking section is recovered from the first sensor signal by the computing unit, and then, a first exclusion criterion for excluding the first stored marking section is determined from the recovered first marking section. The first stored marking section is then excluded by the first exclusion criteria. |
| US08656759B2 |
Handheld penetrating consistometer
A portable handheld consistometer that includes a probe having a shaft and a probe tip attached to a first end of the shaft. In an embodiment, the probe tip has a cross-sectional area greater than that of the shaft, the probe configured to be inserted into a material to measure the consistency thereof. In an embodiment, a force sensor is attached to a second end of the shaft opposite the first end. The force sensor is coupled to processing circuitry, and is configured to measure the force with which the probe tip penetrates the material. In an embodiment, a distance sensor is coupled to the processing circuitry. The distance sensor is configured to measure the distance that the probe tip penetrates into the material. Further; the handheld consistometer includes a display screen coupled to the processing circuitry and configured to display the results of consistency measurements. |
| US08656758B2 |
Approaches for detecting leaks in a hard-disk drive (HDD) cover
Approaches for a testing apparatus for evaluating a cover of a hard-disk drive. The testing apparatus may detect whether the cover has a defect that prevents the cover from being sufficiently airtight. The testing apparatus includes a base structure that comprises a concave recess shaped to receive the cover to be tested. When the cover is disposed within the concave recess, the cover forms a first chamber in the concave recess between the cover and the base structure. The testing apparatus also includes a removable lid. When the removable lid covers the concave recess with the cover disposed therein, the removable lid forms a second chamber in the concave recess between the cover, the base structure, and the removable lid. The testing apparatus also includes a means for introducing helium gas to one of the chambers and a means for detecting how much helium gas leaks from that chamber. |
| US08656756B2 |
Gas sensor
A gas sensor including a metal shell; a detection element main body held by the metal shell; a porous protection layer coated on a leading end portion of the detection element main body; and a protector including a side wall surrounding an element protruding portion of the detection element main body protruding from a leading end of the metal shell. The side wall has introduction holes formed therein which allow gas to be introduced. The porous protection layer includes a first portion; and a second portion provided on a base end side with respect to the first portion and having a progressively reduced thickness in a direction toward a leading end of the detection element. The second portion is disposed closer to the base end of the detection element than the introduction holes in the axial direction. |
| US08656749B2 |
Tube expanding method for heat exchanger tubes and tube expanding apparatus for heat exchanger tubes
The present invention solves a problem with conventional tube expanding method for heat exchanger tubes that is susceptible, when carrying out tube expansion on U-shaped heat exchanger tubes that have a narrower diameter than in the past and forming flare portions in opening portions that have been subjected to tube expansion, to a buckling phenomenon at boundaries between straight portions and hairpin portions of the heat exchanger tubes or a vicinity thereof.Opening portions of U-shaped heat exchanger tubes 56 that pass through a fin layer 54 protrude from an upper end surface of the fin layer 54, hairpin portions 56b of the heat exchanger tubes 56 protrude from a lower end surface of the fin layer 54, and tube expanding billets 22 are inserted into each opening portion of the heat exchanger tubes 56 to carry out primary tube expansion that expands the diameter of each straight tube portion 56a of the heat exchanger tubes 56 to integrate the heat exchanger tubes 56 and fins 50. The primary tube expansion ends with each tube expanding billet 22 inserted into a boundary between the straight tube portion 56a and the hairpin portion 56b of a heat exchanger tube 56 or the vicinity thereof. The tube expanding billets 22 are then held at the positions where the primary tube expansion ended and flare punches 24 are inserted into the opening portions of the heat exchanger tubes 56 that have been subjected to the primary tube expansion to form flare portions 60 in front end portions of the heat exchanger tubes 56. |
| US08656748B2 |
Lubricant for hot-rolling tools, and surface treatment method for mandrel bar for use in producing hot rolling seamless tubes
A lubricant for hot-rolling tools in which an oxide-based laminar compound such as potassium tetrasilicic mica, sodium tetrasilicic mica, vermiculite, and bentonite, a boric acid compound such as boric acid, potassium borate, and sodium borate, and graphite are dispersed and dissolved in water, and in which the blending proportion of the oxide-based laminar compound to the boric acid compound is, in mass ratio, 10:90 to 70:30, and the content of the graphite is 1.0 to 4.5%. Applying this lubricant on the surface of the mandrel bar at the time of mandrel mill rolling enables a lubricating film to be formed on the surface of the bar and to exert excellent seizure resistance, and also allows the lubricant to be immune from remaining in the inner surface of tube. |
| US08656747B2 |
Keying system and method
A kit for a master keying system includes a plurality of replacement master racks. A rack removal key is provided for insertion into a keyway. The rack removal key has a first cut defining a first lift amount. A rack removal tool is provided for insertion into the keyway. The rack removal tool has a second cut defining a second lift amount, wherein the second lift amount is greater than the first lift amount. |
| US08656744B2 |
Sterilizable washing machine using ultraviolet radiation and sterilizable washing method in the same
The present invention discloses a sterilizable washing machine using ultraviolet radiation, and a sterilizable washing method in the same. The sterilizable washing machine includes a cabinet (2) having an inlet for putting the laundry into the washing machine, a door (50) installed at the cabinet (2), for opening and closing the inlet of the cabinet (2), a tub (6) installed in the cabinet with a buffing function and containable wash water, a drum (8) rotatably installed inside the tub (6) for performing washing, a gasket G installed between the inlet of the cabinet (2) and the tub (6), for sealing the gap between the door (50) and the tub (6), and an ultraviolet light source (20) installed at the gasket (6), for radiating ultraviolet rays into the drum (8). |
| US08656736B2 |
Method of manufacturing glass substrate and method of manufacturing electronic components
A method of manufacturing a glass substrate with buried through electrodes comprises forming via-holes in each of two base panels and in a glass panel interposed between the base panels so that the via-holes are aligned with one another. Conductive wires are penetrated through the aligned via-holes and stretched between the base panels. The first panel is subjected to compression stress and is heated to a temperature higher than a softening point of the glass material so that the stretched conductive wires are buried in the glass material. The first panel is then cooled to form a glass ingot having the buried conductive wires. The glass ingot is sliced to form a glass panel, and the glass panel is polished to expose the buried conductive wires on front and rear surfaces of the glass panel to form a glass substrate with buried through electrodes. |
| US08656734B2 |
Material for information recording medium substrate, information recording medium substrate, information recording medium, and method for manufacturing them
A method for manufacturing a disklike glass material comprising the successive molding of multiple pieces of disklike glass material from glass melt. Being suppressed variation over time in the concentration of infrared radiation-absorbing ions contained in the glass melt being molded into the pieces of disklike glass material so that the variation in the sheet thickness of the multiple pieces of disklike glass material falls within a range of ±15 percent of a reference value. The reference value being the median between the maximum value and the minimum value of the sheet thickness of 1,000 pieces of the glass material. In the course of molding multiple pieces of disklike glass material comprised of glass containing 0.1 to 100 ppm of infrared radiation-absorbing ions, vaiiation over time in the concentration of the infrared radiation-absorbing contained in the glass melt is suppressed to suppress variation in the sheet thickness of the multiple pieces of sheet like glass material. |
| US08656728B2 |
Water filter with performance indicating device and refrigeration appliance including same
An assembly for filtering water includes a housing and a water inlet for supplying unfiltered water to the housing. A water filter includes an outer casing attached to the housing in communication with the water inlet and a filter medium within the outer casing. The outer casing has at least one portion that is at least partially translucent. The water filter filters the unfiltered water through filter medium to provide filtered water. A water outlet is attached to the housing for transferring filtered water from the outer casing to a device via the housing. An illumination device is mounted adjacent to the outer casing for selectively illuminating the portion of the outer casing that is at least partially translucent. Related refrigeration appliances incorporating such devices are also disclosed. |
| US08656725B2 |
Thermal generator with magnetocaloric material
A thermal generator (1) comprises at least one thermal flow generation unit (2) that is provided with at least one thermal module (3) each containing a magnetocaloric member (4) through which a coolant flows. A magnetic arrangement (9) is actuated for alternatively subjecting each magnetocaloric member (4) to a variation in magnetic field, the alternating movement of the coolant is synchronized with the magnetic field variation, the magnetocaloric member (4) is integrated into a closed flow circuit (6) that connects the two opposite ends (7) of the magnetocaloric member (4), and the closed circuit includes a single element (5) for moving the coolant through the magnetocaloric member (4). |
| US08656723B2 |
Operation control method for gas turbine and operation controller for gas turbine
An operation control method for a gas turbine includes making a molten salt map of molten salt for causing high-temperature corrosion on high-temperature components of the turbine due to impurities using a thermodynamic equilibrium calculation on the basis of the impurities contained in low-quality fuel and operation data of the gas turbine, indicating a surface temperature and a pressure of the high-temperature components of the turbine on the molten salt map , predicting a lifetime of the high-temperature components of the gas turbine by estimating a corrosion rate thereof, and controlling the flow rate of the low-quality fuel supplied to a combustor so that an area of surface temperature and pressure regions of the high-temperature components superposing on the region of molten salt in the liquid phase on the molten salt map is reduced. |
| US08656721B2 |
Gas turbine combustor including separate fuel injectors for plural zones
This invention provides a gas turbine combustor including: a main burner at a head portion of a combustor cylinder; and a pre-mixing type supplemental burner at a downstream portion of the combustor cylinder and extending through a circumferential wall thereof. The supplemental burner includes: an introducing passage configured to deflect a part of the compressed air radially inward, the compressed air flowing from an air passage between the circumferential wall of the combustor cylinder and a housing surrounding the circumferential wall toward the head portion of the combustor cylinder, and introduce the compressed air into the combustor cylinder; and a fuel nozzle configured to supply the fuel from fuel injection holes to the compressed air introduced into the introducing passage to produce a pre-mixed gas in the introducing passage. |
| US08656715B2 |
Methods and systems for emission system control
Methods and systems are provided for operating a turbocharged engine including a particulate filter positioned upstream of a turbocharger turbine, a catalyst positioned downstream of the turbine, and an EGR passage coupled between an engine exhaust and engine intake. In one example, the method comprises, diverting exhaust gas from downstream of the filter to the engine intake via the EGR passage, and adjusting an amount of diverted exhaust gas based on filter operating conditions. |
| US08656713B2 |
Active material-based impulse actuators
An apparatus for and method of displacing a body, such as a projectile, piston, or the distal edge of a sunshade cover or energy absorbing honeycomb matrix, utilizing momentum generated by the rapid actuation of an active material element, such as a Martensitic shape memory alloy wire. |
| US08656702B2 |
Exhaust gas after treatment system
An exhaust gas after treatment system includes a diesel particulate filter unit (DPFU) provided downstream of a diesel engine, a selective catalytic reduction (SCR) arrangement provided in fluid communication with said DPFU, a first injector for feeding reducing agent into the exhaust gas provided downstream of said DPFU and upstream of said SCR, at least one NOx sensor provided downstream of said SCR for providing at least one NOx signal to a NOx coordinator, at least one temp sensor provided upstream and/or downstream of said SCR for providing at least one temp signal to said NOx coordinator, wherein said NOx coordinator is provided for switching said diesel engine into a high NOx mode or a low NOx mode depending on the values of the at least one NOx signal and the at least one temp signal. |
| US08656695B2 |
Selective harvester
A harvester for selective harvesting of agricultural objects, such as asparagus spears, that includes at least one set of independently controllable cutter arm assemblies that rotate about a common axis to harvest individual asparagus spears. |
| US08656693B2 |
Filling degree gauge, agricultural vehicle with the gauge, and method of measuring and displaying residual filling potential of target area
A filling degree gauge for measuring and displaying a residual filling potential of a target area, such as a container, being filled through a target, such as an open top, with goods by a goods carrier, such as a discharge spout, of an agricultural vehicle, such as a harvester, has a 3D sensor for observing at least a part of the target area including at least a part of the target, a data control system and a visual display unit. The data control system operates to provide on the visual display unit a visual display indicating residual filling potential by indicating the current one of at least three different levels of residual filling potential. |
| US08656692B2 |
Method for mechanical harvesting of improved non-dehiscent sesame
Methods for improving the agriculture of sesame, an Improved Non-Dehiscent (IND) sesame class and methods for breeding IND are disclosed. The IND sesame holds its seed in capsules for four or more weeks after ideal harvesting time, during extended adverse weather conditions, thus offering the grower flexibility as to when to harvest. The methods also improve current agricultural methods for growing sesame by allowing growers to leave the crop in the field for a longer period of time without the loss of seeds and concomitant reduced yield. The grower is able to reduce the ratio of combine harvesters required for mechanical harvest of sesame crops. Further, a method of growing crops in geographical areas previously unsuitable for sesame agriculture is disclosed. IND allows ready release of seed from the capsule during mechanized harvesting with minimal broken seed. |
| US08656689B2 |
Pouch manufacture and uses
A process for making a multi-compartment water-soluble pouch having at least three compartments and wherein at least one of the compartments contains a composition in liquid form, the process comprising the steps of: a) providing a mold with at least two recesses; b) drawing a first film into the mold to form at least two open compartments in the at least two recesses; c) filling the open compartments; d) pin-pricking the first film to create a pin-hole; e) drawing a second film over the open compartments to close those compartments and to form a new open compartment, wherein the second film directly covers the pin-hole; f) filling the open compartment formed from the second film; and g) placing a closure film over the new filled open compartment to close it. |
| US08656683B2 |
Shutter
A shutter 20 including an outer sheet 50 and a non-combustible insulating panel 51. The panel 51 is positioned between the outer sheet 50 and a frame 52. The outer sheet 50 overlies a broad face of the panel 51 and the frame 52 is attached adjacent to a second broad face of the panel 51 opposite the first broad face. The outer sheet 50 has a melting point of greater than or equal to about 840° C. The panel 51 is operable to retard heat transmission from the first face to the second face so that when the first face is exposed to a temperature of 730° C. for a period of 15 minutes, the temperature of the second face does not exceed 250° C. Each of the outer sheet 50 and the panel 51 are secured to the frame 52 and the frame is substantially resistant to distortion of up to a temperature of about 250° C. |
| US08656682B2 |
Method of laying a floor covering
There is disclosed a method of laying a floor covering (14) on a floor (12). The method comprises the step of painting the floor to be covered (10) with a floor paint comprising ferromagnetic particles, and placing a magnetic floor covering (14) thereon. |
| US08656681B1 |
Method for securing a panel over a gap in an exterior portion of a building
A pair of relatively spaced apart frame-engaging plates are provided on the anchoring end of the bracket. An elongated body extends downwardly from the anchoring end and spans a gap between the roof frame member to which the anchoring end is attached and the exterior brick. An elongated opening extends between panel facing edge portions of the elongated body and into an insert receiving recess. A frieze panel adapted to cover the gap between the roof frame member and the brick is mounted on the bracket by nailing it to a wooden insert mounted in the recess. |
| US08656680B2 |
Method of reinforcing a structure and apparatus therefor
Disclosed is a method of reinforcing a structure (10) having an elongate hole (14) or drilling the hole having an open proximal end (11) and a closed distal end (16). The method comprises the steps of inserting into the open end of the hole an elongate reinforcement core (20) carrying over at least part of its length an expandable sock (30), introducing a settable liquid (40), such as grout, into the sock at a first pressure so as to cause expansion of the sock toward the wall (18) of the hole (14), the sock being formed from a material which is permeable to the grout so as to allow the liquid to seep through the sock, reducing the pressure in the hole by means of a vacuum tube (23), whilst said introducing step is taking place, to at least a second pressure lower than the first pressure so as to encourage the grout to seep through the sock, to substantially fill the hole. The method also includes the step of ensuring that the vacuum tube extends substantially into the distal quarter of the length of the closed hole. Thus in embodiments of the invention, in producing a vacuum within the hole/drilling the seepage of the liquid or grout through the sock to make contact and bond with the wall of the drilling is increased along the whole length of the drilling. |
| US08656671B1 |
Floor systems
Floor systems comprising at least one elongated channel which engages with subfloor and/or floor materials, and which includes at least one slot through which a bracket engages to movably anchor the channel to a concrete floor. The subfloor and/or floor materials are supported underneath by resilient, shock-absorbing material. |
| US08656667B2 |
Roofing composition
A split-flashing composition for covering a protrusion from a roof, having a flange for sealing to a roof surface with an in-plane spiral closed-loop opening with first and second end portions connected together in an offset manner, and a generally conical collar portion that extends from the flange portion, the collar portion having a curved wall section and a planar wall section that define an internal volume within the collar portion. |
| US08656665B2 |
Multi-layer heat insulating pane element
The invention concerns a multi-layered heat insulating window panel for constructing wall and/or roof surfaces of a greenhouse, comprising:a frame structure, a first pane (12), particularly a customary glass pane which has an edge that is framed and attached in the frame structure and which is kept in position by the frame structure, and a supplementary pane, for example, deep drawn from plastic material, a supplementary pane on at least one surface of the first glass pane, forming a double-glazing arrangement, wherein the supplementary pane has a tray-like shape and the circumferential edge region is glued hermetically to the first pane and wherein the cavity is evacuated and in the interior the supplementary pane is supported by means of a number of supporting elements in order to prevent the pane from collapsing because of the external atmospheric pressure. |
| US08656664B2 |
Assembly and method for securing an opening of a building structure
An assembly for securely enclosing a window, door or other opening defined by a structure of a house or other building comprising: a panel sized to substantially cover the opening and engage the structure, the panel having a face having a front and a back and a pair of lateral sides; one or more mounting bars for securing to the panel; one or more installation bars; means for engaging the panel and the structure to securely enclose the opening. The engaging means configured to secure together one of the mounting bars and one of the installation bars and to move the one or more installation bar towards the back of the panel engage and secure the structure between the panel and the first installation bar. A method for installing the panel to the structure of the building to securely enclose the opening. |
| US08656662B2 |
Modular floor tile with resilient support members
Modular floor tiles and modular floors are described herein. A modular floor tile may include a top surface layer, a plurality of edge surfaces, an interlocking mechanism for attachment to adjacent tiles, and a support system. The support system may additionally include a first rigid level and at least one resilient support member disposed under the top surface layer, the at least one resilient support member extending to a distance further from the top surface layer than the first rigid level. The at least one resilient support member may be compressible toward the top surface layer. A modular floor may include a plurality of interlocking tiles connected to one another. A method of forming a modular floor that includes an interlocking modular tile is also disclosed. |
| US08656661B2 |
Connection device for photovoltaic modules and method for installing same
A connecting device for photovoltaic-capable insulating glass comprises at least one retaining device laterally attached to the photovoltaic-capable insulating glass. In its installed state, the retaining device is open on at least one side which faces the intermediate space so that at least one ribbon is insertable into a clamping device inserted in the retaining device, and wherein the ribbon establishes an electrical contact for a photovoltaic device accommodated in the at least one intermediate space, and wherein the clamping device is provided with an electrical supply line such that the clamping device establishes an electrical clamping contact between the at least one ribbon and the electrical supply line. |
| US08656659B2 |
Interconnected solar module design and system
A frame assembly is provided for a solar module. The frame assembly includes a plurality of frame members that are structured to collectively support and hold a first solar panel. At least one of the plurality of frame members is structured to adjoin a frame member of a second solar module in forming a joining with the frame member of the second solar module over a length where the frame member of the first and second solar module adjoin. |
| US08656655B2 |
Secondary containment system using modular panels
A modular containment wall system provides secondary containment about one or more liquid storage tanks in a storage area using panel members connected with series to form a perimeter wall about the storage area together with a barrier member spanning the area surrounding by the perimeter wall. Each panel member has a main wall portion and a brace including a triangular gusset panel and a foot panel along a bottom side in which the gusset panel and foot panel of the brace are pivotal together relative to the main wall portion between a working position in which the gusset panel is substantially perpendicular to the main wall portion and a storage position in which the gusset panel is substantially parallel to the main wall portion. |
| US08656652B1 |
Safety anchor post system
A safety anchor post system mountable to a pre-set anchor embedded in concrete for protecting a user from falling while working in precarious areas is provided. The system comprises a tubular post having a first end and a second end with a coil rod extending from the tubular post. A first sleeve is mounted at the second end of the post. A second sleeve is mounted between the first sleeve and the first end of the post with at least one rail member receivable within each sleeve. A clamping mechanism tightens against the rail members to releasably maintain the at least one rail member within each sleeve. A tie off device is mounted to the post. Upon releasably securing the at least one rail member within each sleeve and tying off to the tie off device, a worker is inhibited from falling from the support structure. |
| US08656642B2 |
Safety door and doorframe assembly
Disclosed is a door assembly comprising a custom-built doorframe housing a main door which carries an integrally mounted, rectangularly-shaped leaf door. The trailing edge of the main door rotates about a vertical axis which is parallel to, and proximate the inner rear surface of the doorframe. The leaf door is rotatably attached, by a spring mechanism, to a cutout excised from the leading edge of the main door. As the main door rotates about its vertical axis, the leaf door is restrained, by tension of the spring mechanism, from closing with full force upon human fingers or any other object that may be proximate the door jamb, or inner doorframe area. The pivoting, or trailing edge of the main door may be abutted against elastomeric material affixed to the inner rear surface of the doorframe, thereby preventing the insertion of fingers into what otherwise would be a hazardous gap. |
| US08656639B2 |
Methods of managing timberland
A method of managing timberland to optimize the combined revenue of a softwood tree crop and an energy crop generally includes planting a softwood tree crop in adjacent first and second rows, wherein the softwood tree crop has a tree spacing between adjacent trees and a row spacing in the range of about 15 to about 25 feet between the first and second rows, planting an energy crop in the row spacing, wherein the energy crop is a regenerating lignocellulosic energy crop, and periodically harvesting the energy crop. Methods of managing timberland to optimize the plot growth rate for a plot including a softwood tree crop and an energy crop, and to optimize the total plot volume of a softwood tree crop and an energy crop are also provided. |
| US08656636B2 |
Biological optimization systems for enhancing photosynthetic efficiency and methods of use
The present disclosure relates to biological optimization systems for enhancing photosynthetic efficiency and methods of use. |
| US08656633B2 |
Fishing lure with movable attachment loop
A fishing lure includes a body, a skirt, a blade and a hook. The body includes a pivotable attachment ‘s’ loop that attaches the blade to the body, the loop is pinned to the body but pivots about the pin in a slot in the body. A fishing line is attached to the blade at a point spaced from the loop, the skirt includes flexible filaments and is attached to the body. The hook is molded into the body and the ‘s’ loop includes an elastic band that biases the loop toward the back of the slot. |
| US08656630B2 |
Apparatus and method for aiming point calculation
The present invention relates to target acquisition and related devices, and more particularly to telescopic gunsights and associated equipment used to achieve shooting accuracy at, for example, close ranges, medium ranges and extreme ranges at stationary and moving targets. |
| US08656629B2 |
Range finder for weapons
A range finder includes housing, circuitry, a lens, a display, and a plurality of threaded apertures. The housing has a front end, a rear end, and a bottom portion extending between the front end and the rear end. The range finder circuitry is located within the housing. The lens is located at the front end of the housing. The display is located at the rear end of the housing. The plurality of threaded apertures are located in the bottom portion of the housing. |
| US08656627B2 |
Foldably segmented weapon sight system
A weapon sight removably mountable on a weapon provides a plurality of weapon sight segments coupled in end to end linear relation including a front weapon sight segment configured to receive a front sight and a rear weapon sight segment configured to receive a rear sight which disposes the front sight at a fixed distance from the rear sight allowing alignment of the front sight with the rear sight to aim the weapon at a target. |
| US08656624B2 |
Universal device mount
A method for mounting an electrical device to plurality of weapons includes attaching a universal mounting member having a head to the electrical device and receiving the head into a first track of first weapon mount to from a first mated coupling. The method further includes inserting a screw through the first track and into the head to secure the mated coupling. |
| US08656622B2 |
Tactical firearm systems and methods of manufacturing same
Tactical firearm systems and methods of manufacturing tactical firearm systems are discussed herein. In some embodiments, a tactical weapons platform can comprise a forend assembly adapted to house a portion of a barrel; a receiver assembly detachably coupled to the forend assembly and adapted to interface with a bolt action; and a butt stock assembly detachably coupled to the receiver assembly. In other embodiments, a modular stock assembly for a bolt action rifle can generally comprise a forend assembly, a receiver assembly, and a butt stock assembly. The forend assembly can have a body adapted to house a barrel in a free floating configuration, wherein the body surrounds at least a portion of the length of the barrel. The receiver assembly can be detachably coupled to the forend assembly and adapted to directly interface with a bolt action without bedding. The butt stock assembly can be detachably coupled the receiver assembly by a hinge. Other aspects, features, and embodiments are also claimed and described herein. |
| US08656620B2 |
Breech for a repeating firearm
The invention pertains to a breech of a repeating firearm with a bolt assembly that is guided within a housing such that it is rotatable about its longitudinal axis and is axially displaceable in the longitudinal direction of the firearm, a striking pin that is axially movable in the bolt assembly and a breech block that is arranged on the rear end of the bolt assembly and in which a cocking mechanism is accommodated that can be actuated with an actuating element and serves for tensioning and relaxing a striking pin spring acting upon the striking pin. The actuating element consists of a cocking slide that can be displaced between a lower relaxed position and an upper tensioned position on the rear side of the breech block. |
| US08656617B2 |
Tradeshow display system
A variety of configurations are disclosed for modular tradeshow display systems that can be assembled without the use of tools or other specialized machinery. |
| US08656610B2 |
Articles with retractable traction elements
Articles of manufacture and articles of wear may include one or more retractable traction elements. A plurality of the retractable traction elements may be interconnected by a base member and may form an insert. Each of the retractable traction elements may include an extension inducing element and a ground (or other surface) contacting element. The extension inducing element may flex in response to an applied force and may cause the ground or other surface contacting element to extend and engage an underlying surface. |
| US08656607B2 |
Soles for shoes or other footwear having compartments with computer processor-controlled variable pressure
This invention relates generally to footwear such as a shoe, including an athletic shoe, with a shoe sole, including at least two computer controlled compartments, each compartment containing a fluid. At least a part of each of said at least two computer controlled compartments is located in a single frontal plane cross-section of the sole when the sole is upright and in an unloaded condition. The sole also includes a duct providing fluid communication between each of said at least two computer controlled compartments. The sole may include fiber and/or an internal sipe and the computer controlled compartments may be encapsulated by fiber or an internal sipe. |
| US08656604B2 |
Condensation dryer with a housing
A condensation dryer includes a housing having a wall area which forms a rear side, and a process air circuit for circulating process air. The process air circuit has a first section outside the housing and running along the wall area and a remaining second section inside the housing. The first section which is located at the wall area is formed by a profile part placed on the wall area and is covered by a hood placed in sealing fashion on the wall area. A fan is arranged in the process air circuit for circulating the process air, and a drying chamber is arranged in the process air circuit for holding objects to be dried. A heat pump is disposed in the housing and includes a heat sink which is thermally coupled to the process air circuit, and a heat source, which is thermally coupled to the process air circuit. |
| US08656599B2 |
Cutting tool
A cutting tool for cutting out a thin-walled wall section from a container and for receiving the cut-out wall section in the cutting tool. The cutting tool can be used to cut thin-walled container walls of sheet metal or polymer. |
| US08656598B2 |
Hand-held power jigsaw
A handheld jigsaw, such as a compass saw (10), is disclosed that comprises a housing (12, 13) and a lifting rod (20) having a pendulum mechanism (38). The pendulum mechanism includes a pendulum lever (40) with which a pendulum stroke can be given during sawing to a saw blade (28) carried by the lifting rod (20). The lifting rod (20) is arranged such that it can rotate about its own axis (21) thereof and pivot transversely to the axis (21), and wherein the pendulum mechanism (38) can rotate about the axis (21). |
| US08656594B2 |
Flush glazed windshield mounting
A bottom trim member secures a curved sheet element such as a windshield or the like on a surface. The bottom trim member includes a bottom trim extrusion having a connecting leg affixable to the curved sheet element and a gasket receiving leg. A gasket is disposed in engagement with the gasket receiving leg, where the gasket is shaped such that the bottom trim extrusion is positionable in multiple orientations relative to the surface and such that the gasket maintains a sealing engagement in any of the bottom trim extrusion multiple orientations. A securing member is affixable to the surface and cooperable with the bottom trim extrusion to secure the bottom trim extrusion to the surface in any one of the bottom trim extrusion multiple orientations. |
| US08656585B2 |
Process for manufacturing electrosurgical forceps with composite material tips
An electrosurgical forceps has at least the tip of one blade member formed of a composite material having aligned elongated particles of nickel interspersed in a matrix of silver particles. The tip can be provided as a tip member attached, such as by brazing, to the body of the blade member, or the entire blade member can be formed of the silver/nickel composite material. In another embodiment, the tip or blade member is formed of a dispersion strengthened silver or copper composite material. |
| US08656580B2 |
Compression connector tool
A tool for coupling a connector to a wire is provided. The tool includes a first handle coupled to move a connecting head from a first position to a second position. A second handle is operably coupled to the first handle. A die block is rotationally coupled to the second handle and has a first connecting section and a second connecting section. A pair of support arms is pivotally coupled to the die block adjacent the first connecting section. The pair of support arms each having a body with an opening. The openings cooperate to define a circular opening when in the closed position. The circular opening is sized to provide 360 degrees of support to an end of the connector when the connecting head is in the second position. A biasing member is coupled to the pair of support arms to bias the support arms towards the closed position. |
| US08656577B2 |
Method of manufacturing a high current electrode for a plasma arc torch
A method of manufacturing an electrode for use in a plasma arc torch is provided that includes forming a conductive body to define a proximal end portion, a distal end portion, a distal end face disposed at the distal end portion, a central cavity, and a central protrusion disposed within the central cavity near the distal end portion. A plurality of emissive inserts are inserted through the distal end face and into the central protrusion. The plurality of emissive inserts are pressed into the central protrusion and both a proximal end portion of the central protrusion and the plurality of emissive inserts are deformed such that the plurality of emissive inserts extend radially and outwardly from the distal end portion at an angle relative to the distal end portion. |
| US08656576B2 |
Machining unit
A machining unit with a work piece changing unit. The work piece changing unit has a cover which can swivel around a rotational axis, and opens and closes the working room of the machining unit for work piece changing processes. The work piece changing unit has at least two lifting and lowering work piece carriers separated by the cover. The work piece carrier remains in the working room during the machining by the machining unit. |
| US08656575B1 |
Method for securing a connector for use in high vibration environment
A method for inhibiting rotational movement of a nut of a first cable connector that is threadingly engaged with a mating second cable connector wherein the nut has at least one recess in its outer surface, and is rotatably mounted on a fixed housing of the first cable connector, includes a step of removably securing a component to at least a portion of the housing. The component includes at least one first element matingly engageable with at least one corresponding second element positioned on the housing. The method further includes a step of matingly engaging the component with the at least one recess on the nut via a projection rigidly mounted on the component, thereby securing the nut to the component and the housing. |
| US08656567B2 |
Rapper device
A rapper device for cleaning a heat exchange surface in a pressure vessel by transmitting impact energy. The rapper device includes a striker and an impacting device for impacting the striker which has one end contacting the heat exchange surface in the pressure vessel. The striker includes a piston section having a piston rod projecting out of the pressure vessel via a passage opening in line with the impacting device. A piston head is slideable within a piston chamber in line with the passage opening. The piston chamber is operatively connected to a sealing gas supply. The piston head is a separate part with an aperture. The piston rod runs through the aperture, e.g., in a slideable arrangement. |
| US08656563B2 |
Structure of installation member to be installed to vehicle outer panel, and bolt retaining member and attachment used therefor
To provide a structure of an installation member to be installed to a vehicle outer panel that can prevent rust from developing on a bolt and an outer panel without requiring resist-coating processing. A structure of an installation member to be installed to a vehicle outer panel includes a metallic retaining portion provided to a rear garnish (installation member) to be installed to a vehicle outer panel in order to install this member to this outer panel, a resin-made attachment to be attached to the retaining portion and having no metallic plating film, and a bolt whose head portion is retained by the attachment, wherein the bolt is integrally incorporated to the retaining portion via the attachment and the rear garnish is installed to the outer panel by using the bolt. |
| US08656558B2 |
Locking hinge assembly
A locking hinge with a sliding hinge pin that selectively places the hinge in either a locked or unlocked configuration. The hinge pin includes cylindrical and contoured upper and lower exterior parts that cooperate with contoured upper and lower portions of the interior wall of the lower and upper sleeve members of the hinge. When in the locked configuration the lower contoured part of the hinge pin engages the contoured portion of the lower sleeve member and the upper contoured part engages the contoured portion of the interior wall of the upper sleeve, and in the unlocked configuration the lower contoured part of the hinge pin does not engage the contoured portion of the interior wall of the lower sleeve and the upper contoured part of the hinge pin does not engage the contoured portion of the interior wall of the upper sleeve. |
| US08656552B2 |
Vacuum cleaner with movable wheel
A vacuum cleaner having a base with an air inlet, a handle, a base pivot connecting the base to the handle to permit the handle to pivot between an upright parked position and a reclined operating position, a movable wheel system and a wheel system drive member. The wheel system has a wheel carriage pivotally connected at one end to the base, and at least one wheel connected to the other end. The wheel carriage pivots between a first position in which the wheel is further from the air inlet, and a second position in which the wheel is closer to the air inlet. The drive member is on the handle and positioned to contact the wheel carriage as the handle moves from the upright parked position to the reclined operating position to thereby move the wheel carriage from the first position to the second position. |
| US08656551B2 |
Vacuum cleaning filter bag
The disclosure relates to the field of vacuum cleaning and in particular the collection of air-entrained debris, in a filter bag. The filter bag is for use in vacuum cleaning apparatus, and comprises fine planar filtration means in the form of a collection bag and coarse planar filtration means both being adapted to be placed in a suction-induced air stream with the coarse filtration means disposed upstream of the fine filtration means, wherein the fine filtration means serves to provide a fine filter for retaining dust particles and wherein the coarse filtration means comprises a relatively coarse filter material having a thickness of at least 4 mm which provides a matrix volume in which dust may be collected. The volume occupied by the coarse filtration means comprises at least 2%, preferably at least 5%, most preferably at least 10% of the maximum internal volume defined by the collection bag. |
| US08656547B2 |
Billiards chalk dust removal tool
The present invention relates to a billiards chalk dust removal tool. The billiards chalk dust tool is brushed across the baize on a billiard table for cleaning the chalk dust out of the baize periodically to preserve the level of playing conditions on the billiard table. |
| US08656541B2 |
Inflatable bed
An inflatable bed system (1) includes a primary inflatable section (2) having a centrally located abdomen cavity shaped to allow a user's abdomen to be positioned therein. The system further includes a secondary inflatable section (3), which is independently inflatable and positioned inside the cavity. At least one tertiary inflatable section (15,22) is provided to allow further configuration of the bed. The bed may be inflated by a pump that is operatively connected with a valve which directs the movement of air into each of the inflatable sections under user selection. |
| US08656540B2 |
Air mattress
An air mattress includes an inflatable compartment, strips and decoration strips. The inflatable compartment includes a top wall, a bottom wall and a side wall surrounding the peripheries of the top wall and the bottom wall. The strips are air pervious and disposed in the inflatable compartment. The strips are connected between the top wall and the bottom wall. The decoration strips surround the top wall and are connected between the top wall and the side wall, so that the side wall is formed into a first layer portion and a second layer portion. |
| US08656539B1 |
Multi-chamber air mattress with peripheral chamber
An air mattress system includes two contiguous inflatable air chambers arranged side by side and operatively connected to form an air mattress and a peripheral air chamber operatively connected to and arranged around the perimeter of the two contiguous inflatable air chambers. An air pump is connected with each of the air chambers, and a control is provided for controlling the operation of the air pump. |
| US08656534B2 |
Household bed covering for families with pets
A laminated bed covering has a puncture resistant outer layer, a waterproof but water vapor permeable central layer and an inner layer, the entire structure protecting the bed and bed clothing from dog claws, pet urine, and pet odors while providing a comfortable sleeping environment to the bed's occupants. |
| US08656533B2 |
Panels, overlays, and inserts for furniture assemblies, and related methods
A furniture assembly may generally include a frame having legs for supporting the frame. The legs may generally define a space under the frame. A panel may be configured to be coupled to the frame to conceal at least part of the space under the frame. A furniture assembly may also, or alternatively, generally include a frame having a surface, and an overlay configured to be coupled to the frame to cover at least part of the surface of the frame. The overlay may provide a select appearance to the frame at the surface. A furniture assembly may further, or alternatively, generally include a frame having an opening, and an insert configured to be coupled to the frame at the opening. The insert may provide a select appearance to the frame at the opening. |
| US08656529B2 |
Patient lifting device
An open base patient lifting machine has generally upwardly extending first and second masts. There is a space between the lower end portion of the second mast. A patient support extends forwardly from the upper portion of the frame. A base at the lower portion of the frame supports the frame. The base has a forwardly extending first leg that is pivotably coupled to the lower end of the first mast about a vertical first axis. An opposed outer end portion of the first leg is positioned forwardly of the first mast. A second leg extends generally forwardly from the second mast. The second leg is pivotably coupled to the lower end portion of second mast about a vertical second axis. A portion of the second leg is positioned forwardly of the second mast. The legs are pivotable about their axes towards and away from each other. |
| US08656526B2 |
Recirculating shower system
The present invention provides a recirculating shower system comprising a shower head 22, a circuit configured to recirculate at least part of the used water to the shower head, a heater 18 included in the circuit for heating the recycled water to a temperature at which micro organisms in the water are killed and a heat exchanger 16 arranged to exchange heat between the water flowing towards and away from the heater. The system provides an efficient use of water and energy and also allows a high flow rate of water at a relatively low use of energy and water. |
| US08656525B2 |
Sanitary ware of environmental protection type
A sanitary ware of environmental protection including a sanitary ware body; wherein a sewage cavity is provided at the bottom of the sanitary ware body, and a sewage draining exit is arranged on the bottom of the sewage cavity; a liquid channel and a foam channel that are not in communication with each other are provided on the sanitary ware body, and the liquid channel and the foam channel are ceramic structure integrally formed in the sanitary ware body; the sanitary ware body is further provided with a water inlet and a foam inlet, the water inlet is in communication with the liquid channel; the liquid channel is provided with liquid outlets; a deodorizing device adapted to be closed and opened is provided at the bottom of the sewage draining exit. |
| US08656521B2 |
Goggle lens cover
A cover is provided that is comprised of a fabric panel and two members or mechanisms that selectively connect to the strap of a goggle device. The panel is made of a lens-safe, flexible, and resilient material which allows it to fit most size goggles. Further, top and bottom panels may have elastic inner edges, which help the cover to contour to the shape of the goggle. In addition, a lens cleaning cloth is interconnected to the top panel. |
| US08656518B2 |
Chemical resistant glove having cut resistant properties
A cut resistant chemical handling glove that is flexible and lightweight comprises a cured, liquid-impervious polymeric latex shell. A tacky acrylic adhesive with low shear strength can be used. A cut resistant liner is slipped on the tacky adhesive coating and is infiltrated with a polymeric latex coating and cured to integrally attach the cut resistant liner with the cured polymeric coating. When the latex glove is worn on a hand and a cutting edge, such as a knife edge, contacts the glove, a crease is formed due to slip at the tacky adhesive-cut resistant liner interface creating a geometry that reduces cut stress intensity at the knife-edge thereby increasing the cut resistance of the glove. Processes for making and using these gloves are also described. |
| US08656517B2 |
Japanese dress
A full-length Japanese dress that can be easily worn by anybody, does not come loose, and is excellent in design is provided. A full-length Japanese dress 11 in which an upper body 12 and a lower body 32 that are cut based on each curve information taken from measurements of a wearer are integrated at a position of a waist line W includes a first string 42 to a sixth string 47 that are separately fixed to predetermined positions, wherein the third string 44 and the fourth string 45 are tied together to raise a lower front, the fifth string 46 and the sixth string 47 are tied together to further raise a lower front left bottom, and the first string 42 and the second string 43 are tied together to raise an upper front right bottom, whereby the Japanese dress can be worn with a finish of a portion around a bottom made beautiful. |
| US08656516B1 |
Children's clothing with hidden harness and exterior handholds
An article of clothing for children with a hidden harness attached to the interior of the clothing structure and exterior handholds attached to the hidden harness. When a handhold is pulled, the force is spread over the entire hidden harness allowing the force of the grasp to be evenly distributed across the child's frame. The handholds also provide a place of attachment for an extension tether strap. The clothing structure used may be a full body garment, upper body garment, lower body garment or infant garment. |
| US08656512B2 |
Advanced engineered garment
An under body armor hybrid fabric garment has first and second fabric portions. The first fabric portion, configured to cover an upper torso region of a user's body left exposed by the body armor and extending into a second body transition region covered by the body armor, is formed of low stretch or no stretch fabric of woven or knit construction. The first fabric portion comprises yarns and/or fibers having flame retardant properties. The second fabric element, configured to cover a lower torso region of the user's body underneath the body armor, is formed of stretchable fabric. The second fabric portion comprises yarns and/or fibers having flame retardant properties and/or yarns and/or fibers resistant to melting and dripping when exposed to fire or high heat. |
| US08661559B2 |
Software control flow watermarking
The present invention is a system and method of software control flow watermarking including the steps of obtaining a program for protection, generating at least one watermark value using a formula or process from an external file, and placing the at least one watermark value in CASE values of the program. The system and method may further include determining the at least one watermark value by a formula with at least one variable. The formula may also contain a variable from outside of the program. The system may also stop the program if the variable from outside of the program is incorrect. |
| US08661557B2 |
Method and system for granting access to system and content
A method and system for granting access to system and content is provided. A key is provided that allows access by a client computer to content that includes a plurality of resources. A server is accessed and the key is provided to the server. Based on the key, access is granted to the content. A program on the client computer requests a resource of the plurality of resources. If the resource is located locally, the resource is provided to the program. Otherwise, the resource is downloaded from the content server and stored locally. A data structure is modified to indicate that the resource is stored locally and the resource is provided to the program. |
| US08661556B2 |
Method and apparatus for providing network security using role-based access control
A method and apparatus for providing network security using role-based access control is disclosed. A network device implementing such a method can include, for example, an access control list. Such an access control list includes an access control list entry, which, in turn, includes a user group field. Alternatively, a network device implementing such a method can include, for example, a forwarding table that includes a plurality of forwarding table entries. In such a case, at least one of the forwarding table entries includes a user group field. |
| US08661555B2 |
Role-based access control over instructions in software code
In one embodiment, a method determines a role for a user for access to software code. A marker associated with an instruction in the software code is determined. An access level for the user based on the marker and the role is then determined. The access level is enforced based on the instruction associated with the marker for the software code. |
| US08661554B2 |
Controlling program, image forming apparatus and print controlling method
There is described an image forming apparatus, which makes it possible to securely prevent the secret information from leaking out to unauthorized personnel. The apparatus includes: a display section to display a first document that includes secret information; an operating section to designate a concealing position in the first document and establish a disclosable range of the secret information, therefrom; a storage control section to store document data, designation positional information and disclosable range information, while correlating them with each other; an authenticating section to determine whether or not a user coincides with the disclosable range, based on identification information of the user; and a printing section to print either at least a copy of the first document, when the user coincides with the disclosable range, or copies of a second document, when the authenticating section determines that the user does not coincide with the disclosable range. |
| US08661545B2 |
Classifying a message based on fraud indicators
Systems, methods, and media for classifying messages are disclosed. A plurality of fraud indicators are identified in the message. A signature of the message is generated. The generated signature of the message is compared to a stored signature. The stored signature is based on a statistical analysis of fraud indicators in a second message associated with the stored signature. A determination as to whether the message is fraudulent is made based on the comparison. The message is processed based on the determination that the message is a fraudulent message. |
| US08661543B2 |
Mobile terminal having security diagnosis functionality and method of making diagnosis on security of mobile terminal
A mobile terminal having security diagnosis functionality and a method of making a diagnosis on the security of the mobile terminal are provided. The mobile terminal includes a system check unit, an interface unit, a blacklist check unit, and a security diagnosis unit. The system check unit collects the basic information of the mobile terminal by performing a system check on the mobile terminal. The interface unit provides the basic information of the mobile terminal to a user and receives a control command from the user. The blacklist check unit checks whether at least one application installed in the mobile terminal is present in a blacklist registered on a server. The security diagnosis unit checks whether an abnormality has occurred in the corresponding application based on results of the comparison between the basic information of the mobile terminal with preset abnormality detection reference information and the control command. |
| US08661542B2 |
Method and system for detecting characteristics of a wireless network
Characteristics about one or more wireless access devices in a wireless network, whether known or unknown entities, can be determined using a system and method according to the present invention. An observation is made of the activity over a Wireless Area Network (WLAN). Based on this activity, changes in state of wireless access devices within the WLAN can be observed and monitored. These changes in state could be indicative of normal operation of the WLAN, or they may indicate the presence of an unauthorized user. In the latter case, an alert can be sent so that appropriate action may be taken. Additionally, ad hoc networks can be detected that may be connected to a wireless access point. |
| US08661541B2 |
Detecting user-mode rootkits
A method and system for determining whether resources of a computer system are being hidden is provided. The security system invokes a high-level function of user mode that is intercepted and filtered by the malware to identify resources. The security system also directly invokes a low-level function of kernel mode that is not intercepted and filtered by the malware to identify resources. After invoking the high-level function and the low-level function, the security system compares the identified resources. If the low-level function identified a resource that was not identified by the high-level function, then the security system may consider the resource to be hidden. |
| US08661539B2 |
Intrusion threat detection
A system is disclosed that can be used to monitor for an attempted intrusion of an access system. The system detects an access system event in the access system and determines whether the access system event is of a type that is being monitored. If the access system event is of a type that is being monitored, the system reports information about the access system event. This information can be used by a rules engine or other process to determine if the access system event was part of an attempted intrusion of the access system. |
| US08661537B2 |
Verifying work performed by untrusted computing nodes
Techniques for verifying work performed by untrusted computing nodes are provided. A central computing system determines a first computation that is to be performed, at least in part, by a first untrusted computing node. The central computing system also determines a transformation function that is applied to the first computation to produce an equivalent second computation that is to be performed, at least in part, by a second untrusted computing node. The central computing system assigns the first computation to the first untrusted computing node and the second computation to the second untrusted computing node while keeping the transformation function secret. The central computing system receives a first result for the first computation and a second result for the second computation. The central computing system analyzes the first and second results to verify the work performed by the first and second untrusted computing nodes. |
| US08661533B2 |
Method for resource and admission control
The present invention discloses a method for resource and admission control, which relates to the communication field. The method of the present invention includes the following steps: during the process of the service authorization of resource and admission control in the PULL mode, the policy decision function entity (PD-FE) performs the QoS resource authorization for the service request, then informs the authorization information of the authorized service flow to the Policy Execute Function Entity (PE-FE); after the PE-FE receives the authorization information, the association relationship between the PD-FE and the authorization information of the authorized service flow is established; during the process of resource reservation of the authorized service flow initiated by the Customer Premises Equipment (CPE), the PE-FE selects the PD-FE according to the above mentioned corresponding relationship, and interacts with the PD-FE. The method of the present invention enables PE-FE or TRC-FE to select to implement the process of resource reservation request for the is PD-FE authorized by the service flow that initiates the resource reservation request, after receiving the resource reservation request of the service flow. |
| US08661529B2 |
Information processing device
An information processing device includes a processing unit which performs user authentication. The processing unit includes a setting part that determines setting of operation of a target device using the user authentication. An authentication information setting part determines user authentication information. A password generation part generates a one-time password partially or fully. A transmission part transmits the setting of operation of the target device and the one-time password to the target device. |
| US08661527B2 |
Authenticator, authenticatee and authentication method
According to one embodiment, an authenticator which authenticates an authenticatee, which stores first key information (NKey) that is hidden, includes a memory configured to store second key information (HKey) which is hidden, a random number generation module configured to generate random number information, and a data generation module configured to generate a session key (SKey) by using the second key information (HKey) and the random number information. The authenticator is configured such that the second key information (HKey) is generated from the first key information (NKey) but the first key information (NKey) is not generated from the second key information (HKey). |
| US08661521B2 |
Controlling a network connection using dual-switching
Embodiments of the invention are generally directed to systems, methods, and apparatuses for controlling a network connection based, at least in part, on dual-switching. In an embodiment, a tunnel proxy is coupled with a host execution environment. The tunnel proxy includes logic to provide a security protocol client and logic to provide a security protocol server. In one embodiment, the tunnel proxy provides a proxy for a policy decision point to the host execution environment. Other embodiments are described and claimed. |
| US08661519B2 |
Redirection using token and value
A client is redirected by a relying party to the supporting entity (such as an identity or claims provider). The relying party also sends a cookie that includes a nonce, and another copy of the nonce in a redirection context (e.g., in a context string). The client then communicates with the supporting entity to facilitate the supporting service, whereupon the supporting entity sends a validation token back to the client evidencing completion of the supporting service. The supporting party also sends the nonce back as part of the redirection context (e.g., in a context string). The client then sends a followup service request that includes the cookie, the nonce returned by the supporting entity, and the validation token to the relying party. The relying party may compare the nonce in the cookie with the nonce returned by the supporting entity to verify that the request is valid. |
| US08661513B2 |
Selection and application of roles and systems based on username and layout ID
In one embodiment a computing system comprises one or more processors, a display device coupled to the computing system, and a memory module communicatively connected to the one or more processors. The memory module comprises logic to receive, in a connection server, a service request from a user via a remote connection client, wherein the service request comprises at least one of a user credential, a connection client identifier, and a layout identifier, authenticate, in the connection server, the user credential and the connection client identifier, retrieve, in the connection server, a user profile associated with the user, a connection client layout associated with the layout identifier, connection data for at least one remote system, and a policy associated with the user profile, and transmit the user profile, the connection client layout, a remote system and the connection data for a remote system and a policy associated with the user profile from the connection server to the remote connection client. |
| US08661510B2 |
Topology based fast secured access
The present invention relates to methods, apparatuses, and computer program products for providing secure access for a user or terminal to a network, wherein an intermediate authentication node is authorized to listen to and store authentication related information. When an authentication request is received, the stored authentication related information is checked and the user or terminal is authenticated if a match between authentication related information of the authentication request and the stored authentication related information is determined, and an authentication server responsible for the authentication request is notified about the authentication result. |
| US08661509B2 |
Solicited authentication of a specific user
Secure web-based messaging according to a “push” paradigm is augmented by specific, intended recipient authentication. In particular, a document can be sent to a specified, intended recipient through the Web using e-mail recipient notification, and the recipient is authenticated prior to delivering the document to the recipient. Such authentication prevents a cracker from snooping a delivery notification e-mail message and retrieving the document prior to retrieval by the true intended recipient. In addition, such authentication of the recipient is driven by the sender such that prior participation by the recipient in the messaging system according to the present invention is required. |
| US08661508B2 |
Parental controls for entertainment content
Parental controls for entertainment digital media are provided that allow a parent to restrict multiple user's access to entertainment content. One or more updatable rating definition files with dynamic data are used to define rating levels and content descriptors for a regional rating system. Entertainment content definition files define the rating level and content descriptors for entertainment content. User permission settings define a particular user's access rating level and content descriptors. The rating definition file can be used to compare the entertainment content definition file and user permission settings in determining if a user is allowed access to particular entertainment content. |
| US08661507B1 |
Managed peer-to-peer applications, systems and methods for distributed data access and storage
Applications, systems and methods for securely and remotely operating a remote computer from a local computer over a network while providing seamless, firewall-compliant connectivity. Secure and remote operation includes authenticating at least one remote computer for connection to at least one computer over the network and/or at least one local computer for connection to at least one remote computer over the network; establishing a secure connection between the at least one local computer and the at least one remote computer over the network; and integrating a desktop of at least one remote computer on a display of at least one local computer. The connections may be made over a public network, as well as through multiple firewalls without loss of functionality. |
| US08661504B2 |
Secure social web orchestration via a security model
A method includes receiving, by a first computer, input from a first user. The method further includes creating, by the first computer, a hierarchical class tree implementing security profiles based on the input from the user. The hierarchical class tree identifies data, actions, and behaviors pertaining to content, and the security profiles restrict access and use of that user's content. The method also includes transmitting, by the first computer, a portion of the hierarchical class tree to a second computer. |
| US08661503B2 |
Flexible document security for procurement agents
A method, system, and computer program product for providing document security for procurement agents. The method commences by establishing user authentication credentials for at least two procurement agents. Then, initially granting limited access to a first set of documents where the first set of documents is initially under control of the first procurement agent (and initially inaccessible by the second procurement agent), and initially granting limited access to a second set of documents, where the second set of documents is initially under control of the second procurement agent. A procurement application receives an access request from the first user to access a document from among the second set of documents, causing the procurement application to confirm the first user authentication credentials, retrieve the document access rule for the first procurement agent, and allow/deny access by the first user to the document from among the second set of documents. |
| US08661502B2 |
Determining a sensitivity label of document information in real time
A sensitivity label for document information in a document may be determined in real time, according to one embodiment, by flexibly and dynamically determining a sensitivity label for the document based on content included in information within the document. Information within a document varies from day to day, for example, document information may decrease in importance with time, increase in importance due to an event, etc. Therefore, the sensitivity label of the document, according to embodiments described herein, may also change dynamically in accordance with document content, information, etc. |
| US08661501B2 |
Integrated guidance and validation policy based zoning mechanism
A mechanism is provided to automatically retrieve zoning best practices from a centralized repository and to ensure that automatically generated zones do not violate these best practices. A user selects a set of hosts and storage controllers. The user also selects a guidance policy for creating the zone, and also selects a set of validation policies that must be enforced on the zone. If the user selects a guidance policy and a validation policy combination that is incompatible, the mechanism allows the user to change either the selected guidance policy or the set of validation policies. If the user has selected consistent-zoning as a guidance policy, then the mechanism automatically selects a guidance policy that does not violate the known validation policies. |
| US08661497B2 |
Set-top box for converting media signals based on stored output settings
A media presentation device converts media signals based on stored output settings. The media presentation device includes a sink-interaction port to at least partially receive device-specific information of a sink device, a data storage and a processor. The processor determines whether one of the plurality of at least partially stored device-specific information matches the received device-specific information of the sink device, and selects output settings corresponding to the stored device-specific information that matches the received device-specific information of the sink device for use in converting the media signals to an output format supported by the sink device. |
| US08661496B2 |
System for combining a plurality of views of real-time streaming interactive video
An apparatus comprises a plurality of servers arranged in a parallel processing configuration to create a plurality of streams of low-latency streaming interactive video. Each server produces a stream of low-latency streaming interactive video. A unit combines the plurality of streams into a new stream of low-latency streaming interactive video. The unit is also operable to provide a user interface that allows real-time interactive manipulation of the resulting combined streams by a user. |
| US08661493B2 |
Apparatus and method of playing broadcast content in broadcasting system
A method and an apparatus for playing broadcast content in a broadcasting system are provided. The method and the apparatus enable a viewer to watch an entire event by broadcasting the event through different networks in a condition that the event may not be broadcast from start to finish over a single broadcasting network. |
| US08661492B2 |
Communication apparatus, control method, and computer readable recording medium
A communication apparatus includes a communication unit, an acquisition unit, and a control unit. The control unit controls the acquisition unit to acquire again information for generating video data to be transmitted to an external apparatus by the communication unit from an apparatus if the predetermined signal is detected, the predetermined signal indicates that a state of the apparatus is changed to a first state from a second state after the state of the apparatus is changed to the second state from the first state. |
| US08661483B2 |
Determination of receiving live versus time-shifted media content at a communication device
A method of determining whether live media content or time-shifted media content is received at a computing device such as a server or media player is presented. Attribute information concerning media content received at a communication device at a specific time is received and compared schedule information. The received media content is determined to be live media content if the media content identity agrees with the schedule information. The received media content is determined to be time-shifted media content if the media content identity does not agree with the schedule information. |
| US08661480B2 |
Method for providing episodic media on a dedicated channel
A personalized media service provides, e.g., user customization of radio channel selections, immediate availability of multiple pre-programmed and/or customized channels, the ability to intersperse different types of content including periodically refreshed information content, availability of personal radio functions on devices such as car audio systems, PDAs, smartphones, MP3 players, etc. Available channels include, e.g., pre-programmed channels selected for the user based on an interest profile, user-owned content, user-specified recorded content, etc. An audio user interface facilitates user selection of programming and user purchase of currently played audio material. An overall radio experience is thus provided that combines the customization and flexibility of digital media with the immediacy and ubiquity of radio. Video materials may also be accommodated. |
| US08661475B2 |
System and method for affinity marketing to mobile devices
A method and system for providing selected content displays to users of mobile electronic devices and more specifically to a method and system for broadcasters to provide a marketing portal presented in the form of displayed customized broadcaster content. |
| US08661470B2 |
Program guide apparatus
A method acquires program guide information in an image signal receiver, and program guide method and apparatus using the same. In the program guide apparatus, information immediately required by a user is obtained first, and information of less preferential channels is obtained next, thus presenting a smooth interface to the user. The method of acquiring program guide information for channels includes acquiring the program guide information for each channel by scanning accessible channels while a received program is not displayed. The program guide apparatus includes a tuner tuning a channel, a program guide information detector, a memory, a key input, a microprocessor, and a character signal generator. |
| US08661465B2 |
Apparatus and method for combining realtime and non-realtime encoded content
A terminal for decoding and presenting encoded realtime and non-realtime interactive program guide (IPG) content including a realtime video portion and a non-realtime guide graphics portion. The terminal includes a demodulator operative to receive and demodulate a modulated signal to provide a transport stream, and a transport demultiplexer coupled to the demodulator and operative to receive and process the transport stream to provide a sequence of transport packets re-timestamped to synchronize encoded realtime content and encoded non-realtime content included therein. At least one video decoder is coupled to the transport demultiplexer and operative to receive and decode the encoded realtime and non-realtime contents to recover the realtime and non-realtime contents for the user interface. |
| US08661457B2 |
Pipeline across isolated computing environments
Support sharing resources in a computer system. An operating system within the computer system, the operating system having a kernel level and a user level with the kernel level configured with a first container and a second container. The first container is assigned to a first namespace and the second container is assigned to a second namespace. Both the first and second namespaces are isolated from each other and at the same time in communication with at least one shared object. Communication across the containers is created through a socket in the namespace of the shared object of one or both of the containers. In addition, a conduit is formed between the containers by connecting the container absent the created socket to the container with the socket. |
| US08661453B2 |
Managing healthcare information in a distributed system
A system and method for managing healthcare information is disclosed. The data servers each include a data manager that comprises a controller, a grid engine, applications, an application manager and a user interface engine. The controller manages the core functions and the transmission of data between data manager components. The grid engine manages information sent between data servers. The applications are applications that are created by the user or downloaded as third-party applications. The application manager manages the creation and communication between applications. The user interface engine generates user interfaces for displaying the applications and collecting clinical trial data. |
| US08661445B2 |
Information-processing device and program
When executing plural application programs in parallel, a control unit assigns a small storage area to each application program so that a part of a function implemented by execution of each application program is provided. When providing a service of high value to a user, a control unit assigns a large storage area to any one of the application programs so that a full function that is implemented by execution of the application program is provided. |
| US08661443B2 |
Scheduling and/or organizing task execution for a target computing platform
Techniques are generally described relating to methods, apparatuses and articles of manufactures for scheduling and/or organizing execution of tasks on a computing platform. In various embodiments, the method may include identifying successively one or more critical time intervals, and scheduling and/or organizing task execution for each of the one or more identified critical time intervals. In various embodiments, one or more tasks to be executed may be scheduled to execute based in part on their execution completion deadlines. In various embodiments, organizing one or more tasks to execute may include selecting a virtual operating mode of the platform using multiple operating speeds lying on a convexity energy-speed envelope of the platform. Intra-task delay caused by switching operating mode may be considered. Other embodiments may also be described and/or claimed. |
| US08661438B2 |
Virtualization planning system that models performance of virtual machines allocated on computer systems
The embodiments related to systems and methods for virtualization planning. A set of target machines may employ one or more virtualization technologies to divide resources of the given target computer system into multiple execution environments for virtual machines. Overhead profiles are determined based on a configuration of a given target computer system, the virtualization technology, and work performed by the virtual machines. The overhead consumed by the virtualization technologies is estimated for the proposed allocation of virtual machines. Performance of the proposed allocation of virtual machines is then modeled and various performance measures are provided. |
| US08661436B2 |
Dynamically controlling virtual machine access to optical disc drive by selective locking to a transacting virtual machine determined from a transaction stream of the drive
The methods and systems described herein provide for granting a virtual machine exclusive access to an optical disc drive responsive to a determination the virtual machine initiated a transaction with the optical disc drive. A drive manager maps an optical disc drive connected to the computing device to a plurality of virtual machines hosted by a hypervisor executed by the computing device. The drive manager intercepts a transaction stream generated by the optical disc drive and converts the transaction stream to a command stream. The drive manager determines, based on an analysis of the command stream, a first virtual machine of the plurality of virtual machines initiated a transaction with the optical disc drive. Responsive to the determination, the drive manager locks the optical disc drive to grant the first virtual machine exclusive access to the optical disc drive. |
| US08661434B1 |
Migration of computer security modules in a virtual machine environment
A machine in the form of a computer is configured to run virtual machines. A virtual machine migrated from another computer is run in the computer. A security profile of the migrated virtual machine in the computer indicates a configuration setting of another network component in another computer network. A network profile in the computer indicates a configuration setting of a network component in the current computer network. The security profile of the migrated virtual machine is automatically updated to reflect the configuration setting of the network component in the current computer network to provide computer security function in the current computer network. |
| US08661432B2 |
Method, computer program product and system for installing applications and prerequisites components
A computer program product is tangibly embodied in a computer readable storage medium and comprises instructions that when executed by a processor perform a method including: presenting business category identifiers to a user in a computer system, each business category identifier representing one of multiple reporting content bundles for configuring a transactional application and an analytical application; receiving, in the computer system, a selection by the user of at least one of the business category identifiers; and installing in the computer system, from the selected reporting content bundle, at least one transactional content object in the transactional application, and at least one analytical content object in the analytical application. |
| US08661430B2 |
Device and portable storage device which are capable of transferring rights object, and a method of transferring rights object
A device and a portable storage device which are capable of transferring a rights object (RO) and a method of transferring an RO are provided. The method includes enabling a device to transmit an installation request message to a portable storage device for installing a copy of an original RO present in the device in the portable storage device, enabling the device to install the copy of the original RO in the portable storage device, and enabling the device to receive an installation response message indicating that the copy of the original RO has been successfully installed in the portable storage device from the portable storage device. |
| US08661426B2 |
Method frame aggregation for latest user-defined class loader identification
Class loader changes from at least one user-defined class loader to a bootstrap class loader are determined by a stack processing module during de-serialization of a serialized data object. A reference to each user-defined class loader is stored separately from a thread method frame stack in response to each determined change from the at least one user-defined class loader to the bootstrap class loader. For each user-defined class load operation of a user-defined class associated with the de-serialization of the serialized data object, a latest user-defined class loader (LUDCL) is identified using the stored reference and the user-defined class is loaded using the identified LUDCL. |
| US08661425B1 |
Method, apparatus, and computer-readable medium for storing data associated with a firmware program
A method for storing a data file associated with a source code file of a firmware program in an EFI environment is provided. The method involves converting the data file to an object file as well as converting the firmware source code file to an object file. An executable file is then created from the object file of the data file and the object file of the firmware source code file. Once created, the executable file may be stored in a file of a firmware storage device. |
| US08661423B2 |
Automated determination of quasi-identifiers using program analysis
A system and method for automated determination of quasi-identifiers for sensitive data fields in a dataset are provided. In one aspect, the system and method identifies quasi-identifier fields in the dataset based upon a static analysis of program statements in a computer program having access to—sensitive data fields in the dataset. In another aspect, the system and method identifies quasi-identifier fields based upon a dynamic analysis of program statements in a computer program having access to—sensitive data fields in the dataset. Once such quasi-identifiers have been identified, the data stored in such fields may be anonymized using techniques such as k-anonymity. As a result, the data in the anonymized quasi-identifiers fields cannot be used to infer a value stored in a sensitive data field in the dataset. |
| US08661420B2 |
System and method for runtime interface versioning
The present invention provides methods, machine readable memories and systems for versioning plugin adapters for servers so as to allow legacy versions of software plugins to function when the interfaces configured to accept the plugins are upgraded. An adapter resides between a plugin interface and the plugin module and converts requests designed for a current or new version to requests designed for legacy versions. In some embodiments, the interface elements are designed to extend and adapt the functionality of a security apparatus by enabling the security apparatus to utilize third party security providers. |
| US08661414B2 |
Method and system for testing an order management system
The invention describes a method for testing the order management system. The order management system includes a set of sub-systems. An order life cycle is defined for the order management system, based on the set of sub-systems. The order management system is capable of processing one or more orders. A script is selected from a plurality of scripts, which are developed for testing the order management system, based on a test scenario. The script is modified if the order management system has undergone a modification. Thereafter, the script is used for testing the order management system. Each sub-system of the set of sub-systems is tested, based on the order life cycle and the script, to identify an error in a first sub-system of the set of sub-systems. An output is generated, based on the error identified in the first sub-system. |
| US08661412B2 |
Managing automated and manual application testing
An application for which approval is requested is identified and multiple automated tests are applied to the application in groups of automated tests. Each of the groups of automated tests includes multiple ones of the multiple automated tests. If one or more automated tests in a group of automated tests returns an inconclusive result, then a manual check is initiated for the application based on the one or more automated tests that returned the inconclusive result. If one or more automated tests in a group, or a manual test applied in the manual check, returns a fail result then an indication that the application is rejected is returned, the indication that the application is rejected including an identification of why the application is rejected. If none of the multiple automated tests returns a fail result, then a manual testing phase is initiated. |
| US08661409B2 |
Editing a graphical data flow program in a browser
System and method for performing program-related operations over a network via a web browser. A network connection is established between a server computer and a client computer over a network. A universal resource identifier (URI) is sent from the client computer to the server computer over the network, where the URI indicates a program, e.g., a graphical program (GP), or at least a portion of a graphical program interactive development environment (GPIDE), e.g., a graphical program editor, an execution engine, a static or dynamic analyzer, and/or compiler. The at least a portion of the GPIDE is received from the server computer over the network in response to the URI, and executed in a web browser of the client computer to perform some specified functionality with respect to the GP. |
| US08661408B2 |
Integrated development environment and methods of using the same
A method is provided for generating, in an integrated development environment, a form from which a source code superclass and subclass can be generated. The form is modifiable such that the superclass and subclass integrity is maintained. The method comprises receiving, in an integrated development environment, objects to create a form, wherein the integrated development environment comprises one or more classes. The integrated development environment is utilized to run the form and store the form. The integrated development environment is further utilized to generate and store a superclass comprising one or more of the objects and one or more classes. The superclass is extended with a subclass. The integrated development environment is again utilized to modify the form and generate a new superclass based on the modified form, wherein the integrity between the new superclass and the subclass is maintained. |
| US08661407B2 |
Framework for programming embedded system applications
The disclosure describes a method for programming applications for embedded systems such as sensor nodes. In an embodiment, this comprises writing embedded system applications in a high-level language such as C# or Java using a software development framework which includes a set of tools and class libraries. The class libraries contain pre-written code to carry out tasks which may be required of an embedded system. The class libraries may be extended following identification of a need for a particular function in an embedded system. Developed applications may be subsequently stored on the embedded system but executed on a gateway computing device which interacts with the embedded system. This means that the application(s) can be executed without requiring the presence of a virtual execution system located on the embedded system while allowing a high-level programming model for application programmers. |
| US08661406B2 |
Method and system for software delivery
A computer system and method for software delivery that include articles of manufacture having two or more installed, functional software applications organized in a protoset, the protoset configured to enable creation of one or more subsets (also called reduced metasets) from the two or more installed, functional software applications, each of the one or more subsets configured to be operable with a predefined computer system independent of the protoset; and a protoset module configured to operate on the protoset to enable creation of the one or more subsets of the two or more installed, functional software applications, the module responsive to one or more requests for the creation of the one or more reduced metasets. |
| US08661402B2 |
Method and apparatus for AMS simulation of integrated circuit design
A method to create an integrated circuit that includes digital and analog components comprising: displaying on a computer system display, user input to the computer system that specifies parameter information to determine a binding between an analog circuit design component and a digital circuit design component; saving the user specified parameter information within a file that also specifies at least a portion of the analog circuit design; associating the analog circuit design component a first design block of an integrated circuit that also includes a second digital design block coupled to the first design block; using parameter information to determine a binding between the first analog circuit design component and the first digital circuit design component; saving the determined binding in computer readable storage media. |
| US08661400B1 |
Systems and methods for dynamically reconfiguring a programmable system on a chip
A graphical user interface for tuning a programmable device comprises a first on-screen window comprising a representation of a target apparatus, wherein the target apparatus comprises the programmable device, and a second on-screen window configured to appear in response to a selection of a graphical element associated with the representation of the target apparatus, wherein the second on-screen window comprises graphical user interface (GUI) display elements representing a plurality of parameter values presently controlling operation of a device corresponding to the selected graphical element. The second on-screen window is further configured to accept a modification of at least one of the plurality of parameter values via the GUI display elements, initiate communication of the modification to the programmable device, and in response to implementing the modification in the programmable device, display operational results of the device as modified by the modification. |
| US08661398B1 |
Analysis of stress impact on transistor performance
Roughly described, a method for approximating stress-induced mobility enhancement in a channel region in an integrated circuit layout, including approximating the stress at each of a plurality of sample points in the channel, converting the stress approximation at each of the sample points to a respective mobility enhancement value, and averaging the mobility enhancement values at all the sample points. The method enables integrated circuit stress analysis that takes into account stresses contributed by multiple stress generation mechanisms, stresses having vector components other than along the length of the channel, and stress contributions (including mitigations) due to the presence of other structures in the neighborhood of the channel region under study, other than the nearest STI interfaces. The method also enables stress analysis of large layout regions and even full-chip layouts, without incurring the computation costs of a full TCAD simulation. |
| US08661397B2 |
Systems and methods of implementing remote boundary scan features
A system and method for remotely performing boundary scans on a circuit board, device and/or system across a network. A first computing component, connected to the network, includes a computer readable media including computer executable instructions. The instructions cause the computing component to maintain or access a library of test scan procedures for a plurality of subject circuit boards. At least one of the test scan procedure is downloaded to a second computing component proximate the circuit board, device and/or system. The second computing component and the test scan procedure are monitored and controlled remotely via the network. |
| US08661394B1 |
Depth-optimal mapping of logic chains in reconfigurable fabrics
A method of creating logic chains in a Boolean network of a reconfigurable fabric is provided. The method includes creating a plurality of logic chains in the reconfigurable fabric. The plurality of logic chains include at least one arithmetic logic chain and at least one non-arithmetic logic chain. A method of creating logic chains in a Boolean network of a look-up table based FPGA includes: applying a labeling method by (a) finding a depth increasing node, (b) isolating the depth increasing node, and (c) finding minimum height cuts; mapping to generate a mapping solution using the minimum height cuts; applying a duplication method to implement an exclusivity constraint; and arranging connections in the look-up table based FPGA using the logic chains. |
| US08661391B1 |
Spare cell insertion based on reachable state analysis
Spare cells are inserted in a region of an integrated circuit design based on a logic complexity of the region. The logic complexity can be computed based on the number of reachable states of digital logic in the region, and can be correlated to a desired spare cell insertion rate which is then compared to the actual spare cell utilization in the region. The target spare cell rate can further based on logic complexity values for neighboring regions with a proximity penalty. |
| US08661389B2 |
Systems and methods of designing integrated circuits
A method of designing an integrated circuit includes providing a cell library including a first and second cell structures. The cell structures each include a dummy gate electrode disposed on a boundary. An edge gate electrode is disposed adjacent to the dummy gate electrode. An oxide definition (OD) region has an edge disposed between the edge gate electrode and the dummy gate electrode. The method includes determining if the cell structures are to be abutted with each other. If so, the method includes abutting the cell structures. If not so, the method includes increasing areas of portions of the OD regions between the edge gate electrodes and the dummy gate electrodes. |
| US08661383B1 |
VLSI black-box verification
A circuit verifier scans through a description of an integrated circuit to identify black-boxes in the description. The verifier assigns the identified black-boxes to clock domains and identifies clock domain crossings, in which a black-box assigned to a first clock domain is connected to an element belonging to a second clock domain. In some cases the verifier identifies signal reconvergence through black-boxes. |
| US08661378B2 |
Asychronous system analysis
Methods, systems, and circuits that implement timing analyses of an asynchronous system are described. A method may include converting a synchronous circuit design into an asynchronous representation, wherein a critical path may be identified. The critical path may be converted to a corresponding path in the synchronous circuit design. Additional methods, systems, and circuits are disclosed. |
| US08661376B2 |
Editing system
An editing system includes a database server apparatus having product specification management data stored therein; and a terminal apparatus including: a display part displaying a function tree and an IO table, the function tree hierarchically indicating elements along with attributes of each of the elements based on the product specification management data and having a product name as a root of the function tree, and the IO table indicating connection data between each pin of the elements based on the product specification management data, an accepting part accepting an operation to connect one element to another element, an operation to display connection data between the elements, and an operation to edit each item of the connection data of the IO table, and an updating part updating the connection data of the product specification management data in accordance with the operations accepted by the operation accepting part. |
| US08661373B2 |
Method for the real-time monitoring of integrated circuit manufacture through localized monitoring structures in OPC model space
The present disclosure relates to a method of controlling the manufacturing of integrated circuits, comprising steps of determining parameters that are characteristic of a curve of radiation intensity applied to a semiconductor wafer through a mask, in critical zones of structures to be formed on the wafer, for each of the critical zones, placing a measuring point in a multidimensional space each dimension of which corresponds to one of the characteristic parameters, placing control points in the multidimensional space that are spread around an area delimited by the measuring points, so as to delimit an envelope surrounding the area, for each control point, defining control structures each corresponding to a control point, generating a mask containing the control structures, applying a process involving the generated mask to a semiconductor wafer, and analyzing the control structures transferred to the wafer to detect any defects therein. |
| US08661371B1 |
Method and apparatus for fixing double patterning color-seeding violations
A method for displaying layout-fixing hints for resolving color-seeding violations in an IC design layout. The method receives a set of error paths within a disjoint set of shapes. For each error path, the method performs an analysis on the error path to identify a set of layout-fixing hints that eliminates the color-seeding violation on the error path and does not introduce any new color-seeding violation. The method displays the set of identified hints for each error path in order to aid a user to resolve the color-seeding violations. The method displays each identified layout-fixing hint as a set of moving instructions. The set of moving instructions provides a set of indications of a distance by which a shape or an edge of the shape needs to be moved in order to resolve a color-seeding violation. |
| US08661367B2 |
Providing access to parts of contents for network display device
Provided is to a method of providing a part of content over network in which a user accesses a content provider server over a network, and selects and downloads only a part of content or receives information for accessing the part of content, or generates access information for the part of content and stores the access information in the content provider server, thereby enabling to easily access the part of content when accessing later. In the method, a user may access a plurality of parts configuring content instead of a content unit. |
| US08661358B2 |
Creation, sharing and embedding of interactive charts
Systems and methods for generating and sharing interactive charts are described. The interactive charts are generated in an online portal that allows users to customize the interactive features of the chart. An exemplary interactive feature includes an interactive audio feature. The interactive chart can be shared by, for example, embedding the interactive chart in an external electronic document, such as a .ppt or PDF document, that can be shared with other users. The interactive chart and/or the data associated with the interactive chart may also be purchased through an online store environment or otherwise shared with other users. |
| US08661355B1 |
Distinguishing shared and non-shared applications during collaborative computing sessions
In one embodiment, a presenter device participates in an online collaborative computing session, and a determination is made to whether application windows on the presenter device are shared or non-shared, where shared application windows have a viewable portion on a display of the presenter device that may be transmitted to one or more attendee devices of the online collaborative computing session. Each of the one or more non-shared application windows on the display of the presenter device may be grayed out, such as by covering the non-shared application windows with a semi-transparent window. |
| US08661353B2 |
Avatar integrated shared media experience
A method and system are disclosed in which a group of people are able to replicate the physical world experience of going with a group of friends to pick a movie, watch the movie together, and provide commentary on the movie itself in the virtual world on a virtual couch while each user is sitting in different physical locations. Additionally, the virtual representation of the destination that the group of people are watching the movie together in can be themed to allow users to watch movies in different locations pivoting on special events or by the users choice. |
| US08661352B2 |
Method, system and controller for sharing data
A method is provided for a user of a communications device sharing data items with one or more of a plurality of data recipients, comprising the steps of: selecting one or more data items to share (1201); displaying symbols in a two-dimensional geometrical space on a display (1204), at least some of which represent individuals or groups of the data recipients; selecting one or more of the symbols as destinations for the data item(s) (1202); and sharing the data item(s) with the destination (s) (1203). |
| US08661345B2 |
Social networking webpage application
A Facebook™ application comprises logging on to Facebook™; looking in the Newsfeed for the “7 Days Out Application”; and clicking on the application for full listing of friends' plans, as well as events (sponsored by advertisers) over the next seven days. The application also comprises logging on to Facebook™; navigating to the “Home” page; clicking on the tab or icon for “7 Days Out—Share Your Plans for Next 7 Days With Friends”; uploading a statement of plans for each particular day that the user wants to let friends know plans; and saving the inputted information. |
| US08661344B1 |
Systems and methods for providing an indicator of detection of input related to an element of a user interface
Systems and methods are provided for detecting an action providing input associated with an element of a user interface (UI) and/or graphical model, and providing an indicator to indicate the action has been detected. The UI and graphical model may provide elements that may be editable or otherwise changeable. The action may provide input that may change a value of the editable element of the UI or alter an element of the graphical model. Upon detection of the action, an indicator is provided in the UI or the graphical model in a manner associated with the detected changed element. The indicator may be a visual indicator or any other sensory indicator, such as a sound, force, or tactile indicator. The indicator provides a prompt to a user that one or more elements of the UI or graphical model may need to be saved, applied, or any changes canceled. |
| US08661340B2 |
Input methods for device having multi-language environment
Text input is corrected on a touch-sensitive display by presenting a list of candidate words in the interface which can be selected by touch input. The candidate list can include candidate words having two or more character types (e.g., Roman, kana, kanji). In one aspect, the candidate list can be scrolled using a finger gesture. When a user's finger traverses a candidate word and the touch is released, the candidate word is inserted into a document being edited. In another aspect, characters can be erased by touching a key (e.g., a backspace or delete key) and making a sliding, swiping, or other finger gesture. A number of characters proportional to a distance (e.g., a linear distance) of the finger gesture across the display are erased. If there are characters in a text input area, those characters are erased first, followed by characters in the document being edited. |
| US08661338B2 |
System and method for dynamic document layout
A system for case based, dynamic document layout in accordance with embodiments of the present invention includes a comparison system, a determination system, and a mutation system. The comparison system that compares one or more elements of at least a portion of an original document against the same elements in at least a portion each of a plurality of stored documents. The determination system identifies the stored document with the portion which is closest to the portion of the original document based on the comparing. The mutation system applies one or mutators to the portion of the original document which were used in the portion of the identified stored document. |
| US08661337B2 |
Techniques for use of snapshots with browsing transitions
A snapshot of a page is stored in response to navigation away from the page. When the user navigates back to the page, the snapshot is displayed while the page is loaded. When the page is sufficiently loaded, the snapshot is replaced by the (fully or partially) loaded page. Determining whether the page is sufficiently loaded is based on monitoring of pre-selected criteria. |
| US08661332B2 |
Method and apparatus for document processing
Modular content framework and document format methods and systems are described. The described framework and format define a set of building blocks for composing, packaging, distributing, and rendering document-centered content. These building blocks define a platform-independent framework for document formats that enable software and hardware systems to generate, exchange, and display documents reliably and consistently. The framework and format have been designed in a flexible and extensible fashion. In addition to this general framework and format, a particular format, known as the reach package format, is defined using the general framework. The reach package format is a format for storing paginated documents. The contents of a reach package can be displayed or printed with full fidelity among devices and applications in a wide range of environments and across a wide range of scenarios. |
| US08661326B1 |
Non-binary LDPC code decoding early termination
A decoding system including a low density parity check (LDPC) processing module and a termination module. The LDPC processing module is configured to receive a test codeword based on a codeword received over a communications channel, and perform, for each row of a parity check matrix, a processing operation on the test codeword. The LDPC processing module is configured to, once the processing operations have been performed for all the rows, repeat the processing operations. The termination module is configured to monitor progress of the LDPC processing module and selectively generate a termination signal in response to the test codeword being a valid codeword according to the parity check matrix. The LDPC processing module is further configured to terminate the processing operations in response to generation of the termination signal. |
| US08661325B2 |
Iterative decoder systems and methods
Systems and methods are provided for improved designs and performance for iterative decoder systems. In some embodiments, the iterative decoder may be decoupled from FIR samples through an FIR RAM, thus resulting in a less complex design and shorter processing times. In some embodiments, an intermediate memory may be used when passing information between the SOVA and LDPC of the iterative decoder. In some embodiments, the SOVA-required information may be continuously serialized from information received from the LDPC during each LDPC iteration. In some embodiments, the 1/(1+D2) precoder of the HR RLL encoder may be split into two serial, 1/(1+D) precoders. One 1/(1+D) precoder may be pulled outside of the HR RLL encoder and used in conjunction with the iterative decoder. A 1/(1+D) precoder may be used with the iterative decoder while maintaining the RLL constraints imposed upon the encoded information by the HR RLL encoder. |
| US08661324B2 |
Systems and methods for non-binary decoding biasing control
Various embodiments of the present invention provide systems and methods for data processing. As an example, a data processing circuit is disclosed that includes a data detector circuit, a biasing circuit, and a data decoder circuit. The data detector circuit is operable to apply a data detection algorithm to a series of symbols to yield a detected output, and the detected output includes a series of soft decision data corresponding to non-binary symbols. The biasing circuit is operable apply a bias to each of the series of soft decision data to yield a series of biased soft decision data. The data decoder circuit is operable to apply a data decoding algorithm to the series of biased soft decision data corresponding to the non-binary symbols. |
| US08661323B2 |
Method and apparatus for generating packet mask
A method and apparatus generate a forward error correcting code for use with a plurality of source packets to be transmitted over a network. In one exemplary embodiment, the method comprises identifying a plurality of candidate packet masks and selecting that one of the masks that has the lowest expected residual packet loss value (“RPL”). RPL is calculated using an effective recovery rate, which in turn is a function of at least one network performance parameter (such as packet loss) and one or more channel code parameters such as the number of source packets and/or FEC packets. The error correcting code can be generated using the selected packet mask and at least one of the source packets. |
| US08661318B2 |
Memory management in a non-volatile solid state memory device
A computer-implemented method of managing a memory of a non-volatile solid state memory device by balancing write/erase cycles among blocks to level block usage. The method includes monitoring an occurrence of an error during a read operation in a memory unit of the device, where the error is correctable by error-correcting code, and programming the memory unit according to the monitored occurrence of the error, where the step of monitoring the occurrence of an error is carried out for at least one block, and wherein said step of programming includes wear-leveling the monitored block according the error monitored for the monitored block. |
| US08661314B2 |
Method and apparatus for calculating frame check sequence
One embodiment provides a system for calculating a checksum for a packet. During operation, the system receives a packet, pads the received packet with a number of bits having predetermined values, and calculates an initial checksum value for the padded packet. Subsequently, the system calculates a final checksum for the original packet by reversing the initial checksum value using the padded bits with predetermined values. |
| US08661312B2 |
Error detection and correction scheme for a memory device
Data is read from a memory array. Before being stored in a data buffer, a Hamming code detection operation and a Reed-Solomon code detection operation are operated in parallel to determine if the data word has any errors. The results of the parallel detection operations are communicated to a controller circuit. If an error is present that can be corrected by the Hamming code correction operation, this is performed and the Reed-Solomon code detection operation is performed on the corrected word. If the error is uncorrectable by the Hamming code, the Reed-Solomon code correction operation is performed on the word. |
| US08661311B2 |
Systems and methods for dynamic scaling in a data decoding system
Various embodiments of the present invention provide systems and methods for data processing using variable scaling. |
| US08661308B2 |
Method and device for fast cyclic redundancy check coding
The present invention discloses a method for fast cyclic redundancy check (CRC) encoding, and includes: mapping a CRC encoding generator polynomial to generate an (r+1)-order transfer matrix J; deleting a first row and a first column of said (r+1)-order transfer matrix J to obtain an r-order transfer matrix; forming a r×1 column matrix by first columns of 2nd to r+1th rows of said (r+1)-order transfer matrix; obtaining a zero input transfer matrix and a zero state transfer matrix of CRC encoding by the r-order transfer matrix and the r×1 column matrix; adding dummy bits before an input bit stream; and obtaining a CRC encoding check sequence according to the zero input transfer matrix, the zero state transfer matrix and the input bit stream after adding the dummy bits. The present invention further discloses an apparatus for fast cyclic redundancy check encoding. |
| US08661306B2 |
Baseboard management controller and memory error detection method of computing device utilized thereby
A method detects a memory error of a computing device using a baseboard management controller (BMC) of the computing device. The BMC includes a microprocessor and a storage system. The method reads data of a state register of a processor of the computing device when the microprocessor receives an interrupt signal generated by the processor due to an internal error of the processor. Then the method determines whether the internal error is a multiple-bit error of a memory of the computing device according to the read data. Upon the condition that the internal error is the multiple-bit error, the method records error information of the multiple-bit error in the storage system. |
| US08661305B2 |
Method and system for test vector generation
The various embodiments of the present invention provide a method for automatically generating a unique set of test vectors for verifying design intent of integrated circuit chips. The method includes obtaining configuration parameters associated with a plurality of integrated circuit chips, generating an Executable Verification Plan pertaining to the configuration parameters of a plurality of integrated circuit chips in one or more execution PCs (EPs), creating a plurality of data structures corresponding to the configuration parameters, communicating the data structures created to a DCMS server, mapping the data structures of the Execution PCs with one or more data structures present in a database of the DCMS server, customizing the executable verification plan based on changes in the configurations of the integrated circuit chips, generating a unique set of test vectors based on mapping of the data structures and performing automatic design verification of the plurality of integrated circuit chips. |
| US08661304B2 |
Test pattern generation for diagnosing scan chain failures
Embodiments of the disclosed technology comprise techniques that can be used to generate scan chain test patterns and improve scan chain failure diagnosis resolution. For example, certain embodiments can be used to generate high quality chain diagnosis test patterns that are able to isolate a scan chain defect to a single scan cell. At least some embodiments can be used to locate faults over multiple capture cycles in the scan chain. |
| US08661302B2 |
Enhanced debug/test capability to a core reset process
A method and apparatus to improve the efficiency of debugging a processor is provided. Also provided is a computer readable storage device encoded with data for adapting a manufacturing facility to create an apparatus. The method includes receiving a first test data, which identifies a state of a state machine, wherein the state machine performs reset and initialization operations for a processor. The method also includes halting the state machine in the state identified by the first test data upon reaching the state. |
| US08661301B1 |
Method for dodging bad page and bad block caused by suddenly power off
A method for dodging bad page and bad block caused by suddenly power off is disclosed. This method is to avoid a new data from host program to potential hurt block or page caused by power off during NAND flash erasing or programming. |
| US08661300B1 |
Error detection in high-speed asymmetric interfaces
A system and method for detecting errors in high-speed asymmetric interfaces are described. Embodiments include transmitting digital data between a first system component and a second system component over a bidirectional interface, wherein the first component is significantly more intelligent than the second component. The first component controls many operations of the second component, including receiving a signature from the second component over an existing line of the interface. The signature received is compared to a signature stored by the first component. Both signatures correspond to a transaction over the interface. Based on the comparison, the first component determines whether the transaction was successful, and directs the second component as necessary. |
| US08661296B2 |
Dynamic data store for failed jobs in a systems complex
In one embodiment, a computer program product for first time data capture includes a computer readable storage medium having computer readable program code embodied therewith. The computer readable program code is configured to run jobs on a systems complex (sysplex), to trace the jobs running on the sysplex, to monitor each of the jobs running on the sysplex for an unexpected action by any of the jobs, and to store information relating to each unexpected action performed by any of the jobs into an entry of a data store. In another embodiment, a method includes running jobs on a sysplex, tracing the jobs running on the sysplex, monitoring each of the jobs running on the sysplex for an unexpected action by any of the jobs, and storing information relating to each unexpected action performed by any of the jobs into an entry of a data store. |
| US08661295B1 |
Monitoring and detecting causes of failures of network paths
Generally described, systems and methods are provided for monitoring and detecting causes of failures of network paths. The system collects performance information from a plurality of nodes and links in a network, aggregates the collected performance information across paths in the network, processes the aggregated performance information for detecting failures on the paths, analyzes each of the detected failures to determine at least one root cause, and initiates a remedial workflow for the at least one root cause determined. In some aspects, processing the aggregated information may include performing a statistical regression analysis or otherwise solving a set of equations for the performance indications on each of a plurality of paths. In another aspect, the system may also include an interface which makes available for display one or more of the network topology, the collected and aggregated performance information, and indications of the detected failures in the topology. |
| US08661293B2 |
Test architecture based on intelligent test sequence
A method, data processing system, and computer program product for testing a computer system. A sequencer tests the computer system using test modules arranged in a first sequence, wherein each of the test modules is for testing at least a portion of the computer system. The sequencer determines if an operator is available, in response to an interrupt generated by a test module. If an operator is available, the sequencer arranges the test modules into a second sequence based on a first policy. If an operator is unavailable, the sequencer arranges the test modules into a third sequence based on a second policy. |
| US08661288B2 |
Diagnosis system for removable media drive
Systems and methods are provided for performing diagnostics on a removable media drive. An example system includes a monitoring unit configured to collect information about a media access to the media drive and a media access to a removable media contained in the media drive. The example system also includes a storage unit having a threshold table with at least one threshold value for the media access to the media drive. A processing unit is configured to compare the collected information of the monitoring unit to the at least one threshold value contained in the threshold table. The processing unit is also configured to determine diagnostic data relating to the removable media drive in accordance with the comparison. |
| US08661286B2 |
QProcessor architecture in a cluster configuration
In general, an appliance that simplifies the creation of a cluster in a computing environment has a fairly straightforward user interface that abstracts out many of the complexities of the typical configuration processes, thereby significantly simplifying the deployment process. By using such appliance, system administrators can deploy an almost turn-key cluster and have the confidence of knowing that the cluster is well tuned for the application/environment that it supports. In addition, the present disclosure allows for configurations and integrations of specialty engines, such as Q processors or J processors, into the cluster. The disclosure provides systems and methods for configuring a cluster, managing a cluster, managing an MQ in a cluster, a user interface for configuring and managing the cluster, an architecture for using specialty engines in a cluster configuration, and interconnect between cluster components, and a file system for use in a cluster. |
| US08661280B2 |
Host apparatus and information processing system using the same
In an information processing system, a host apparatus and a device are communicatively connected such that the host apparatus serves as a master and the device serves as a slave. The device is configured to establish a power-saving mode, when any command is not received from the host apparatus for a prescribed time period. A device driver is provided in the host apparatus. The device driver is configured to transit from a normal state to a suspended state when an operation command for operating the device is not received from an application running in the host apparatus for a prescribed time period, and to transmit a dummy response to the application, when an inquiry command is received from the application while the device driver is placed in the suspended state, without notifying the inquiry command to the device. |
| US08661278B2 |
Computer system powered-off state auxiliary power rail control
Computer system powered-off state auxiliary power rail control. At least some of the illustrative embodiments are systems configured to have: a first powered-off state in which the main output power signal is deactivated within the power supply and the auxiliary power output signal is active and coupled to an auxiliary power rail of the printed circuit board; and a second powered-off state in which the main power output signal is deactivated and the auxiliary power output signal is active and decoupled from the auxiliary power rail of the printed circuit board. |
| US08661277B2 |
Communication apparatus and method of controlling the same
There is provided a communication apparatus including an HDMI connector complying with HEC (HDMI Ethernet Channel)-compliant HDMI standards, comprising: an HEC communication unit configured to communicate, via HEC, with an HEC-compliant communication apparatus connected to the HDMI connector; a determination unit configured to determine, using a protocol of the HDMI standards, whether or not an HEC-compliant communication apparatus is connected to the HDMI connector; and a control unit configured to stop power supply to the HEC communication unit if it is determined that an HEC-compliant communication apparatus is not connected to the HDMI connector. |
| US08661275B2 |
Implementing sleep lines in commodity ethernet hardware
A first Network Interface Controller operates in a low power mode. The first Network Interface Controller transitions from low power mode to a power-up sequence if a sleep packet in not received from a second Network Interface Controller at the first Network Interface Controller within a predetermined time threshold. |
| US08661271B2 |
Apparatus and method to control the state of a power supply when a trigger signal is received during a predetermined time period
A start-up control apparatus includes a switch, an advanced configuration and power interface (ACPI) controller, a power supply, and a control chip. The switch creates a trigger signal. The trigger signal includes a first falling-edge and a first rising-edge. The control chip includes a control module and a monitoring module. The monitoring module sends a status signal about the power supply to the control module. The control module receives the first falling-edge and sends a second falling-edge to the ACPI controller according to the status signal after receiving the status signal. The ACPI controller sends a control signal to the power supply to enable the power supply to change from a first status to a second status. The control module sends a second rising-edge to the ACPI controller before receiving the first rising-edge when the power supply is in the second status. |
| US08661262B2 |
User authentication system, terminal used in the same, authentication verification device, and program
A user authentication system includes a profile generation unit at the side of a user terminal, and a profile storage unit and a confirmation/replication verification unit at the side of an authentication verification device. When authentication processing is executed in the user terminal, the profile generation unit aggregates input biometric information, registered biometric information, and information which duplicates collation processing contents, and sets a profile being an aggregation of data. The profile storage unit stores the profile at the outside of the user terminal with identification information of authentication processing. The confirmation/replication verification unit confirms the stored contents, and replicates collation processing. Accordingly, when verification is necessary, the validity of authentication processing in the user terminal is verified, and a service provider device is notified of this. Accordingly, there is provided a system which can verify the validity of the authentication processing performed in the user terminal. |
| US08661257B2 |
Generic bootstrapping architecture usage with Web applications and Web pages
A method includes receiving at a network application function a request related to a generic bootstrapping architecture key originated from a user equipment. The received request includes a network application function identifier that includes a uniform resource locator, where the network application function has a fully qualified domain name. The method further includes causing a generic bootstrapping architecture key to be generated for the user equipment based at least in part on the uniform resource locator that is part of the network application function identifier. Apparatus and computer programs for performing the method are also disclosed. |
| US08661256B2 |
Device authentication in a PKI
A method for establishing a link key between correspondents in a public key cryptographic scheme, one of the correspondents being an authenticating device and the other being an authenticated device. The method also provides a means for mutual authentication of the devices. The authenticating device may be a personalized device, such as a mobile phone, and the authenticated device may be a headset. The method for establishing the link key includes the step of introducing the first correspondent and the second correspondent within a predetermined distance, establishing a key agreement and implementing challenge-response routine for authentication. Advantageously, main-in-the middle attacks are minimized. |
| US08661255B2 |
Digital rights management of streaming contents and services
Managing digital rights of contents and services streamed to a client device, including: receiving and validating a certificate from the client device; enabling the client device to log into and communicate with a server using a secure protocol to establish a private relationship between the client device and the server; and transmitting a resource identifier to the client device using the secure protocol when the private relationship is established. |
| US08661254B1 |
Authentication of a client using a mobile device and an optical link
Systems and methods for enhancing the convenience, reliability and security of transactions are provided. In authenticating a user attempting to engage in a transaction, a machine-readable indicia may be optically acquired and a challenge derived therefrom sent to a one-time password (OTP) application running on a mobile or other device. The device may then generate a response OTP using, at least in part, the derived challenge. The response may be read by a user and used in-band or may alternatively be sent by the mobile device out-of-band to an authentication server, which may respond with an authentication response operable to authenticate the user. |
| US08661250B2 |
Remote activation of covert service channels
Remote activation of covert service channels is provided. A remote host can initiate and establish a connection with a target host without exposing a service channel or communications port to an unauthenticated host. Triggers can be received by and sent to a host and an associated operating system, under direction of a stealth listener. The stealth listener provides can control and direct an operating system to respond to incoming data packets, but can also open and close ports to enable access to services on a host. Using a variety of transport mechanisms, protocols, and triggers to covertly enable a connection to be established between a service and a remote client, the disclosed techniques also enable reduction of processing and storage resources by reducing the amount of host or client-installed software. |
| US08661238B2 |
Identifying an OS corresponding to an address included in a magic packet and determining whether activation of the OS is permitted
To activate respective OSs separately through a network even in a virtual machine in which a plurality of OSs are installed, an M-packet acquiring unit acquires a received magic packet. An address detecting unit detects a MAC address that is stored in the magic packet. A control-list storage unit records correspondence between MAC addresses and guest OSs, and defines whether to activate the respective OSs by a remote operation. An activation determining unit refers to the control-list storage unit and determines whether to activate a guest OS that corresponds to the MAC address stored in the magic packet. A guest-OS control unit activates a guest OS that is determined to be activated by the activation determining unit. |
| US08661237B2 |
System and method for booting a plurality of servers from a shared boot image stored on a USB boot image sharer
A computer system and an operation system loading method thereof are provided. The computer system comprises a universal serial bus (USB) storage device storing a boot image, servers and a boot image sharer comprising USB ports, a memory, a first USB host controller and a micro-processor. The micro-processor controls the first USB host controller to emulate each USB port to the USB storage device, and stores the boot image to memory, such that the boot image is shared to the USB ports. The servers are respectively coupled to the USB ports, wherein each server comprises a second USB host controller and a basic input output system (BIOS). The second USB host controller is coupled to one of the USB ports. The BIOS reads the boot image from the emulated USB storage device and loads an operation system according to the boot image. |
| US08661236B2 |
Partial initialization of divided programs in response to pre-boot and post-boot activation events to rapidly boot a computer system
A method for booting up a computer is disclosed. Initially, a memory image of a boot program is stored in a main memory of a computer. The memory image includes a first initialization code and a second initialization code. During the booting process of the computer, first initialization code is executed. In response to the completion of the execution of the first initialization code, the boot program is shifted to an idle state. In response to an activation event, the second initialization code is executed. |
| US08661235B2 |
Firmware storage medium with customized image
In at least some embodiments, a computer system includes a processor and a firmware storage medium in communication with the processor. The firmware storage medium stores a default image invoked during a boot process and selectively stores a customized image. If the customized image is stored by the firmware storage medium, the boot process selectively substitutes at least part of the default image with at least part of the customized image. |
| US08661234B2 |
Individualized per device initialization of computing devices in avoidance of mass exploitation of vulnerabilities
An individualized per device initialization of a computing device is unique relative to the initialization of other computing devices. A common initialization program, common to all computing devices of a particular type such as a game console, may be modified to be unique for each computing device. Modification may comprise the application of at least one individualized per device secret, e.g., key, to at least a portion of the common initialization program such as at least one initialization stage. Initialization is tied to one or more device specific identities. In this way, initialization vulnerabilities discovered on a particular device cannot be exploited en masse on other computing devices because each initialization program stored in each computing device is unique. The device specific nature of the initialization program may be extended to other information input to the computing device in order to prevent unauthorized sharing of information with other computing devices. |
| US08661233B2 |
System configuration
Embodiments provide methods, systems, and articles of manufacture for determining a configuration for system board based on a connector. The connector may have a structure that enables a system board to determine configuration data associated with a system configuration. |
| US08661230B2 |
Allocation of counters from a pool of counters to track mappings of logical registers to physical registers for mapper based instruction executions
A mapper unit of an out-of-order processor assigns a particular counter currently in a counter free pool to count a number of mappings of logical registers to a particular physical register from among multiple physical registers, responsive to an execution of an instruction by the mapper unit mapping at least one logical register to the particular physical register. The number of counters is less than the number of physical registers. The mapper unit, responsive to the counted number of mappings of logical registers to the particular physical register decremented to less than a minimum value, returns the particular counter to the counter free pool. |
| US08661226B2 |
System, method, and computer program product for performing a scan operation on a sequence of single-bit values using a parallel processor architecture
A system, method, and computer program product are provided for performing a scan operation on a sequence of single-bit values using a parallel processing architecture. In operation, a scan operation instruction is received. Additionally, in response to the scan operation instruction, a scan operation is performed on a sequence of single-bit values using a parallel processor architecture with a plurality of processing elements. |
| US08661222B2 |
Data object profiling during program execution
Systems and methods for identifying objects generated during program execution are provided. In one embodiment, the method comprises examining one or more data structures that include information about allocation of memory space to one or more objects; determining address space allocated to at least one of said objects based on examining said data structure; populating a reverse object map based on the examining of the one or more data structures and the determining of the address space allocated to said objects, such that one or more addresses in memory are associated with an object instantiated during program execution; and determining identity of a target object accessed during program execution in association with a respective address, in response to evaluating the respective address against the reverse object map to find the target object. |
| US08661213B2 |
Method and system for frequent checkpointing
A virtualization platform provides fault tolerance for a primary virtual machine by continuously transmitting checkpoint information of the primary virtual machine to a collector process, such as a backup virtual machine. When implemented on a hardware platform comprising a multi-processor that supports nested page tables, the virtualization platform leverages the nested page table support to quickly identify memory pages that have been modified between checkpoints. The backup virtual machine provides feedback information to assist the virtualization platform in identifying candidate memory pages for transmitting actual modifications to the memory pages rather than the entire memory page as part of the checkpoint information. The virtualization platform further maintains a modification history data structure to identify memory pages that can be transmitted simultaneous with the execution of the primary virtual machine rather than while the primary virtual machine has been stunned. |
| US08661210B2 |
Data migration management device and method
A management device and management method capable of improving usability of a storage system is proposed. The management device and the management method for managing data migration between volumes in a storage system in which normal volumes to which fixed storage areas are allocated in advance and virtual volumes to which storage areas are dynamically allocated according to use status coexist as types of volumes for reading and writing data is arranged so that information regarding each volume is collected, and based on the collected information, at least a total logical capacity that is a summation of logical capacities determined in advance for the respective volume is separately displayed for normal volumes and virtual volumes. |
| US08661209B2 |
Data processing apparatus, data processing method, and computer-readable recording medium for writing and reading data to and from a storage
A data processing apparatus includes a storage controller and a processor. The storage controller is configured to write a series of data blocks constituting a particular unit of data to a storage and read out the series of data blocks from the storage. The processor is further configured to generate a write-side process and a read-side process, notify the read-side process from the write-side process of an identifier of a storage area in the storage, cause the storage controller to sequentially write the series of data blocks to the storage area using the write-side process, and cause the storage controller to read the series of data blocks from the storage area corresponding to the identifier using the read-side process after the identifier is received in the read-side process. |
| US08661206B2 |
Hybrid hardware and software implementation of transactional memory access
Embodiments of the invention relate a hybrid hardware and software implementation of transactional memory accesses in a computer system. A processor including a transactional cache and a regular cache is utilized in a computer system that includes a policy manager to select one of a first mode (a hardware mode) or a second mode (a software mode) to implement transactional memory accesses. In the hardware mode the transactional cache is utilized to perform read and write memory operations and in the software mode the regular cache is utilized to perform read and write memory operations. |
| US08661200B2 |
Channel controller for multi-channel cache
Disclosed herein is a channel controller for a multi-channel cache memory, and a method that includes receiving a memory address associated with a memory access request to a main memory of a data processing system; translating the memory address to form a first access portion identifying at least one partition of a multi-channel cache memory, and at least one further access portion, where the at least one partition includes at least one channel; and applying the at least one further access portion to the at least one channel of the multi-channel cache memory. |
| US08661199B2 |
Efficient level two memory banking to improve performance for multiple source traffic and enable deeper pipelining of accesses by reducing bank stalls
The level two memory of this invention supports coherency data transfers with level one cache and DMA data transfers. The width of DMA transfers is 16 bytes. The width of level one instruction cache transfers is 32 bytes. The width of level one data transfers is 64 bytes. The width of level two allocates is 128 bytes. DMA transfers are interspersed with CPU traffic and have similar requirements of efficient throughput and reduced latency. An additional challenge is that these two data streams (CPU and DMA) require access to the level two memory at the same time. This invention is a banking technique for the level two memory to facilitate efficient data transfers. |
| US08661198B2 |
Cache device
A cache device interposed between a processor and a memory device, including: a cache memory storing data from the memory device; a buffer holding output data output from the processor; a control circuit determining, on the basis of a request to access the memory device, whether a cache hit has occurred or not and, if a cache miss has occurred, storing the output data in the buffer in response to the access request, outputting a read request for reading the data in a line containing data requested by the access request from the memory device, storing data output from the line of the memory device into the cache memory, and storing the output data from the buffer into the cache memory. |
| US08661196B2 |
Optimizing locations of data accessed by client applications interacting with a storage system
A method for optimizing locations of physical data accessed by one or more client applications interacting with a storage system, with the storage system comprising at least two redundancy groups having physical memory spaces and data bands. Each of the data bands corresponds to physical data stored on several of the physical memory spaces. A virtualized logical address space includes client data addresses utilizable by the one or more client applications. A storage controller is configured to map the client data addresses onto the data bands, such that a mapping is obtained, wherein the one or more client applications can access physical data corresponding to the data bands. |
| US08661193B1 |
Disk drive with partial sector management
A disk drive is disclosed comprising a disk having a host addressable area and a reserved area, an exception table stored in the reserved area, a head actuated radially over the disk to write data to the disk, and control circuitry coupled to the head. The control circuitry receives a first command from the host to write first host data into a first physical sector on the disk, wherein the first host data comprises an amount of data less than a full storage capacity of the first physical sector. The control circuitry detects an uncorrectable error while reading the first physical sector during read-modify-write operation, and indicates in the exception table that the first physical sector is a partial sector including valid and invalid logical block addresses (LBAs). |
| US08661187B2 |
System, method, and computer program product for skewing expected wearout times of memory devices
A method in one embodiment includes writing first data to a first memory device of a memory array at a first number of writes per unit time; writing second data to a second memory device of the memory array at a second number of writes per unit time; and skewing expected wearout times of the memory devices by making the second number of writes per unit time less than the first number of writes per unit time. A method in another embodiment includes writing first data to a first memory device of a memory array; writing second data to a second memory device of the memory array; and skewing expected wearout times of the memory devices by making a number of available storage units on the second memory device less than a number of available storage units on the first memory device. |
| US08661186B2 |
Nonvolatile memory device, access device, and nonvolatile memory system
An access device 100 includes an access speed information part 112 for informing an access speed required for data recording by the access device 100 to a nonvolatile memory device 200. The nonvolatile memory device includes an access condition determination part 212 for determining an access condition required for meeting the informed access speed and an access area determination unit 213 for determining an access area according to the determined access condition. The access device 100 informs the required access speed to the nonvolatile memory device 200 in advance so that the access condition determination part 212 and the access area determination part 213 in the nonvolatile memory device 200 realize data recording which meets the access speed informed in advance upon the data recording. Thus, it is possible to access all the nonvolatile memory devices at a desired speed regardless of difference in characteristics of the recording speed of each of the nonvolatile memory devices. |
| US08661184B2 |
Managing non-volatile media
An apparatus, system, and method are disclosed to manage non-volatile media. A media characteristic module is configured to determine media characteristics for non-volatile media. A configuration parameter module is configured to determine different configuration parameters for different storage cell abodes and/or for different groups of pages of the non-volatile media based on the determined media characteristics. A cell configuration module is configured to use the different configuration parameters for the different storage cell abodes and/or the different groups of pages of the non-volatile media. |
| US08661180B2 |
Memory controlling device and memory controlling method
Disclosed herein is a memory controlling device including: an address converting section configured to convert a logical address included in a request issued from a plurality of clients into a physical address of a memory; a request dividing section configured to divide a converted request converted by the address converting section by a command unit for the memory on a basis of the physical address of the converted request; and an arbitrating section configured to perform arbitration on a basis of the physical address indicated in a divided request output from the request dividing section. |
| US08661177B2 |
Method and apparatus for controlling system interrupts
A method and apparatus are provided for controlling system management interrupts is disclosed. An interrupt filter comprises a memory, a comparator and a logic circuit. The memory is adapted to contain a list indicating one or more devices with permission associated with an interrupt signal. The comparator is adapted to receive an interrupt signal containing type information from the one or more devices. The comparator is adapted to compare the interrupt type against the list to determine if the one or more devices is permitted to send the interrupt signal. The logic circuit blocks or passes the interrupt signal in response to the result of the comparison. |
| US08661176B2 |
Wireless two-way transmission of serial data signals between an electronic device and a power meter
The invention relates to a bidirectional wireless transmission system for serial format data signals between a “master” electronic device (3) and a “slave” energy meter (2) including a microcontroller (20) having a serial input port (RX). According to the invention, the serial format data signals are exchanged at short range via bidirectional electromagnetic coupling means (4) outputting a pulse on each rising or falling front in said serial format data signals. To transmit data signals from the “master” device (3) to the “slave” meter (2), the pulses at the output of the electromagnetic coupling means (4) are delivered to said serial input port (RX). The microcontroller (20) is programmed so that each pulse received on the input port (RX) generates an interrupt, so as to synchronize the microcontroller on the first received pulse and so as to act at the serial data transmission speed to generate a succession of bits, the value of each generated bit being equal either to the value of the preceding bit if no interrupt has been received in the meanwhile, or else being equal to the inverse of the value of the preceding bit if an interrupt has been received in the meanwhile. |
| US08661173B2 |
USB data striping
A striping system and method for distributing a payload of data across a plurality of parallel USB cables from a source to a destination is described. The striping devices reside in the architecture of a source and destination connected by more than one standardized USB bus cable. The striping devices increase the bandwidth between the source and the destination by providing more lanes of data traffic and utilizing segmentation and reassembly to ensure that the data is split up and then reassembled correctly into the original stream at the destination. The striping devices allow for user determination of usability along with self diagnostics as to the source's and destination's ability to handle striping. Other embodiments are described. |
| US08661172B2 |
Changeable functionality in a broadcast router
There is provided a broadcast router that includes a plurality of input cards, a plurality of output cards, at least one programmable device, and a configuration control card. The plurality of input cards input data into the broadcast router. The plurality of output cards output the data from the broadcast router. The configuration control card stores configuration information for configuring the at least one programmable device to perform a first set of functions. The configuration control card is adapted for removal and replacement by at least one other configuration control card that stores other configuration information for configuring the at least one programmable device to perform a second set of functions having a difference from the first set of functions so as to change a functionality of the broadcast router. |
| US08661171B1 |
Host-slave interface for wireless communication circuit
Embodiments of the present invention provide a high throughput, low pin count, low power, and small area solution for the interface between a host device and a wireless communication circuit. In one embodiment of the invention, a system for wireless communication using a host-slave interface is disclosed. The system is comprised of a host device having a slave interface, and a wireless communication circuit having a master interface coupled to the host device's slave interface. The wireless communication circuit transfers data between a wireless network and the host device. Using such a system, a wireless communication system with a host-slave interface is produced. |
| US08661170B2 |
Nondestructive testing system
A nondestructive testing apparatus includes a storage section which stores a plurality of predetermined functions which are executable by the nondestructive testing apparatus, each of the predetermined functions being initially set to one of a permitted state and a disabled state; an input section which includes a plurality of input portions respectively corresponding to the predetermined functions; and a control section which is adapted to receive permission information including information which unlocks at least one of the predetermined functions initially set in the disabled state so as to be set to the permitted state. The control section automatically assigns the at least one predetermined function which has been unlocked to the corresponding input portion of the input section. |
| US08661168B2 |
Specialized universal serial bus controller
An apparatus comprises a memory device to store a pre-generated Universal Serial Bus (USB) command before a USB peripheral device is coupled to a USB. The apparatus also includes a processing device to retrieve the pre-generated USB command from the memory device and transmit the pre-generated USB command to the USB peripheral device over the USB. A method comprises identifying a Universal Serial Bus (USB) peripheral device is coupled to a USB. The USB peripheral device is coupled to the universal serial bus after a pre-generated USB command is stored in a memory device. The method further includes transmitting the pre-generated USB command to the USB peripheral device over the USB in response to identifying the USB peripheral device is coupled to the USB. |
| US08661162B2 |
Address handling
One exemplary method of assigning addresses in two or more address spaces with address fields of different lengths comprises defining address types, assigning a value to first bits at the high ends of the address fields to identify a first said address type, assigning second bits at the low ends of the address fields to identify addresses of the first said address type, and inserting different numbers of additional bits between the first bits and the second bits in the two or more address spaces. |
| US08661160B2 |
Bidirectional receive side scaling
In an embodiment, a method is provided. The method of this embodiment provides in response to receiving a packet, determining a packet tuple; generating a hash result by performing a commutative hash function on the packet tuple; and processing the packet on one of a plurality of processors based, at least in part, on the hash result. |
| US08661159B2 |
Image forming apparatus and information processing method to access uniform resource identifiers
An image forming apparatus includes an obtaining unit configured to obtain an object that is stored in a location identified by a URI (uniform resource identifier) that is input, a printing unit configured to print the object that is obtained by the obtaining unit, a storage unit configured to store the URI, a determination unit configured to determine whether the URI that specifies a location in which the object is stored is changed from the URI that is stored in the storage unit, and an output unit configured to output a message for making an inquiry as to whether the URI that is stored in the storage unit is desired to be changed if it is determined by the determination unit that the URI is already changed. |
| US08661158B2 |
Smart tunneling to resources in a network
A client computer hosts a virtual private network tool to establish a virtual private network connection with a remote network. Upon startup, the virtual private network tool collects critical network information for the client computer, and sends this critical network information to an address assignment server in the remote network. The address assignment server compares the critical network information with a pool of available addresses in the remote network, and assigns addresses for use by the client computer that do not conflict with the addresses for local resources. The address assignment server also provides routing information for resources in the remote network to the virtual private network tool. The virtual private network tool will postpone loading this routing information into the routing tables of the client computer until the client computer requests access to a specific resource in the remote network. When the client computer requests access to a specific resource in the remote network, the virtual private network tool will only provide the routing table with the routing information for that specific remote resource. |
| US08661156B2 |
Transport layer connection
A system identifies a network socket on a machine by assigning a non-IP address socket anchor and a port number to the network socket. A socket anchor may comprise a globally unique number. In some embodiments, a socket anchor comprises a number having a preselected number of bits. The number having the preselected number of bits may comprise a selected number associated with the machine concatenated with a number of randomly generated bits. The number of bits of the selected number plus the number of randomly generated bits is equal to the preselected number of bits. In some embodiments, the selected number associated with the machine is a Media Access Control (MAC) address of a network interface associated with the machine. |
| US08661152B2 |
Method and apparatus for reducing deterioration of a quality of experience of a multimedia service in a multimedia system
A method and an apparatus for reducing a deterioration of a Quality of Experience (QoE) in a multimedia service. The method includes reproducing a first multimedia stream by the multimedia device, receiving a command for reproducing a second multimedia stream during the reproducing of the first multimedia stream, and reproducing the second multimedia stream with reference to information regarding a unit image that is independently decoded from the second multimedia stream. The information regarding the unit image includes information regarding a number of unit images per unit time included in the second multimedia stream. |
| US08661150B2 |
Method, apparatus, and system providing multi-content in mobile broadcast service
Disclosed is a method and system for efficiently providing a multi-content, including a plurality of contents in one service, by means of a service guide upon providing the multi-content in an Open Mobile Alliance (OMA) mobile broadcasting system. When a broadcast transmitting apparatus provides a broadcast receiving apparatus with a multi-content by inserting a plurality of content into one service, the broadcast transmitting apparatus sets one of the plurality of content as a primary content, and provides a service guide including primary-content setting information to the broadcast receiving apparatus. The primary content represents a content set to be primarily provided to a user, among a plurality of content included in one service and simultaneously provided during a specific time period. The primary-content setting information represents information for identifying the primary content. The primary-content setting information may be included in a content fragment or schedule fragment of a service guide. |
| US08661149B2 |
Communication network comprising communication components having client and server functionalities and search functions
The invention relates to a communication network, especially a packet-switched communication network, provided with communication components having client and server functionalities. The client functionalities of the communication components have search functions for determining the current addresses of the communication components of the communication network which enable the server functionalities thereof to be used. A plurality of communication components have both client and server functionalities. Information relating to the intrinsic server functionalities can be directly retrieved by means of client functionalities of other communication components and can be directly used. |
| US08661147B2 |
Monitoring requested content
Requested content is monitored and metadata for the content is accessed and reported to an administrator communication device. The reported metadata may be indicative of a classification of the requested content, an address of the requested content, a title of the requested content, or portions (e.g., video images) of the requested content. Administrators are enabled to receive dynamic updates regarding requested and received content in real time and may block viewer requested content or send messages to the viewer that are related to the content. |
| US08661146B2 |
Systems and methods for IP reachability in a communications network
In a system and method for establishing communications in a communications network, a network service provider can assign IP addresses to mobile devices dynamically to conserve IP address resources. A network service provider can also implement network address translation to further conserve IP address resources and to provide improved security. If a requestor seeks to obtain an IP address of a mobile device and the address is a local address, the system determines if the mobile device has a network address translation (NAT) binding that associates the IP address of the mobile device with a public IP address. If the mobile device does not have a NAT binding, the system creates a NAT binding that associates the IP address of the mobile device with a public IP address. |
| US08661144B2 |
Method and system for automated user authentication for a priority communication session
An approach is provided for automated user authentication for a priority communication session. An authentication platform receives a session request for establishing a priority communication session over a data network between a user device and a service platform. The authentication platform determines network information and device information associated with the session request and the user device, respectively. The authentication platform further determines user history information regarding one or more prior communication sessions of a user of the user device. The authentication platform authenticates the user based on the network information, the device information, and the user history information for establishing the priority communication session. |
| US08661141B2 |
Managing a client application session based on a status of a local wireless connection between primary and secondary communication terminals
In an embodiment, a secondary communication terminal (CT) executes a client application to engage in a client application session (CAS), the secondary CT configured to connect to a primary CT over a local wireless connection (LWC), the primary CT having a higher-quality user interface environment as compared to the secondary CT. The secondary CT establishes the LWC with the primary CT during the CAS and, responsive to the establishment, negotiates with the primary CT to selectively transition the CAS to the primary CT. Alternatively, the primary CT executes the client application before the establishment and negotiates with the secondary CT to selectively transition the CAS to the secondary CT. In another embodiment, the primary CT hosts the CAS while the LWC is established with the secondary CT. Then, upon disconnection of the LWC, the secondary AT selectively transitions the CAS to the secondary CT. |
| US08661138B2 |
Group based allocation of network bandwidth
The present invention extends to methods, systems, and computer program products for group based allocation of terminal server network bandwidth. Output packets are classified into groups based on classification criteria. Output packets for each group are queue into a corresponding queue. During a queue flush cycle each queue containing data is flushed for an essentially equal amount of time. Flushing each queue essentially equally reduces the negative impact that can otherwise result when a subset of sessions (or even a single session) request(s) a disproportional share of terminal server network bandwidth. Responsiveness can be further increased by distributing the essentially equal amount for each queue across the queue flush cycle. |
| US08661124B2 |
Organizing social activity information on a site
A system and method for organizing social activity information on a website is disclosed. The system comprises a feed serving module and a presentation module. The feed serving module is configured to receive one or more user inputs for one or more activities associated with the social activity information. The feed serving module aggregates the social activity information based at least in part on the one or more user inputs to form aggregated social activity information. The presentation module is communicatively coupled to the feed serving module and is configured to receive the aggregated social activity information from the feed serving module. The presentation module generates a graphic associated with the aggregated social activity information and sends the graphic to a client. |
| US08661122B2 |
Method for monitoring access networks
A technique enabling an access node to undertake more responsibility and render multicast streaming more effective by utilizing streaming service control messages SSCP which contain important information such as Quality of Experience or Quality of Service. The access node itself or in cooperation with a processing/monitoring entity may be enabled to analyze QOE data in SSCP report messages from different access network receivers, to identify specific receivers which encounter problems and to indicate the problems to the provider of the network. |
| US08661118B2 |
Detection of end-to-end transport quality
In various embodiments, methods and systems are disclosed for the real time detection of network conditions in conjunction with a remote presentation protocol. The link quality may represent the quality of the end-to-end connection between client and server with upper and lower bounds on the injection of additional traffic used for measurement. In some embodiments, the measurement technique may be selected based on the type of measurement that is desired. Accuracy may be maintained by selecting the type of measurement used based on current and previous network conditions. In one embodiment, a state model is used to determine the frequency of measurement and to determine when the measurements have produced a stable estimate of the link quality. |
| US08661115B2 |
Information communication apparatus
An object is to provide an information communication apparatus able to reliably transmit information to an intended site on a network and a program of the same. Before transmitting the information input from a key input portion (102) from a communication portion (101), it is judged based on registered content of an access list (107) whether or not the transmission of this input information is permitted. When this input information matches with the information included in the access list (107), and a URL address connected with the information matching with the input portion in the access list (107) differs from the address of the transmission destination of the input information, a warning screen is displayed in a display portion (105). |
| US08661113B2 |
Cross-cutting detection of event patterns
Embodiments of the present invention provide a method, system and computer program product for the detection of correlation rules in an enterprise computing monitoring and management system. In one embodiment of the invention, a method for detection of correlation rules can be provided. The method can include receiving events from multiple event sources, classifying the events according to a set of event attributes, determining a temporal proximity of occurrence of different classified events, further determining a frequency of occurrence of temporal proximity for particular classified events, and reporting a causal relationship between the particular classified events when the frequency of occurrence exceeds a threshold value. |
| US08661111B1 |
System and method for estimating prevalence of digital content on the world-wide-web
The present invention is a system, method and computer program product for tracking and measuring digital content that is distributed on a computer network such as the Internet. The system collects online advertisement data, analyzes the data, and uses the data to calculate measurements of the prevalence of those advertisements. The system processes raw traffic data by cleansing and summarizing the traffic data prior to storing the processed data in a database. An advertisement sampling system uses site selection and definition criteria and a probe map to retrieve Web pages from the Internet, extract advertisements from those Web pages, classify each advertisement, and store the data in a database. A statistical summarization system accesses the processed raw traffic data and the advertisement data in the database to calculate advertising prevalence statistics including the advertising frequency, impressions, and spending. |
| US08661103B2 |
Business application address determination
According to one general aspect, a method may comprise identifying a provider application that is associated with a consumer application, from amongst a plurality of provider applications hosted on a provider machine. In various embodiments, the identification may be based at least in part upon the provider application's business identifier (ID). In various embodiments, each provider application includes at least one web service. In some embodiments, the plurality of provider applications includes a plurality of instantiations of at least one of the web service. In various embodiments, the method may also include transmitting a message to one of the web services of the identified provider application. |
| US08661100B2 |
Methods, systems, and apparatus for determining and automatically programming network addresses for devices operating in a network
A method for configuring a network device includes activating a sensor of the network device to receive data. The data from the sensor is analyzed to determine physical location information indicated thereby. A network address is automatically assigned to the network device based on the physical location information indicated by the data from the sensor. Related methods, systems, and apparatus are also discussed. |
| US08661097B2 |
Service node, control method thereof, user node, and control method thereof
There is provided a service node that is capable of serving a first user node in a first network including a control node. The first network is capable of communicating with a second network including a second user node. The service node comprises: a request receiving unit that receives a first user identity that identifies the first user node and a second user identity that identifies the second user node; a determining unit that determines whether a received message includes the first user identity as a destination, or the message includes auxiliary information that corresponds to the first user identity; and a modifying unit that modifies the destination of the message to the second user identity and modifies the source of the message to the first user identity in accordance with the determination result by the determining unit. |
| US08661096B2 |
Collaborative editing in a video editing system
Included are embodiments of a method for collaborative editing. At least one embodiment includes receiving an indication to include at least one media effect with at least one media segment and sending at least one media attribute associated with the at least one media segment to a remote server. Some embodiments include receiving data related to at least one determined media effect, the at least one determined media effect being determined from the at least one media attribute. |
| US08661095B2 |
Identifying scripting form of text commands for a network device
In one example, a device includes a network interface configured to present a command interface to receive input comprising a command and an indicator, wherein the command conforms to an execution format and specifies one or more parameters to be applied during execution of the command, and wherein the indicator indicates, at least in part, that the command is not to be executed, and a control unit configured to reformat, based on the indicator, the command to conform to an extensible markup language (XML) format such that the reformatted command complies with a syntax supported by a script processing module of the network device and specifies the command and the one or more parameters in the XML format in a format that can be executed by the script processing module, and to output the reformatted command via the command interface. Thus, the device may provide XML formatted equivalents for commands. |
| US08661092B2 |
System and method for providing real-time data
A system and method for providing real-time data to a Rich Internet Application is disclosed. The graphical and networking features of RIA frameworks in conjunction with at least one real-time data server provides low-latency, real-time data applications in a web browser. In one embodiment, data is produced at a data source, propagated to a server, and collected at the server. A persistent connection is created from a RIA to the server, and the RIA is subscribed to the data, wherein the subscribed data comprises at least some of the data collected at the server, and wherein the server propagates the subscribed data to the RIA through the persistent connection as the data is collected at the server. |
| US08661089B2 |
VIOS cluster alert framework
In a data processing system including a virtual I/O server (VIOS) cluster and multiple logical partitions (LPARs), at least one VIOS of the VIOS cluster performs functions of: receiving first registration information from one or more entities within the VIOS cluster; registering, based on the first registration information, a handler associated with a first message type; responsive to receiving second registration information, registering, based on the second registration information, a listener associated with a second message type; receiving a first message associated with a first alert event of the cluster; determining, based on the first message, that the handler is associated with the first message type; and calling the handler. In one embodiment, the handler is associated with a pointer to a subroutine, and registering the handler includes storing the pointer in a data structure that associates the handler with the first message type. |
| US08661088B2 |
Mail object migration
A mail enabled object may be migrated from one hosting server to another by using a temporary buffer that may capture incoming mail during the migration operation. A new mail enabled object may be created and enabled on a target server, and the old mail object may be disabled and forwarded to a buffer that may collect incoming messages. While the buffer receives incoming messages, the contents of the old mail object may be copied to the new mail object. After verifying the transfer of the contents, the buffer may be released to forward any collected messages to the new mail object. The old mail object may then be cleaned up. The migration may be performed from one server to another, from one forest to another, and to and from a remotely hosted messaging service. |
| US08661087B2 |
Electronic communication reminder technology
Systems and methods concerning electronic communication reminder technology are disclosed. A receiving device having one or more processors and a memory storing one or more programs for execution by the one or more processors, receives a first electronic message addressed to a particular user, from a first sender, and in accordance with a determination that the particular user has not responded to the first electronic message, alerts the particular user, at a predefined time, to the first electronic message. The predefined time is determined based at least in part on response pattern data corresponding to one or more characteristics associated with the receiving device, the first electronic message, the particular user, or the first sender. |
| US08661085B2 |
Adaptation method and adapter apparatus based on multimedia messaging service
The present invention discloses a method and apparatus for adaptation based on the multimedia messaging service. The apparatus comprises: an integrity detecting unit for performing integrity detection for first multimedia message data to determine that the first multimedia message data is integrated; and a data import unit for import the first multimedia message data from a mobile storage apparatus into a terminal. The technical solution according to the present invention can prevent the destroyed multimedia message data from being imported into the terminal, which avoids abnormity occurring when the terminal starting a multimedia message application. |
| US08661082B2 |
Extracting previous messages from a later message
A message extraction system is described that extracts a previous message from a current message in a conversation thread. The message extraction system receives a current message and identifies a previous message candidate within the current message. The system determines a checksum of the previous message candidate and compares the determined checksum to a previously stored checksum of the previous message. If the two checksums match, the system extracts the previous message from the reply message rather than from the server. |
| US08661081B2 |
Method, apparatus and system for social networking
A method, apparatus and system for social networking is provided. In an embodiment, the system comprises a plurality of mobile devices that can directly connect to each other via a peer-to-peer connection. The devices can additionally connect a server. The server maintains a profile schema which can be used to generate profiles for users for each of the mobile devices. |
| US08661078B2 |
Application of unreliable transfer mechanisms
A method for improved application of unreliable transfer mechanisms. An application uses application data delivered in data packets that become accessible from a peer entity via at least two packet data transmission mechanisms. The application is configured with a predefined operational range for a predefined application-specific characteristic. If the predefined application-specific characteristic exceeds the predefined operational range, the packet data transmission mechanism is changed. The mechanism facilitates maintaining an application-specific service level even if unreliable transmission mechanisms are applied. |
| US08661075B2 |
Method and apparatus for serving episodic secondary content
Methods, apparatus, systems and computer program products are presented for providing episodic secondary content to a mobile device. The present aspects provide for: receiving at least one of the plurality of episodic secondary content items an episodic secondary content set and an episodic manifest, the episodic manifest including indexes coupling at least two episodic secondary content items from the episodic secondary content set, presenting an initial episodic secondary content item during a predetermined break in presentation of a primary content item, prompting a user to select an additional episodic secondary content item from the set, the plurality of episodic secondary content items coupled to the initial episodic secondary content item and determined by the episodic manifest, and receiving a user selection of the additional episodic secondary content item to be presented during a subsequent predetermined break in presentation of the primary content item. |
| US08661073B2 |
Synthetic environment character data sharing
Synthetic environment character data sharing is described, including retrieving data from a plurality of sources configured to store the data, the data being generated from an interaction between a character and a synthetic environment, generating a feed comprising dynamic content associated with the character and the synthetic environment, the feed being configured to present the data to one or more clients associated with the synthetic environment in substantially real time, transmitting the feed to the one or more clients, extracting the data from the feed and presenting the data on the one or more clients after being extracted from the feed. |
| US08661072B2 |
Shared parallel adder tree for executing multiple different population count operations
A shared parallel adder tree for executing multiple different population count operations on a single datum includes a number of carry-save adders (CSAs) and/or half adders (HAs), arranged in rows, where certain CSAs and HAs are dedicated to a single population count operation, while other CSAs and HAs are shared among two or more population count operations. The datum is applied to the first row in the tree. Partial sums of the number of ones at various locations within the tree are routed to certain CSAs and/or HAs “down” the tree to propagate the particular population count operations. Carry-propagate adders generate at least a portion of the final sum of the number of ones in certain population count operations. An “AND” operation on a particular number of the bits in the datum provides the high order bit of the resulting sum of the particular population count operation. |
| US08661065B2 |
Systems and methods for providing a data glossary management system
Provided is a computer system for translating business information and associating the translated business information with user-defined business terms in a processor executable data management system. The computer system comprises a computer readable storage media for providing a data store and a data management system for execution on one or more data processors for storing information relating to a plurality of user-generated business terms in accordance with a schema. The data management system also includes a user interface engine configured to provide a plurality of user interfaces. |
| US08661063B2 |
Versioned file system with sharing
A method of data sharing among multiple entities is provided. Each entity exports to a data store a structured data representation comprising a versioned file system local to that entity. The method begins by forming a sharing group that includes two or more entities. Sharing of the structured data representations by members of the sharing group is enabled. The filers use a single distributed lock to protect each version of the file system. This lock is managed to allow each filer access to the shared file system volume to create its new version. To share a fully-versioned file system, asynchronous updates at each of the filers is permitted, and each node is then allowed to “push” its individual changes to the store to form the next version of the file system. A mechanism also may be used to reduce the period during which filers in the group operate under lock. |
| US08661061B2 |
Data structure, data structure generation method, information processing apparatus, information processing system, and computer-readable storage medium having stored therein information processing program
A method for generating a tree-type data structure composed of a plurality of data strings includes the steps of: summing, with respect to a plurality of data strings classified in a parent node, the numbers of data types of data, respectively, at least one given string position in each of the plurality of data strings; and classifying, based on the numbers of the data types respectively summed at the at least one given string position in the summing step, the plurality of data strings into a plurality of child nodes, for the respective data types at a given string position. |
| US08661057B1 |
Methods and apparatus for post-search automated full-article retrieval
A system renders at least one content library in an organization region. The content library represents content that is accessible via a policy. The system receives a selection to obtain the content represented by the content library, and renders content information that represents a listing of the content contained within the content library. The content information is displayed within a listing region wherein the content may be accessible via the policy. The system downloads the content for which access has been granted via the policy. The content is downloaded from a content source provider. |
| US08661054B2 |
File management method and system
The invention provides a file management method and system for managing file retrieval and access. The method operates at the operating system level within a file system of a computer device and allows creating file move links upon detection of a file move request. The file move link associates the file source location with the file target location and is stored within a file move link table of the file system for subsequent file access request. File path to target location is automatically retrieved and file reached transparently for the user. |
| US08661049B2 |
Weight-based stemming for improving search quality
A technique including receiving a search query; identifying a first original query term based on the query; identifying a first expanded query term related to the first original query term; determining a first lexical distance between the first original query term and the first expanded query term; determining a first weight for the first expanded query term based on the determined first lexical distance; identifying a plurality of documents, from among a corpus of documents, as each relevant to the search query, the plurality of documents including a first document identified based on its inclusion of the first expanded query term; ranking the plurality of documents, with the ranking of the first document being based upon the calculated first weight; and generating a response to the search query identifying two or more of the plurality of documents, ordered according to the ranking. |
| US08661048B2 |
Crime investigation tool and method utilizing DNA evidence
Crime investigation systems and methods including an investigation tool for receiving and storing DNA information, attaching related case information, disconnecting identification information, matching the information against stored information, and generating and communicating reports of match results, and an interface in communication with the crime investigation tool for entering the related case information, updating the information, and receiving the reports. The systems and methods further provide evidence chain of custody tracking and real time entry and updating from the field. |
| US08661046B2 |
Using a content database to infer context information for activities from messages
Some embodiments of the present invention provide a system that infers activity-related context information from a message. Upon receiving the message, the system looks for activity-related keywords in the message, wherein the activity-related keywords are from a content database. If one or more activity-related keywords are found in the message, the system infers message-related context information from the one or more activity-related keywords. Next, the system uses the message-related context information to facilitate recommending an activity to a user. |
| US08661045B2 |
Determining potential relationships between individuals
A computer-implemented method for obtaining information corresponding to a first user. The computer-implemented method includes, obtaining information corresponding to a first user, accessing a database comprising information corresponding to a plurality of individuals, based on the information corresponding to a plurality of individuals. The method further includes determining whether a potential relationship exists between a first user and at least one of the plurality of individuals. |
| US08661040B2 |
Grid-based data clustering method
A grid-based data clustering method performed by a computer system includes a setup step, a dividing step, a categorizing step and an expanding/clustering step. The setup step sets a grid quantity and a threshold value. The dividing step divides a space containing a data set having a plurality of data points into a two-dimensional matrix. The matrix has a plurality of grids G(i,j) comprising a plurality of target sequences and a plurality of non-target sequences interlaced with the plurality of target sequences. The indices “i” and “j” of each grid G(i,j) represents the coordinate thereof. The categorizing step determines whether each of the grids is valid based on the threshold value. The expanding/clustering step respectively retrieves each of the grids of the target sequences, performs an expansion operation on each of the grids retrieved and clusters the plurality grids G(i,j). |
| US08661037B2 |
System and method for multithreaded text indexing for next generation multi-core architectures
A system and method for indexing documents in a data storage system includes generating a single document hash table in storage memory for a single document using an index construction in a multithreaded and scalable configuration wherein multiple threads are each assigned work to reduce synchronization between threads. The single document hash table includes partitioning the single document and indexing strings of partitioned portions of the single document to create a minor hash table for each document sub-part; generating a document level hash table from the minor hash tables; updating a stream level hash table for the strings which maps every string to a global identifier; and generating a term reordered array from the document level hash table. |
| US08661030B2 |
Re-ranking top search results
The claimed subject matter provides a system and/or a method that facilitates generating sorted search results for a query. An interface component can receive a query in a first language. A first ranker can be trained from a portion of data related to a second language. A second ranker can correspond to the first language, wherein the second ranker is untrained due to a limited amount of data related to the first language. A sorting component can invoke the first ranker to generate and order a pre-defined number of search results for the received query and subsequently invoke the second ranker to the pre-defined number of search results to generate a re-ordered number of search results in the first language for the received query. |
| US08661029B1 |
Modifying search result ranking based on implicit user feedback
Systems and techniques relating to ranking search results of a search query include, in general, subject matter that can be embodied in a computer-implemented method that includes determining a measure of relevance for a document result within a context of a search query for which the document result is returned, the determining being based on a first number in relation to a second number, the first number corresponding to longer views of the document result, and the second number corresponding to at least shorter views of the document result; and outputting the measure of relevance to a ranking engine for ranking of search results, including the document result, for a new search corresponding to the search query. The subject matter described in this specification can also be embodied in various corresponding computer program products, apparatus and systems. |
| US08661027B2 |
Vertical search-based query method, system and apparatus
Various embodiments of a method, system, and apparatus related to query based on vertical search are disclosed. In one aspect, a method of query based on vertical search receives a user query. The method obtains a first category model from a category model warehouse based on the user query to generate a first query result. The first category model includes one or more commodity categories that correspond to one or more keywords in the user query. The method also obtains one or more commodity categories corresponding to the user query from a commodity warehouse to generate a second query result. The method further generates a final query result by combining the first query result and the second query result. |
| US08661019B2 |
Join algorithms over full text indexes
According to one embodiment of the present invention, a method for processing join predicates in full-text indexes is provided. The method includes evaluating local predicates of an outer full text index to generate a first posting list of documents. For each document in the first posting list, the value of a join attribute is determined and an inner full text index is probed to obtain a second posting list of documents containing one of the join attributes determined for each document. Local predicates of an inner full text index are evaluated to generate a third posting list of documents, and the second posting list is merged with the third posting list to generate a merge list of documents. Documents in the first posting list may be paired up with documents in the merge list. |
| US08661015B2 |
Identification of name entities via search, determination of alternative searches, and automatic integration of data across a computer network for dynamic portal generation
A dynamic portal generation system includes an indexing module that indexes structured and unstructured data in a database. The database includes information residing in associated standalone applications having documents from information sources, and a name-entity repository that includes name entities and their corresponding name-entity types. A search module searches the information residing in the indexed information to obtain a search result. A name-entity extraction module extracts a matching name-entity that corresponds to a name-entity in the name-entity repository. A portal generation module dynamically generates a portal triggered by the search query. The portal generation module aggregates the search result by a type or a source to form search result segments, renders data extracted from the search result segments in corresponding formats, integrates relevant actions corresponding to search result segments and displays actionable portlets that enable the user to perform additional operations on the information residing in associated standalone applications. |
| US08661011B2 |
Managing file systems
A path request is generated by a secondary platform application, such as a word processor, and is received by invention. The path request may contain the location of a library required for the application to function, or a document saved previously by a user. The path request comprises a complete path for the requested file. The complete path is formatted for a file system and file structure for expected by the application.The elements of the path request, such as directories, disks, filenames, file types, etc. are analyzed by the invention in order to provide another complete path. The path provided by the invention is formatted for a different file system and file structure. The file pointed to by the path provided for the invention enables the secondary platform application to find and use the requested file. |
| US08661007B1 |
Enhanced search with user suggested search information
A method and system are disclosed for allowing a user to suggest information about content that can be utilized in processing subsequent searches. The suggested information may be different from a fixed set of information about an item, such as keywords, attributes, or characteristics of an item, generally provided by a manufacturer or seller of the item. Users can submit to a service the information that they feel is relevant to the item, such as a brief explanation of relevance and a detailed explanation that would help other users to make a decision about the item. The submitted information may be associated with the item information and stored in a data store and utilized as additional attributes of the item for a search. In addition, when a user requests detail information about an item, the user-submitted information may be displayed to the user. |
| US08661003B2 |
Policy performance in an information management system
In an information management system, policies are optimized before they are associated to a device in order to increase evaluation speed or reduce space requirements, or both. Optimization techniques may include common subexpression elimination, constant folding, constant propagation, comparison optimization, dead code or subexpression removal, map or lookup table generation, policy rewriting, redundant policy elimination, heuristic-based policy ordering, or policy-format transformation, and combinations of these. |
| US08660997B2 |
File system object-based deduplication
Systems and methods for optimizing deduplication in a data storage system are provided. The method comprises associating a first name with first data blocks including first content stored in a data storage system, wherein the first name is associated with the first data blocks by way of a reference to a first meta file that points to a data file which points to the first data blocks; storing a first signature derived from the first content in an indexing data structure, wherein the first signature is used to associate the first name with the first data blocks and as means to verify whether a second content is a duplicate of the first content, based on value of a second signature derived from the second content. |
| US08660995B2 |
Flexible event data content management for relevant event and alert analysis within a distributed processing system
Flexible event data content management for relevant event and alert analysis within a distributed processing system includes receiving, by an interface connector, a raw event from a component of the distributed processing system; analyzing custom data within the raw event to determine a location to store the custom data, the custom data in a first data format; storing extended data within the raw event in a common event data format, the extended data indicating the location of the custom data; receiving, by an event analyzer, the event; and determining whether there are custom customer rules that need the custom data; and if there are such custom customer rules, retrieving the custom data based on the extended data from the event; and applying the custom customer rules to the extended data; if there are no such custom customer rules, applying the base rules to a base portion of the event. |
| US08660994B2 |
Selective data deduplication
Data is selectively deduplicated such that portions of data suitable for deduplication are passed to a deduplication engine (1064) and stored in a first store (1072). |
| US08660990B2 |
Content reproduction system, content providing method, content reproduction apparatus, content providing apparatus, content reproduction program and content providing program
A content reproduction apparatus includes a communication unit that communicates with a content-providing apparatus. The content reproduction apparatus also includes a reproducing unit that reproduces content data. Further, the content reproduction apparatus includes a controller that transmits a request to the content-providing apparatus. The request indicates whether a data streaming reproduction service is available. The controller receives and reproduces a first one of an order of content data which is ordered by the content-providing apparatus based on the request. The controller also receives, after a determination that a second one of the order of content data exists, an attribute of the second one of the order of content data. |
| US08660989B2 |
Generic framework for application specific data exchange
Systems and methods to provide a generic framework for application specific data exchange are shown. In example embodiments a data container is received. The data container includes data saved to a master data system. The data container is buffered. At least one backup data system is determined based on attributes of the data container. A determination is made as to whether the at least one backup data system is available. When the at least one backup data system is available, the data container is forwarded to the at least one backup data system. |
| US08660988B2 |
Fine-grained and concurrent access to a virtualized disk in a distributed system
A method for updating a block on disk is provided. The method involves one or more clients committing log records to queues corresponding to blocks. The method further involves checkpointing, which includes obtaining a flushing lock on the queue by a client, receiving log records from the queue, applying the log records to a block on disk, and deleting the log records from the queue. A block on disk may be updated by first applying the log records from a queue to a locally cached version of the block corresponding to the queue. The locally cached version may then be stored on the disk replacing the original block on disk or being stored as a new version of the original block. |
| US08660986B2 |
Preserving user intent in merging ordered objects
Algorithms are provided to determine a final sequence of objects based on separating the objects from a base sequence and two derived sequences into common objects appearing in all three sequences and non-common objects missing from at least one of the sequences, then determining the final order of the common objects, and using the positioning of the non-common objects relative to the common objects in the original sequences. The final sequence represents changes made by the two derived sequences to the base sequence. |
| US08660985B2 |
Multi-dimensional OLAP query processing method oriented to column store data warehouse
A multi-dimensional OLAP query processing method oriented to a column store data warehouse is described. With this method, an OLAP query is divided into a bitmap filtering operation, a group-by operation and an aggregate operation. In the bitmap filtering operation, a predicate is first executed on a dimension table to generate a predicate vector bitmap, and a join operation is converted, through address mapping of a surrogate key, into a direct dimension table tuple access operation; in the group-by operation, a fact table tuple satisfying a filtering condition is pre-generated into a group-by unit according to a group-by attribute in an SQL command and is allocated with an increasing ID; and in the aggregate operation, group-by aggregate calculation is performed according to a group item of a fact table filtering group-by vector through one-pass column scan on a fact table measure attribute. |
| US08660981B2 |
System and method for hierarchical stream processing
A method, computer program product, and system for de-centralized stream processing is provided. The method may include providing a plurality of processing nodes each of said processing nodes configured to transmit and receive a stream of data. The method may also include providing a genome including a hierarchical set of tasks that represent a hierarchical functional decomposition of one or more problem scenarios. The method may further include identifying, at each of the processing nodes, one or more tasks for a first genome level. The method may additionally include differentiating, at one or more of the plurality of processing nodes, into one or more tasks, based upon, at least in part, the first genome level. The method may further include grouping a plurality of the processing nodes together to achieve a power level. The method may also include activating a second genome level once the power level has been reached. The method may further include repeating until one or more of the nodes differentiates into a further genome level. |
| US08660980B2 |
Monitoring system using kernel regression modeling with pattern sequences
A monitoring system for determining the condition of an object includes an empirical model with reference data that indicates the normal operational state of the object, and input pattern arrays. Each input pattern array has a plurality of time-ordered input vectors, while each input vector has input values representing a plurality of parameters indicating the current condition of the object. The empirical model generates estimate values based on a calculation that uses an input pattern array and the reference data to determine a similarity measure between the input values and reference data. A differencing module compares the estimates values to the corresponding input values so that resulting values from the comparison can be used to determine the condition of the object. |
| US08660977B2 |
Knowledge discovery tool relationship generation
A system for managing a knowledge model defining a plurality of entities is provided. The system includes an extraction tool for extracting data items from disparate data sources that determines if the data item has been previously integrated into the knowledge model. The system also includes an integration tool for integrating the data item into the knowledge model that integrates the data item into the knowledge model only if the data item has not been previously integrated into the knowledge model. Additionally, a relationship tool for identifying, automatically, a plurality of relationships between the plurality of entities may also be provided. The system may also include a data visualization tool for presenting the plurality of entities and the plurality of relationships. |
| US08660972B1 |
System and method to provide a customized problem solving environment for the development of user thinking about an arbitrary problem
Preferred embodiments of the invention provide a customized or specialized environment to facilitate customized development of thinking about a problem or inquiry based project. |
| US08660971B2 |
System and method for detecting respiratory insufficiency in the breathing of a subject
Respiratory insufficiency is detected by classifying preliminary breaths identified through a capnogram as being valid or artifact. Individual breaths are classified as being valid or artifact by determining values of a plurality of breathing parameters for a given breath, inferring a value for a key parameter from the determined values for the plurality of breathing parameters, and comparing the inferred value for the key parameter to a predetermined threshold. |
| US08660969B1 |
Training dependency parsers by jointly optimizing multiple objectives
A plurality of highest intrinsically-ranked parser outputs are scored using an extrinsic metric that is relevant to one or more downstream applications. The parser can be trained by using an extrinsically highly-ranked parse selected from among the intrinsically highly-ranked parses. The selected parse need not be the highest intrinsically-ranked parse. In this way, a parser can be trained to produce better results for downstream applications. |
| US08660968B2 |
Remote chemical assay classification
A portable device for remote chemical assay classification, comprising a computer processor, and an apparatus implemented on the computer processor, the apparatus comprising: an out-of-sample data receiver, configured to receive data defining an out-of-sample extension extracted on a remote computer from classifying test assays of a chemical reaction on the remote computer into at least two groups, and an assay classifier, in communication with the out-of-sample data receiver, configured to classify a new assay of the chemical reaction into one of the groups, using the data defining the out-of-sample extension. |
| US08660963B2 |
Contents copying management system, copying management device, copying management method, contents copying apparatus and contents copying method
The present invention can reliably prevent the contents of a recording medium from being illegally copied but allow them to be copied only for the purpose of personal use. The invention takes out title identifying information and medium identifying information of a DVD loaded on a hard-disk-containing DVD player and transmits those pieces of information to management server along with the apparatus identifying information of the hard-disk-containing DVD player so as to enquire about copying prohibition flag for a copying operation and control copying of the recorded contents of the DVD according to the copying prohibition flag. Thus, the invention prohibits copying when the management server judges that copying of the contents of the DVD by means of the hard-disk-containing DVD player is illegal, whereas it allows copying when the management server judges that copying of the contents of the DVD by means of the hard-disk-containing DVD player is for the purpose of personal use. |
| US08660958B2 |
Method and system for the supply of data, transactions and electronic voting
A method and system for supply of data, including generating a first digital certificate referred (empowerment certificate) signed with a first signing entity's electronic signature. The empowerment certificate includes attributes of the described entity, information identifying the first signing entity, indication of data relating to the described entity, indication of a source of the data, and identification of a relying entity to which the data can be supplied. The relying entity forwards the empowerment certificate to a source supplying the data indicated in the empowerment certificate. The data may be supplied to the relying entity by a second digital certificate (custom certificate), signed with a second signing entity's electronic signature. Custom certificates may appear in custom certificate revocation lists. A system and method for transfer of ownership of electronic property from a first entity to a second entity, and a method and system for electronic voting are also provided. |
| US08660956B2 |
Method and system for processing financial instrument deposits physically remote from a financial institution
A system that includes computer hardware, computer software, apparatus, and methodology that enables individuals, businesses, and all types of organizations (both for profit and non-profit) to capture and securely transmit check images (including, but not limited to, personal checks, business checks, travelers checks, money orders, merchant coupons, food coupons, line of credit checks, etc.), deposit information, and other information from remote locations (i.e., locations that could include the financial institution's remote locations, other financial institution's locations, businesses, private residences, etc.), for the purpose of having those checks credited to the depositing individual's or organization's bank account(s) and having the check images (and/or physical checks) entered into the bank check clearing channels for ultimate delivery to the maker bank for payment out of the maker's account. |
| US08660955B2 |
Method and apparatus for consumer driven protection for payment card transactions
Method and apparatus for facilitating a commercial transaction between an account holder and a merchant. The account holder has an account that is associated with respective account information. The account information includes at least one criterion for pre-authorizing a transaction. When the consumer initiates a purchase transaction, a transaction approval request is generated which includes information relating to the commercial transaction. A purchase approval entity compares the received transaction approval request to the account information to determine whether the at least one criterion for pre-authorizing the transaction is satisfied. The transaction approval request is denied when a determination is made that the at least one criterion for pre-authorizing the transaction is not satisfied. |
| US08660952B1 |
System and method for improved remote deposit user support
Systems and methods for improved remote deposit support and troubleshooting are disclose. In remote deposit sessions, such as a remote check deposit transaction that uses images of the front and back of a check, various errors, conflicts and issues can occur with each step of the session. Embodiments of the present invention can include generating a unique identifier for a particular remote deposit session at or before a particular session or transaction begins and then create a record for each event or task of that session and associate it with the identifier. During a support or troubleshooting session, all transactions can records associated with a particular identifier can be retrieved from a data store and displayed to a user. Such a display can include a listing of various detailed specifics for each record and embedded controls to various tools for detecting, diagnosing, and correcting errors. |
| US08660951B2 |
Presenting offers on a mobile communication device
Systems, methods, and computer program products provide for presentation of product offers in conjunction with a live video stream that includes images of the product or images associated with the product. The invention identifies products located proximate to a mobile communication, for example using real-time object recognition techniques, product codes, wireless communication or the like to identify products. Once the products are identified, related offers are determined and offer indicators are presented proximate to the location of the image in the live video stream. |
| US08660950B2 |
System and method for bill pay with credit card funding
An Internet based bill payment system and method is provided that allows a consumer to push payments and/or information to any payee from the consumer's credit card account. One embodiment of the invention allows the customer to make a payment to any payee from an enterprise credit card or any other credit account of the enterprise, referred to as “Bill Pay advance.” One embodiment of the invention is provided which allows an enterprise's consumer credit card customers to sign up for and use the enterprise's bill pay advance system, whether or not the consumer has a demand deposit account (DDA) account. The invention allows the customer to designate either source of funds for payment and for any payee they choose to pay. One embodiment of the invention offers an interchange push methodology with customer choice of the payment source of funds and intelligent routing. |
| US08660945B1 |
Method and system for identifying small businesses and small business operators
A method and system for identifying small businesses and/or small business operators includes a process for identifying small businesses and/or small business operators whereby financial transaction data for one or more consumers is obtained from one or more sources. The one or more consumers' financial transaction data is then analyzed to identify financial transactions typically associated with ownership and/or management of a business, i.e., business management related transactions. If more than a threshold number of business management related transactions associated with a given consumer are identified, that consumer is identified as a potential small business owner and/or manager. |
| US08660944B2 |
Systems and methods to select a credit migration path for a consumer
According to some embodiments, supplemental information about a consumer is determined, the consumer being associated with a first level of credit availability. One of a plurality of potential credit migration paths may then be selected for the consumer based on the supplemental information. Each potential credit migration path may, for example, begin at the first level of credit availability, include a plurality of intermediate credit products, and end at a level of credit availability higher than the first level. An offer for an intermediate credit product may then be transmitted to the consumer based on the selected credit migration path. |
| US08660943B1 |
Methods and systems for financial transactions
Relationship banking and mobile banking are discussed and presented here. In Section 1, we present Pre-approval, Fulfillment, and Application Process. In Section 2, we present Financial Products for Protection of Consumers. In Section 3, we present Relationship-Based Score. In Section 4, we present Application of Credit Report for a “Binding” Pre-Approval for Lending Products. In Section 5, we present Deposit Slip Purchase. In Section 6, we present Reducing Frauds on Credit Cards. We also discuss the system and components, with different variations on system and method, or their designs. Sections 7-9 discuss other applications and examples. |
| US08660942B2 |
Loan management system and methods
A system for managing loans and loan leads is described. The loan and loan lead management system features software and hardware that permit loan applications to be received, submitted, and processed in an automated electronic process while also generating leads based on loan applicants whose loan applications are rejected or withdrawn that may be sold to other lenders. Another module of the system's software permits loan applicant information to be cross-checked against databases containing details concerning defaulted borrowers to enhance the ability of lenders to engage in collection efforts against debtors. The system may also be installed at a retail location to provider store-level loan application submission and processing that can generate resalable leads that can be transmitted by a system administrator to lead purchasers. |
| US08660938B2 |
Distribution of electronic market data
A system and method are provided that, among other things, can reduce the burden on receiving computers, increase data throughput, reduce system failure, and provide components of a scalable and flexible network architecture. Specifically, the system and method provide a multichannel-multicast network environment for use in dynamically assigning data to channels. This configuration is particularly useful in a trading network environment, as it effectively performs channel reassignments in a way not to disturb the receipt of the underlying data. While the example embodiments described herein pertain to electronic trading, the principles of the present invention may be equally applied in other environments where the advantages presented herein are beneficial. |
| US08660937B1 |
Method, apparatus and system for advancing a bidder to a selected rank
Techniques for determining a suggested bid value that surpasses a selected bid are disclosed. A user selectable facility is provided. In response to receiving a selection event associated with the user selectable facility: (1) the value of the selected bid, which is other than the first ranked bid value, is established; (2) the suggested bid value is calculated by applying a predetermined minimum differential value to the selected bid value; and (3) the suggested bid value is conveyed to a user. |
| US08660928B2 |
Systems and methods for controlling portfolios
Systems and methods are disclosed which relate to the management of asset invested in a fund. The system includes a computer connected to a network which has constantly updated fund data available to compare a current fund with a plurality of possible new funds. The system automatically transfers from one fund to another according to user predetermined criteria. |
| US08660927B2 |
Collateralized loans with periodic draws subject to a triggering event
This document describes techniques for implementing a collateralized loan with periodic draws subject to a triggering event. These techniques include receiving funds from a client and establishing a credit line collateralized by the funds. The techniques may further include periodically dispensing an amount from the credit line upon occurrence of a predetermined event (e.g., the client's attainment of a certain age) and until death of the client. At the death of the client, any remaining funds may then be released to, for example, the client's estate. |
| US08660922B2 |
Methods, systems, and computer readable media for peer-to-peer third party distribution of gift cards and peer-to-peer transaction routing therefor
Methods, systems, and computer readable media for peer-to-peer third party distribution of gift cards and associated transaction processing are disclosed. In one method, a peer-to-peer gift card transaction router and a peer-to-peer gift card transaction database are configurable to facilitate peer-to-peer transaction processing for gift cards issued by a gift card provider and distributed by a third party seller where the gift card provider and the third party seller negotiate an agreement with each other regarding gift card distribution. A record is created in the database corresponding to the agreement. When a gift card transaction occurs, the record in the database is accessed and used to communicate notification of the gift card transaction from the gift card provider to the third party seller. |
| US08660919B2 |
Method for monitoring and reporting changes in the value of real estate
This invention discloses a process involving automatic notification to interested individuals of current real estate values. The process consists of a monitoring service entity, external data source, and end-user. The disclosed embodiments include a process whereby parties can be directly notified of real estate values or alternatively may initiate contact with the monitoring entity to receive data. |
| US08660917B2 |
Multipoint billing quality control and certification
A device is provided that includes a processor to: receive current billing information associated with an account of a customer; receive prior billing information associated with the account; compare the current billing information with the prior billing information; determine whether an inaccuracy exists in the current billing information based on the comparison; determine whether an inaccuracy exists in the current billing information due to improperly applied promotional information to the account; determine whether an inaccuracy exists in the current billing information due to an improperly applied set of rules to the account; correct, when one or more inaccuracies exist in the current billing information; the one or more inaccuracies; and create a final bill for the account based on the current billing information and the corrected one or more inaccuracies. |
| US08660914B2 |
Control of supply networks and verification of items
Methods and systems for use in enabling verification by entities on a path across a supply network of an item identification means traversing said path, the network comprising: at least one supplier entity able to introduce into the network an item identification means having stored therein an item identifier and a digital signature associated with said supplier entity, and to forward said item identification means along a path across said network; at least one intermediate entity able to receive said item identification means from said at least one supplier entity or from another intermediate entity in said network and forward said item identification means along said path; and at least one receiver entity able to receive said item identification means from an intermediate entity in said network. |
| US08660910B1 |
System for enabling electronic catalog users to create and share research data
Comparative decision systems and methods are disclosed for gathering and mining data representative of purchase decisions. One disclosed comparative decision system detects when a user is comparing items and provides the user with the ability to create a research note storing comparative information for the alternative items. The system displays information about items according to a variety of factors. The user can customize the factors and enter information for each alternative item according to the various factors. Some information may be pre-populated by the system. The research note may be made visible to other users, and may be suggested to another user based on the note's expected helpfulness and relevance to that user. One disclosed method for mining data stored within research notes identifies which factors are given higher relative priorities by users considering a purchase. Another mining method analyzes the effects of price changes on item popularity. |
| US08660903B1 |
Method and apparatus for placing interactive retail orders
A method and apparatus for providing local retailers, e.g., local restaurants, a network based interactive ordering service are disclosed. The network based interactive ordering service enables local retailers to display their menu online so that electronic orders can be placed by a subscriber of the network. If a selected item is not available, the network informs the subscriber in real time and alternative selections are displayed to the subscribers. The payment for the retail order is charged against the subscriber's network account, credit card account, or prepaid account. The approximate pick up or delivery time is also given to the subscriber at the end of the ordering process. |
| US08660901B2 |
Matching of advertising sources and keyword sets in online commerce platforms
Providing online advertisements includes selecting, among a plurality of advertising sources provided by a seller, a selected plurality of advertising sources that meet a predefined condition; generating a plurality of keyword sets that correspond to the selected plurality of advertising sources; establishing a programming model according to a set of predefined constraints, wherein the programming model represents match of the selected plurality of advertising sources and the plurality of keyword sets; and determining a substantially optimal match between at least some of the plurality of advertising sources and the plurality of keyword sets by solving the programming model. |
| US08660898B2 |
System and method for determining locations for placement of printed promotional material at point-of-purchase on a retail structure
A system and method of determining point-of-purchase placement locations for printed promotional materials on a retail structure includes loading, by a processing device from a database, data representative of a retail structure; determining a plurality of advertisement placement locations on the retail structure; determining a point-of-placement priority value for each of the plurality of advertisement placement locations; receiving an advertising campaign comprising data representing a plurality of advertising campaign items, each item including an associated item priority value; determining a location on the retail structure for each of the advertising campaign items based upon the item priority values and the point-of-placement priority values; and providing a report to an operator of the retail structure indicating where each of the advertising campaign items is to be displayed on the retail structure. |
| US08660897B2 |
Near-field communication enabled wearable apparel garment and method to capture geospatial and socially relevant data of a wearer of the wearable apparel garment and/or a user of a reader device associated therewith
A method includes providing, through a server device, a number of wearable apparel garments to an entity and monitoring readings of near-field communication tags associated with the number of wearable apparel garments procured from the entity through a number of reader devices of a corresponding number of another human mammals. The method also includes transmitting a profile information of the human mammal wearing the wearable apparel garment to the reader device of the another human mammal and/or a geospatial information of the reader device to the server device configured to collect information from the number of reader devices. Further, the method includes obtaining, through the server device and/or another server device, information related to market intelligence based on the transmitted profile information and/or the geospatial information. |
| US08660895B1 |
Method and system for rating of out-of-home digital media network based on automatic measurement
The present invention is a method and system for producing a set of ratings for out-of-home media based on the measurement of behavior patterns and demographics of the people in a digital media network. The present invention captures a plurality of input images of the people in the vicinity of sampled out-of-home media in a digital media network by a plurality of means for capturing images, and tracks each person. The present invention processes the plurality of input images in order to analyze the behavior and demographics of the people. The present invention aggregates the measurements for the behavior patterns and demographics of the people, analyzes the data, and extracts characteristic information based on the estimated parameters from the aggregated measurements. Finally, the present invention calculates a set of ratings based on the characteristic information. The plurality of computer vision technologies can comprise face detection, person tracking, body parts detection, and demographic classification of the people, on the captured visual information of the people in the vicinity of the out-of-home media. |
| US08660887B2 |
Method for visual presentation of key performance indicators of a business utilizing a squarified tree map including selectively displaying additional node data
In the process disclosed herein, data representing key performance indicators of a business are displayed by computer means as a squarified tree map containing major and minor nodes. Relative size, position, color and intensity of color of the node are used to form a display particularly appealing to the perceptive, intuitive, rather than cognitive, interpretive, processes of the human mind; thus enables users, such as managers of the business, to quickly assess the relative importance of large amounts of business data and thereby prioritize managerial action that may be necessary. Increasingly detailed information underlying each node may be displayed by panning over and zooming through a number linked displays, each of which may contain underlying, parallel and otherwise related data, thereby assist the user identify the specific cause or causes of a desirable or undesirable performance deviation. |
| US08660884B2 |
Method and system for estimating demand impact on a firm under crisis
Market demand is estimated for a firm under crisis, beginning with an operational demand forecast of a firm as input, correcting that forecast to account for the impact of a pandemic or other extraordinary market-disrupting circumstance, and providing a corrected operational demand forecast as output. The correction to account for the impact of an extraordinary market-disrupting circumstance is based on an estimated economic impact of the disruption and an estimated reduction of the firm's sales force attributable to the disruption. |
| US08660880B2 |
System and method for workflow enabled link activation
Embodiments of the invention provide a method and system for network-based workflow enabled project management that allows trade gateways to be established between a business entity and one or more trading partners. Embodiments of the invention facilitate, through the use of computer networks-based interfaces, the stages of assessment planning and assessing the readiness of partners, implementing the trade gateways, testing the gateways and migrating the gateways to production. Embodiments of the invention provide efficient on-boarding with a participant collaboration system, a consolidated view of readiness data of participants and activation schedules. A system embodying the invention also provides real-time reports with details of participant readiness assessment, integration plans, individual process implementation schedules for complete on-boarding status, and project management functionality comprising workflow alert capabilities. |
| US08660879B2 |
Method for processing a linked list of time segments
An appointment scheduling method and associated user interface wherein an overview of appointments of a patient, an overview of the agendas of involved resources and details on an instantiated appointment are displayed on a single screen permitting verification and confirmation of an instantiated appointment by the user. |
| US08660876B2 |
Document management system
The method, system and a computer program and a computer product for managing workers and documents is provided. The method includes storing industry representations and a list of workers with data related to the workers, linking the industry representations to the workers and selecting at least one worker from based on the industry representations for that worker. The method also includes scheduling workers to a job based on whether they have all of the required industry representations. In addition, the method includes uploading industry representations and bar code scanning industry representations into the database. The method further includes dispatching said industry representations to other users and automatically mapping fields of the dispatched data in the destination database. In addition, the method includes selectively encrypting only sensitive fields in data transmission between two entities. |
| US08660872B1 |
Systems and method for prioritizing real estate opportunities in a lead handling system based on lead quality and opportunity scores
Systems and methods for facilitating identification and prioritization of opportunities for marketers of goods and services. According to one aspect of the disclosed system, upon identification of one or more opportunities for a marketer, the system verifies whether or not the one or more opportunities satisfy certain preexisting threshold criteria. Those opportunities that satisfy certain preexisting threshold criteria are then scored, prioritized and presented to marketers. The disclosed system generates opportunity scores by analyzing various kinds of lead- and non-lead-based information and data. Aspects of the disclosed system are communicably coupled to marketers, leads, and third party information services to extract such information and data. |
| US08660870B2 |
Method and system for modeling a call center transformation process
A computer-implemented method, system and program product for modeling a business transformation process. In accordance with one embodiment, a transformation modeling tool receives as input multiple operational resource values associated with a specified transformation process. The operational resource values include at least one value expressed as a labor resource metric and at least one value expressed as a technology resource metric. The modeling tool comparatively processes the operational resource values with respect to one or more target operational resource values. Responsive to the comparative processing step, a cost value associated with the specified transformation process is generated. |
| US08660865B2 |
System and method for processing data related to life insurance policies issued prior to underwriting
A computer system for administering applications for life insurance has a processor and a memory storage device in communication with the processor. The processor is configured to receive data indicative of an application and an initial premium payment from a proposed insured for life insurance; based on the received data, determine whether the proposed insured is uninsurable; responsive to a determination that the proposed insured is not uninsurable, generate an output signal having data indicative of a decision to respond to the application by issuing a policy and commencing a comprehensive underwriting process; receive data indicative of a result of the comprehensive underwriting process; based on the result of the comprehensive underwriting process, determine a rating of the proposed insured; and, based on the rating, provide an output signal indicative of a same or changed premium for the policy. |
| US08660863B2 |
Methods of offering and providing a variable life insurance product
A variable universal life insurance product that includes a death benefit and associated investment vehicles is selectively offered. A life insurance policy chassis is provided by an insurance company to an asset manager. The asset manager combines the life insurance policy chassis with one or more associated investment vehicles managed by the asset manager to form a variable universal life insurance product. The asset manager selectively makes the insurance product available to respective clients of the asset manager. The insurance company providing service for the death benefit and the asset manager providing service for the associated investment vehicles. |
| US08660862B2 |
Determination of healthcare coverage using a payment account
Healthcare insurance coverage is determined using an account within a payment processing system. A transmission addressed to the payment processing system is formed including an account number of an account associated with the payment processing system, a description of a healthcare related commodity rendered to a patient deriving healthcare insurance through an insured, and request for a specification of financial responsibility of the insured for the described said healthcare related commodity. A transmission is received from the payment processing system including the requested specification of financial responsibility. |
| US08660859B1 |
Systems and methods for executing an electronic pharmacy program that requires access to an electronic medical record
In a pharmacy computing network, executing an electronic pharmacy program that requires access to an electronic medical record (EMR) may include determining that the execution of the pharmacy program requires data that is accessible via an EMR of a patient. The EMR may be stored in a different computing network that supports a protocol different than a protocol supported by the pharmacy network. A request for the EMR data may be generated by pharmacy network using a first protocol. A response to the request that includes the EMR data may be received by the pharmacy network using the first protocol, where the EMR data was accessed by the different network using a second protocol. The electronic pharmacy program may be executed using the EMR data included in the response. The first protocol may be based on an NCPDP standard, and the second protocol may be based on an HL7 protocol. |
| US08660853B2 |
Application infrastructure platform (AIP)
Disclosed is an application infrastructure platform (AIP) having an application service provider (ASP) environment including multiple ASP systems providing application services to customers, and a common services environment including hardware and software and management systems providing to the ASP systems applications and integrated application, back-office, and management services used by the ASP systems in delivering their application services to their customers. In another aspect, the AIP is associated with a development and test bed environment which conducts product and service development and testing. |
| US08660850B2 |
Method for the semi-automatic editing of timed and annotated data
A method for editing timed and annotated data includes acquiring a multimedia data stream; performing a decoding operation upon the multimedia data stream, wherein the decoded data stream comprises a textual data stream; synchronizing the multimedia data stream and the decoded data stream by performing a time stamping operation upon the data streams; editing the decoded data stream; and realigning the time stamp data of the edited decoded data stream in order to synchronize the edited decoded data with the multimedia data stream. |
| US08660848B1 |
Methods and systems for detection from and analysis of physical signals
In the method of these teachings for detection of physical phenomena from or analysis of physical signals, an improved Empirical Mode Decomposition method decomposes physical signals representative of a physical phenomenon into components. |
| US08660846B2 |
User speech interfaces for interactive media guidance applications
A user speech interface for interactive media guidance applications, such as television program guides, guides for audio services, guides for video-on-demand (VOD) services, guides for personal video recorders (PVRs), or other suitable guidance applications is provided. Voice commands may be received from a user and guidance activities may be performed in response to the voice commands. |
| US08660840B2 |
Method and apparatus for predictively quantizing voiced speech
A method and apparatus for predictively quantizing voiced speech includes a parameter generator and a quantizer. The parameter generator is configured to extract parameters from frames of predictive speech such as voiced speech, and to transform the extracted information to a frequency-domain representation. The quantizer is configured to subtract a weighted sum of the parameters for previous frames from the parameter for the current frame. The quantizer is configured to quantize the difference value. A prototype extractor may be added to first extract a pitch period prototype to be processed by the parameter generator. |
| US08660839B2 |
System and method for leaving and transmitting speech messages
A system for leaving and transmitting speech messages automatically analyzes input speech of at least a reminder, fetches a plurality of tag informations, and transmits speech message to at least a message receiver, according to the transmit criterions of the reminder. A command or message parser parses the tag informations at least including at least a reminder ID, at least a transmitted command and at least a speech message. The tag informations are sent to a message composer for being synthesized into a transmitted message. A transmitting controller controls a device switch according to the reminder ID and the transmitted command, to allow the transmitted message send to the message receiver via a transmitting device. |
| US08660834B2 |
User input classification
Systems and methods of classifying user input are disclosed. The user input can be, for example, in the form of Roman characters. An ambiguous word (e.g., a word that is a non-pinyin word written in Roman characters and a valid pinyin word) can be identified in the user input. Contextual words (e.g., words adjacent to the ambiguous word) are classified as a pinyin context or a non-pinyin context. The ambiguous word is classified based on the context of the contextual words. |
| US08660833B2 |
Method, computer program product and apparatus for providing an interactive network simulator
An apparatus for providing an interactive network simulator may include processing circuitry configured to at least perform receiving an indication of messages or responses exchanged between a testing platform simulating one or more external systems and a system under test, storing data corresponding to the indications received, and providing for a visual display of information related to the indications received to a user interacting with the testing platform. A corresponding method and computer program product are also provided. |
| US08660830B2 |
Machine emulator methods
Emulator computer program methods using an emulator module are disclosed. A computer program method includes a computer usable medium having computer readable program code for emulating a process of a machine having actuators and mechanical elements. The computer readable program code includes computer readable code instructions configured to display a graphical user interface having input fields corresponding to the actuators and mechanical elements, and to display a graphical representation of output response data of the machine using inputted parameters. Computer readable code instructions for receiving a plurality of parameters inputted into the plurality of input fields, and for emulating a mechanical operation of the machine using the plurality of parameters inputted into the plurality of input fields by simulating the programmable logic controller code are included. Output response data based on an emulation of the mechanical operation of the machine is generated and displayed. |
| US08660826B2 |
Method for determining ascending times in a diving computer, a diving computer and a computer program
A diving computer, a computer program, and a method for determining ascent time in a diving computer. Determining ascent time is accomplished by initially receiving initial data on the available gases and measuring the prevailing pressure and diving time. Then, based on information received in connection with the initial data, the gases are divided into at least primary (A) and secondary (B) gases, and an optimal dive plan is calculated based on the initial data of the primary gases (A), the prevailing pressure, and a surfacing model. |
| US08660825B2 |
Methods and systems for modeling a physical object
Methods and systems for modeling a porous physical object for layered manufacturing are provided. A model of an object includes geometric and material porosity models, each of which are divided into two-dimensional layer representations. Each two-dimensional layer represents a cross-section of the geometric model and material porosity model of the object, respectfully. The material porosity layer representations specify a material porosity variation for the layer. Geometric and material porosity contours of the model are created by iso-Z surface extraction for each layer. Using the contours, a boundary constrained line representation of each two-dimensional layer representation is generated using continuous space-filling fractal curves to characterize the material porosity variation for each two-dimensional layer. |
| US08660821B2 |
Designing utility networks for a geographic area
A method for use in designing a utility network to provide a utility to a geographic area. A computer system determines a demand point within the geographic area at which to provide the utility. The computer system also determines a source point to provide the utility to the utility network. A connection path through the geographic area is determined, connecting the source point to the demand point. In addition, a bill of materials may be generated, indicating a set of equipment required to convey the utility from the source point to the demand point along the determined connection path. |
| US08660820B2 |
Distortion cancellation using adaptive linearization
An adaptive distortion reduction system comprising: an input interface to receive a distorted signal comprising a distorted component and an undistorted component, the distorted component being at least in part attributed to an exogenous signal; and an adaptive distortion reduction module coupled to the input interface, to perform linearization based at least in part on the distorted signal and information associated with the exogenous signal, to obtain a corrected signal that is substantially similar to the undistorted component; wherein the adaptive self-linearization module includes: a first digital signal processor (DSP) that is adapted to obtain a filter transfer function that approximates a transfer function to be corrected; and a second DSP that is configured using configuration parameters of the first DSP. |
| US08660817B2 |
Hardware test and diagnosis system and method
There is provided a hardware test and diagnosis system including a diagnostic computer and a cellular communication device. The cellular communication device includes a peripheral chipset on a circuit board and a cellular baseband controller on the circuit board, wherein the cellular baseband controller is configured to execute an agent software on the circuit board. The agent software is configured to communicate with the diagnostic computer, the agent software further configured to communicate with the peripheral chipset, and provide a virtual communication channel between the diagnostic computer and the peripheral chipset. |
| US08660816B2 |
Method, system, and computer program product for determining a hang state and distinguishing a hang state from an idle state
A system, method, and computer program product are described for distinguishing between a computing system that is hung in a hang state and systems that are in an idle or otherwise non-hang state which do not need intervention before regaining the ability to adequately process work. According to some approaches, heuristics are employed to perform hang and idle system detection and validation. Data representative of systems resources are analyzed and transformed in order to identify systems that are in a hang state. |
| US08660814B2 |
Package management system for tracking shipment and product integrity
A product integrity tracking shipping label includes a label body for attaching to a product to be shipped or to packaging containing the product. One or more movement monitoring configured with the label body detects a movement metric of the product. A microprocessor configured with the label body and in communication with the one or more movement monitoring devices time-tags the movement metric when the movement metric exceeds a pre-selected threshold. A product integrity tracking system includes a movement monitoring device with one or more sensors for attachment to a product or packaging containing the product. The movement monitoring device senses at least one movement event during handling of the product. A processor compares the movement event with a pre-selected event threshold, and time-tags and stores above-threshold movement events in a memory. Information in the memory is readable via an interrogation device during shipment or at product delivery. |
| US08660812B2 |
Methods for calibrating over-the-air path loss in over-the-air radio-frequency test systems
Calibration equipment for calibrating multiple test stations in a test system is provided. Each test station may include a test unit, a test chamber with an over-the-air antenna, and a radio-frequency (RF) cable that connects the test unit to the test chamber. Reference devices under test (DUTs) may be used to calibrate uplink and downlink path loss (e.g., OTA path loss, RF cable path loss, and variations of the test unit) associated with each test station. The reference DUTs may calibrate each test station at desired frequencies to generate a path loss table. Once calibrated, the test chambers may be used during production testing to test factory DUTs. During production testing, the transmit/receive power efficiency of each factory DUT may be calculated based on values in the path loss table to determine whether a particular production DUT is a passing or failing DUT according to pass/fail criteria. |
| US08660811B2 |
Estimating bit error rate performance of signals
A system for estimating bit error rates (BER) may include using a normalization factor that scales a BER to substantially normalize a Q-scale for a distribution under analysis. A normalization factor may be selected, for example, to provide a best linear fit for both right and left sides of a cumulative distribution function (CDF). In some examples, the normalized Q-scale algorithm may identify means and probabilistic amplitude(s) of Gaussian jitter contributors in the dominant extreme behavior on both sides of the distribution. For such contributors, means may be obtained from intercepts of both sides of the CDF(Qnorm(BER) with the Q(BER)=0 axis, standard deviations (sigmas) may be obtained from reciprocals of slopes of best linear fits, and amplitudes may be obtained directly from the normalization factors. In an illustrative example, a normalized Q-scale algorithm may be used to accurately predict bit error rates for sampled repeating or non-repeating data patterns. |
| US08660809B2 |
Method for accurate battery run time estimation utilizing adaptive offset values
A disclosed method comprises calibrating adaptive offset values in an open-circuit voltage lookup table, a temperature lookup table, and an age lookup table, and then determining a present charge of the battery utilizing an open-circuit voltage of the battery and a temperature of the battery, determining a low-voltage-alarm charge of the battery utilizing a discharge current of the battery and an age of the battery, and utilizing the present charge and the low-voltage-alarm charge to estimate the run time of the battery. Utilizing the open-circuit voltage, temperature, and age comprises looking up a present battery capacity, temperature coefficient, and ageing coefficient in lookup tables, and adjusting the present battery capacity, temperature coefficient, and ageing coefficient by the respective offset values adaptive to the battery. |
| US08660808B2 |
Method for accurate battery run time estimation utilizing load-condition voltage
A method for accurately estimating a run time of a battery utilized by an electronic device. The method comprises determining a starting battery capacity utilizing an open-circuit voltage of the battery, determining a battery capacity decline rate utilizing a load-condition voltage of the battery, and determining a low-voltage-alarm battery capacity during an active operation of the electronic device. The method further comprises utilizing the starting battery capacity, the battery capacity decline rate, and the low-voltage-alarm battery capacity to estimate the run time of the battery which may be determined by dividing the difference of the starting battery capacity and the low-voltage-alarm battery capacity by the battery capacity decline rate. One embodiment utilizes an open-circuit voltage lookup table, a load-condition voltage lookup table, and a low-voltage-alarm lookup table that are configured for use with a certain type of battery. |
| US08660807B2 |
Method of substation-control center two-level distributed nonlinear state estimation for power system
A substation-control center tow-level distributed grid nonlinear state estimation method is provided. RTU measurement data and PMU measurement data at each voltage level in each substation are collected. Performing a first three-phase state estimation is performed to obtain a first estimation result. Bad data from the RTU measurement data and the PMU measurement data are removed to estimate a state of a CB. A new CB island at each voltage level is formed, and a second three-phase state estimation for the new CB island is performed to obtain a final estimation result, in which the new CB island is a bus. The final estimation result is processed to obtain ripe data. And the ripe data, a part of the RTU measurement data and a part of the PMU measurement data are collected and a whole grid state estimation is performed. |
| US08660795B2 |
Navigation apparatus
A navigation apparatus has a road learning function. When a new road is learned and a new road link is connected to one of a map road link present in a ready-made map data and a previously-learned road link, the navigation apparatus designates the one of the map road link and the learned road link as a base link and generates a supplement link that extends along the base link from a base-link-side end point of the new road link to an end point of the base link. The navigation apparatus specifies an entrance link and an exit link connected to a process target point on the guidance route, and determines content of the route guidance by using the base link corresponding to the supplement link when the entrance link or the exit link is the supplement link. |
| US08660794B2 |
System and method for providing shared information about traveled road segments
A system and method splices into, or replaces routes identified based on road geometry with routes taken by the same user or other users to create alternate routes that may be selected by a user to display, for example, on a map or for which driving directions can be displayed. Communication of routes traveled by different devices may be received from a server or from another device. A naming convention for road segments and ordered paths of road segments is described. |
| US08660791B2 |
Fleet tracking method using unicast and multicast communication
A method of tracking a fleet of machines operating at a common worksite is disclosed. The method may include receiving at a central controller an unacknowledged message from communicating devices onboard the fleet of machines, the unacknowledged message including a current location of each of the fleet of machines determined by locating devices onboard the fleet of machines. The method may also include updating a location listing of the fleet of machines with the current location, and repetitively multicasting the location listing to the communicating devices. |
| US08660789B2 |
Hierarchical and exact fastest path computation in time-dependent spatial networks
With real-world spatial networks the edge travel-times are time-dependent, where the arrival-time to an edge determines the actual travel-time on the edge. To speed up the path computation, exact and approximate techniques for computation of the fastest path in time-dependent spatial networks are presented. An exact fastest path computation technique based on a time-dependent A* search can significantly improve the computation time and storage complexity of existing approaches. Moreover, for applications with which approximate fastest path is acceptable, the approximate fastest path computation technique can improve the computation time by an order of magnitude while maintaining high accuracy (e.g., with only 7% increase in travel-time of the computed path on average). With experiments using real data-sets (including a variety of large spatial networks with real traffic data) the efficacy of the disclosed techniques for online fastest path computation is demonstrated. |
| US08660785B2 |
Method and apparatus for diagnosing driving operation
An apparatus is provided for providing users diagnosis on driving operations in the same manner as diagnosing vehicle failures and for presenting evaluation with supporting data so that users may recognize their driving operations. The apparatus reads out driving data for a plurality of driving cycles from an electronic control unit on board the vehicle. The electronic control unit includes a memory for storing driving data representing fuel efficiency condition of the vehicle in accordance with driving operation by a user in each driving cycle of the vehicle. Charts are produced representing fuel efficiency condition for each driving operation by the user for each driving cycle, based on the read out driving data. The charts are output as comparison results for each one of the driving cycles. |
| US08660781B2 |
Method and apparatus for enabling commuter groups
A commuter groups service (CGS) allows commuters to join commuter groups so that they are able to socialize while commuting. Through the commuter groups, the users may share commuting routes, traffic updates, road conditions, and other information. Group members may arrange car pools, short term riding arrangements, and may anonymously or directly contact each other. The CGS may collect group member position information, e.g. GPS information, to enable the CGS to calculate traffic conditions and to select location specific information for group members. The system may include an on-line service accessible through a computer or wireless networking device. The user may log into the CGS, create or modify a user profile, and join groups of their choosing. Groups may be associated with specific events or with getting to/from work. Commuter groups may be formed for commuters that use private vehicles and/or public transportation. |
| US08660776B2 |
Method for starting an internal combustion engine
A method for starting an internal combustion engine, in which a control unit starts at least one function at a specific crankshaft angle, the function being shifted from the start of the internal combustion engine until a final condition is reached by a relative angle to a later crankshaft angle. |
| US08660773B2 |
Control device for internal combustion engine which operates a throttle corresponding to a controlled variable
A delay time is provided in a calculation process until an instructed throttle opening is outputted after a required cylinder inside air filling efficiency is inputted. When calculation timing of a fuel injection quantity comes, an actual cylinder inside air filling efficiency which is achieved in a time ahead by the delay time from the present time is estimated by using an air response model. When a read-ahead time from the present time to closing timing of an intake valve exceeds the delay time, a change amount of the actual cylinder inside air filling efficiency which occurs by the time the read-ahead time elapses from a time point when the delay time elapses is estimated by using an air response model with a deviation between an estimated actual cylinder inside air filling efficiency after the delay time and a target cylinder inside air filling efficiency as a step input value. |
| US08660771B2 |
Method for detecting the opening of a thrust reverser for a jet engine of an aircraft
A method for detecting the opening of a thrust reverser for a jet engine of an aircraft is disclosed. According to the method, an operating parameter of the turbojet (1) is determined being responsive to the opening of a mobile element (2a, 2b) of the thrust reverser and reacting to such an opening by a sudden variation of the value thereof, the parameter is measured continuously and the mobile element (2a, 2b) is considered as being opened when the sudden variation is detected. |
| US08660769B2 |
Vehicle motion control system
A vehicle motion control system which is to be installed on a vehicle having a single front wheel, a right wheel and a left wheel. The control system includes: (a) a front-wheel steering device configured to steer the front wheel; (b) a braking device configured to apply a braking force to each of the wheels; and (c) a controlling device including a braking-force controlling portion configured to control the braking force that is to be applied to each of the wheels. The braking-force controlling portion includes a slip-management controlling portion configured, when the vehicle is to be braked in a direction-change situation that there is a change of a heading direction of the vehicle due to slip of at least one of the right and left wheels and/or when the vehicle is to be braked in a direction-change risk situation that there is a risk of the change of the heading direction of the vehicle, to execute a slip managing control, such that a magnitude of the braking force applied to the front wheel varies depending on a direction of turning of the front wheel. |
| US08660768B2 |
Device for controlling the driving dynamics of a vehicle
A device for controlling the driving dynamics of a vehicle, including at least one steering-angle sensor, one yaw-rate sensor, one acceleration sensor for measuring at least the transverse acceleration of the vehicle, as well as evaluation electronics for evaluating the signals supplied by the sensors, and for influencing a brake system and/or a drive of the vehicle as a function of the signals. According to the system, the steering-angle sensor, the yaw-rate sensor and the acceleration sensor are combined into one shared subassembly. |
| US08660765B2 |
Idle stop system for vehicles
In an idle stop system for an engine mounted in a vehicle, when it is determined predetermined stop conditions are met, the engine is automatically stopped. During the engine stop, when it is determined that predetermined restart conditions are met, the engine is automatically restarted. Further, it is determined whether or not a predetermined period of time has elapsed since the restart of the engine. When it is determined that the predetermined period of time has elapsed, the clutch mechanism is controlled into the connection thereof at and after a time instant when it is determined that the predetermined period of time has elapsed. Hence, the connected state of the clutch mechanism is realized after a controlled delay. |
| US08660761B2 |
Method of effecting simultaneous displacement changes in hydrostatic drive machine
A method is provided for controlling a gear ratio change in a hydrostatic drive machine. The hydrostatic drive machine includes a variable displacement pump and at least one variable displacement motor fluidly connected with the variable displacement pump. The method includes a step of determining a gear ratio rate of change corresponding to a change from a current gear ratio to a new gear ratio. Start and stop overlap gear ratios corresponding to the gear ratio rate are determined and define an overlap range. The current gear ratio is changed to the new gear ratio using electronic signals at least in part by simultaneously changing displacements of the variable displacement pump and the at least one variable displacement motor at gear ratios within the overlap range, and sequentially changing displacements of the variable displacement pump and the at least one variable displacement motor at gear ratios outside the overlap range. |
| US08660760B2 |
Method for using mining vehicle, arrangement in mine, rock drilling rig, and mining vehicle
A method for using a mining vehicle, arrangement in a mine, rock drilling rig, and mining vehicle. Tasks according to a work cycle are performed at work sites with a mining work device in a mining vehicle. At the work site, the vehicle is connected to an external electrical network. An energy storage of the vehicle is charged during the work cycle defined by a excavation plan, when the vehicle is at a work site. After the work cycle is done, electricity obtained from the energy storage is used in a transfer drive. |
| US08660758B2 |
Payload system with center of gravity compensation
The present disclosure is directed to a payload calculation system for use with a work implement having at least two linkage members. The payload calculation system may have at least one state sensor configured to measure a state of the at least two linkage members. The payload calculation system may also have a processing device in communication with the at least one state sensor. The processing device may account for changes in a center of gravity of each of the at least two linkage members. The processing device may also be configured to use the at least one state sensor to determine a mass of a payload moved by the work implement. |
| US08660756B2 |
Collision mitigation system
A collision mitigation system for a vehicle has a frame assembly including a pair of frame members extending longitudinally along opposite lateral sides of a vehicle. A bumper beam extends across forward end portions of the pair of frame members. The bumper beam has a curved asymmetrical profile for guiding movement of the vehicle during a front-end offset crash event. |
| US08660753B2 |
Control method of wheel alignment apparatus using motor driven power steering
The present invention relates to a control method of a wheel alignment apparatus using an MDPS, which determines whether or not to cancel center alignment control due to a trouble or error is preferentially determined prior to each control step and then performs control when wheels of a vehicle having an MDPS mounted therein are aligned, such that the trouble or error is preferentially considered in the control priority, thereby increasing driver's convenience and improving safety performance for protecting the driver. |
| US08660751B2 |
Electric power steering apparatus and control method therefor
An electric power steering apparatus comprises a charge-discharge circuit capable of configuring a circuit for charging an auxiliary power supply and a circuit for discharging a battery and the auxiliary power supply as well as configuring a discharge-preference circuit which enables only the discharge of the auxiliary power supply while avoiding the charge thereof. In the apparatus, a control circuit performs a power latch operation of carrying on control till the end of a predetermined period of time following an operation of turning off an ignition key, and also causes the charge-discharge circuit to configure the discharge-preference circuit thereby enabling steering assist accompanied by the discharge of the auxiliary power supply. |
| US08660736B2 |
Autonomous mobile device and method for navigating the same to a base station
A method of navigating an autonomous mobile device to a base station is provided. In the method, when a detector detects a navigating signal sent out by the base station, the mobile device rotates in a first direction until the detector fails to detect the navigating signal, and a first time point is set at this time. Then, the mobile device rotates in a second direction opposite to the first direction until the detector fails to detect the navigating signal, and a second time point is set at this time. Afterward, the mobile device rotates in the first direction by a time computed based on the first and second time points to make the detector face the base station, and then, moves toward a direction pointed by the detector. |
| US08660732B2 |
Vehicle with external charging
A vehicle can be charged by receiving electric power from an external power supply apparatus (600) via a charging cable (450) and includes an inlet (220), a lid (250) for protecting the inlet (220), and an electricity storage device (110). The inlet (220) includes a C terminal (227) for detecting connection to the power supply apparatus (600) and a G terminal that is connected to the body earth of the vehicle (100). The lid (250) is configured to electrically connect between the C terminal (227) and the G terminal (223) when the lid (250) is closed. The vehicle (100) further includes a PLG-ECU (350) that detects whether the lid (250) is open or closed, based on the voltage of the C terminal (227). |
| US08660726B2 |
Torque blending systems for hybrid electric vehicles with electrically continuous variable transmissions
A hybrid control system for a hybrid electric vehicle (HEV) includes a hybrid control module. The hybrid control module includes a first motor control module that controls output torque of a first motor. A second motor control module controls output torque of a second motor based on a second motor torque request signal. The second motor torque request signal is generated based on a transmission output torque request signal prior to startup of an engine of the HEV. An override module generates a torque override request signal during the startup. The first motor control module controls output torque of the first motor to crank the engine during the startup. The second motor control module adjusts output torque of the second motor based on the torque override request signal and not the transmission output torque request signal during the startup to minimize vehicle jerk during the engine start. |
| US08660721B2 |
Method and device for controlling engine speed of an aircraft during a take-off
A device for controlling engine speed of a multi-engine aircraft includes a series of components for automatically controlling the speed of the engines during the take-off, so as to avoid discrepancies in the engine speeds. To this end, as long as all engines of the aircraft do not have, at least at given intermediary moment of the take-off, a driving parameter value equal to a preset intermediate value of the parameter, the speed of all of the engines cannot exceed an intermediate speed associated with the preset intermediate value. Thus, all engines must reach the intermediate speed so that the acceleration to a higher take-off speed can continue simultaneously for all engines. |
| US08660720B2 |
Method and device for determining a takeoff trajectory allowing to maximize the takeoff weight of an aircraft
A trajectory analysis device automatically determines an auxiliary takeoff trajectory including a curvilinear lateral profile, which allows to maximize the takeoff weight of the aircraft. To this end, the device includes an initial data generation device, an auxiliary takeoff trajectory determination device, and a display device. The crew of the aircraft may then review the optimized auxiliary takeoff trajectory. |
| US08660711B2 |
Method and system for deactivating a steering system of an aircraft'S front landing gear
A method for deactivating a steering system of a front landing gear of an aircraft, including detecting an activated status of the steering system, detecting a pilot control unit in neutral position, detecting towing conditions of the aircraft, detecting a rotational movement of the nose gear, and deactivating the steering system when operations to are verified. The disclosed embodiments also concern a system for implementing this method. |
| US08660707B2 |
Automatic cutoff apparatus
Disclosed is an automatic cutoff apparatus that automatically cuts off a power source in a space where people go in and out when it is confirmed that no one is in the space. The apparatus includes: an entrance sensor; at least one moving object sensor; a controller connected to the entrance sensor, the moving object sensor, and configured to cut off the resources in the specific object device when the entrance sensor senses a passage of a moving object but the moving object sensor does not sense a presence of the moving object. |
| US08660705B2 |
Irrigation system with soil moisture based seasonal watering adjustment
A soil moisture based irrigation system includes a stand alone irrigation controller with a seasonal adjust feature and a stand alone weather station including at least one soil moisture sensor. The soil moisture based irrigation system further includes a stand alone soil moisture control unit operatively connected to the irrigation controller and the soil moisture sensor. The soil moisture control unit includes programming configured to calculate an estimated soil moisture requirement value using a signal from the soil moisture sensor and to automatically modify a watering schedule of the irrigation controller through the seasonal adjust feature based on the estimated soil moisture requirement value to thereby conserve water while maintaining plant health. |
| US08660700B2 |
Video-based system and method of elevator door detection
A video-based system detects the position of elevator doors based on video data provided by one or more video detectors. Based on the detected position of the elevator doors, a distance between the elevator doors can be determined. The operation of the elevator doors is controlled based, at least in part, on the detected distance between the elevator doors. |
| US08660694B2 |
Method for computer-aided movement planning of a robot
A method for computer-aided movement planning of a robot is provided, in which a trajectory for the movement of a spatial point assigned to the robot is planned in a fixed coordinates system. The spatial positions are translated from a plurality of spatial positions of the spatial point into respective configuration positions in a configuration room of the robot based on inverse kinematics. The respective configuration positions are described by axial positions of one or several rotatory or translational movement axes of the robot and are tested for collisions and a trajectory is formed along spatial positions of the spatial point, the respective configuration positions of which are collision-free. Planning the movement in a fixed coordinates system improves the efficiency of the planning method and the planned movement corresponds more to the expectations of the persons or the operating staff in the surroundings of the robot. |
| US08660692B2 |
Current alternating robot system and method of electric bus
The system includes a robot body and a main robot control platform. The robot body includes a mechanical part and an electrical control part. The mechanical part includes a horizontal moving unit, an objective carrying platform unit and a bearing unit which are arranged in X, Y and Z cartesian coordinate directions. The objective carrying platform unit includes an objective carrying platform and a battery drive mechanism arranged on the objective carrying platform. A battery pushing mechanism is arranged on the battery drive mechanism. The electrical control part includes a data collection device connected with a main control computer system, a power drive mechanism, an I/O model and a wireless communication model I. The wireless communication model I, the wireless communication model II of a control backend and the wireless communication model III in the remote control device wirelessly communicate with each other. |
| US08660689B2 |
Vending kiosk
An open merchandise, multi-cubicle display, vending kiosk, custom-fabricated from a plurality of visually open materials and sized to suit the products being sold. The kiosk provides a self-service customer purchase via a barcode scan or touch selector, payment facilitator, and integrated computer assembly with programming to control the kiosk. Also incorporated are audio components which attract customers to the kiosk and a webcam video device which observes the kiosk environment, serves the kiosk's security and can provide customer inquiries to a remote manager via a VoIP communication feature. When necessary, wireless Internet components connect the kiosk functions to process financial transaction services, or to a remote manager for the kiosk's inventory, records management, and programming functions. In addition to its vending attributes, the kiosk has a full closure curtain with a tubular motor which secures the kiosk after business hours. |
| US08660688B2 |
Automatic working device
An automatic working device according to an aspect of an embodiment includes a robot hand and a determining unit. The robot hand grips a target workpiece. The determining unit determines the type of the workpiece on the basis of a gripping operation for making the robot hand grip a gripped piece that indicates the type of the workpiece provided in a supply vessel that supplies the workpiece to the robot hand. |
| US08660684B2 |
Method of removing stock material from a workpiece by machining with a tool
A method of determining a desired power level (P) as a function of relative tool to workpiece position, thereby enabling adaptive control advantages that were previously inaccessible for machining, such as bevel gear grinding, from solid applications. Preferably, set point power is expressed as a function of specific power (P′, P″) and roll position (Q) for a generated gear or as a function of specific power and plunge position for a non-generated (i.e. Formate) gear. Specific power is defined and preferably remains as defined during machining even as process conditions vary during machining. |
| US08660683B2 |
Printer driver systems and methods for automatic generation of embroidery designs
Printer driver systems and methods for automatic generation of embroidery designs are disclosed. An example method includes identifying intersections of line segments from different ones of first polygonal objects, determining relationships between the line segments based on the intersections, removing a redundancy between at least two of the line segments, generating, using a computer, second polygonal objects based on the intersections and the line segments, and outputting, from the computer, embroidery data representative of the second polygonal objects. |
| US08660679B2 |
Augmented reality system
Technologies are generally described for a system for processing an augmented reality image. In some examples, an augmented reality system may include an augmented reality engine configured to provide an augmented reality image by integrating a real-world image and a virtual object, and a message processing unit configured to receive a message related to the virtual object and to translate spatial attributes of the virtual object into audio attributes of a sound file. |
| US08660677B2 |
Sound pressure level-aware music playlists
The present document relates to media players, such as portable electronic devices, vehicle audio systems, home stereo systems, etc. In particular, it relates to the management of the sound pressure level generated by portable electronic devices. A method and system for controlling the cumulated audio dose of a user of a media player is described. The method comprises the steps of determining the audio dose already consumed by the user and of selecting one or more media tracks for play back on the media player based on the audio dose of the media track and the already consumed audio dose of the user. |
| US08660669B2 |
Concurrent treatment of oral maladies using direct current electricity
A method and apparatus for the concurrent treatment of multiple oral diseases and defects while promoting general oral hygiene utilizing direct current electricity. Electrodes are used to deliver a direct current to the gingival tissues of a mouth in order to achieve a number of therapeutic, prophylactic, and regenerative benefits. These benefits include killing oral microbes, increasing oral vasodilation, improving oral blood circulation, reversing oral bone resorption, promoting oral osteogenesis, treating gum recession, and fostering gingival regeneration. Other benefits include the treatment of gingivitis, perdiodontitis, and oral malodor while also promoting general oral hygiene. |
| US08660668B2 |
Lead fastener
Lead electrode assemblies for use with an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator subcutaneously implanted outside the ribcage between the third and twelfth ribs comprising the electrode. Example assemblies include appendages of various types for use during implantation including fins, pinholes, loops, tubes, openings and other means for attachment to an implant tool. Several embodiments include first and second faces on the electrodes such that a first face is configured to be implanted facing the ribcage of the patient and the second face has the appendage. |
| US08660666B2 |
Microburst electrical stimulation of cranial nerves for the treatment of medical conditions
Disclosed herein are methods, systems, and apparatus for treating a medical condition in a patient using an implantable medical device by applying an electrical signal characterized by having a number of pulses per microburst, an interpulse interval, a microburst duration, and an interburst period to a portion of a cranial nerve of said patient, wherein at least one of the number of pulses per microburst, the interpulse interval, the microburst duration, or the interburst period is selected to enhance cranial nerve evoked potentials. |
| US08660663B2 |
Lead having a conductive polymer conductor
A medical electrical lead includes a conductive polymer conductor fabricated from a conductor-filled polyisobutylene urethane, urea or urethane/urea copolymer. |
| US08660661B2 |
Implantable electrode
The invention concerns an implantable electrode which includes at least one electrical conductor having a proximal connecting region for a pulse generator and at least one working electrode which can be connected to the pulse generator by way of the conductor. The implantable electrode includes at least one portion which contains elementary magnesium. |
| US08660660B2 |
Power scheme for implant stimulators on the human or animal body
A power scheme for an implant on a human or animal body comprises: a charging circuit to provide power to deliver controlled stimulation currents to a body tissue; a capacitive storage arrangement connected with the charging circuit and charged by the charging circuit; a shunting arrangement to limit voltage on the capacitive storage arrangement; a driver array configured to transfer charges from the capacitive storage arrangement to the tissue; and an electrode array connected with the driver array and the tissue. |
| US08660658B2 |
Speech processor cases
Apparatus and methods for converting one type of speech processor unit into another type of speech processor unit. |
| US08660654B2 |
Selective high frequency spinal cord modulation for inhibiting pain with reduced side effects, and associated systems and methods
Selective high-frequency spinal cord modulation for inhibiting pain with reduced side effects and associated systems and methods are disclosed. In particular embodiments, high-frequency modulation in the range of from about 1.5 KHz to about 50 KHz may be applied to the patient's spinal cord region to address low back pain without creating unwanted sensory and/or motor side effects. In other embodiments, modulation in accordance with similar parameters can be applied to other spinal or peripheral locations to address other indications. |
| US08660651B2 |
Electrical stimulation method for treatment of peripheral neuropathy
An electrical stimulation method for the treatment of peripheral neuropathy is disclosed. In a preferred embodiment, the method utilizes an electrical stimulation device that includes a plurality of channels of electrodes each of which includes a first and second electrode positioned in electrical contact with tissue of a target region suffering from peripheral neuropathy. Agonist/antagonist muscles involved in abduction/adduction, flexion/extension, supination/pronation, protraction/retraction, and/or eversion/inversion in the peripheral body regions are stimulated with a patterned series of electrical pulses through channels of electrodes in accordance with a procedure for treating peripheral neuropathy. The patterned series of electrical pulses may comprise: a plurality of cycles of a biphasic sequential pulse train pattern; a plurality of cycles of a biphasic overlapping pulse train pattern; a plurality of cycles of a triphasic sequential pulse train pattern; and a plurality of cycles of a triphasic overlapping pulse train pattern. |
| US08660649B2 |
Multi-site cranial stimulation method and system
The method includes applying individual stimuli to different regions of a brain the application of specific stimulus signals to corresponding stimulation elements arranged adjacent to the regions of the brain. The method includes constructing one or more simplified models of the brain, or of one or more sectors of the brain, considering the brain or the sector thereof, as appropriate, as a non-linear coupled oscillating system, and includes determining the stimulus signals so that the latter are suitable for exciting one or more natural vibration modes of the non-linear coupled oscillating system. The system includes stimulation elements (E1, E2 . . . En) arranged adjacent to regions of a brain, and an electronic system in connection with the stimulation elements (E1, E2 . . . En) and intended for applying thereto corresponding stimulus signals and for determining same by applying the proposed method. |
| US08660648B2 |
Implantable and rechargeable neural stimulator
One aspect of the present subject matter relates to an implantable medical device. An embodiment of the device comprises a rechargeable power supply adapted to be recharged through an ultrasound signal, a neural stimulator connected to the rechargeable power supply, and a controller connected to the rechargeable power supply. The neural stimulator is adapted to generate a neural stimulation signal for delivery to a neural stimulation target through an electrode. The controller is further connected to the neural stimulator to control the neural stimulator according to a neural stimulation protocol. Other aspects are provided herein. |
| US08660647B2 |
Stimulating cranial nerve to treat pulmonary disorder
A method for stimulating a portion of a vagus nerve of a patient to treat a pulmonary disorder is provided. At least one electrode is coupled to at least one portion of a left vagus nerve and/or a right vagus nerve of the patient. An electrical signal is applied to the portion of the vagus nerve using the electrode to treat the pulmonary disorder. The electrical signal may perform a blocking of an intrinsic neural activity on said at least one portion of the left vagus nerve and said right vagus nerve. |